ISTQB Syllabus Reference

New Instruction Syllabus Reference

Notes

Fundamentals of Testing

(Chapter 1)

• Causes of Defects

• Testing Roles

• Testing and Quality Assurance

• Test Processes

Introduction: Defect Detection or Defect Prevention

• Responsibilities by Test Type

• Levels of Test

• Quality Issues & Elements

Quality concepts are introduced, while also examining the roles and responsibilities of all development team members. Our program examines the first three sections of their outline in our first chapter.

Testing Throughout the Software Life Cycle

(Chapter 2)

• Life Cycles

• Levels of Testing

• Maintenance Testing

Introduction: Defect Detection or Defect Prevention

• Life Cycles

• Testing Success Factors

• Development & Testing Phases

Again the life cycle concept is part of our first chapter discussion; this would include an examination of the different testing models with a comparison/contrast session.

Static Techniques

(Chapter 3)

• Code Reviews

• Review Roles/Responsibilities

• Success Factors

Problem Solving Techniques

• Structured Walkthroughs

• Benefits & Pitfalls

Our model ends with a phase breakdown with the roles/responsibilities and success factors for each stage of the process.

Test Design Techniques

(Chapter 4)

• Black Box Testing

• Identifying Test Conditions

• Test Identification Techniques

• Boundary Value

• Equivalence Class Partitioning

• Decision Tables

• State Transition Testing

• White Box Testing

• Statement Testing

• Decision Testing

Test Methodologies and Checklists

• Methodologies

• White/Black Box Testing

• Boundary Value Analysis

• Path Analysis

• Decision Tables

• State Machines

• State Transition Testing

• Orthogonal Array Testing

• Checklists

There is a great deal of similarity in this section, as would be expected in two programs that were teaching techniques. This is the most emphasized portion of our program. More time is spent with the techniques and the application of those techniques than any other part of the program.

Test Management

(Chapter 5)

• Test Organization

• Testing Roles/Responsibilities

• Test Planning

• Exit Criteria

• Estimation

• Approaches to Testing

• Test Reporting

• Risk Assessments

Test Planning

• Unit Testing

• Integration Testing

• System Testing

• Acceptance Testing

• Creating the Test Plans

• Regression Testing

• Estimating Techniques

• Approaches To Testing

• Test Notebooks

Risk Analysis

• Risk Testing

• Levels of Risk

Test Management

• Test Logs

• Root Cause Analysis

• Follow-up Procedures

In the ISTQB outline they approach Test Management as a complete process, where we break it up into two distinct sections:

The first being the Test Planning process, which includes distinguishing the type of testing that needs to be accomplished, the scope of testing, associated risks and the recording of those tests. Then the second portion being the Test Execution, which includes the documentation, reporting, root cause analysis and the follow up procedures.

Tool Support for Testing

(Chapter 6)

• Tool Classification

• Test Management with Tools

• Static Testing Tools

• Test Specification Tools

• Test Execution Tools

• Performance Testing Tools

• Benefits

• Pitfalls

Software Tools for Testing

• Automated Tool Considerations

• Testing Tools

Although our outline is not as detailed, we are covering the same information. There is a breakdown of the types of tools that are available and why you would need to use those tools. There is an examination of the testing tools, the benefits and the pitfalls of using tools.

ISTQB Syllabus Reference

New Instruction Syllabus Reference

Notes

Introduction to the Syllabus

• Expectations

• Learning Objectives

• Levels of Knowledge

• Objectives for Managers/Analysts

None

This is labeled as none, since New Instruction is not really teaching to a syllabus. Every person attending our classes has a different skill level and differing objectives and we tend to have very diverse audiences. The objectives of the class are described in the outline, and the instructor describes the agenda at the outset.

Basic Aspects of Software Testing

• Testing in the Software Lifecycle

• Specific Systems

• Metrics & Measurement

• Ethics

Introduction: Defect Detection or Defect Prevention

• Life Cycles

• Development & Testing Phases

• Reliability Metrics

• Measuring Performance

This would be outlined in the customization discussion with our instructors before the class. If there are any specific systems or specific criteria that must be met our instructor would customize this based upon client needs. Currently there is no provision inside of the NI class for Ethics considerations.

Testing Processes

• Test Process Models

• Planning & Control

• Analysis & Design

• Implementation & Execution

• Exit Criteria & Reporting

• Test Closure

Introduction: Defect Detection or Defect Prevention

• Life Cycles / Methodologies

• Testing Success Factors

• Development & Testing Phases

Major Software Development and Testing Issues

• Specification Issues

• Specification Reviews

• Testing Specifications

Test Planning

• Detailing the Testing

• Stopping Rules for Testing

Given the information in the ISTQB model we have outlined the same information across three different sections of our class. The same emphasis is placed on the section, but we just categorize the information as three separate activities.

Test Management

• Documentation (Policy, Strategy, Plan)

• Test Plan Templates

• Test Estimation

• Scheduling Test Planning

• Testing ROI

• Risk Based Testing

• Failure Modes and Effects

• Test Management Issues

Test Planning

• Creating the Test Plans

• Regression Testing

• Estimating Techniques

• Approaches To Testing

• Test Notebooks

Risk Analysis

• Risk Testing

• Levels of Risk

• Relative Costs of Testing

Test Management

• Test Logs

• Root Cause Analysis

• Follow-up Procedures

Given the information in the ISTQB model we have outlined the same information across three different sections of our class. The emphasis here is placed on the Test Planning section, there is no quality testing without the initial plan, but we envision risk as a separate and equally important topic. Part of the planning must include the failure reporting and management, but due to extenuating circumstances we feel as if it deserves its own section.

Test Techniques

• Specification Based Testing

• Structure Based Testing

• Defect Based Testing

• Experience Based Testing

• Static Analysis

• Dynamic Analysis

• Memory Leaks

• Wild Pointers

Major Software Development and Testing Issues

• Specification Issues/Reviews

• Testing Specifications

• Test Scripts/Cases

• Blind Testing

• Use Cases

• Managing Changes

Test Planning

• Creating the Test Plans

• Unit / Integration Testing

• System / Acceptance Testing

Test Management

• Follow-up Procedures

In our hierarchy we typically discuss the testing techniques before we do the test planning. There is a need to understand the types of testing that the application will need, before you define the actual tests. There is a need to understand the types of tests that will be run, before you do the estimates of testing.

The content is equal, the order of execution is different.

Testing of Software Characteristics

• Quality Attributes for Domain Testing

• Quality Attributes for Technical Testing

Appendix

• Defect Classifications

The quality aspects of testing are discussed as a priority topic at the beginning of the session. The classifications help to categorize the results and improve future iterations or future applications.

Reviews

• Types of Reviews

• Principles of Reviews

• Introducing Reviews

• Success Factors for Reviews

Problem Solving Techniques

• Structured Walkthroughs

• Benefits & Pitfalls

During our presentation we simulate a review session and indicate where there are benefits/pitfalls and why they occur. Reviews and walkthroughs are one of the most beneficial processes that an organization can undergo, yet most organizations are doing (viewing) them incorrectly. We attempt to correct the review/walkthrough vision.

Incident Management

• When can a Defect be detected?

• Defect Lifecycle

• Metrics & Incident Management

• Communicating Incidents

Introduction: Defect Detection or Defect Prevention

• Responsibilities by Test Type

• Levels of Test

• Quality Issues & Elements

Test Management

• Test Logs

• Defect Reports

• Root Cause Analysis

• Follow-up Procedures

While defect detection is a great thing, defect prevention is the ultimate goal. The metrics that we are describing says that it costs more to find a defect than it does to prevent a defect. We do not ignore the need to analyze defects and communicate the results, but the primary focus for us is on prevention.

Standards & Test Improvement Process

• Standards Considerations

• Test Improvement Process

• Improving the Testing Process

Defect Prevention

• Types of Defects

• Coding Rules

• Coding Standards

Our process involves a constant re-evaluation of the process to introduce ways of preventing errors and defects. There is no substitute for good process in any environment.

Test Tools & Automation

• Test Tool Concepts

• Test Tool Categories

Software Tools for Testing

• Automated Tool Considerations

• Testing Tools

Although our outline does not appear as detailed, we are covering the same information. There is a breakdown of the categories of tools and why they are used. The tools, the benefits and the pitfalls of using tools are also discussed.

People Skills – Team Composition

• Individual Skills

• Test Team Dynamics

• Motivation

• Communications

None

Whereas the ISTQB seems to add this as a separate and individual topic, we stress this information throughout the class. The reason that we are striving to improve quality is to improve communications, motivate our development/testing teams to move from individual skills to a full-fledged testing team.