ISTQB Certification Setting the Standard for Tester Professionalism

ISTQB Certification Setting the Standard for Tester Professionalism From Basic Knowledge To Test Expert Thomas Müller & Hans Schaefer (Leaders in Swiss and Norwegian Software Testing Boards) ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 1

What is this about? Why certification, and what is it? What is ISTQB? Contents

Software Tester Certification Certifying, by independently developed examinations, that people know software testing and are able to use that knowledge ISTQB’s principles – – – – ISTQB overview Oriented towards practical application Career in testing possible Software testing should get a better reputation Knowledge comes from experienced people in industry and university in many countries Independent exams Accredited courses against curriculum Certification independent of trainer Democratic organization, each country Board one vote © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 3

Norwegian Testing Board The people – – – – Hans Schaefer, Software Test Consulting, Osterøy Monika Stöcklein-Olsen, DNB, Bergen Jürgen Richter, Helse Øst, Ahus, Fjellhamar Ernst Rolf von Düring, Oslo Frans Dijkman, Brønnøysundregistrene Kjersti Forthun, DNB, Bergen Berit Hatten, Accenture, Oslo Dagny Gran Pedersen, Tryg, Bergen Skule Johansen, Kantega AS, Trondheim Monique Pruess, Kantega AS, Trondheim Raluca Madalina Popescu, Visma Software AS, Oslo Thomas Borchsenius, Thales Norge AS, Trondheim Denise Wang, HP, Suzhou Egil Gullbekkhei, Steria, Oslo Responsible for – Glossary and exams – Accrediting training – Participate in international work groups Open to qualified and active volunteers ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 4

Norwegian Testing Board Organization ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 5

ISTQB > 45 national Boards Yaron Tsubery (Israel), President Work groups for glossary, syllabus,

Certification Overview ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 7

Foundation Level Certification Start criterion: None Goal – – To understand current test practice and principles for good testing To apply usual test design techniques Basis for testing career To know and use a common terminology Syllabus / curriculum: – Basic facts, testing process, static and dynamic testing methods, test management, test tools – 3 to 4 days seminar Status: – Syllabus since 2005, actual version from 2011. – Glossary since 2005, updates in 2012. – Both are updates of British / German documents existing since 1998. ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 8

Advanced Level Certification Medium level: 5 years experience Goal – Understanding of and ability to use common and some advanced techniques Syllabus / curriculum: – Test design techniques, test automatization, techniques for developers and independent testers – Test management skills – Three parts: Test management, test analyst, technical testing – Courses 3 to 5 days – Three independent exams. Status: Three independent syllabi since 2012. History: Two syllabi until March 2009: ISEB Practitioner (UK) and ASQF Advanced (Germany). One new common ISTQB syllabus since autumn 2007 (the only valid one from March 2009). ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 9

Expert Level Certification Guru-level: 8+ years experience Goal – Manage complex testing with ”state of the art” methods – Understand use new methods and solutions – Understand newest concepts Curricula – Different areas under discussion – Test automation, test management, test process improvement, performance testing, security testing. . . Status: Syllabi existing in test process improvement and test management More syllabi being developed. Prototype training and exams. ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 10

Knowledge Levels ISTQB overview Level Meaning K 1 “repeat” K 2 ”understand” K 3

Foundation Level Structure 1. Software testing foundations (K 2) 2. Testing through the life cycle (K 2) 3. Static test (K 2) 4. Test design methods (K 3) 5. Test management (K 3) 6. Test tools (K 2) ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 12

1. Foundations (K 2) 1. 1 1. 2 1. 3 1. 4 1. 5 ISTQB overview Why testing is necessary K 2) What means testing? (K 2) General test principles (K 2) The general test process (K 1) The psychology of testing (K 2) © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 13

2. Testing through the life cycle (K 2) 2. 1 2. 2 2. 3 2. 4 ISTQB overview Development models (K 2) Test levels (K 2) Test types and their goals (K 2) Test in operation and maintenance (K 2) © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 14

3. Static Testing (K 2) 3. 1 3. 2 3. 3 ISTQB overview Reviews

4. Dynamic Testing / Test Design (K 3) 4. 1 4. 2 4. 3 4. 4 4. 5 4. 6 Test criteria and test design (K 3) Categories of techniques (K 2) Black box techniques (K 3) White box techniques (K 4) Experience based techniques (K 2) How to select techniques (K 2) ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 16

5. Test Management (K 3) 5. 1 5. 2 5. 3 5. 4 5. 5 5. 6 ISTQB overview Test organization (K 2) Test planning and estimation (K 3) Test control (K 2) Configuration management (K 2) Risk and test (K 2) Problem handling (K 3) © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 17

6. Test Tools (K 2) 6. 1 6. 2 6. 3 ISTQB overview Types

Advanced Level - Structure Advanced Level – Test Manager – Content: Test process, Test management, Risk-based Test, Problem　 management, Test process improvement, Test teams – Module 5 days – Test manager Advanced Level – Functional Tester, new = Test Analyst – Content: Specification based test techniques, review techniques, selecting strategies – Module 4 days – Testers, developers Advanced Level – Technical Tester, new = Technical Test Analyst – Content: Structure- and code based test techniques, testing nonfunctional attributes, selecting techniques, test tools – Module 3 days – Developer, tester ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 19

The Value For the tester – Showing knowledge – Enable career planning For the organization – Know what testers know – Better testing, better feedback from testing For the profession as „tester“ – A profession with clear requirements – Common terminology – Defined expectations ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 20

Accredited Training Seminars and trainers may be accredited by National Boards. This is a quality control for the sake of seminar customers. Accreditation is mutually recognized between countries. More on www. istqb. no and www. istqb. org. ISTQB overview © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 21

More information Norwegian Testing Board – www. dataforeningen. no/istqb/ ISTQB web site – www. istqb. org Other boards – – – ISTQB overview India: india. istqb. org USA: www. astqb. org Germany: www. isqi. org Sweden: www. sstb. se Denmark: www. dstb. dk Finland: www. fistb. fi © 2013 Norwegian Testing Board Slide 22