The Department of Social Welfare and Development on Saturday reported that it has concluded the Mindanao leg of its Software Quality Assurance workshop in Davao City on 27 October.

The workshop was geared at underscoring the significance of software quality assurance processes in the DSWD's commitment to digital transformation and highlighting the important role of SQA in enhancing the user experience of DSWD online services and information systems.

"This workshop is an integral part of our 'shift left' strategy, emphasizing the importance of integrating quality assurance from the onset of software development," Information and Communications Technology Management Service (ICTMS) Director Christian Joseph Regunay said.

Dir. Regunay, whose ICTMS office, together with the Office of the Chief Information Officer of the Department, initiated the workshop series, also noted that enhancing the skills of the Mindanao Field Office personnel on SQA will capacitate them to test the quality and performance of DSWD online systems and services before it is finally launched for the general public's consumption.

"By doing so, we ensure the resilience, efficiency, and security of our digital platforms," Dir. Regunay pointed out.

An SQA expert, Sara May Opeña, facilitated the workshop and shared her knowledge and hands-on experiences to empower ICT personnel from the Field Offices of the DSWD in the Mindanao cluster.

"The 'shift left' strategy is pivotal in not only catching issues early but also in ensuring that the systems are built right from the ground up," Opeña said as she commended the DSWD's proactive approach in embedding quality from the start of the software development life cycle.

Dir. Regunay also expressed gratitude to DSWD Field Office-11 (Davao Region), headed by Regional Director Atty. Vanessa Goc-Ong, for hosting the event which was attended by a significant number of participants eager to enhance their skills and understanding of the crucial role that SQA plays in delivering excellent user experiences online.

"It (the workshop) ensures that we provide reliable, secure, and efficient digital social protection services to beneficiaries of DSWD programs," Regional Dir. Goc-ong said.

The workshop on SQA, according to the ICTMS director, showcased the pivotal role of leadership in driving such initiatives forward, ensuring the DSWD remains at the forefront of technological innovation and social protection service delivery in the country.