What is a quality assurance analyst in the IT industry? A Quality Assurance Analyst, also referred to as a software tester or QA specialist, is responsible for testing all functional and technical aspects of a software program so that it meets its intended solution. The scope of a QA specialist’s responsibilities depends entirely upon the professional’s reputation and the company that the professional works for.
Software Testing Quality Assurance Analyst Daily Duties
The primary role of a Quality Assurance Analyst is to test programs and applications within software programs to make sure that they are fully functional and user-friendly. Software development firms sells products that are supposed to provide value to their customers by delivering a quality and reliable product to meet a specific need. As an analyst, you will review and inspect hundreds or thousands of lines of codes to make sure there are no errors that can affect design, functionality and usability.
In addition to looking for errors in the coding of a software program and its applications, a Quality Assurance Analyst will inspect a program to look for weaknesses that can affect a user’s satisfaction with the program. If the program is slow in loading or if the interface is not visually appealing, the analyst may make recommendations to the developers to make modifications. Some QA specialists are given the authority to make minor changes to the program themselves without being required to get approval from a manager.
Related Resource: Systems Developer
How To Become a Quality Assurance Technician
It is important to keep in mind that the qualifications for technicians in Quality Assurance can vary, so this is only the most common path that technicians choose to take. It is best to start your journey by earning a formal degree in software engineering, computer science, programming or a related field. Once you earn an accredited Bachelor’s degree, you can look for an entry-level position where you will receive on-the-job training on the specific software programs that you will be testing.
After you land your first entry-level testing position through a software development firm, there are plenty of opportunities for advancement within the field as long as you are working with a large company. There is a chance to work in supervisory roles or even to move up to administrative and executive positions if this is the path that you would like to take. The choice is yours when you are motivated and skilled.
Quality Assurance analysts, otherwise classified as computer systems analysts by the Bureau Labor Statistics, is a growing field where there is a positive job outlook. If you are looking to enter a field where employment is expected to grow by 25% within the next decade, then a Quality Assurance Technician might be the right specialty for you.
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