ISTQB Software Testing Foundation

The Business Outcomes expected of a candidate who has achieved the 2018 Foundation Level certification are as follows:

• Promote efficient and effective communication by using a common vocabulary for software testing.
• Understand fundamental concepts of software testing.
• Demonstrate understanding of how different development and testing practices, and different constraints on testing, may apply in optimizing testing to different contexts.
• Contribute effectively in reviews.
• Use established techniques for designing tests at all test levels.
• Interpret and execute tests from given test specifications.
• Report on test results.
• Understand test management principles for resources, strategies, planning, project control and risk management
• Write and communicate clear and understandable defect reports
• Understand the project factors that drive the test priorities and test approach
• Understand the value that software testing brings to stakeholders
• Appreciate how testing activities and work products align with project objectives, measures and targets
• Assist in the selection and implementation process of testing tool

In addition, after successfully completing the course and passing the exam, delegates should be able to:

• Use a common language for efficient and effective communication with other testers and project stakeholders
• Understand established testing concepts, the fundamental test process, test approaches, and principles to support test objectives
• Design and prioritize tests by using established techniques
• Analyse both functional and non-functional specifications (such as performance and usability) at all test levels for systems with low to medium levels of complexity
• Execute tests according to agreed test plans, and analyze and report on the results of tests
• Write clear and understandable incident reports
• Effectively participate in reviews of small to medium-sized projects
• Be familiar with different types of testing tools and their uses; and assist in the tool selection and implementation process

The ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level is principally aimed at anyone directly involved in software testing, who needs to demonstrate practical knowledge of the fundamental concepts, such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test leads, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers.

It is also ideal for all those who have an interest in understanding the basic concepts of software testing, and so is additionally appropriate for project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.

Syllabus key points

• Fundamentals of testing
• Testing throughout the software devleopment life cycle
• Static testing
• test techniques
• Test management
• Tool support for tetsting