What is this course about?

In this course, you learn how to define, design and effectively lead Software Quality Assurance (SQA) activities using proven techniques tailored for your life cycle model. You gain the necessary skills to improve customer satisfaction through SQA practices, deliver consistent quality through reviews, walkthroughs, inspections and audits, while controlling critical product components using Configuration Management (CM) techniques.

What background do I need?

Previous experience with project activities or software development is highly beneficial but not required.

Who will benefit from this course?

The course is valuable for those who plan activities, organizations and staffing for effective quality assurance, including project, quality and line managers. Programmers and analysts learn specific techniques in this course enabling enable them to develop and/or assure higher-quality products with fewer resources. This course also benefits all organizational managers responsible for customer satisfaction.

We already have an established quality assurance program. Will I still benefit from this course?

Absolutely. This course validates current practices as well as provides new techniques and recommendations for continuous process improvement.

We develop software using object- and/or component-oriented methodology. Will this course apply to me?

Yes. Successful software quality practices and processes do not depend on any particular implementation technique. Teams using object- or component-oriented methodologies benefit greatly by implementing the processes and practices taught in this course.

My system is especially small/large/complex. Will this course still apply?

The course covers issues that apply to all types of systems, from embedded software to e-commerce, with special emphasis on timely and cost-efficient delivery of quality products. The course includes specific techniques that you tailor to your particular work environment.

Is this course useful if we subcontract our software development/maintenance?

Yes. This course is especially useful if you have suppliers. It provides the needed activities for your suppliers QA plan and provides the basis for evaluations of your suppliers.

Why do I need this course?

Survival! Customers are demanding faster service and higher quality-and all at lower cost. Also, there is an international movement to require registration/certification of quality assurance programs. Those companies without them will not remain competitive in the market. This course helps you stay competitive.

Will this course help me start up a new quality assurance group?

Yes. This course provides specific SQA tasks, responsibilities and techniques helpful for starting a new quality assurance group within your organization. You can also tailor the course materials to best suit your organization's needs.

How much time is spent on each topic?

What kinds of workshops are in this course?

Approximately 40 percent of class time is spent in workshops which reinforce specific key points. Working in small teams, you analyze and perform quality-related activities through various phases of the life cycle as well as apply new techniques and share valuable experiences.

Does this course cover quality standards?

While this course is not tailored to any specific quality standard, the activities are aligned with SEI CMMI, ISO 9001 and IEEE.

Does the course cover metrics?

This course familiarizes you with a variety of product, process and project management metrics. You learn how to devise and implement measurements to fine tune your software development processes. Metrics are also introduced as a primary method for status reporting and process improvement.

Do you discuss configuration management?

Configuration management (CM) is a cornerstone of the quality system. The course introduces the basic issues of CM functions. The course identifies the interactions between quality, test and CM at different points in the life cycle.

How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses?

This course provides the basic concepts necessary to implement a quality system in today's dynamic environment. The following software development courses will enhance your ability to implement quality assurance and quality control:

• 316: Software Testing Foundation: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction offers practical experience with testing and inspection procedures and methods
• 218: User and System Requirements for Successful Software Development offers the skills to develop software requirements for software-intensive systems
• 931: Agile Programming: Principles and Practices for Software Success provides you practical experience to deliver adaptable software iterations and releases based on Agile methodologies
• 340: Project Management for Software Development offers the skills to deliver successful software projects that support your organization's strategic goals