AUDIENCE:   The course is designed for software testers and test managers. PREREQUISITES:   A basic knowledge of software. The course is generic and not based on any software or hardware platform. DURATION:   3 days. Lecture presentations are supported by exercises allowing reinforcement of learning and enhancing the understanding process. OBJECTIVES:   This course incorporates a structured software testing approach that may be utilised by an individual or a team. Testing is handled as an integral part of the development method using the same systems engineering discipline as software development. In addition, testing techniques appropriate to the development method and its phases are detailed and practiced. The process of test design itself reveals problems in software specifications, resulting in cleaner code. The testing process focuses on prevention, as well as detection, of software defects. At the end of the course attendees will be able to: - Design tests, test cases and test scripts, using industry-standard techniques, that find defects in an efficient and effective manner. - Develop effective testing strategies and plans, execute them efficiently. - Ensure that the testing effort is appropriate, relevant and effective in the improvement of software quality. COURSE CONTENT:   Fundamentals of Testing Why is testing necessary Causes of software defects Role of testing Testing and quality What is testing? Test process   Planning and control   Analysis and design   Implementation and execution   Exit criteria and reporting   Closure Testing throughout the software life cycle Software development models   V-model   Iterative-incremental models – prototyping, RAD, Agile   Life cycle model Requirements Test levels – component, integration, system, acceptance Test types – functional, non-functional, structural, regression, maintenance Static techniques Static techniques and the test process Review process Phases Roles and responsibilities Types of review – informal, walkthrough, technical, inspection Static analysis by tools Test design techniques Tests, test conditions, test cases, test procedures Categories of test design techniques Black-box techniques   Equivalence partitioning   Boundary value analysis   Decision table and decision tree testing   State transition testing   Use case testing White-box techniques   Statement testing and coverage   Decision testing and coverage   Control flow graphs Functionality matrix technique Experience-based techniques – error guessing, exploratory testing Choosing test techniques Test management Test organisation Test planning IEEE standard for test documentation – master and detailed test plans Exit criteria Test estimation Test approaches (strategies) Progress monitoring, reporting and control, defect tracking Configuration management Risk and testing - project and product risks Incident management Test process improvement Automated testing Types of test tool Tool classification Potential benefits and risks Introducing a tool into an organisation JJ03/10