Evolution of Training in a Global Quality Assurance Model | Sarah Wilson CHAVEZ
0We are an industry where we have many high performing, knowledgeable, specialized Quality Assurance staff located all over the world. We are also plagued with that information being stuck in a silo, whether the silo is a location, team, project, or mind set. Often we have teams recreating training or resource materials that another team already had created or could have prepared if the need was known. If one's goal is to act as a cohesive global Quality Assurance organization, one which development can partner with regardless of where the test teams are physically located, this must change.
In order to truly progress as an organization, Quality Assurance must find a way to organically share knowledge. There are several paths to knowledge sharing, whether through formal training courses or informal knowledge sharing. This becomes especially critical in global organizations, where typical 'face to face' knowledge sharing and mentoring is impossible. Additional challenges such as cultural differences, experience variations team to team, and project differences can be overcome, and indeed embraced as beneficial to the company if those differences then turn into knowledge that better others.
We will share some of the challenges we have faced at EA in our Quality Assurance team and how we are taking steps to meet those challenges. One major step towards 'global consistency' and skill set that we have taken is the EA Tester Certification Program, providing our testers the world over the fundamental skill sets they need to succeed in a Quality Assurance Testing role at EA. We will share ideas on how your Quality Assurance organization can facilitate true global learning and knowledge sharing, how training can evolve within your organization through tools such as a Learning Management System, and (time allowing) will open the floor to discussion among attendees on this topic.
Delivered at the IGDA Summit @ Casual Connect Seattle, July 2012.