IT Leaders Respond: What's the Business Value of QA?
August 25th, 2011
By Terreece M. Clarke
The technology industry is thriving here in Central Ohio and the software sector is no exception. Quality assurance in software is so important it's the theme of IT Martini 19: QA or the Highway | presented by Janova.
The half day conference takes a critical eye at software quality assurance with four sessions discussing QTP versus open source tools, combined automation and manual testing, acceptance test driven development and testing in the cloud. The conference keynote, Ben Blanquera, tech executive, entrepreneur and co-founder of TechLife also discusses the move from quality control to quality assurance.
The four sessions bring in heavy hitters in the tech field including Ann Hungate, director of software quality assurance at Nationwide Insurance; Tim Geraghty, manager of IT Analysis at Nationwide Insurance, Mark Harris, enterprise QA manager at Grange Insurance, Cameron Wolff, director of IT at Nationwide Insurance and Ron Savoia, founder of Stratus Innovations Group.
These same presenters will attend the IT Martini Hour 19 reception discussion "What's the Business Value of Quality Assurance?," so for those who are unable to attend the sold-out conference they can participate in the interactive "fishbowl" discussion with these tech rockstars.
IT Martini had a chance to talk with two of the presenters, Ron Savoia and Mark Harris, to get a sneak peek at what's in store for IT Martini Hour attendees:
1. At the reception you will discuss the merits of software quality assurance - why are these types of discussions important? Do you think the business value of QA can be quantified?
RS: My perspective is from the external customer’s experience with our software product (whether it be for product ordering, product service or general information), and every marketing study points to the direct relationship to customer satisfaction and higher levels of profitability per customer. If our customers have a great experience with us through our software applications, then they will be more likely to have high levels of satisfaction with us as a service provider.
MH: The value of quality assurance to an organization can be qualified ultimately in terms of business success. We’re in business to help customers with products and services, and if the software we use to sell and manage doesn’t work, we won’t be in business for long. You can look at things like defect avoidance and customer satisfaction, but in the end, it’s the business’ success that is the determining factor. These discussions help QA professionals come to grips with and communicate their vital role in an organization.
2. How does your respective conference presentations dovetail into the discussion?
MH: I’m talking with the group about how to make sure you’ve covered all your bases and are giving the right level of feedback. It’s not just “did you code to the requirements,” but also “do the requirements make sense” and “in the end, will people like this product.”
The QA group is the first and best customer of the software. We need to provide meaningful feedback quickly to help the team and the (software) product.
RS: By using a Cloud Computing Software QA model, this will allow an organization to scale up as needed to ensure that they exercise all aspects of our customer-facing software product to ensure that previous functionality continues to work once a new product version is released.
3. Everyone is excited about and interested in the "fishbowl" discussion concept. What are your thoughts?
RS: Not exactly sure about this… never been involved in one of these so curious to see how this works out!
MH: In my opinion, the real knowledge at any conference is captured in the collective mind of the attendees. Each attendee creates knowledge from the combination of the conference information, their prior experience, and the connections they make with other attendees.The fishbowl gives us a chance to tap into that collective consciousness for the benefit of all.
Editor's Note: Thanks to IT Community Choice Award winner Janova, the Title Sponsor for IT Martini Hour 19: QA or the Highway for bringing this event to the Columbus and New Albany IT Communities. And another big thanks to IBM, a brand new Top Shelf sponsor for IT Martini making a difference here locally. There is still time to purchase tickets for the IT Martini Hour 19 reception or a waitlist position for the conference portion of IT Martini Hour 19: QA or the Highway, register today.
Terreece M. Clarke
