Page - 188 - in The Future of Software Quality Assurance

188 I. Trejos-Zelaya of software process, software quality assurance, software testing and software configuration management, in addition to reinforced strengths in requirements, design, construction and the project approach. Figure 5 shows a view of the knowledgemappingperformedagainst theSEEK. As stated above, most computing degrees typically lack software testing and quality assurance content. This prompted curriculum design work towards special- isations on software quality and testing. Between years 2002 and 2005, Cenfotec developedcontinuingeducationcoursesonsoftwarequalityassuranceandsoftware testing,andalsoofferedpreparationtowardsASQ’sSoftwareQualityEngineercer- tification (years 2003–2010).With the help of Costa Rica’s Investment Promotion Agency (CINDE, www.cinde.org/en)and collaboration from 13 companies1, Cen- fotecdesignedandvalidatedaSoftwareTestingandQualityTechnicianprogramme in 2009, targeted at people with some education in programming; the programme failed to attract sufficient students. Curricula for postgraduate programmes on softwarequalityengineeringandtestingweredraftedbetween2004and2008.From 2009to2011,Cenfotecpursuedauthorisation toobtain formaluniversitystatus. In order to improve continuing education and design postgraduate specialisa- tions, Cenfotec contacted the Hispanic America Software Testing Qualifications Board (HASTQB) in 2009, and Costa Rica gained membership in 2010. For curriculumdesign,knowledgeinputwassoughtat ISTQB’ssyllabi(Foundationand Advanced levels) and CSQE’s Body of Knowledge. Another valuable source was O∗NET [35], a database with standardized descriptors on about 1000 occupations in theUSA, providedknowledge,skills, tasksand workcharacterisationsrelated to software testingandqualityengineering.Curriculafor softwarequalityengineering and software testing were designed and validated during 2010 and 2011, including coverage analysis of syllabi from ISTQB’s advanced-level certification schemes (test analyst, technical test analyst, test manager). A six-course specialisation was launched in late 2011. Figure 6 illustrates some of the task abilities identified and validated for graduates of the specialisation (‘E’) or a future Master’s (‘M’) programme. Cenfotec was granteduniversity status in December2011,and started operating as Universidad Cenfotec in January 2012. By now, it has several postgraduate studies programmes, which include an MSc in database technology (comprising data analytics and data management) and an MSc in cybersecurity. Although a full-fledgedMSc in Software Testing & Quality Engineeringwas designed,market research revealed that it was not advisable to launch it yet. A forthcoming MSc in SoftwareEngineeringwillhavesoftwarequalityengineeringandadvancedsoftware testing among its concentrations. The current degree programme in software engi- neeringincludesfoursoftwareengineeringprojectswherestudentsapply thebasics of software processes, software configuration management, software testing and 1AdvanceMe,AvánticaTechnologies, BabelSoftware,Experian, Hewlett-Packard, IntertechInter- national, L.L.Bean, Qualitas Factory, RoundBox Global, Schematic (now Possible Worldwide), TestingSoft, Via IT,Wal-Mart.