ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level CTFL

Module 1: Fundamentals of Software Testing

• Assessing the goals of testing
• Identifying causes of software defects
• Organizing testing processes
• Planning
• Controlling
• Analyzing
• Designing
• Implementing and executing
• Evaluating exit criteria and reporting

Module 2: Ensuring Testing throughout the Software Life Cycle

• Defining the inspection process
• Implementing test levels
• Component
• Integration
• System
• Acceptance
• Regression
• Recognizing key concepts in maintenance testing
• Identifying reasons for maintenance testing
• Performing maintenance testing
• Comparing the four test types
• Functional
• Nonfunctional
• Structural
• Retesting
• Coping with the psychology of testing
• Contrasting the mindset of developers and testers
• Deciphering levels of independence

Module 3: Implementing Static Techniques

• Communicating assignments during reviews
• Comparing formal and informal reviews
• Discussing the types of review
• Walkthrough
• Inspection
• Technical
• Differentiating various “specifications”
• Evaluating test design
• Creating test cases
• Testing procedure

Module 4: Leveraging Test-Design Techniques

• Equivalence partitioning
• State transition
• Boundary value analysis
• Use case
• Decision table
• Utilizing structure-based techniques
• Analyzing statement co-coverage
• Comparing decision co-coverage vs. condition co-coverage
• Deploying experience-based knowledge
• Detecting problems based on intuition
• Leveraging experience and knowledge

Module 5: Test Management

• Defining goals and objectives
• Assigning roles and responsibilities
• Independence
• Test leader
• Tester
• Structuring a test plan
• Writing a test plan
• Identifying objectives
• Assessing the entry and exit criteria
• Assigning appropriate resources
• Resolving defects
• Interpreting a test summary report
• Evaluating summary report content
• Applying common metrics
• Managing incidents
• Recording issues
• Analyzing defects
• Closing the incident
• Addressing project and product risks
• Contractual
• Organizational
• Technical
• Assess
• Determine
• Implement

Module 6: Adopting Test Support Tools

• Test management
• Static testing
• Testing plan and report specification
• Executing and logging
• Performance and monitoring
• Introducing a tool into an organization
• Recognizing potential benefits and risks
• Considering special circumstances

A candidate who has achieved the Foundation Level certification should be able to:

• 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, and 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

• The Foundation level course is suitable for anyone who is involved in software testing, such as testers, test engineers, test analysts, test consultants, test managers, IT professionals, user acceptance testers and software developers.
• Those who need to understand the testing process, such as project managers, quality managers, business analysts, directors and consultants can also benefit from this training.