istqb expert level - erik van veenendaal level presentation v1 2.pdf · copyright © istqb test...

ISTQB Expert Level

Copyright © ISTQB

Information contained in this presentation may be re-used if credit is given to ISTQB

Introduction and overview

Version 1.0 June 2011

ISTQB Expert Level Working Group

List of Contents

� Expert Level: Building on Success

� What is an Expert?

� Achieving Expert Certification

� The Training Courses

� Achieving Roll-Out

Expert Level Overview2

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� Summary of Benefits

� Appendix

� Overview of the Expert Level modules

� Expectations and Business Outcomes

ISTQB Certified Tester - a success story

� 200,000 certifications

� 50 National Boards

� Benefits to businesses:

� Standard language for testing


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� Standard language for testing

� Testing Body of Knowledge

� More professionalism in testing

� Career paths for testers

With the new Expert Level, ISTQB offerscareer paths for testers

Foundations

Advanced

Expert

Test Manager

Test Management

Improving theTest Process

Test Automation

Security Testing


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Test management path

Test Analyst path

Security Testing

Test Analyst,

Technical TestAnalyst

More planned

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� Summary of Beneifits

� Appendix



For ISTQB, Expert really means Expert

� “A person with the special skills and

knowledge representing mastery of a

particular testing subject.

� Being an expert means possessing and

displaying special skills and knowledge

derived from training and experience.“*


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� Clearly stated expectations and business outcomes are

established for each subject covered at Expert Level

(see module overviews later).

*ISTQB Expert Level Modules Overview(downloadable from www.istqb.org)

List of Contents





� Achieving Accreditation


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� Achieving Accreditation


� Appendix



Achieving Expert Level: Criteria

Recommended :

� At least 7 years of practical testing experience

� Completion of Expert Level course

Entry criteria

� Exam passed (75%)

� Experience levels (may be achieved before or after passing the exam)

� At least 5 years of practical testing experience

Exit criteria


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The Exam

Mandatory:

� ISTQB Foundations

� ISTQB Advanced (depending on Expert Level module)

� Completion of Expert Level course (if a non-public exam is taken)

testing experience

� At least 2 years of industry experience in the specific Expert Level topic

Technical Test Analyst

Improving the

Test Process

Test

Management

Test

Automation

Security

Testing…

TBDExpert

Achieving Expert Level: Required Certificates


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Test

Manager

Test

Manager

Technical Test Analyst

Test Analyst

Required Certificate Syllabus dependency

(TTA has examinable LOs from TA)

Advanced

Foundation

Achieving Expert Level: The Exam

� A certification scheme at Expert Level must meet the expectations and perceptions of its stakeholders and has to be seen to be truly “expert”.

� The exam therefore consists of a multiple-choice section and a written “essay” section

� A score above 75% is required to pass

The exam

Multiple-Choice section Essay section


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� Duration: 1 Hour

� 20 Questions

� Learning objectives covered:K2, K3, K4 (like Advanced Level)

Multiple-Choice section

� Duration:

� Reading: ½ hour

� Answering: 2 hours

� Add ¾ hour for non-native speakers

� Answer 4 questions out of 5

� Learning objectives covered: Mostly higher learning objectives (K5,K6)

Essay section

Maintaining Certification at Expert Level

� An Expert Level certificate is valid for 5 years.

� Expert certification must be renewed using one of the following two options

Expert certification is not for life

� A passed

Repeat the exam

� CECs may be achieved in a number of areas. For example:

Achieve 200 „Certification Extension Credits“ (CEC)


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� A passed exam results in certification for a further 5 years.

� CECs may be achieved in a number of areas. For example:

� Perform a professional testing activity

� Take a relevant training course

� Attend a testing conference

� Present at a testing conference

� Teaching a relevant training course

� Write a testing article or book

� Actively participate in a Working Group (NB, SIGIST, ISTQB)

� Verifiable evidence must be submitted to the certifier

� The Certification Extension Program is published by ISTQB

details

List of Contents

� Expert Level: Building on success


� Achieving Expert certification




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� Appendix


� Expectations and business outcomes

Focus on Practical education

� Higher level Learning Objectives in focus

� “Evaluate” and “Create”*

� Emphasis is on practical work

� In-depth consideration of subjects

introduced at advanced levels

� Goal: Mastery of the subject

depth of knowledge


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� As a result, Expert Level courses are 5 days or more

� Improving the Test Process (8 days)

� Test Management (9 days)

* also known as K5 and K6 learning objectives

Gain practical experience with workplace exercises

� Some learning objectives (mostly K5 and K6) may be performed at the

student’s place of work instead of in the classroom. These are identified

in each syllabus.

� Workplace exercises are particularly useful for syllabi requiring more

than 5 days of tuition.

Course Part 1 WorkplaceExercises Course Part 2


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� Benefit for trainee:

� Practical application in the workplace

� Tutor checks work and provides valuable feedback.

� Benefit for sponsor:

� Spread of training budget

� Project-specific application of knowledge

Exercises

Example: A Test Management course usingWorkplace Exercises.

Course Part 1: 5 days Course Part 2: 4 days

WorkplaceExercises


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� In this example, the Training Provider gives part 1 as a 5-day course.

Participants then perform exercises in the workplace. At the start of part

2, a day of feedback (not mandatory) is given before completing the

training.

� Training Providers decide on the time between course parts planned for

workplace exercises. They must make it known to potential particpants

when they offer courses with workplace exercises.

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� Appendix



Elements Required for Roll-Out.

Module available

at Expert Level

ISTQB: Syllabus Released

ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:

TP: Course Materials Created


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NB / Certifier:Exams & Markers available

NB:Accreditations

performed

Status of Syllabi.

Module available

at Expert Level


ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:



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NB:Accreditations

performed

� Improving the Test Process:

� Test Management

� Test Automation

� Security Testing

Module:

� Approved (June 2010)

� Approved (June 2011)

� In development (Beta March 2012)

� In development (Beta October 2012)

Status:

Status of other ISTQB Documents.

Module available

at Expert Level


ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:



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NB:Accreditations

performed

� Expert Overview

� General Structure & Rules

� EL Exam Rules & Recommendations

� Improving the Test Process:

� Test Management

Subject:

� Released March 2011

� Released March 2011

� Release October 2011

� Exam Guidelines (October 2011)

� Exam Guidelines (October 2011)

Status:


Module available

at Expert Level


ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:



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NB:Accreditations

performed

� Improving the Test Process

� Test Management

Subject:

� Work in progress

� Work in progress

Status:


Module available

at Expert Level


ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:


NB:


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NB:

Accreditations

performed

� International group being formed to cooperate on accrediting english language courses

Status:


Module available

at Expert Level


ISTQB:Guidelines &

Rules Released

NB / Certifier:



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NB / Certifier:

Exams & Markers available

NB:Accreditations

performed

� ISTQB: Practice exam for Test Management available October 2011

� ISTQB: Practice exam for Improving the Test Process planned June 2012

� Creation of exam questions is currently on the critical path

� Procedure for marking essay papers available but not yet implemented

Status:

Summary: Advantages for a Professional Tester.

From a knowledge perspective

An Expert level certificate demonstrates mastery of

a particular testing subject

and brings several advantages for a professional tester.

From a self-selling perspective

From a practical perspective


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� Overview of current best practices for a specific topic.

� Ability to select the best solutions for specific project contexts.

� Ability to assess the value of new trends & hypes.

� Increases business value of employees.

� Demonstrates high potential for a candidate.

� Underpins continuous learning.

� Enables leadership for a topic.

� Ensures that work is conducted to state-of-the-art and performed efficiently.

� Enables best practices to be adjusted according to project context.

Summary: Advantages for Training Providers.

From a marketing perspective

Providing Expert Level courses supports leadership in the market

and brings several advantages for a Training Provider.

From a capability perspective

From a business perspective


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� Demonstrates thought leadership in testing.

� Creates image of being a trend setter with leading edge concepts.

� Strengthens high-quality perception in the professional testing market.

� Increases in-house knowledge

� Simplifies integration of experts into a carreer path

� Creates additional channel for staff with high-potential

� Additional trainings for inhouse as well as public offering

� Cross-selling (other trainings, services, etc.)

� Full-service providers covering complete career development paths.

Thankyou – Questions?

ISTQB Expert Level


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Thankyou – Questions?

*Please also refer to the ISTQB web-site for a list of frequently asked questions and answers

Description Credits Maximum Credits per extension period of 5

years

Perform a professional testing activity

3 credits per completed month 120

Take a training course on a testing subject or one with direct testing significance

5 credits per half-day (4 hours)

110

Attend a testing conference or special interest group (SIGIST) meeting


110

Credits in Certification Extension Scheme*

*ISTQB Expert Level Certification Extension Policy (downloadable from www.istqb.org)


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(SIGIST) meeting

Present a track (related to expert subject) at a testing conference

20 credits per new presentation (repetitions not allowed)

80

Teaching a training course / tutorial (inhouse or external) on a testing subject or one with direct testing significance

5 credits per half-day (4 hours) per new course. 2.5 credits per half-day for 2nd and 3rd time running of course.No credits for further repetitions.

110

Write a testing article (related to expert subject)

25 credits for each article published independently (i.e. not posted to a web-site or printed in a journal unless peer reviewed by an independent test expert not under the applicant’s direct or indirect control)

50

Write or participate on a book (related to expert subject)

10 credits per 25 pages written by the applicant (at an average of 350 words per page)

160

Participate in a Working Party for a National Board, a SIGIST or ISTQB


80