ISTQB Advanced Certificate for Test Manager

Course Overview

The Certificate for Test Managers is based on the ISTQB Advanced level syllabus. It extends the knowledge gained in the BCS/ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing and is one of three certificated courses in the overall advanced scheme.

ISTQB Advanced Test Manager is suitable for those who are expecting to be actively involved in the management of any aspect of software testing. The course, which is fully compliant with the syllabus and its prescribed learning objectives, contains 9 key modules of at least the required duration (minutes):

• Introduction to the syllabus
• Basic Aspects of Software Testing (150)
• Testing Processes (120)
• Test Management (1120)
• Reviews (120)
• Incident Management (80)
• Standards & Test Improvement Process (120)
• Test Tools & Automation (90)
• People Skills & Team Composition (240)

Course Objectives

Taking the BCS/ISTQB Foundation Certificate syllabus in Software Testing as its basis, the certificate and course build directly on key aspects of management:

• To prepare candidates for the examination for the Advanced Certificate for Test Managers
• To extend understanding of software test management – its practical application and key components - and to enhance awareness of issues and constraints around software test management.

Who Should Attend?

This advanced level qualification for test managers is aimed at all testing professionals who hold the BCS/ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing and who wish to gain greater knowledge and recognition of test management and its application. In addition it is strongly recommended by the syllabus board that candidates also have at least 18 months experience in Software Testing and take an accredited course before sitting the exam:

• Testers, Test Analysts, Test Engineers, Test Consultants, Test Managers, User Acceptance Testers, Project & Programme Managers and Software Developers.

Syllabus – Key points

Basic Aspects of Software Testing

• Testing in the Software Lifecycle
• Testing for Specific System Types
• Metrics & Measurement

Test Tools & Automation

• Test Tool Concepts
• Test Tool Categories

Reviews

• The Principles of Reviews
• Introducing Reviews
• Success Factors for Reviews

Incident Management

• Process, Evaluate, Analyze Defect & Update Defects Taxonomy

People Skills & Team Composition

• Individual Skills
• Test Team Dynamics
• Fitting Testing Within an Organization
• Motivation
• Communication

Test Management

• Test Management Documentation
• Test Plan Documentation
• Test Estimation
• Scheduling Test Planning
• Test Progress Monitoring & Control
• Business Value of Testing
• Distributed, Outsourced & Insourced Testing
• Introduction to Risk-Based Testing
• Risk Management
• Risk Management in the Lifecycle
• Failure Mode & Effect Analysis
• Test Management Issues

Testing Processes

• Test Planning & Control
• Test Implementation & Execution
• Evaluating Exit Criteria & Reporting
• Test Closure Activities

Standards & Test Process Improvement

• Improving the Test Process
• Different industry models

Course format

This is a five-day tutor-led course using a mixture of slide presentations, discussions, tool demonstrations and practical exercises. This classroom course is five days plus exam day. The qualification is assessed by means of a three hour multiple choice-style examination, which may be scheduled on-site or taken at public exam centres, administered by BCS.

Course deliverables

Each delegate shall receive a full set of course materials as both hard copy and on CD for future reference.