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)
Explains the step-by-step procedures for developing new and enhanced software products.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Uses specific programming languages and platforms to write code and create software programs.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Works collaboratively with development teams to correct complex errors in software codes.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Trains teams on developing highly responsive user interfaces (UI) to enhance customer experience.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Keeps abreast of the latest industry coding best practices to maximize application readability and performance.
Skill definition-Checking and testing software throughout the development phase to ensure compliance with defined or standardized quality specifications.
Level 1 Behaviors
(General Familiarity)
Names several techniques for software quality assurance, including auditing and design inspection.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Selects and uses appropriate testing tools to assist with software bug detection before deployment.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Works collaboratively with the development team to correct software bugs and errors.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Sets up checkpoints to ensure regular quality inspection throughout the software development life cycle.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Generates quality assurance plans to improve software quality while reducing development costs.
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)
Lists the essential functions and features of automation testing tools.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Supports the design and development of frameworks used in automated testing.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Utilizes various tools and techniques to perform automated testing in multiple applications.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Trains the team to implement automated testing best practices, solutions, and processes.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Generates innovative strategies to automate testing cycles in various platforms.
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)
Describes the process workflow for functional testing.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Follows specified requirements and testing guidelines in recording functional testing data.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Investigates functional defects after testing to make action plans and drive prompt resolution.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Improves continuous integration (CI) and continuous delivery (CD) coverage of functional testing.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Designs functional testing methodologies to drive functional software quality against software requirements.
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 concepts and principles of budgeting operations.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Assists in developing and improving budgeting models, plans, and strategies.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Compares planned budgets vs. actual expenditures, identifies, reports, and explains variances.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Determines system capabilities and needs to improve the process for financial budgeting.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Develops financial models to support the strategic improvement 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)
Compiles a list of all the traits of effective planning to help finish the assigned tasks.
Level 2 Behaviors
(Light Experience)
Classifies assigned tasks based on the level of importance to ensure organized workload completion.
Level 3 Behaviors
(Moderate Experience)
Defines and translates objectives into specific plans to ensure understanding of organizational goals.
Level 4 Behaviors
(Extensive Experience)
Delivers training sessions to foster and maximize solid planning and organization capabilities.
Level 5 Behaviors
(Mastery)
Champions the adoption of business intelligence systems to achieve planning and organization goals.
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.
