QA/QC Certifications – Additional Information

Types of Certifications

Quality Assurance Institute

CSTE

Focuses on principles and practices of quality control, including testing practices, processes, and techniques

CSQA

Focuses on principles and practices of quality assurance, including managing QA/QC efforts, process management and improvement, and metrics

American Society for Quality

Six Sigma Black Belt

Specifically designed for people who have a comprehensive understanding of Six Sigma and its methodologies.

Software Quality Engineer (CSQE)

Specifically designed for people who have a comprehensive understanding of software quality development and implementation

Quality Manager

Designed for people who understand quality principles and standards in relation to organization and human resource management.

Remaining QAI Exam Dates at Locations in this Area

Date	Application Deadline	Location(s)
Friday, June 13, 2003	April 24, 2003	Minneapolis, MN Chicago, IL
Monday, August 25, 2003	June 25, 2003	Las Vegas, NV at QAI’s e-XREME Testing Conference
Friday, September 12, 2003	July 14, 2003	Minneapolis, MN
Friday, December 5, 2003	October 6, 2003	Chicago, IL

Links and References

Software Certifications: http://www.softwarecertifications.com/
Site administered by the Quality Assurance Institute

Practice CSQA Exam: https://www.castleworldwide.com/pass/new_tds/qai_home.asp

American Society for Quality Certifications:
http://www.asq.org/cert/types/index.html

QAI Certification -- Bodies of Knowledge

CSQA Knowledge Domains/Skill Categories

1. Quality Principles

Definitions of quality, quality concepts, quality control and quality assurance, quality pioneers.

2. The Software Development, Acquisition, and Operations Processes

Process and SDLC knowledge, roles and responsibilities within the process

3. Quality Models and Quality Assessment

Purpose of models, industry quality models, model selection process, and using models for baselines and assessments

4. Quality Management and Leadership

Management commitment, quality management infrastructure, quality management techniques and approaches, communications

5. Quality Assurance

Establishing a QA function, IT quality plan, quality tools, process deployment, internal auditing and QA

6. Quality Control Practices

System of internal control, testing concepts, verification and validation techniques, verification and validation, developing testing methodologies, software change control, defect management

7. Define, Build, Implement, and Improve Work Processes

Process management concepts and processes

8. Quantitative Methods

Measurement concepts, measurement in software development, variation and process capability, risk management, implementing a measurement program

CSTE Knowledge Domains/Skill Categories

1. Test Principles and Concepts

Definitions, techniques, methods, quality, and testing life cycle

2. Tester’s Role in Software Development and Acquisition

Process and SDLC knowledge, roles and responsibilities within the process

3. Test Management

Giving and receiving information, personal effectiveness, continuing education, leadership, code of ethics

4. Build the Test Environment

Standards, environment components, tools, work processes, adapting the environment

5. Risk Analysis

Identification and management

6. Test Planning Process

Pre-planning, planning, and post-planning activities

7. Test Design

Preparation and execution

8. Performing Tests

Execution, test results, logs, and discrepancies

9. Defect Tracking and Correction

Recording and reporting defects, retesting corrections

10. Acceptance Testing

Concepts, roles, and process

11. Status of Testing

Completion criteria, metrics, management by fact

12. Test Reporting

Tools, standards, and statistical analysis

Recertification Journals

Continuing Professional Education (CPE) Categories

Category	Types of Activities	CPE Credits
A – Education	Conferences	Max. of 40 per conference
	Seminars and classes	1 credit per hour of class
	Formal college classes (Minimum GPA of 2.0)	10 credits per class credit hour
B – Publishing	Book	120 credits
	Articles	40 credits for peer-reviewed 20 credits for non-peer-reviewed
	Regular columns (Minimum length of 6 editorial column inches)	4 credits for each column
C – Teaching	Evening or weekend class at a college or university	Max 30 credits for full-semester course 10 credits for shorter semester or workshops
	Giving a presentation at a meeting of conference	Max 10 credits
D – Participation in profession (20 credit max. per year)	Membership	10 credits per year per membership
	Committee or special interest group	1 credit per hour of participation
	Proctoring a certification exam	2 credit hours per session
E – Self-study (10 credit max. per year)	Books	5 credits per book
	Periodicals	2 credits per periodical
	Videos	1 credit per contact hour
	Internet	1 credit per contact hour
F – Unique and innovative activities (20 credit max. per year)	Above and beyond normal job duties, such as installing a company-wide quality improvement program, a quality award program, or demonstrating a significant organizational shift in quality (Requires an addendum form from Software Certifications site and two testimonials from managers, customers, or suppliers)	20 credits