Sqacareerdev Certifications

Software Quality Group of New England February 13, 2002

Career Development Activities for the SQA and Test Professional Eric Patel CQM, CSQE, CSTE QA Program Manager VeriTest [email protected] www.veritest.com 1

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

SQA & Test Career Demands (1985-2005) 1st Wave

2nd Wave

3rd Wave

4th Wave

(mid 1980s – early 1990s)

(mid-late 1990s)

(late 1990s early 2000s)

(mid 2000s)

•SQA skills

ADD:

ADD:

ADD:

•Testing skills

•Automated test tools

•Technical skills

•Virtual test management

•Scripting

•Networking

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

•Process focus •Competitive career advantages

•Localization •Foreign language skills 2

Why Get More Involved? 1. You want to enhance your resume – Increase your marketability

2. You aspire to become a professional or an expert – Build credibility and a reputation

3. You have a passion for the profession – Have more of a career vs. a job

4. You need to obtain recertification credits – Desire to keep your certification(s) active

5. You feel a calling to help others – Share information, “best” practices

6. You want to give something back to the software community – Inspire others to participate Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Professional Memberships

• Organizations

– American Society for Quality (ASQ) – Institute of Electronics and Electrical Engineers (IEEE) – International Institute for Software Testing (IIST) – Project Management Institute (PMI) – Quality Assurance Institute (QAI)

• Benefits – Affiliation – Networking

• Drawbacks – Cost – Products and services you might not use

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Meetings

• Organizations that meet monthly

– New England Software Quality Assurance Forum (NESQAF): 1st Tuesday – Software Quality Group of New England: 2nd Wednesday – Boston SPIN: 3rd Tuesday – ASQ Boston Section: 3rd Thursday – PMI Mass Bay Chapter: 3rd Thursday – Software Association of NH (SwANH): 4th Tuesday

• Benefits – Free advice – Networking

• Drawbacks – Travel – Topics you’re not interested in

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Volunteering • Organizations that need your help – ASQ Sections (Boston, Merrimack Valley) – Boston Software Process Improvement Network (Boston SPIN) – QAI Greater Boston Software Quality Assurance Association (Greater BOSSQAA) – IEEE Boston Section (committees)

• Benefits – Networking – Influencing and improving the organization

• Drawbacks – Unpaid work – Time commitment

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Continuing Education • Course providers – Institutions of higher learning – Organizations – Independent consultants

• Benefits – Keep your skills up-to-date – Influencing and improving your company and the profession

• Drawbacks – Cost – Your company may not reimburse you if your grade isn’t high enough 7

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

Continuing Education: Degreed Programs • California State University, Dominguez Hills – MS in Quality Assurance*

• Hesser College – QA Management Program • AS degree • Diploma

• Kennedy-Western University – BS or MS in Quality Control*

• The National Graduate School – MS in Quality Systems Management

• University of Manitoba – Certificate in Quality Management* Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

*available via distance learning 8

Continuing Education: SQA & Testing Courses • ASQ Boston Section – ASQ Certification Exam Refresher Courses, $355$415 – Other QA courses

• The Boston Computer School – QA Engineer, 20 wk., 400 hr., $3,500 – QA Tools, 8 wk., 160 hr., $1,500

• IEEE Boston Section – Software Verification & Validation, 1 day, $230

• Insight Computer Training Center – Quality Assurance/Software Testing, 21 wk., 400 hr., $3,995 Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Continuing Education: SQA & Testing Courses (cont.) • The Learning Tree – Software Quality Assurance, Course 312, 4 days, $2,345 – Software Testing and Inspection Methods, Course 316, 4 days, $2,345

• ProtoTest – Fundamentals of Software Testing, 3 days, $1,195 – Software Testing Essentials, online, $495

• Rothman Consulting Group – Development and Implementation of System Test Plans, 1 day – Reverse Engineering Requirements to Focus Software Testing, 2 days Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Continuing Education: SQA & Testing Courses (cont.) • Software Quality Consulting – Management's Role in Achieving Predictable Software Development, 1 day – Writing Software Requirements, 1 day

• Software Quality Engineering – Test Management, 3 days, $1,345 – Web/eBusiness Testing, 3 days, $1,345

• SWQuality – Software Inspections, 1-2 days – Software Test Automation

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Certification

• Program types

– Organization-based – Institution-based – Vendor-based

• Benefits – Professional recognition and increased credibility – Competitive advantages for you and your company

• Drawbacks – Varying levels of competency – No program is universally recognized or accepted Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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ASQ Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: 1996 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 1,969 Work experience: 3 – 8 years Exam: 4 hour, 160 multiple choice Type of exam: open book Exam dates: June, December Passing score: 73% (550/750) Recertification period: 3 years Average salary increase: 3% (Quality Progress, December 2001) • Certification costs (est.): $180 - $915 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $180 - $285 Study materials: $190 Exam refresher/test preparation course: $355 - $415 Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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IEEE Certified Software Development Professional (CSDP) • • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: 2001 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 167 Work experience: 4½ years Exam: 3½ hour, 180 multiple choice Type of exam: closed book Exam dates: spring, fall Passing score: Unknown Recertification period: 3 years Average salary increase: Unknown Certification costs (est.): $450 - $745 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $450 - $600 Study materials: $120 Exam refresher/test preparation course: TBD Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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IIST Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP) • • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: 2000 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 153+ Work experience: 1 year Exam: (10) short essays (1 for each of the 10 classes) Type of exam: closed book Exam dates: Varies Passing score: 80% (in each exam) Recertification period: None* Average salary increase: Unknown Certification costs (est.): $4,450 - $8,450 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $4,450 (2 5-day Test Professional Weeks @ $2,225/wk.) Study materials: Included Exam refresher/test preparation course: N/AV Travel: $100 - $4,000

*currently under review Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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QAI Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) • • • • •

First started certifying: 1996 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 2,200+ Work experience: 0 – 6 years Exam: 4 hour, true/false, multiple choice, essay Type of exam: closed book

•

Exam dates: March, June, September, December (White Plains, NY)

• • • •

Passing score: 75% (in each of 4 parts) Recertification period: 3 years Average salary increase: 9% (QAI CSTE brochure) Certification costs (est.): $250 - $700 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $250 Study materials: Not provided Exam refresher/test preparation course: $300 - $400 Travel: $50

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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QAI Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) • • • • •

First started certifying: 1986 Total # active certifications (12/2001): Unknown Work experience: 0 – 6 years Exam: 4 hour, true/false, multiple choice, essay Type of exam: closed book

•

Exam dates: March, June, September, December (White Plains, NY)

• • • •

Passing score: 75% (in each of 4 parts) Recertification period: 3 years Average salary increase: 10% (QAI CSQA brochure) Certification costs (est.): $250 - $700 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $250 Study materials: Not provided Exam refresher/test preparation course: $300 - $400 Travel: $500

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Mercury Interactive Certified Product Specialist (CPS) • • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: Unknown Total # active certifications (12/2001): Unknown Work experience: none Exam: TestSuite 7.0 (WinRunner & TestDirector); LoadRunner 7.0 Type of exam: Take home; 4 wk. (est.) Exam dates: Varies Passing Score: 75% Recertification period: none ($100/yr. fee) Average salary increase: Unknown Certification costs (est.): $3,000+ – – – –

Exam fee(s): $2,500 (1 wk. Course) + $500 (exam fee) Study materials: Included Exam refresher/test preparation course: Included Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Mercury Interactive Certified Product Instructor (CPI) • • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: Unknown Total # active certifications (12/2001): Unknown Work experience: none Exam: TestSuite 7.0 (WinRunner & TestDirector); LoadRunner 7.0 Type of exam: Take home Exam dates: Varies Passing score: 75% Recertification period: none ($750/yr. fee) Average salary increase: Unknown Certification costs (est.): $3,500+ – – – –

Exam fee(s): $3,500 (3 days) Study materials: Included Exam refresher/test prep course: Included Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Segue Certified SilkTest Engineer (SCSTE) • • • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: 2002 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 0 Work experience: 3 month SilkTest experience Exam: (2), 2 hours each Type of exam: Level I (written) and Level II (hands-on lab) Exam dates: Varies, up to (3) 2-day courses Passing score: 75% (Level I); 80% (Level II) Recertification period: None Average salary increase: Unknown Certification costs (est.): $350 - $4,525 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $150 (Level I) and $200 (Level II) Study materials: $350 Exam refresher/test preparation course: $1,500 (per course, up to 3) Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Segue Certified SilkPerformer Engineer (SCSE) • • • • • • • •

First started certifying: 2001 Total # active certifications (12/2001): 100+ Work experience: 3 - 6 months SilkPerformer experience Exam: (2), 2 hours each Type of exam: Level I (written) and Level II (written) Exam dates: Varies, up to (2) 4-day courses Passing score: 75% (Exam I); 80% (Exam II) Recertification period: None; take a Webinar to certify in current version • Average salary increase: Unknown • Certification costs (est.): $290 - $4,625 – – – –

Exam fee(s): $495 (Exam I) + course fee or $145 for each exam Study materials: $350 each Exam refresher/test preparation course: $2,200 (Exam I), $2,400 (Exam II) Travel: $25

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Attending Conferences • Organizations that hold conferences – ASQ Boston Section’s Boston Quality Conference (BOSCON) – ASQ’s International Conference on Software Quality (ICSQ) – Software Dimensions’ PSQT/PSTT – QAI’s International Conference on Software Testing (ICST) – SQE’s STAR East, STAR West, and Test Automation – SRI’s Quality Week (QW) and Quality Week Europe (QWE) – USPDI’s Testing Computer Software (TCS)

• Benefits – Continuing education – Networking

• Drawbacks – Tough to determine how to spend your time – No support when implementing new ideas Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Speaking Engagements • Speaking opportunities – Meetings – Conferences • Keynote • Track session • Tutorial or pre/post conference workshop

• Benefits – Exposure for you and your company – Free admission

• Drawbacks – Preparation and practice – Competition Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Publishing • Sources for writers – – – –

Books Magazines Conferences Web sites

• Benefits – Exposure for you and your company – Paid activity

• Drawbacks – Time consuming – Long lead times Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Career Development Activity: Teaching • Places to teach – – – –

Universities or colleges Continuing Education divisions Education and training companies SQA and test organizations

• Benefits – Improved presentation and speaking skills – Paid activity

• Drawbacks – Coursework preparation time – Deeper commitment Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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More Ideas for Career Development Activities • Join or lead a roundtable, Birds of a Feather (BoF), or online (forum) discussion • Peer review someone’s presentation, workshop, or tutorial • Serve on a conference committee • Review a book manuscript or article • Become a track chair at a conference • Join an editorial board for a journal or magazine Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Ways to Overcome Involvement Barriers Common Complaints “I don’t have any time.” “I’m not interested.” “My boss won’t support my activities.” “Which activity do I start with?” “I don’t know how to get started.”

Suggestion Read 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Find out more about an area that interests you Show how your company will benefit Define your career goals Review specific suggestions mentioned

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Lessons Learned • Don’t over commit - start small • Watch for signs that your activities may be affecting your day job • It takes an ongoing commitment to see lasting results • You may have to pay for some of your activities from time to time • Expectations will increase as your exposure and involvement increase Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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How To Get Started: Your Personal Action Plan 1. Do some career planning – –

List your career objective and goals Create your roadmap for the future

2. Begin the journey – – –

Gather information Talk to other professionals and your employer Discover your source(s) of motivation

3. Decide which activities complement your and your employer’s goals 4. Pursue the activities and enjoy! Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Summary • There are numerous career development activities worth considering and pursuing • It’s easy to get started and the barriers to involvement are surmountable • Most activities will benefit not only you but your employer as well • The key to a successful start is networking • Any activity that you take on should be balanced with the rest of your work and personal life • Increasing your involvement in our profession helps inspire others to do the same Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Resources • Bolles, Richard Nelson. (2001). What Color Is Your Parachute? Ten Speed Press. 1-58008-242-4. • Certification: A Win-Win Investment for Employees and Employers, Darin Kalashian and Eric Patel, quoted in the forthcoming book The Systematic Software Testing Handbook by Rick Craig and Stefan Jaskiel. (2002). STQE Publishing. • Law, D.J. Certifications for the Software Quality and Test Professional, presented at the STAR East 2001 conference, www.sqe.com/stareast • A Parallel Postsecondary Universe: The Certification System in Information Technology, Clifford Adelman, U.S. Department of Education, October 2002, http://www.ed.gov/pubs/ParallelUniverse/

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Online Resources • • • • • • • • • • • •

American Society for Quality (ASQ): www.asq.org ASQ Boston Section: www.asqboston.org/News/meeting.html BetaSoft: www.betasoft.com Boston Computer School: www.bostoncomputerschool.com Boston Software Process Improvement Network (Boston SPIN): www.bostonspin.org California State University: www.csudh.edu Hesser College: www.hesser.edu Insight Computer Training Center: www.insight-us.com Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE): www.ieee.org IEEE Boston Section: www.ieee-boston.org International Institute for Software Testing (IIST): www.softdim.com/iist Kennedy-Western University: www.kw.edu

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Online Resources (cont.) • • • • • • • • • • •

Learning Tree: www.learningtree.com Quality Assurance Institute (QAI): www.qaiusa.com Mercury Interactive: www.merc-int.com National Graduate School: www.nationalgradschool.org New England Software Quality Assurance Forum (NESQAF): www.nesqaf.org Project Management Institute (PMI) Mass Bay Chapter: www.pmi.org/chapters/mass/ ProtoTest: www.prototest.com RapidSQA: www.rapidsqa.com Rothman Consulting Group: www.jrothman.com Segue Software: www.segue.com Software Association of New Hampshire, Software Engineering and Quality Special Interest Group (SwANH SWEQSIG): www.swanh.org/engsig.htm

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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Online Resources (cont.) • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Software Certifications (QAI): www.softwarecertifications.com Software Quality Consulting: www.swqual.com Software Quality Engineering: www.sqe.com Software Quality Group of New England (SQGNE): www.swquality.com/users/pustaver/bcs.htm Software Quality Professional: sqp.asq.org Software Research: www.soft.com StickyMinds: www.stickyminds.com STQE magazine: www.stqemagazine.com SWQuality, Inc: www.swquality.com Testing Center: www.testingcenter.com Testing FAQs: testingfaqs.org Toastmasters: www.toastmasters.org University of Manitoba: www.umanitoba.ca

Career Development Activities Copyright  2002, Eric Patel. All rights reserved.

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