Training and Certifying Software Maintainers

Abstract

This position paper presents a proposal for training and certifying software maintainers - both at the academic level and in the industry. Two levels of certification are proposed similar to the existing certification of software testers - a foundation level and an advanced level. For each training a course is outlined, one for the foundation level and one for the advanced level. The courses were developed and delivered by the authors both at the university and for industrial customers and were met with acceptance in both fields. Certifying maintainers according to an internationally accredited body of knowledge would help to establish software maintenance and evolution as an acknowledged profession. The certification program would also give universities and training institutes a common guideline to go by in teaching maintenance and evolution of software.