Possibly slightly tongue in cheek, but as I start my job search, why not push for something I can see the need for…

And also something that was briefly discussed at the last Quality Engineering forum, where we worked on what was next for the Quality Engineering Charter

In the ever-evolving landscape of the tech industry, innovation often takes centre stage. Companies strive to release products faster, harnessing cutting-edge technology to outpace competitors. Yet, amidst this race for speed, a critical question arises: How can we ensure that quality doesn’t take a backseat? The answer might lie in an emerging leadership role…the Chief Quality Officer (CQO).

The Case for a CQO in Tech

While industries like healthcare (Johnson and Johnson/Pfizer) and other companies like General Electrics (GE) have long embraced the role of a CQO to uphold rigorous quality standards, the tech sector has been slower to adopt this position. This is surprising, given the increasing complexity of software systems, the demands of a competitive market, and the potential consequences of quality failures—whether they manifest as security vulnerabilities, user dissatisfaction, or reputational damage. Plenty of which have been seen in 2024 and in the first 3 months of 2025. For this, see Crowdstrike amongst others…

A CQO can act as the bridge between innovation and excellence, ensuring that quality is not just an afterthought but a core component of the development process. By embedding quality into the DNA of an organisation, a CQO can drive long-term value in ways that resonate with both customers and stakeholders.

What Does a CQO Bring to the Table?

  1. Strategic Leadership: A CQO isn’t just a manager; they’re a strategic leader who aligns quality initiatives with business objectives. By doing so, they ensure that quality serves as a competitive differentiator rather than a cost centre.
  2. Cross-Functional Collaboration: In tech, quality isn’t confined to the QA/QE department. It’s a shared responsibility spanning development, operations, design, and even customer support. A CQO fosters this collaboration, creating a unified approach to quality.
  3. Focus on Metrics and Accountability: Quality is measurable, and a CQO champions data-driven decision-making. By analysing key metrics—like defect rates, customer satisfaction scores, and delivery timelines—they provide actionable insights that improve outcomes.
  4. Cultural Transformation: Perhaps most importantly, a CQO drives a culture of quality. They inspire teams to prioritize excellence at every stage, from ideation to delivery, creating an environment where quality is not just a goal but a mindset.

The Benefits of a CQO Role

The introduction of a CQO can have transformative effects on a tech organisation:

  • Customer Trust: Consistently delivering high-quality products builds trust and loyalty, enhancing brand reputation.
  • Cost Efficiency: Preventing quality issues early in the lifecycle reduces rework, operational disruptions, and post-release fixes.
  • Regulatory Compliance: In an era of increasing regulations, a CQO ensures that products and processes meet stringent requirements, avoiding costly penalties.

How to Advocate for a CQO Role

For those passionate about fostering a Culture of Quality, advocating for a CQO role begins with building a strong business case:

  • Highlight the cost of poor quality and the potential return on investment of a CQO.
  • Share examples of companies or industries where a CQO has driven significant improvements.
  • Lead by example through quality-focused initiatives, showcasing the impact of a strategic approach.

The Future of Quality Leadership in Tech

As the tech industry continues to innovate, the need for a CQO has never been more pressing. By championing this role, we can ensure that quality remains at the forefront of technological advancement. It’s time for tech organisations to recognise that quality isn’t just a checkpoint; it’s a cornerstone of success.

It’s not going to happen overnight, but bringing Quality into the right discussions is key and one day we’ll realise this needs to be from the top…

Unknown's avatar

Published by siprior

I am a highly motivated Software Testing professional with a keen interest in finding ways to improve the testing process and ensuring products are released with the highest possible quality. I also love coaching/mentoring my team to be the best they can, enabling them to use all possible tools and skills to get their job done to the best of their ability. I am a big advocate for spreading the awareness of the Testing profession in Schools and Universities and also pushing the cause of #Neurodiversity in the workplace

One thought on “Why the Tech Industry Needs Chief Quality Officers”

  1. Really interesting thoughts, Simon. Thanks for sharing!

    I’ve thought about this role for a few years, and I think there’s 2 reasons it’s difficult to attain.

    It kind of shirt the responsibility of quality strategies away from the other C level roles, especially the CTO for quality strategies re designing, building, testing and deploying high quality products, and the COO for quality strategies in the various processes across the org…

    There is a quality focused role already at VP and C level, but it revolves around the regulatory and compliance realm. You see the role in big pharmacy or health-tech companies.

    The mmore research I did, I actually found another C-Level role that was quite fitting for people in testing/quality leadership roles to aspire to: the CPIO!

    Chief process and innovation officer (CPIO). The CPIO identifies the business processes that could be improved and recommends ways to optimize them in terms of repeatability, consistency, efficiency or profitability. (https://www.techtarget.com/searchcio/definition/C-level?src=itke+disc)

    Definitely some food for thought 🙂

    Good luck with the job search too!

    Reply

Leave a reply to Dan Ashby Cancel reply