Course format

This is a five-day tutor-led course using a mixture of slide presentations, discussions, tool demonstrations and practical exercises. The 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 ISEB. Please contact us for the exam dates.

Audience

This advanced level qualification for test managers is aimed at all testing professionals 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

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. 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

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 Overview

The Certificate for Test Managers is based on the ISTQB Advanced level syllabus. It extends the knowledge gained in the ISEB/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 (and revision day) of at least the required duration (minutes):

1. Introduction to the syllabus;
2. Basic Aspects of Software Testing (150);
3. Testing Processes (120);
4. Test Management (1120);
5. Reviews (120); 6. Incident Management (80);
6. Standards & Test Improvement Process (120);
7. Test Tools & Automation (90);
8. People Skills & Team Composition (240).

Course Objectives

Taking the ISEB/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.

Information:  

About Advanced

The Advanced level qualifications are aimed at those individuals who have achieved an advanced point in their software testing careers. Each exam handles a different aspect of software testing and builds on the Foundation and Intermediate certifications with more practical and specific application of the broader theory.

What are the entry requirements?

Successful completion of the ISTQB-ISEB Certified Tester Foundation Level is a pre-requisite to taking an Advanced Certificate examination and it is suggested that candidates have a minimum of 3 years testing experience. Candidates may find the ISEB Intermediate Certificate a useful bridge between Foundation and Advanced though it is not mandatory.

The Advanced level qualifications examine up to level K4 of the given learning objectives / levels of knowledge.

Test Manager

The Advanced Test Manager qualification focuses on test estimation, planning, monitoring and control. Successful candidates can:

• Define the overall testing goals and strategy for the systems being tested
• Plan, schedule and track the tasks
• Describe and organise the necessary activities
• Select, acquire and assign the adequate resources to the task
• Select, organise and lead testing team
• Organise the communication between the members of the testing teams, and between the testing teams and all other stakeholders
• Justify the decisions and provide adequate reporting information where applicable

If this isn't the right course for you, have a look at the ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst or Technical Test Analyst instead.

The ISTQB Advanced Test Manager course is also available as a private in house course.

Pre Requisites

This advanced level qualification for test managers is aimed at all testing professionals who hold the ISEB/ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing and who wish to gain greater knowledge and recognition of test analysis 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

Note to perspective delegates

We recommend that candidates taking this course spend some time in preparation by:

• Studying and becoming familiar with the glossary of terms, learning objectives and syllabus for ISTQB Advanced Test Manager.
• Revisiting and refreshing their knowledge about the glossary of terms, learning objectives and syllabus for ISEB/ISTQB Foundation

Career Path

If you are unsure about which ISTQB Advanced course if right for you, have a look at this powerpoint presentation which may help you decide. Please note this may take a few minutes to load.