Does anybody have a really great QA testing program for their software? I’d love to learn about it, because I think I have yet to see a top-notch one in 14 years in the industry.

In this period of severe contraction in the software industry, which started in early 2000 when all the Y2K QA testers saw their jobs evaporate, it’s not uncommon to see QA positions hit harder than development. It’s pretty hard to justify eliminating a programmer instead of a QA tester.

Yet testing is not something anyone responsible for the product can afford to slight.

When it comes to QA testing resources, companies are faced with three different profiles of employees that gravitate to different functions at the company. Each profile has its advantages and disadvantages when it comes to performing testing.

Read on for a discussion of these profiles and which best meets your QA testing goals.