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<title>Food for Thought: Quality Concerns in a Down Economy</title>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>An e-newsletter published by<br>
Software Quality Consulting, Inc. </p>
</td>
<td align="right" valign="top"><p>December 2008, Vol. 5 No. 8 <br>
[<a href="/newsletter/vol5/no8/vol5no8.txt" target="_blank">Text-only Version</a>]</p>
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<p>Welcome to <em><strong>Food for Thought™</strong></em>, an e-newsletter from <strong><a href="/index.html?Intro" target="_blank">Software Quality Consulting</a></strong>. I've created free subscriptions for my valued business contacts. If you find this newsletter informative, I encourage you to continue reading. Feel free to pass this newsletter along to colleagues by clicking this <strong><a href="http://ui.constantcontact.com/roving/sa/fp.jsp?plat=i&p=f&m=sctz69n6">Forward Email</a></strong> link. If you’ve received this newsletter from a colleague and would like to subscribe, please click this <strong><a href="/newsletter/Subscribe.htm?Newsletter" target="_blank">Enter New Subscription</a></strong> link. If you don't wish to receive this newsletter, click the <strong><a href="#bottom">SafeUnSubscribe</a></strong>™ link at the bottom of this newsletter, and you won’t be bothered again.</p>
<p>Your continued feedback on this newsletter is most welcome. Please send your comments and suggestions to <strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></strong>.</p></td>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p>In <a href="#article"><strong>This Months’ Topic</strong></a>, I discuss the impact the current economic situation has on software quality and the software quality profession... <br>
<br>
Regular features to look for each month are:</p>
<ul>
<li> <a href="#morsel"><strong>Monthly Morsels</strong></a><br>
Hints, tips, techniques and reference info related to this month’s topic</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> <a href="#calendar"><strong>Calendar</strong></a><br>
Conferences, workshops, and meetings of interest to software engineers, QA engineers and anyone interested in software development</li>
</ul>
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<td width="114" align="left" valign="top" background="/newsletter/images/RedSpacer.gif"><img src="/newsletter/images/ThisMonthsTopic.gif" alt="This Month's Topic" width="114" height="37"></td>
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<td width="471" align="left" valign="top" class="BodyText"><p align="center" class="Headline">Quality Concerns in a Down Economy</p>
<p> If past economic downturns are any indication, the current economy could have a dramatic effect on the quality of software products currently in development. When software development companies reduce staff, quality assurance and testing positions have often been among the first to go. Quality assurance and testing positions are usually the last added in an expanding economy and the first cut in a down economy.</p>
<p> Most economies are cyclic in nature. Like the stock market, what goes up eventually comes down and what comes down almost always goes back up. Forward-thinking software companies have taken steps to deal with the current economic situation and more importantly, are already planning for the next upturn as well. QA engineers and testers need to do the same...</p>
<p><strong> What can management do?</strong></p>
<p> Executive management has many difficult decisions to make. Managers who are only looking at the short-term often cut staff they feel is not directly involved in product development. Software development managers often are very protective of key resources - even though these resources may not be able to contribute in the short-term.</p>
<p> QA Managers are often asked to reduce staff in ways that are detrimental in the short term. Cutting QA and tester positions often means the current product in development will be released with far more defects than customers will tolerate.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong> Reduce the backlog of defects</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>When customers are not spending on new products, there is an opportunity for management to focus the limited resources they have on reducing the significant backlog of defects. By working on reducing the defect backlog, companies can improve the overall reliability and dependability of existing products. Given that customers are not likely to be spending money on new releases, improving the quality of current releases can help position your company for the next upturn.</p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong> Bring offshore development work back to the US</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>In a down economy, the cost of sending work offshore can be higher than in an expanding economy. Labor costs often go down when the economy tanks so any cost-savings from offshore development may be nil. By recognizing this and using local resources, companies can cut costs and save money. In tough times, companies need to be more socially conscious and aware of the impact providing jobs has on their reputations and the local community. </p>
</blockquote>
<p> <strong>What can QA staff and testers do?</strong></p>
<p> If you are a QA engineer or tester who has been or expects to be laid-off, there are several things you can do to help soften the blow and plan for the next upturn.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong> Improve your resume by getting certified:<br>
<br>
</strong><strong><a href="http://www.asq.org/software/getcertified/index.html" target="_blank">ASQ-Software Division </a></strong> </li>
</ol>
<blockquote>
<ul>
<ul>
<li> Certified Software Quality Engineer</li>
</ul>
</ul>
<p><strong><a href="http://www.qaiworldwide.org/certifications/index.html" target="_blank">QAI-Worldwide</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Associate-Level Certifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Certified Associate in Software Quality (CASQ) </li>
<li> Certified Associate in Software Testing (CAST)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Professional Certifications</strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Certified Software Quality Analyst (CSQA) </li>
<li> Certified Software Tester (CSTE) </li>
<li> Certified Software Project Manager (CSPM) </li>
<li> Certified Software Business Analyst (CSBA) </li>
<li> Certified Software Process Engineer (CSPE) </li>
<li> Certified Quantitative Software Process Engineer (CQSPE)</li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Advanced Certifications </strong></p>
<ul>
<li> Certified Manager of Software Testing (CMST) </li>
<li> Certified Manager of Software Quality (CMSQ)</li>
</ul>
</blockquote>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p><strong><a href="http://www2.computer.org/portal/web/getcertified" target="_blank">IEEE Computer Society</a></strong></p>
<ul>
<ul>
<li> Certified Software Development Associate </li>
<li> Certified Software Development Professional</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</blockquote>
<ol>
<li value="2"><strong>Improve yours skills:<br>
<br>
</strong> Software quality and testing short courses, speakers, and networking opportunities are available from conferences and professional organizations such as: <br>
<br>
<ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li><strong><a href="http://www.swqual.com/seminars/courses.html" target="_blank">Software Quality Consulting</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.asq.org/software/getcertified/index.html" target="_blank">ASQ Software Division</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.boston-spin.org/" target="_blank">Boston SPIN</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://kuperpresents.com/nycspin/" target="_blank">NYC SPIN</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.swqual.com/SQGNE/main.html" target="_blank">Software Quality Group of New England</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.tcqaa.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Twin Cities Quality Assurance Association</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qaam.org/index.htm" target="_blank">Quality Assurance Association of Maryland</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.tassq.org/" target="_blank">Toronto Association of Systems and Software Quality</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qaiworldwide.org/chapters/osqa.html" target="_blank">Ottawa Software Quality Association</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.aqaa.org/" target="_blank">Atlanta Quality Assurance Association</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.cqaa.org/" target="_blank">Chicago Quality Assurance Association</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.saqa.org/" target="_blank">Sacramento Area Quality Association</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.scqaa.com/" target="_blank">Southern California Quality Assurance Association</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.squadco.com/" target="_blank">Software Quality Assurance Association of Denver</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.scqaa.net/" target="_blank">San Fernando Chapter</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qautah.org/" target="_blank">QA Utah</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.mesda.com/" target="_blank">Tech Maine </a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qaac.org/" target="_blank">Quality Assurance Association of Connecticut</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.kcqaa.com/Index.html" target="_blank">Greater Kansas City Quality Assurance Association</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ieeeboston.org/" target="_blank">IEEE Boston Section</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://ewh.ieee.org/r1/providence/" target="_blank">IEEE Providence Section</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ewh.ieee.org/r1/ct/" target="_blank">IEEE CT Section</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://ewh.ieee.org/r1/new_york/" target="_blank">IEEE NY Section</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www-ec.njit.edu/~ieeenj/" target="_blank">IEEE NJ Section</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.ieee.org/web/geo_activities/home/northamerica.html" target="_blank">IEEE North America</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.asq509.org/ht/d/sp/i/2499/pid/2499" target="_blank">ASQ Wash DC and Metro Maryland - Software SIG</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.asqottawa.com/" target="_blank">ASQ Ottawa</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</li>
<li><strong>Attend conferences sponsored by professional societies such as:</strong>
<br>
<br>
<ul>
<ul type="circle">
<li><strong><a href="http://www.asq.org/software/" target="_blank">ASQ Software Division</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qaiworldwide.org/" target="_blank">Quality Assurance International</a></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.pnsqc.org/" target="_blank">Pacific Northwest Software Quality Conference</a></strong><strong></strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.sqe.com/stareast/" target="_blank">STAR East and STAR West Conferences</a></strong></li>
</ul>
</ul>
</li>
</ol>
<p><strong> </strong></p>
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<p align="center" class="Reference"><strong>Happy Holidays! </strong></p></td>
<td> </td>
<td align="left" valign="top" class="BodyText"><p><strong>The Bottom Line</strong></p>
<p> The economy will probably get a bit worse before it starts to get better. But it will eventually get better.</p>
<ul>
<li> Forward-thinking companies are taking the long-term view and are using this opportunity to cut their backlog of defects in current products. </li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li> If you are a QA Engineer or tester who has been laid-off, finding another job will not be easy in the current economy. Use this time to learn new skills, network with other people, attend meetings, and get yourself positioned for the next upturn. These are all positive things that can help you get through this downturn. </li>
</ul>
<p> We will get through this because we are resilient and we will persevere...</p>
‘Til next time...</td>
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<td width="114" align="right" valign="top" background="/newsletter/images/RedSpacer.gif"><img src="/newsletter/images/MonthlyMorsels.gif" alt="Monthly Morsels" width="114" height="37"></td>
<td width="15"> </td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><p> Every month in this space, you’ll find additional information related to this month’s topic.</p>
<ul>
<li><strong> Resources - here’s a collection of software testing jobs websites: <br>
<br>
</strong>
<ol>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.swquality.com/users/pustaver/jobs/" target="_blank">Software Quality Group of New England Jobs Page</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.qajobs.net/" target="_blank">QA Jobs.net</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/jobs-l-Redmond-WA-k-software%20testing" target="_blank">Software Testing Jobs in the Northwest</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://accenture.jobs2web.com/go/Software-Testing-Jobs/13775/" target="_blank">Software Testing Jobs at Accenture</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://www.simplyhired.com/a/jobs/list/q-Software+Testing" target="_blank">Software Testing Jobs at Simply Hired</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://jobs.techrepublic.com.com/a/jobs/find-jobs/q-Software+Testing" target="_blank">Software Testing Jobs at Tech Republic</a><br>
<br>
</strong></li>
<li><strong><a href="http://boston.monster.com/search.aspx?q=software+testing&lid=452%2C366%2C683%2C461%2C590%2C642&fn=&cy=us&x=45&y=8" target="_blank">Software Testing Jobs at boston.com</a></strong></li>
</ol>
</li>
</ul> </td>
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<td width="15"> </td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><p> Every month you’ll find news here about local and national events that are of interest to the software community…</p>
<ul>
<li><strong> Software Quality Calendar</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>There are many organizations that sponsor monthly meetings, workshops, and conferences of interest to software professionals. <strong><a href="/links/upcoming.html" target="_blank">Find out what’s happening…</a></strong></p>
</blockquote>
<ul>
<li><strong> Workshops Offered by Software Quality Consulting</strong></li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
<p>Software Quality Consulting offers workshops in many topics related to software process improvement. <strong><a href="/seminars/courses.html" target="_blank">Get more info…</a></strong></p>
</blockquote></td>
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<td width="114" align="right" valign="top" background="/newsletter/images/RedSpacer.gif"><img src="/newsletter/images/AboutSQC.gif" alt="About SQC" width="114" height="37"></td>
<td width="15"> </td>
<td align="left" valign="top"><p> Software Quality Consulting provides consulting, training, and auditing services tailored to meet the specific needs of clients. We help clients fine-tune their software development processes and improve the quality of their software products. The overall goal is to help clients achieve Predictable Software Development™ – so that organizations can consistently deliver quality software with promised features in the promised timeframe. </p>
To learn more about how we can help your organization, <strong><a href="/index.html?AboutSQC" target="_blank">visit our web site</a></strong> or <strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">send us an email</a></strong>.</td>
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<td align="left" valign="top"><p> I hope this newsletter has been informative and helpful. Your comments and feedback are most welcome. <strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">Send me your feedback…</a></strong></p>
<p>Thanks,</p>
<p> <img src="/newsletter/images/BusinessCard.gif" width="270" height="121" align="right"><img src="/newsletter/images/Signature.gif" width="90" height="68"><br>
Steve Rakitin<br>
<br>
<strong><a href="mailto:[email protected]">[email protected]</a></strong></p></td>
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Copyright 2008. Software Quality Consulting, Inc. All rights reserved.<br>
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