Post date: Jun 02, 2010 4:52:51 PM
Software quality assurance (SQA) consists of a means of monitoring the software engineering processes and methods used to ensure quality. The methods by which this is accomplished are many and varied, and may include ensuring conformance to one or more standards, such as ISO 9000 or a model such as CMMI.
SQA encompasses the entire software development process, which includes processes such as requirements definition, software design, coding, source code control, code reviews, change management, configuration management, testing, release management, and product integration. SQA is organized into goals, commitments, abilities, activities, measurements, and verifications.
The American Society for Quality offers a Certified Software Quality Engineer (CSQE) certification with exams held a minimum of twice a year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Software_quality_assurance