1. The Software Quality Profession Series: June 19, 2008 Alejandro Ramirez CSQA, CSTE, Six Sigma Yellow Belt

2.  Clarification: what this is not about  Objective: what this is about  Justification: what you will get from it June 20082

3.  Your career is your responsibility  Its future starts with a plan  Difference between jobs that fit you vs. jobs with potential  Move at the speed of business but don’t miss your train  Don’t wait, make it happen June 20083

4.  How to get started  Are you thinking about it?  Are you already there?  Skills needed  Tools needed  Self-assessment  Where I am vs. where I want to be next?  Follow-up June 20084

5.  Career Paths are based on:  Education  Experience  Company  Competencies  Choices  Aspirations  Career Stages are determined by:  Experience  Competencies demonstrated  Skills acquired  Results  Memberships / affiliations June 20085

6.  Professional Certifications are based on:  Body of knowledge  Education  Experience  Your Company  Professional Certifications can help you:  With your Career Path  With your Job  With your Company June 20086

7. 7  QC  Tester  Developer/Tester  Automation Engineer  Test Manager  Test Director  Consultant  QA  Quality Analyst  Process Engineer  Auditor/Inspector  Quality Manager  Quality Director (CQO)  Consultant  Levels  Individual Contributor  Lead  Manager  Expertise  Junior  Senior  Expert  VP

8.  Certifications  QAI ▪ CSTE, CMST, CSQA, CMSQ  ASQ ▪ CQA, CQIA, CQPA, CSSGB, CSSBB, CSQE, CMQ/OE  ISTQB ▪ CTFL, CTAL  IIST ▪ CSTP, CTM June 20088

9.  Competencies  QC  Test Environment  Test Management  Test Planning  Test Execution  Defect Tracking & Reporting  UAT  Offshoring & Outsourcing  Automation & Tools  Continuous Improvement  Measurement  Teams  Communication  Quality Management June 20089 Continued…  Quality Models  Baselines  QA  Quality Planning  Auditing  Data-Driven Analysis  Voice of Customer  Six Sigma  Quality Deployment  Process Management  Project Management  Statistics  DFSS  Training & Development

10. June 200810

11.  Tips  Self-assessments: books, CBOKs, Myers Briggs.  Education: degrees, certificates, continuing ed.  Certification: the right one for you.  Networking: Chapters, SIGs, conferences, online.  Achievable goals: Write it in “doable” mode.  Consider the Options: Pro-Cons Worksheet  Get the facts: salary, bonuses, career growth  Make it Serious: Job Commitments  Don’t forget: Reward yourself! June 200811

12.  Conclusion  Remember: It’s your career  Introspection: where you are now  The future: where you want to be in 1, 5, 10 years  Make it doable  Reward yourself June 200812

13. Choosing the Right Certification for your Career June 2008 Alejandro Ramirez CSQA, CSTE

14.  Certifications  QAI: http://www.softwarecertifications.org/ http://www.softwarecertifications.org/  ISTQB: http://www.astqb.org http://www.astqb.org  IIST: http://www.testinginstitute.com http://www.testinginstitute.com  ASQ: http://www.asq.org/certification/ http://www.asq.org/certification/  PMI (PMP): http://www.pmi.org/ http://www.pmi.org/  Microsoft: http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx http://www.microsoft.com/learning/mcp/default.mspx  Java: http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/index.xml http://www.sun.com/training/certification/java/index.xml  Books and other materials  Pro-Con: http://www2.bc.cc.ca.us/counseling/careercenter/procon.html http://www2.bc.cc.ca.us/counseling/careercenter/procon.html  Effective Methods for Software Testing http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Methods-Software-Testing- 2nd/dp/047135418X http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Methods-Software-Testing- 2nd/dp/047135418X  Software Quality Assurance From theory to Implementation http://www.amazon.com/Software-Quality-Assurance-Theory-Implementation/dp/0201709457 http://www.amazon.com/Software-Quality-Assurance-Theory-Implementation/dp/0201709457  Do What You Are: Discover the perfect career for you through the secrets of personality type http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Are-Personality-Type-Revised/dp/0316880655 http://www.amazon.com/What-You-Are-Personality-Type-Revised/dp/0316880655  MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator) http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator http://www.personalitypathways.com/type_inventory.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myers-Briggs_Type_Indicator June 200814