0Introduction ........................................................................................................................... 9

0.1Purpose of this Syllabus ......................................................................................................9

The Certified Tester Foundation Level in Software Testing ....................................................9

0.3Career Path for Testers .......................................................................................................9

0.4Business Outcomes .......................................................................................................... 10

Examinable Learning Objectives and Cognitive Level of Knowledge .................................... 10

The Foundation Level Certificate Exam .............................................................................. 11

Accreditation .................................................................................................................... 11

Handling of Standards....................................................................................................... 11

Keeping It Current............................................................................................................. 11

Level of Detail .................................................................................................................. 11

How this Syllabus is Organized .......................................................................................... 12

1Fundamentals of Testing – 190 minutes (K2) ......................................................................... 14

1.1What is Testing? ............................................................................................................... 15

1.1.1Objectives of Testing .................................................................................................... 15

1.1.2Testing and Debugging ................................................................................................. 16

1.2Why is Testing Necessary? ............................................................................................... 16

1.2.1Testing’s Contributions to Success ................................................................................ 16

1.2.2Testing and Quality Assurance (QA) .............................................................................. 17

1.2.3Root Causes, Errors, Defects, and Failures .................................................................... 17

1.3Testing Principles ............................................................................................................. 18

1.4Generic Test Process........................................................................................................ 19

1.4.1Test Activities and Tasks ............................................................................................... 19

1.4.2Test Process in Context ................................................................................................ 23

1.4.3Test Work Products ...................................................................................................... 23

1.4.4Traceability between the Test Basis and Test Work Products .......................................... 26

1.4.5Testing Roles ............................................................................................................... 26

1.5Essential Skills for Testing ................................................................................................. 28

1.5.1Generic Skills Required for Testing ................................................................................ 29

1.5.2Whole-Team Approach ................................................................................................. 30

1.5.3Independent Testing ..................................................................................................... 31

2Testing Throughout the Software Development Lifecycles – 140 minutes (K2) ......................... 33

2.1Testing in Context of Software Development Lifecycles ....................................................... 34

2.1.1Software Development and Testing Activities ................................................................. 34

2.1.2Testing and Software Development Lifecycle Models ...................................................... 35

2.1.3Testing as Driver for Software Development ................................................................... 35

2.1.4DevOps Approach and Testing ...................................................................................... 37

2.1.5Shift Left Approach ....................................................................................................... 38

2.1.6Retrospectives and Process Improvement ...................................................................... 39

2.2Test Levels and Test Types ............................................................................................... 40

2.2.1Test Levels................................................................................................................... 40

2.2.2Test Types ................................................................................................................... 44

2.2.3Confirmation and Regression Testing............................................................................. 45

2.3Maintenance Testing ......................................................................................................... 46

3Static Testing – 80 minutes (K2) ........................................................................................... 48

3.1Static Testing Basics ......................................................................................................... 49

3.1.1Work Products Examinable by Static Testing .................................................................. 49

3.1.2Value of Static Testing .................................................................................................. 49

3.1.3Differences between Static and Dynamic Testing ............................................................ 49

3.2Feedback and Review Process.......................................................................................... 50

3.2.1Benefits of Early and Frequent Customer Feedback........................................................ 50

3.2.2Review Process Activities.............................................................................................. 51

3.2.3Roles and Responsibilities in Reviews ........................................................................... 53

3.2.4Review Types ............................................................................................................... 53

3.2.5Success Factors for Reviews......................................................................................... 55

4Test Analysis and Design – 390 minutes (K3) ........................................................................ 57

4.1Test Techniques Overview ................................................................................................ 58

4.2Black-Box Testing ............................................................................................................. 60

4.2.1Equivalence Partitioning ................................................................................................ 60

4.2.2Boundary Value Analysis............................................................................................... 61

4.2.3Decision Table Testing .................................................................................................. 62

4.2.4State Transition Testing ................................................................................................ 63

4.3White-Box Testing ............................................................................................................ 64

4.3.1Statement Testing and Coverage ................................................................................... 65

4.3.2Branch Testing and Coverage ....................................................................................... 65

4.3.3The Value of White-box Testing ..................................................................................... 65

4.4Experience-based Testing ................................................................................................. 66

4.4.1Error Guessing ............................................................................................................. 66

4.4.2Exploratory Testing ....................................................................................................... 67

4.4.3Checklist-Based Testing ................................................................................................ 67

Testing in an Agile Context ................................................................................................ 68

4.5.1User Stories ................................................................................................................. 68

4.5.2Acceptance Criteria ...................................................................................................... 69

4.5.3Acceptance Test-driven Development (ATDD) ................................................................ 70

5Managing the Test Activities – 305 minutes (K3) .................................................................... 71

5.1Test Planning ................................................................................................................... 72

5.1.1Purpose and Content of a Test Plan............................................................................... 72

5.1.2Tester's Contribution to Iteration and Release Planning ................................................... 72

5.1.3Entry and Exit Criteria (Definition of Ready, Definition of Done)........................................ 73

5.1.4Estimation Techniques .................................................................................................. 74

5.1.5Test Case Prioritization ................................................................................................. 76

5.1.6Test Pyramid ................................................................................................................ 76

5.1.7Testing Quadrants ........................................................................................................ 77

5.2Risk Management ............................................................................................................. 77

5.2.1Risk Definition, Risk Attributes and Risk Management Activities....................................... 77

5.2.2Project and Product Risks ............................................................................................. 79

5.2.3Product Risk Analysis: Risk Identification and Risk Assessment ...................................... 80

5.2.4Product Risk Control: Risk Mitigation and Risk Monitoring ............................................... 82

5.3Test Monitoring and Control .............................................................................................. 84

5.3.1Metrics used for Testing ................................................................................................ 84

5.3.2Purpose, Contents and Audience for Test Reports .......................................................... 85

5.3.3Communicating the Status of Testing ............................................................................. 86

5.4Configuration Management ............................................................................................... 87

5.5Defect Management.......................................................................................................... 88

6Test Tools – 20 minutes (K2) ................................................................................................ 90

6.1Test Tool Classification ..................................................................................................... 91

6.2Benefits and Risks of Test Automation ............................................................................... 93

7References.......................................................................................................................... 95

Standards .................................................................................................................................... 95

ISTQB® Documents ...................................................................................................................... 95

Books .......................................................................................................................................... 95

Articles ......................................................................................................................................... 97

8Appendix A – Learning Objectives/Cognitive Level of Knowledge............................................ 98

Level 1: Remember (K1) ............................................................................................................... 98

Level 2: Understand (K2)............................................................................................................... 98

Level 3: Apply (K3) ....................................................................................................................... 99

9Appendix B – Business Outcomes traceability matrix with Learning Objectives ...................... 100

10Appendix C – Release Notes .............................................................................................. 105

11Appendix D – Specific Terms .......................................................... 107

12Index ................................................................................................................................ 108