1. Top Ten Myths of Certification
SWOSQG Meeting
May
SWOSQG Webinar

2. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Top Ten Myths
Based on my experience and
conversations with people
I have tried to capture the most
frequent and extreme comments
Counting down from 10 to 1
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

3. Certification is not worth the effort
Myth Number 10
Certification is not worth
the effort
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

4. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 10
Well it depends on why you would want it in the first place
Job requirement
Personal achievement
Wanting to get a new job and this will assist
If you are not clear why you want this, then any amount of effort will be seen as too much
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

5. You have to take an expensive, tedious course to get certified.
Myth Number 9
You have to take an expensive,
tedious course to get certified.
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

6. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 9
This will depend on the Certification
The QAI certifications do not require you to take a certification prep course
They are offered for those that think they might help them, but not a requirement
In general, be wary of certifications that require you to take expensive courses
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

7. Certification can only be achieved by someone who has read
Myth Number 8
Certification can only be achieved
by someone who has read
dozens of books on the subject
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

8. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 8
Being well read is always an asset
It is not, however, a requirement.
If you have no practical experience, passing these tests will be hard – book smarts will only get you so far
On the other hand, having read a couple key books will be useful
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

9. Certification requires you to have a decade or more of experience
Myth Number 7
Certification requires you to have
a decade or more of experience
in testing
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

10. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 7
Experience, like being well read is an asset – in this case, the more experience the better,
Requirement for QAI is 6 years experience in IT if you have no education relevant to IT
Some of the new Certifications require less experience
There is a requirement for some experience, since some of the questions are geared towards real world answers
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

11. Certification means more work for me before and after.
Myth Number 6
Certification means more work
for me before and after.
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

12. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 6
The only additional work I have found is the re-certification paperwork 
There are a variety of ways to get re-certified credits, to the point that gaining these points should be part of your professional routine
If you are not doing any of this, then it will be hard to remain current in your field regardless
Attending meetings, conference, reading, courses
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

13. The exam is full of trick questions and designed to ensure people fail
Myth Number 5
The exam is full of trick questions
and designed to ensure people
fail
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

14. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 5
The exam has no ‘trick’ questions
It is designed to be difficult – but the questions are hard, not tricky – although some do put these two together
The design is to ensure people who are experienced and knowledgeable, will likely pass – those who are not, will likely fail
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

15. Retaining your certification is difficult and have to take a
Myth Number 4
Retaining your certification is
difficult and have to take a
vendor (like QAI) course to
retain it
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

16. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 4
False again
No mandated courses are required, and most vendors that I am aware of do not require you to take vendor courses to remain current
Taking a QAI course or attending a QAI conference gains you points, but you can get re-certified without ever taking a QAI course
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

17. Obtaining your certification proves nothing about
Myth Number 3
Obtaining your certification
proves nothing about
your ability as a tester.
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

18. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 3
I would disagree.
Getting your certification proves you have some knowledge and experiences about the Common Book of Knowledge (Or Subject Matter) the certification covers
It does not prove you are elite, or more knowledgeable than someone without certification, but it does prove you have ‘some’ knowledge
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

19. Certification will make no difference in how I perform
Myth Number 2
Certification will make no
difference in how I perform
my day to day job
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

20. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 2
Well this one is trickier. It is literally true that the day before I get the certification and the day after I get certified, I will not likely do my job differently
However, if I am committed to the certification and believe in the CBOK, then I will see things in relation to that, both positive and negative
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

21. Certification means I now know everything there is to know
Myth Number 1
Certification means I now know
everything there is to know
about testing!
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

22. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Number 1
Well, for me, this is certainly false.
One of the things I found going through the certification, is within the CBOK, how much I did not know.
After that, I continued to dig and I now know that there is more that I still have to learn than I currently know!
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

23. Top Ten Myths – The BOKS Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge
THE DISCIPLINES’ or PRACTICES’
COMMON BODIES OF KNOWLEDGE
(CBOKS)

24. Software Quality Assurance – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
New Tech
Software Quality Assurance – Common Body of Knowledge

25. Software Quality Assurance – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
SQA1
Quality Principles and Concepts
SQA2
Quality Leadership
SQA3
Quality Baselines
SQA4
Quality Assurance
SQA5
Quality Planning
SQA6
Define, Build, Implement and Improve Work Processes
SQA7
Quality Control Practices
SQA8
Metrics and Measurement
SQA9
Internal Control and Security
SQA10
Outsourcing, COTS, and Contracting Quality
Software Quality Assurance – Common Body of Knowledge
QAI’s CSQA CBOK
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

26. Software Testing – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge
Software Testing – Common Body of Knowledge

27. Software Testing – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
STE1
Software Testing Principles and Concepts
STE2
Building the Test Environment
STE3
Managing the Test Project
STE4
Test Planning
STE5
Executing the Test Plan
STE6
Test Reporting Process
STE7
User Acceptance Testing
STE8
Testing Software Developed by Contractors
STE9
Testing Internal Control & Security
STE10
Testing New Technologies
Software Testing – Common Body of Knowledge
QAI’s CSTE CBOK
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

28. Software Project Management – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge
Software Project Management – Common Body of Knowledge

29. Software Project Management – Common Body of Knowledge
PMB1
Project Integration Management
PMB2
Project Scope Management
PMB3
Project Time Management
PMB4
Project Cost Management
PMB5
Project Quality Management
PMB6
Project Human Resource Management
PMB7
Project Communications Management
PMB8
Project Risk Management
PMB9
Project Procurement Management
Software Project Management – Common Body of Knowledge
PMI’s PMBOK and
QAI’s SPM CBOK
SPM1
SPM Principles and Concepts
SPM2
Risk Management
SPM3
Managing the Project Staff
SPM4
Managing the Schedule and Budget
SPM5
Software Project Control
SPM6
Defining Software Requirements
SPM7
Measurement and Status Reporting
SPM8
Processes for Software Development and Deployment
SPM9
Software Testing
SPM10
Configuration Management

30. Software Engineering – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Software Engineering – Common Body of Knowledge
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge

31. Software Engineering – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
SWE1
Software requirements
SWE2
Software design
SWE3
Software construction
SWE4
Software testing
SWE5
Software maintenance
SWE6
Software configuration management
SWE7
Software engineering management
SWE8
Software engineering process
SWE9
Software engineering tools and methods
SWE10
Software quality
Software Engineering – Common Body of Knowledge
IEEE’s SWEBOK
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

32. Software Business Analyst – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Software Business Analyst – Common Body of Knowledge
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge

33. Software Business Analyst – Common Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
SBA1
Quality & Security Basics
SBA2
Management and Communication
SBA3
Processes and Process Management
SBA4
Business Basics
SBA5
Requirements
SBA6
Software Development Processes
SBA7
Acceptance Testing
SBA8
COTS Software and Performance Based Contracting
SBA9
Business Partner and Customer Implementation Support
Software Business Analyst – Common Body of Knowledge
QAI’s SBA CBOK and
IIBA’s BABOK
BAB1
Enterprise Analysis
BAB2
Requirements Planning and Management
BAB3
Requirements Elicitation
BAB4
Requirements Analysis and Documentation
BAB5
Requirements Communication
BAB6
Solution Assessment and Validation

34. Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Safety & Security
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge

35. Safety and Security extension for integrated CMMs
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Ensure Safety and Security Competency
Establish Qualified Work Environment
Ensure Integrity of Safety and Security Information
Monitor Operations and Report Incidents
Ensure Business Continuity
Identify Safety and Security Risks
Analyze and Prioritize Risks
Determine, Implement, and Monitor Risk Mitigation Plan
Determine Regulatory Requirements, Laws, and Standards
Develop and Deploy Safe and Secure Products and Services
Objectively Evaluate Products
Establish Safety and Security Assurance Arguments
Establish Independent Safety and Security Reporting
Establish a Safety and Security Plan
Select and Manage Suppliers, Products, and Services
Monitor and Control Activities and Products
Safety & Security
Safety and Security extension for integrated CMMs

36. Quantitative Software Process Management
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Process Engineering
Quantitative Software Process Management

37. Top Ten Myths – The BOKS Process Engineering
Principles and Concepts of Quantitative Process Management
Software process, software process improvement and how to implement it in an organization
Measurement action plan for the quantitative management
Collection, verification, and organization of the process data
Apply statistical tools to organize, analyze, and interpret process data
Analyze and control of the performance of a process and sustain the controlled state of the process
Initiate and sustain process improvement activities
Process Engineering
QAI’s CSPE / CQSPE CBOK

38. Top Ten Myths – The BOKS CBOKs Define the Professional Practices
Software Quality Assurance Body of Knowledge
CBOKs Define the Professional Practices

39. South Western Ontario Software Quality Group
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Quality Assurance
Quality Control (Testing)
Process Engineering
Project Mgt
Software Business Analysis
Software Engineering
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

40. Critical Communications
Top Ten Myths – The BOKS
Quality Assurance
Quality Control (Testing)
Process Engineering
Project Mgt
Software Business Analysis
Software Engineering
Critical Communications
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

41. Top Ten Myths – Certification Levels
Test Engineer BOK
Quality Assurance BOK
The FOUNDATION certification (from the Software Certifications division of QAI) for the software testing profession is the Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST).
Software Testing BOK
Testing BOK
IC&Security
Environment
Reporting
Managing
Execution
Concepts
Planning
IC&Security
New Tech
Reporting
Execution
Concepts
Managing
Planning
New Tech
UAT
COTS
UAT
COTS
CAST Exam
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

42. Top Ten Myths – Certification Levels
Evaluating your testing competencies using the international standard CSTE examination.
Passing the CSTE exam states that you not only know what to do, but how to do it.
Test Engineer BOK
Quality Assurance BOK
Software Testing BOK
Testing BOK
IC&Security
Environment
Reporting
Execution
Concepts
Managing
Planning
New Tech
Reporting
Execution
Concepts
Managing
Planning
New Tech
UAT
COTS
CSTE
Exam
UAT
COTS
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

43. Top Ten Myths – Certification Levels
As you grow in your career and reach management level, you can access yourself against the “software test management” world class standard by applying to the Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) program.
Test Engineer BOK
Quality Assurance BOK
Software Testing BOK
Testing BOK
IC&Security
Environment
Reporting
Execution
Concepts
Managing
Planning
IC&Security
New Tech
CMST
Exam
Reporting
Managing
Execution
Concepts
Planning
New Tech
UAT
COTS
UAT
COTS
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group

44. Discussion and Questions
Top Ten Myths
Discussion and Questions
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South Western Ontario Software Quality Group