ISTQB

in a Nutshell

ISTQB Marketing Working Group

February 2012 v10

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction to ISTQB ISTQB : Worldwide Footprint Syllabi and Exams Benefits Contacts

ISTQB - February 2012

What is

ISTQB

ISTQB : International Software Testing Qualifications Board (www.istqb.org)

Non-profit association Founded in 2002 - Headquarters in Belgium With own constitution, rules and regulations Composed of volunteer international Testing Experts Responsible for ISTQB certified tester scheme world-wide

ISTQB is the worlds leading organisation for Software Testing Certification

Advancing the software testing profession

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB Vision
ISTQB Vision
To continually improve and advance the software testing profession by: Defining and maintaining a Body of Knowledge which allows testers to be certified based on best practices, connecting the international software testing community, and encouraging research.

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB Mission (1)

ISTQB Mission
1)

2)

3)

4)

5)

We promote the value of software testing as a profession to individuals and organizations. We help software testers to be more efficient and effective in their work, through the certification of competencies. We enable testers to progress their career through a Professionals Code of Ethics and a multi-level certification pathway that provides them with the skills and knowledge they need to fulfil their growing responsibilities and to achieve increased professionalism. We continually advance the Testing Body of Knowledge by drawing on the best available industry practices and the most innovative research, and we make this knowledge freely available to all. We set the criteria for accrediting training providers, to ensure consistent delivery of the Body of Knowledge, world-wide.
5

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB Mission (2)

ISTQB Mission
6)

7)

8)

9)

10)

We regulate the content and coverage of exam questions, the examination process, and the issuing of certifications by official examination bodies. We are committed to expanding software testing certifications around the world, by admitting member boards into the ISTQB. These boards adhere to the constitution, bylaws, and processes defined by the ISTQB, and participate in regular audits. We nurture an open international community, committed to sharing knowledge, ideas, and innovations in software testing. We foster relationships with academia, government, media, professional associations and other interested parties. We provide a reference point against which the effectiveness of testing services can be evaluated, by maintaining our prominence as a respected source of knowledge in software testing.
6

ISTQB - February 2012

 ISTQB

Values
Professionalism

Continuous learning

Knowledge sharing

Openness

Integrity

Consistency

Non-profit
independency

Active member boards

International presence

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB Value Chain

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB eco-system
ISTQB Creation of new syllabi Definition of world-wide rules Working Group activities Examination Body Performs exams Issues certificates

Member Board Translation/ Release of new syllabi Accreditation of training providers Creation and release of exam questions Adoption of ISTQB rules Contribution to ISTQB Working Groups Perform exam/ issue certificates

Certified

tester

Segregation of duties International harmonization and mutual recognition

Accredited Training Provider Creation of course materials Delivery of courses

ISTQB - February 2012

ISTQB Working Groups

Training providers

Member Boards

Exam Providers

ISTQB General Assembly

Glossary Executive Committee Release Management

Foundation Marketing

Product Dev. Steering Committee

Strategy

Governance

Advanced Expert
ISTQB - February 2012

Audit TBOK 10 Exam Processes

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction to ISTQB ISTQB : Worldwide Footprint Syllabi and Exams Benefits Contacts

ISTQB - February 2012

11

ISTQB - The evolution

1998

ISEB (Information Systems Examinations Board, part of the British Computer Society) develops the Certified Tester Syllabus. The first Software Testers are certified in 1998.

2002The I ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) is founded by 8 member boards:

Austria, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and UK

2003 2004 2006 2007 2009

The syllabus for the Advanced Level is completed. First exams for ISTQB Certified-Tester Advanced Level The number of member boards grows steadily The Foundation and Advanced Syllabi are improved The number of Member Boards climbs further The number of certifications reaches 100.000 BCS withdraws ISEB Test Practitioner scheme in favor of ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level. The first Expert Level syllabus is released More than 200.000 certifications issued across the world
Issue of additional Expert Level Syllabi

2010
2011

ISTQB - February 2012

12

Footprint Geographic coverage

47 Boards 71 Countries
The countries in which ISTQB operates contribute to over 90% of the world-wide GDP

ISTQB - February 2012

13

FootprintNumber of certifications

As of December 2011 the number of certifications issued has passes 200.000, with a trend of approximately 10.000 new certifications per quarter. Among the technology-independent certifications schemes, ISTQB is the third one in the IT industry in number of certified persons (below only PMI and ITIL) and clearly the first in the Testing subject. ISTQB constitutes an international de-facto reference

ISTQB - February 2012

14

FootprintNumber of accredited training providers

ISTQB can rely on a considerable number of accredited training providers world wide As of December 2011 we can count on;
180+ accreditations for Foundation Level 80+ accreditations for Advanced Level

ISTQB - February 2012

15

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction to ISTB ISTQB : Worldwide Footprint Syllabi and Exams Benefits Contacts

ISTQB - February 2012

16

ISTQB - Syllabi and Glossary

ISTQB has defined three levels of syllabi

Foundation Advanced (Test Manager, Test Analyst, Technical Test Analyst) Expert (Improving the Test Process, Test Management, Test Automation *, Security Testing *, etc)

Syllabi are publicly available for download from the ISTQB Web Site Syllabi are written by industry expert and continuously reviewed and improved Terms used in the ISTQB syllabi are described in the ISTQB Glossary

* - publishing in progress
ISTQB - February 2012

17

ISTQB Levels and syllabi

ISTQB - February 2012

Page 18

ISTQB Foundation Level

SW Testing Fundamentals Testing throughout the software life cycle Software Development Models Static techniques Testing design techniques Test management Tool support of Testing

Basic Elements

Inspections The test development process and testing process

Test Organization

Types of Test Tools

Effective use of tools: potential benefits and risks

Testing definition

Test levels

Inspection Process (review)

Categories of test design techniques

Test Planning and Estimation

General principles

Types of testing

Static Analysis by tools

Specification-based techniques (black-box) Structure-based techniques (white-box)

Test Progress Monitoring and Control Configuration Management

Introducing a tool into an Organization

Testing process

Regression test

The psychology of testing

Experience-based Techniques

Risk Management

Choosing test techniques

Incident Management

ISTQB - February 2012

Page 19

ISTQB - Advanced Level

Test Analyst Technical Test Analyst Test Management

Software testing fundamentals Definition of terms Reason for testing Fundamental test process The psychology of testing Re-test and regression test Expected results Prioritizing tests

Testing throughout the software life-cycle Software Devel. models The economics of testing Test plan Component test Integration test System test Acceptance test Maintenance test

Test design techniques Explanation of techniques terms Black and white box tests Functional test techniques Structural test techniques Experience-based techniques

Static testing techniques Meaning of static test Reviews and the test process Types of review Static analysis

Test management Organization Configuration management Test estimation, monitoring control Incident management Testing standards

Tool support for testing Types of testing tool Tool selection and use

Common topic Test Management topic

Test Analyst topic Technical Test Analyst topic

ISTQB - February 2012

Page 20

ISTQB - Expert Level Improving the Test Process

Context of Improvement Model based improvement Analytical based improvement Selecting the Approach Organizational Aspects Managing Change Why? Introduction Introduction
Selection of test process improv.

Organization

Change Manag. Process

What can be improved?

SW models (CMMI, ISO 15504)

Causal Analysis

Process for Improvement Initiating & Diagnosis of the Situation Establishing a Test Impr. Plan

Roles

Human factors

Views of Quality

Test models (TPI, TMMi) Context based models (CTP, STEP)

GQM model

Skills

Critical Success Factors

Generic improv. cycle (Deming, IDEAL) Overview of Improv. approaches

Measures, Metrics & Indicators

Key Success Factors

Acting to implement Improvements

Setting a culture

Learning from Impr. Program

Adapting to different Life Cycle Models

ISTQB - February 2012

Page 21

ISTQB Expert Level Test Management

Mission, Policies , Strategy and Goals Managing the Test Team Managing across the Organization Project Mngmt Essentials Test Project Evaluation & Reporting Domain and Project Factors Mission, Policies, Metrics of success Building the Test Team Advocating the Test Team PM tasks
Tracking Information

Considerations for lifecycle models

Managing partial Lifecycle models

Test Strategies

Developing the Test Team

Placement of the Test Team

Project Risk Management

Internal Reporting

Alignment of Test Policy and Strategy Within Organization

Leading the Test Team

Stakeholder communication
Creating and Building Relationships Quality activities/ Tools across the Organization

Standards and Regulations

External Reporting Test Results Reporting and Interpretation Statistical Quality Control techniques

Release Considerations Evaluating Effectiveness & Efficiency

Managing External Relationships

Quality Management

Metrics

Ethical issues

Project Retrospectives

ISTQB - February 2012

Page 22

Exams

The exam is structured on multiple-choice questions for Foundation and Advanced Level For Expert Level, an essay is also required Number of questions and length of exams are:
Foundation exams: 40 questions, length = 1h (75 minutes for candidates taking
exams not in their native language)

Advanced exams: 65 questions, length = 3h (or 225 minutes for candidates taking
exams not in their native language)

Questions are defined in a very strict way Exams can be held without attending the course For more details, see the FAQ section in the ISTQB Web Site

ISTQB - February 2012

23

Exam questions

Questions are selected according to defined set of rules:

Proportional distribution of questions on the basis of Syllabus chapters topics. Distribution of questions on the basis of different types:
K1 = Remember K2 = Understand K3 = Apply K4 = Analyze K5 = Evaluate K6 = Create (mnemonic contents), (conceptual contents), (exercise that requires the use of testing notions or techniques) (exercise that requires also a contextual analysis) (make judgments based on criteria and standards) (reorganize elements into a new pattern or structure; devises a procedure for accomplishing some task, invents a product)

Expert level exams include five different K-levels (K2 to K6), with two additional higher K-levels:

ISTQB - February 2012

24

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction to ISTB ISTQB : Worldwide Footprint Syllabi and Exams Benefits Contacts

ISTQB - February 2012

25

Benefits for professionals

International recognition of acquired competences and skills Possibility to use the logo Certified Tester(with identification of the specific level of certification) Supports to the career path from foundation level to expert level

ISTQB - February 2012

26

Benefits for companies

The certification can be a competitive advantage for companies thanks to the increased level of reliability of the applications developed and the cost optimization of test activities, derived from the ISTQB competencies. The certification in consulting companies can offer high-level services to customers, increasing revenues and brand value. ISTQB in investing in the definition of a Partner Program for the companies that have a large number of certified testers ISTQB Glossary helps testers across the globe speak the same language.
27

ISTQB - February 2012

Benefits for Training Providers

For educational institutes and consulting companies it is possible to become an Accredited Trainer Provider; the processes and rules for accreditation are defined at international level Accredited Trainer Providers can ensure a high standing in training services thanks to:
certified trainers training material whose content, quality and syllabi coverage is checked by ISTQB Boards early information and consultation on the evolution of ISTQB Glossary and Syllabi

Accredited Training Providers can benefit of specific logos and are listed in the ISTQB Web Site
28

ISTQB - February 2012

Contents
1 2 3 4 5 Introduction to ISTQB ISTQB: Worldwide Footprint Syllabi and Exams Benefits Contacts

ISTQB - February 2012

29

ISTQB Contacts
ISTQB official website www.istqb.org

ISTQB Address: Avenue du Roi, 206 1190 Brussels Belgium ISTQB contact e-mail: info@istqb.org

ISTQB - February 2012

30

ISTQB channels
You Tube presence Slide Share presence Linkedin Community: : http://www.youtube.com/user/ISTQBORG : http://www.slideshare.net/ISTQBORG : http://www.linkedin.com/

groups?about=&gid=4064826&trk=anet_ug_grppro Twitter channel XING community Facebook presence : http://twitter.com/#!/ISTQBORG : https://www.xing.com/net/istqb : http://www.facebook.com/pages/

International-Software-Testing-Qualifications-Board/220517667989575

ISTQB - February 2012

31