CSQA Exam Prep Participant,  

Thank you for considering the 12 session CSQA Exam Prep Course that will start in the Fourth quarter of 2013 on September 03, 2013. The course will run weekly through November 19, 2013. This course will also be offered during the First quarter during January - March 2014. This course will provide you with all the necessary information and knowledge you will need to significantly improve the probability of passing the CSQA Examination. While this course will stress the importance of information you will need to know for the exam, this course cannot guarantee you will pass the exam.  

Our focus is to prepare you for the exam and we will provide you additional assistance with the registration process for the exam if you need it.  

You will receive an e-mail reminder notice of the Live Virtual Classroom (LVC) before each session. Most sessions will also have a separate Question and Answer session based on the prior session's materials as well.  In addition to live exercises conducted online in the LVC, each session will also have Knowledge and Essay exams to be taken online after each LVC. Feedback will be provided.

  • Most all meetings are currently on Tuesdays.
  • Occasionally, a subsequent session in the series will actually be held in the same calendar week as the previous session to allow for holidays and instructor schedules.  If this should happen, it is usually scheduled for Thursdays. 
  • Sometime before the start of the series, you will receive an email with a login ID and password to both a special website and also the online program that is an integral part of the course. 
  • To get a needed head start, we suggest you login to that website, examining and downloading materials from the first 3 tabs in the menu bar as described below, well prior to the start of the series. This includes your workbook, the CBOK, self-assessments, prologue videos, and the like.
  • Audio is conducted over phone lines, via telephone teleconference, as well as VOIP over the internet for the presenter only. We require connection with you over the phone for two way interaction. Speakers are not required at your workstation, although they are useful when we play videos. 
  • No special software needs to be installed at your workstation, other than the Adobe flash player, which comes pre-installed on virtually all computers.  Version 10.3 or higher is required.

If you want a sneak peek of what lies ahead:
 
View video sample of a LVC.

Important Prework Materials
 
Summary:

Prior to the first session - Read the Welcome Info, download and print the Course Materials, and view / take the prework materials on the prework drop-down within the Weekly Sessions tab. 

Detail:

  • Welcome Info Tab:
    • View the Instructor Bio as desired.
    • Make note of the Additional Information containing the telephone teleconference phone number and passcode.  The information also contains a free SKYPE toll-free alternative especially for callers outside the USA .
  • Course Materials Tab:
    • You can download and print the Course Book which is the workbook for the course.
    • You can download and print the CSTE CBOK (Common Body of Knowledge) for your reference throughout the course.  You may find it convenient to keep the downloaded image for quick keyword searches.
  • Weekly Sessions Tab, Prework drop-down box:
    • You can watch the Prologue to get a course overview.
    • You can preview the LVC Orientation slides to get an idea of what the LVC screens will look like.  These same slides will be used as an orientation during the first LVC.  Make a written record of your current screen resolution and color quality.  Be prepared to change the resolution to 1024 X 768 and quality to minimum (16 bit or 256 color) prior to each LVC.  You can change it back to original settings after each LVC if you wish.
    • You can download the Skill Self-Assessment spreadsheet and self-assess you degree of skill in each of the 10 skill categories, before the first LVC.  This will help you identify your current level of knowledge in each area.  This is not sent to the instructor.  Allow adequate time since there are 160 detailed skill self-assessment areas.
    • You can take the Pre-Test to pre-assess your present level of knowledge. It uses 30 multiple choice questions. It is automatically scored upon conclusion. Although the instructor gets a copy, don't worry about how you do; course discussion is limited to group responses.  This is an excellent way of doing a "dry run."
    • You can take the Test Topics which are essay questions, in the same way and for the same purpose as the Pre-Test. These are questions on topics that Testing professionals most frequently encounter.
    • The Test Topic Answers contain sample answers to the Test Topics.  It is suggested that you attempt to answer the questions before looking here.
    • Link to Additional Resources has links to various web sites and books on software quality which you might find helpful.
    • LVC log in and use instructions shows you the screens you get when you click on the meeting Link to LVC for the meeting session you are in.

Schedule

The course usually meets on Tuesday of each week. Occasionally we meet on Thursday to bypass scheduled events. You will be sent the link for the LVC on or before the Monday of each week. We honor daylight savings time when that occurs.

  • Tuesday 12:30pm - 1:00pm (USA Eastern time) – (Sessions 3-12) The LVC's Q&A session meets weekly to go over the assignments and clear up any questions you may have about the material covered on the previous session or sessions.

  • Tuesday 1:00pm - 2:00pm (USA Eastern time) – (Sessions 3-12) During this one hour session the seminar leader will go over a series of slides and discuss the topics contained in the CBOK that are of importance to you. There may be times when the time of the LVC needs to be adjusted.

  • NOTE:  Special times for the first two sessions are posted below.  Please make note of these special times.
    Session 1: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ( USA Eastern time) - tutorial only; no Q&A session 
    Session 2: 12:00pm - 12:30pm ( USA Eastern time) - Q&A session
                   12:30pm - 1:30pm ( USA Eastern time) - tutorial

  •   Fourth quarter planned dates, subject to occasional, infrequent change: 

    • Tuesday, September 03
    • Tuesday, September 10
    • Tuesday, September 17
    • Tuesday, September 24
    • Tuesday, October 01
    • Thursday, October 03
    • Tuesday, October 08
    • Thursday, October 10
    • Tuesday, October 15
    • Tuesday, November 05
    • Tuesday, November 12
    • Tuesday, November 19

  • First quarter planned dates 2014 , most Tuesdays January thru March (detailed dates publicized in November ).

Syllabus

You will have weekly instructor led LVC classes emphasizing category orientation, importance of material, orientation to other skill categories, and monitored candidate discussions. In addition, you will have instructor assisted phone conference discussion sessions to review exercises and case studies.

Weekly multiple choice and essay assignments will be given.  All assignments should be completed on or before the Q&A session the following week. Feedback will be provided to you in an e-mail on all assignments submitted.  

 

Pre-Work

Completing the Self Assessment, Developing a Personal Action Program.

Prior to First Meeting - Take the 30 question sample test which will be reviewed with the class as a group .

 

 

Session 1
September 03

Skill Category 1: Software Quality Principles and Concepts

Before an organization can begin to assess the quality of its products and services, and identify opportunity for improvement, it first must have a working knowledge of quality principles and basic concepts. This Session's topics will include a review of quality concepts and practices, the vocabulary of quality, the different views of quality, and the differences between quality control and quality assurance.

 

 

Session 2
September 10

Skill Category 1: Software Quality Principles and Concepts
This Session we will continue the Skill Category 1 topics from last Session and conclude with a discussion of the Cost of Quality, the contributions of quality pioneers, and TQM. Sample test questions will also be discussed.

 

 

Session 3
September 17

Skill Category 2: Quality Leadership
The most important prerequisite for successful implementation of any major quality initiative is commitment from executive management. It is management’s responsibility to establish strategic objectives and build an infrastructure that is strategically aligned to those objectives. This Skill Category describes the management processes used to establish the foundation of a quality-managed environment including leadership concepts, the quality management infrastructure, and the quality environment.

 

 

Session 4
September 24

Skill Category 3: Quality Baselines
Organizations need to establish baselines of performance for quality, productivity and customer satisfaction. These baselines are used to document current performance and document improvements by showing changes from a baseline. This Skill Category discusses quality baseline concepts, the methods used for establishing baselines, model and assessment fundamentals, and various industry quality models.

 

 

Session 5
October 01

Skill Category 4: Quality Assurance
Quality Assurance is a professional competency whose focus is directed at critical processes used to build products and services. The profession is charged with the responsibility for tactical process improvement initiatives that are strategically aligned to the goals of the organization. This category describes the management processes used to establish the foundation of a quality-managed environment including establishing a function to promote and manage quality, quality tools and their use, insight into process deployment and internal auditing and quality assurance responsibilities.

 

 

Session 6
October 03

Skill Category 5: Quality Planning
Executive management establishes the vision and strategic goals. Planning is the process that describes how those strategic goals will be accomplished. Quality planning should be integrated into the IT plan so that they become a single plan. This Skill Category reviews planning concepts, the planning process, integrating business and quality planning, prerequisites to quality planning and planning to mature it work processes.

 

 

Session 7
October 08

Skill Category 6: Define, Build, Implement and Improve Processes
Companies must constantly improve their ability to produce quality products that add value to their customer base. Defining and continuously improving work processes allows the pace of change to be maintained without negatively impacting the quality of products and services. In this Skill Category we will discuss process management concepts and processes.

 

 

Session 8
October 10

Skill Category 7: Quality Control Practices
Quality control practices should occur during product development, product acquisition, product construction at the end of development/acquisition and throughout product change and operation. This skill category will address the various types of controls and when they are best used in the process, developing a testing methodology, verification and validation techniques, the framework for developing testing tactics, change control, configuration management and defect management.

 

 

Session 9
October 15

Skill Category 8: Metrics
A properly established measurement system is used to help achieve missions, visions, goals, and objectives. The QA analyst must ensure that quantitative data is valued and reliable, and presented to management in a timely and easy-to-use manner. This skill category addresses measurement concepts, the use of measurement in a software development environment, variation, process capability, risk management, the ways measurement can be used and how to implement an effective measurement program .

 

 

Session 10
November 05

Skill Category 9: Internal Control and Security
Especially after the recent scandals and implementation of the Sarbanes-Oxley act, it is necessary to understand Principles and Concepts of Internal Control, Environmental or General Controls, Transaction Processing Controls, The Quality Professionals Responsibilities, Risk and Internal Control Methods, Building Internal Controls, and Building Adequate Security.

 

 

Session 11
November 12

Skill Category 10: Outsourcing, COTS and Contracting Quality and Measurement
Quality of software remains an internal IT responsibility regardless of who builds the software. The quality professionals need to assure that those quality responsibilities are fulfilled through appropriate processes for acquiring purchased software and contracting for software services. This Skill Category reviews the processes for selecting COTS software and software developed by outside organizations, the issues regarding contracting for software developed by outside organizations, and the processes for the long-term operation of software developed by outside organizations.

 

 

Session 12
November 19

Final Review
Review of the Certification and Examination process and test taking tips.

 

Course Website

We have created a special Website for you and this course. Please protect the User ID and Password as we track who accesses the site by user ID and by IP address. We will post any downloads and assignments at the start of each Session. Once posted, we will keep that information on the site for the entire duration of the course. Check back often since we’ll be adding items to the Web page frequently. All e-mail should be addressed to csqaprep@qaicampus.org.  

You will be able to download and print the Student Workbook for the CSQA Study Course and the CSQA Common Body of Knowledge from the Pre-Work page of the Website.

Connecting to the LVC

Please note that the video and audio segments of the LVCs are accessed independently. For the video portion, we are using a system called Adobe Connect which allows you to see the instructor and the weekly presentations. You will NOT have to download any special drivers or media player software; however, your system must have the latest version of Flash installed. To connect to the live video portion of the LVC, click the address link on the e-mail you receive each Session. You will need to enter your e-mail address and Password in the "Enter with your login and password" area of the main screen to enter the meeting. Although you will not need speakers at your PC, they are helpful when we play videos.

To hear the audio portion and participate in discussions, you must place a phone call to the phone number listed on the LVC website under the Additional Info link.

Communication

Open communication is encouraged not only between the participants and the instructors but also among the participants of the course. Such communications can be of a great assistance especially if a local study group is not available. Any e-mail that you send concerning course information should be addressed to all attendees so we can share this information. If you have concerns about the course please feel free to contact me directly at csqaprep@qaicampus.org.