SQS Software Quality Systems

Panel Discussion

Title: Software Testers: Perceptions and Professionalism

Purpose: To understand the role testers play on software development and implementation projects, the benefits they can bring to the whole life cycle, and how to improve the status and performance of testers.

Format: Panel Discussion: Chaired by Mary Cleary, Professional Development Manager, Irish Computer Society.

Possible Panel Members: Microsoft, Canada Life - Programme Manager, University representative, a tester, and others to a maximum of 5 panel members.

Overview: Software testing is often an after-thought on projects and commonly looked upon as an unavoidable necessity for software quality assurance. This attitude has an impact on how management view testers and limits the contribution testers can make to software and systems quality. Importantly it impacts on the self-image of testers and inhibits attracting quality people to the testing profession.

Professional software testers constitute the quality assurance component in the development life cycle. It is this which gives credibility and distinction to the Irish IT professional. Quality ensures repeat business and investment in new products. This is one angle I would like to discuss. Also professionalism, which is a certain contributor to the self-perception and motivation of the tester, needs a context and some external validation and recognition.

The panel will discuss what we should be doing with the special skills and knowledge of software testers and how companies and the industry should change to attract more testing professionals. Developing, motivating and rewarding testers will also be explored by the panel.

Key Points:

The credibility of QA professionals and their impact on repeat business and IT investment - Are we treating our testers right and achieving the potential they can offer
The value and benefits of good professional testers
How to develop professional testers and the need for external validation and recognition
How to motivate and reward testing professionals

Mary Cleary [B.A., B.Ed., M.A. in Ed.]
Mary is the Professional Development Manager of the Irish Computer Society/ICS Skills, with responsibility for certification programmes and continuous professional development for the IT industry. Mary started her career in education, and has extensive experience of professional training and development, in both Ireland and the US. She has led the development of professional certification programmes for the ECDL Foundation, namely the Certified Training Professional (CTP) and the European Certification of Informatics Professionals (EUCIP)

Mary regularly presents at national and international conferences, notably at the Digital Healthcare Conference in Athens in May 2006. She is a member of Chambers Ireland’s Digital Policy Council and of the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) international steering group. She played a leading role in the development of SkillsCert, an IT skills assessment and certification programme based on SFIA. She holds a Master’s degree in Education.