Manages a software quality assurance team.
Selects and utilizes tools and methodologies to ensure that software tests identify defects and comply with quality standards. Evaluates test results against expected results, implements improvements to process and recommends alternative testing as needed. Drafts, revises and approves test plans and scripts.
Salary.com identifies five increasing levels of proficiency for each skill/competency. Some jobs require only a relatively low level of proficiency in each skill/competency, while other jobs will require a more advanced level of proficiency in the same skill/competency. These levels rate the degree of proficiency (skill level, expertise) we expect the incumbent to perform in the given skill/competency for the given job. Note that we intentionally do not associate timeframes or years of experience in performing the skill/competency because that can be misleading. Proficiency levels identify what the incumbent knows and can do rather than how long they have been doing it. Also, note that the proficiency levels are cumulative, e.g., a level 4 proficiency implies the ability to perform all the behaviors at the lower levels.
Check each Software Quality Assurance Manager skill and competencie below to view definitions.
Skill definition-Applying computer science and engineering principles, methods, and practices to design, develop, deploy, and maintain reliable software systems.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the application of engineering principles and methods in software architecture design.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers and compiles user requirements to support software design and development processes.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs system analyses to assess the functionality and interoperability of software products.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Establishes performance metrics to track the effectiveness of software engineering processes and procedures.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes innovative strategies to streamline software engineering processes.
Skill definition-Checking and testing software throughout the development phase to ensure compliance with defined or standardized quality specifications.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Explains the difference between functional and non-functional testing in quality assurance.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows established processes and procedures when conducting software quality assurance.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Reviews software product specifications to identify appropriate test plans and strategies.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees quality assurance activities to ensure software quality, functionality, and reliability.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops and implements test plans to improve the usability of software programs.
Skill definition-Using various testing tools and techniques to automate the process of validating the software functionality before releasing it to production.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the concepts and components of automated testing.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows established processes and procedures in conducting automated testing.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements automated testing procedures for continuous integration and deployment.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Oversees automated testing and provides feedback to management during the development process.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs and executes test strategies to improve software quality and reliability.
Skill definition-Designing and developing tests to determine if a part of a software system functions according to its pre-determined requirements or specifications.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Discusses the differences between functional and non-functional testing.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers and documents business requirements for functional testing and end-user training.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Performs functional testing of new features to improve existing functionalities.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Leads the selection and deployment of testing tools to increase automation for functional tests.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops functional testing workflows, including test artifacts, data validation, and automated scripts.
Skill definition-Applying specific policies, tools and practices to plan and prepare projected revenues, expenses, cash flows, and capital expenditures.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Describes the procedures for capital and expense allocation and budgeting.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Gathers data from financial statements to help create budget plans and improve budgeting strategies.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Implements strategic operational efficiencies and techniques for conducting successful budgeting.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Evaluates past decisions on budgetary considerations to improve the budgeting process.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Establishes operating procedures to guide the consistency and repeatability of our budgeting processes.
Skill definition-Managing and prioritizing resources and workloads by creating well-organized plans to attain organizational goals and objectives.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Documents best practices in planning and organizing work to address important tasks.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Discusses the positive and negative outcomes of planning and organization in the workplace.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Helps set up new practices to anticipate and address the needs of planning and organization initiatives.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Facilitates the adoption of advanced tools to streamline the process of planning and organization.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops best practices in planning and organizing activities to improve organizational efficiency.
There are 6 hard skills for Software Quality Assurance Manager, Software Engineering, Software Quality Assurance, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), etc.
4 general skills for Software Quality Assurance Manager, Automated Testing, Functional Testing, Software Development Life Cycle, etc.
15 soft skills for Software Quality Assurance Manager, Budgeting, Planning and Organizing, Goal Setting, etc.
While the list totals 25 distinct skills, it's important to note that not all are required to be mastered to the same degree. Some skills may only need a basic understanding, whereas others demand a higher level of expertise.
For instance, as a Software Quality Assurance Manager, he or she needs to be proficient in Budgeting, be skilled in Planning and Organizing, and be skilled in Goal Setting.
