Elevate Your Leadership-Essential Certifications for Test Managers

Quality Assurance (QA) Managers or Test Managers are no doubt pillars of an organization standing to ensure the quality of the developed software products and processes. Completing appropriate certifications is the oldest practice; it enables the person to become familiar with latest trends in the industry. My recent and previous posts tell you about certifications the project managers and program managers respectively. In this article let’s consider some prominent tasks and duties for Test Manager and QA Manager and notable QA certifications for QA Managers or Test Managers where these certifications will be useful for their career paths.

Importantly, “Test Manager” and “QA Manager” titles are sometimes used the same way while these positions may differ after all, if not in a particular organization, and in terms of the responsibilities which are assigned to these roles. Nevertheless, there are on different contexts such titles varying to same used for the computer software testing and its quality control. Let’s explore both roles.

Role and Responsibilities of Test Managers

1. Design procedure and execution plan

Test Managers may develop complete the test strategy and plan that designates the testing approach, scope, resources, and schedules.

2. Test Team Leadership

They are the leaders of testing team that monitor the testers in charge and make sure their required skills and resources are available to enable them to execute testing activities competently.

3. Test Execution

The main duty of Test Managers is to monitor the running processes of test cases, making sure that testing tasks are being executed with corresponding to the test plan and the quality standards.

4. Defect Management

Spotting and eliminating flaws is thus an essential function. Test Managers have close contact with different development units to ensure that bugs are fixed in time.

5. Test Automation Oversight

Through test automation systems, Test Managers usually watch out so as to keep screens automated and well maintained to enhance efficiency.

6. Reporting and Communication

As Test Managers, we report testing progress, outcomes and difficulties to project stakeholders which comprise project managers, developers and business analysts.

7. Test Environment Management

They assume control and managements of test environments with which they direct to right alignment for testing activities.

Role and Responsibilities of QA Managers (Quality Assurance Managers)

1. Quality Assurance Strategy

QA Manager act out the superior role in setting the quality policy and deciding on the best suited strategy for the organization or a given project within the company.

2. Process Improvement

QA Managers implementing a continuous process improvement initiatives, therefore, ensuring that the best practices are consistently applied during the software development process.

3. Standards Compliance

They guarantee that there is a strict adherence to the development and testing processes that conformed to the quality industry standards, regulatory requirements and internal quality requirements.

4. Risk Management

Sustaining quality is not achievable without risk evaluation and left-system management. Upon QA managers’ activities, the impact of the assumption of quality issues is reduced.

5. Educating and Technological Skill Building

QA managers may attend to training and skill development to grow team’s testing capabilities, using team talents to the fullest.

6. Collaboration with Stakeholders

The responsibility of QA Managers involves working together with different partners, for example, project managers, development teams, and business analysts, and make sure that the same idea of quality standards is set for everyone.

7. Factors and Indicators of Test Health: Quality Measurement and Reporting

Quality settings are in place and performance measures are required to determine the procedures’ productivity. The peer supervisors are reporting such findings to the management.

The fact should be considered that their daily responsibilities as Test Managers and QA Managers are not always going to be the same because there might be different organizational structures and project requirements. Some of the organizations may apply these terms to the wide spectrum of the activities like only quality testing and having them separately for the quality assurance procedures, while others view these titles as similar. The fact is to grasp the implied requirements and conditions pertinent to the chosen type of job position in a particular situation.

Key Certifications for Test Managers or QA Managers

1. Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence (CMQ/OE)

The Council for Operations Excellence (COE), an off-shoot of the American Society for Quality (ASQ), CMQ/OE certification is specifically tailored for individuals that are in charge of processes as well as quality test management roles, including Quality Assurance and Quality Test managers. It spans over a range of topics, including strategic planning, leadership development, and process improvement.

2. Certified Manager in Software Quality (CMSQ)

The Quality Assurance Institute (QAI) is the controller of CMSQ which is purely centered on the needs-specific for QA or Test Managers in the software area. It testsifies both the knowledge of the Software Quality Processes, Testing, and Project Management.

3. Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST) by Peoplecert

PeopleCert which conducted the assessment of essential principles of testing. CAST is for QA and Test Managers and entry level. Software engineer ( developer + tester) you are able to add additional certifications which consequently open doors to other fields as well.

4. Certified Software Test Manager (CSTM)

The GAQM (Global association for quality administration) offers the CSTM certification which is destined for anyone in software testing management position. It underlines the ideas of up-to-date testing adequacy, test plan management, and at the service of taking leadership roles.

5. ISTQB Advanced Level – Test Manager

The ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualification Board) conducts Advanced Level certification CTAL-TM (Certified Tester Advanced Level-Test Manager) (istqb[dot]org/certification/test-manager] a globally well-known certificate for specialists in software engineering logic. It is designed for QA/Test Managers who will gain wide perspective of test management processes on top of it.

6. Certified Six Sigma Black Belt (CSSBB)

This CSSBB (Certified Six Sigma Black Belt) award runs over the American Society for Quality and is not meant for QA professionals or software testers, yet it is also relevant in all the other sectors. QA managers also can be in common with Six Sigma, where quality improvement and defects’ removals are the central issues.

7. Certified ScrumMaster (CSM)

The CSM certification is a must for QA Managers operating under Scrum Alliance since Agile has become the essence. T is offers information on the Scrum techniques and processes which can bring out adaptability and cooperation between the team members.

8. ISO 9001 Lead Auditor

Certifying as a Lead ISO 9001 Auditor is advantageous for Quality Assurance Managers who participate in the design of quality management systems. It is directed at and applies to audits of processes against ISO 9001 standards.

It is conducted by the accredited certification bodies or organizations that have been appreciated by the International Standards Organization (ISO). ISO acts as a framework and the set of standards, rather than administering certifications itself. ISO 9001 Lead Auditor courses that are accredited for training and certification are mostly taken from these organizations that are recognized by bodies from the accreditation sector.

The successful completion of such training course helps to familiarize individuals with the principles and practices of auditing Quality Management Systems as discussed by the ISO 9001 standard criteria. This course is intended to equip the participants with the necessary complimentary skills where after they would be in a good position to perform efficient quality system audits.

In today’s online world, choosing a training provider that is a certified member of a recognized accreditation authority is of the essence. Accreditation bodies guarantee that training organizations possess the specific criteria and standards for the sake of certification and this will assure that the process of certification will not be done in shoddy way. The credible recognized accreditation bodies, mainstream, include.

A. International Register of Certificated Auditors (IRCA)

IRCA is widely considered a prominent certification body in the auditor’s field, with a reputation that extends beyond the local sphere. The IRCA’s accrediting many ISO 9001 Lead Auditor courses and its wide recognition in the industry by the certification of an IRCA-approved training provider, are some of the issues that HR professionals deal with.

B. American Society for Quality (ASQ)

ASQ, in the premium class of quality organizations by delivering knowledge and certifications programmes which address the ISO standards. ASQ certifications are rightly regarded as a gold standard on an international level.

C. Exemplar Global

Exemplar Global represents an accreditation organization releasing certification for auditors, and training providers. ISO 9001 Lead Auditor programs certified by Exemplar Global in turn conferred with international accreditation are afforded recognition across the globe.

D. British Standards Institution (BSI)

BSI, the largest standard organization in the world, provides ISO 9001 Lead Auditor training and certification, it is definitely worth your while. For companies and industries, those certifications are regarded as to be high in credibility.

These certifications cover a broad range of quality management and testing domains to provide experienced QA Managers with a vital skill set needed to drive the QA initiatives of their organization. The stake being chosen for certification should base on the role specific needs and industry where QA manager is performing the role. As for continuous learning and certification, they will help us cope with the new challenges emerging with time and meet the highest standards of quality and effectiveness possible.

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