There is a new team at the helm who has a combined 100 years of experience in association management. We are looking
forward to becoming the place where
software test professionals will come to
share, network, learn, and participate in an effort
to expand the role and the reputation of software
quality and testing. The new model is dependent on
the professionals in the industry buying into our
concept and trusting us to represent them when people
read our newsletters and magazines, or attend our
events and training. Our success doesn’t rely on the
people at STP being subject matter experts; it relies on
subject matter experts utilizing STP to build a wealth
of knowledge and expertise through participation in
the association, and the association promoting the
professionals within the community.
So what’s in a name? The new name, Software Test
Professionals, is about people. We are focused on the
people responsible for software testing and managers
responsible for quality assurance. Although the
software test professional is the focus, there are many
functions performed in the Software Development Life
Cycle that depend on each other for success.
There are many topics and functions that are specific
to each discipline, but there are also many reasons
why software testers, quality assurance managers,
system architects, business analysts, project
managers, and programmers have shared interests in
a topic. We plan to address both the specific discipline
and the bigger picture, and that is why we changed
the magazine’s name. Second, we wanted to highlight
the “new and improved” concept, but you will be the
ultimate judge on whether or not we have improved.
We look forward to the challenge!
The magazine formerly known as Software Test &
Performance is now Software Test & Quality Assurance.
We received community feedback and based on the
feedback we decided that this new name was best
suited to represent the changes we are hoping to make.
We appreciate all of the feedback we received from
the community, and will continue to reach out as this
new organization develops. The most rewarding aspect
of managing a true association is that it is always
evolving. It is always evolving because we as people
are always evolving, and our profession is
continually evolving. Whether it is new testing tools
and technology, new methods and practices, or
improved practices in programming, we need to stay
in tune with the changes in our industry; and there
are changes as a professional body we may want to
promote in the industry as well. By expanding our
name, we describe the expanded scope of what we
hope to accomplish. We believe the potential we have
as a community to impact our industry is significant.
The potential lies in the community’s participation and
the contributions you make to help drive the direction
of the industry. We want to put you in the “driver’s
seat” and amplify the voice of software testing and
quality assurance professionals.
As a new organization, we will need to gain your trust,
respect, and confidence. We understand that and will
continue to reach out and invite you to participate on
an advisory board, be a presenter at a conference or
webinar, and give you the opportunity to showcase
your expertise to the industry. We are here to improve
your professional career which, in turn, improves the
association’s reputation. It is a symbiotic relationship
built on mutual trust, and vendor neutrality.
We do not endorse products but we engage all vendors
to be thought leaders and to sponsor activities within
the community. We provide a resource about all of the
pertinent information and available technology to help
the individual professional reach the best decision for
their organization. No one product or methodology is
right for every organization, and we are here to serve
the entire industry, not just a particular segment. We
have found neutrality to be the best way to build trust
and credibility.
You are invited to join the membership. We believe
the information, services, and networking opportunities
we provide will appeal to everyone in our industry.
The new association is very inexpensive and the money
invested in our membership ends up supporting the
services provided to the membership. We hope you
consider Software Test Professionals a good investment.