Certified Software Quality Manager (CSQM)

Purpose

The purpose of the CSQM certification is to help establish and advance the field of software quality management as a discipline independent of the field of software testing. Individuals pursuing Software Quality Management as a career will focus on method and techniques to manage product and process quality in software organizations. It is expected of those individuals to have a very broad range of knowledge with all software processes and ways to improve these processes. The CSQM certification is a natural progression for individuals who have achieved the Certified Test Management Certification to advance their career and be prepared to climb the corporate ladder to occupy higher positions.

Objectives of the CSQM Certification

Software Quality is a very broad concept. To achieve software quality, one must focus on the quality of the software product as well as the quality of the different processes used to produce the software product. In order to achieve this goal, a person in charge of improving quality in a software organization has certain responsibilities and objectives. The CSQM Certification provides the knowledge to help a Software Quality Manager carry out these responsibilities and achieve his or her objectives.

1. Evaluating, developing, and monitoring
1. Processes (for development, testing, inspection, CM, etc.)
2. Product and process standards
3. Measurements
2. Evaluating and selecting tools
3. Assessing the organization's capability
4. Facilitating process improvement issues between groups or projects
5. Assessing the impact of one process improvement effort on another process or another part of the process
6. Publicizing success stories
7. Acting as a consultant to projects having special problems or requirements

Who Should Pursue The CSQM certification?

1. Any person who has worked in software testing for at least 3 years
2. People with a management or leadership role in testing
3. Development managers and development leads who wish to move to a test management or lead position
4. Auditors, inspectors, and others who must evaluate the work product of the testing process

CSQM Certification Requirements

Two requirements must be satisfied before the CSQM certification can be granted. These are the Formal Education Requirements and Job Experience Requirements

Formal Education Requirements

Ten days of instructor-led training to cover all ten area of the Software Quality Management Body of Knowledge (SQMBOK). One day to cover each area.

CSQM Training Options Written Exam:

Candidates are required to complete a written exam for each course and pass with a level of performance no less than 80%. For courses conducted by IIST, a candidate is allowed to retake the exam for a second time without having to attend the course again. There is a $100 fee for retakes. If 80% performance is not achieved on a second attempt, the candidate must retake the course or take another course covering the same BOK area. If the course failed was taken online you will get access to the online course and a retake exam for $100. If the course was taken on-site or at public training and is available online you can get access to both the online course and retake exam for half the original price of the online course. If the course is failed for a 3rd time and was taken online you will get access to the online course and a retake exam for half the original price of the online course.

Job Experience Requirements

In order for the CSQM certification to be granted, a candidate must have a total of at least three years working in software projects, including 1 year in a lead or management position. This requirement must be completed by the time CSQM is granted. This requirement shall be met by means of a letter of support describing the candidate's specific role and responsibilities over a period of three years or more. The letter must be authored and signed by any of the following:

1. The candidate's current or former supervisor/manager
2. The candidate's client or customer (if self-employed)
3. A co-worker currently holding a CSQM certification who has worked with the candidate on a project.
4. Multiple sources may be submitted to cover the three year period. Any variation from this requirement must be reviewed and approved by the IIST Chairperson.

Graduation:

Upon satisfying both formal education and job experience requirements, a candidate shall submit an application to the IIST Chairperson for the certification to be granted. Application forms can be obtained here. The application must be accompanied by payment of the $180 non- refundable graduation fee. This fee covers the cost associated with record-keeping, grading exams, and certification plaque. Please note there will be an additional $100 for shipping plaques outside the U.S.

CSQM Re-Certification Requirements

The CSQM Certification will expire 3 years after it is granted. As a result, all CSQM recipients must complete the re-certification requirements before that time. The re-certification requirements are TEN days of training to cover any topic in software quality, software testing, software engineering or soft skills that the candidate feels will help develop more skills in quality management. Training for re-certification can be from IIST or any other training provider. Non-IIST courses must be approved by the IIST Chairperson. There is a $50 course review fee. No exams are required for courses to be considered for CSQM re-certification.

Software Quality Management Body of Knowledge (SQMBOK)