QAI Certifications for Not Yet Techies

"Computer Careers: Analyzing Software Quality"

by Richard Stooker, President Info Ring Press and author of Secrets of Changing to a Computer Career

QAI certifications from:

QAI certifications come from the Quality Assurance Institute and are designed for information technology professionals involved in promoting and maintaining software program quality. QAI certifications are "The international standard of definition for professional status as an information technology software quality practitioner."

Type of QAI certifications for computer careers:

Cross Platform

QAI certifications worth it?

Standard disclaimer:

Whether or not any certification is "worth it" is an individual decision. You alone must decide what your career goals and needs are.

Look at certifications from a cost/benefit or Return On Investment (ROI) basis. If they help you get a better paying job or make more money at your current job, they are obviously "worth it."

The problem is, there is no real way of measuring how much you can expect your income to go up as a result of any given certification. It also depends on non-related job search skills such as how well you network.

QAI certifications background:

There are now two QAI certifications:

CSQA - Certified Software Quality Analyst (formerly CSA / Certified Software Analyst)
CSTE - Certified Software Test Engineer

To obtain the CSQA QAI certifications you must pass some prerequisites, including education and experience in the field

The Quality Assurance Institute does NOT view this as another certification qualification for inexperienced people to pass by studying hard so they can get an entry level job. You must even provide character references.

To obtain the CSQA QAI certifications you must pass a 4-part exam that tests your knowledge of the Certified Software Quality Analyst Body of Knowledge:

The CSQA Skill Categories are:

Quality Principles
Software Development, Acquisition, and Operation Processes
Quality Models and Quality Assessment
Quality Management/Leadership
Quality Assurance
Quality Control Practices
Define, Build, Implement, and Improve Work Processes
Quantitative Methods

The Certified Software Test Engineer (CSTE) QAI certification indicates "a professional level of competence in the principles and practices of quality control in the IT profession."

Again, this is NOT an entry-level certification. You must have some experience in the field to hope to get this certification. It's best for those who've served their initial "apprenticeship," mastered the basics and who want to move up in the profession.

You must again provide character references and pass a four part exam that tests your comprehension of the CSTE Body of Knowledge.

Certified Software Test Engineer Body of Knowledge:

Areas:

The Test Environment
Test Planning
Executing the Test Plan
Test Analysis and Reporting

Skill Categories:

Test Principles and Concepts
The Tester's Role in Software Development and Acquisition
Test Management
Build the Test Environment
Risk Analysis
Test Planning Process
Test Design
Performing Tests
Defect Tracking and Correction
Acceptance Testing
Status of Testing
Test Reporting

These are the basics of the two QAI certifications.

Next: RSA certifications

Use Your New Computer Career as a Stepping Stone to Even Greater Success

Send off for your free 7-part Techie Plus eCourse now. So that you can learn:

The 7 most important skills to even greater business achievement -- not to mention wealth and (maybe) fame
Why techies are expendable in bad times and how to protect yourself from them
Why the world's richest computer programmer has not written any code in ages
How one ex-engineer now makes $500,000 a year
The abilities most techies don't even realize they don't have -- which confines their success to their technical abilities
Why techies are expendable in bad times and how to protect yourself from them

It's fast and easy. You will receive the first part in your email box within minutes.

I respect your privacy. I will never sell, rent or trade your email address.

After you subscribe, the form will redirect you to a thank you page.

Thank you!

Rick Stooker

Permission is granted to reprint the above article in an ezine or on a website as long as it is reprinted in full, with no changes, with full credit and with this contact information and link included at the bottom. All other rights reserved.

Computer Careers (Home) Sitemap Contact Privacy

Info Ring Press

Richard Stooker

PO Box 617

130-G Ballwin Manor Dr

Ballwin, MO 63011

(636) 394-2052

rick@inforingpress.com