Introduction to Software Testing

Please be aware that before enquiring, course venue may be subject to change. This course is open to corporate bookings and individuals who are self-funding.

About the Workshop

The ‘Introduction to Software Testing’ workshop provides an excellent introduction to the software testing discipline. This workshop introduces delegates to the basic principles underlying software testing and gives them the opportunity to gain some practical experience of applying the essential software testing skills.

This one-day tutor-led workshop includes slides, exercises and practical work, and uses a hands-on approach based on group exercises and discussions. It is highly-interactive, allowing attendees to learn from the experience of the instructor and each other, and, owing to its interactive nature, each workshop is restricted to a maximum of 18 delegates.

For those entering the testing industry this workshop will facilitate their progression from an informal approach to testing to working systematically within a formal test process. It is an ideal first step on the career path to being a professional tester.

For those non-testing stakeholders who require a deeper insight into software testing, this workshop is the perfect opportunity to get an insider’s view of the discipline.

This workshop can be extended to 3 days to give students a deeper insight into what software testing involves and how they can approach testing applications when back in their working environment. It includes information on their responsibilities for the management of the testing process, and the formal test case design techniques available to them. A significant proportion of the allocated time over the three days is spent on practical exercises. People taking this workshop should be ready to commence a useful project role on exit.

Who is it for?

The workshop is principally aimed at new entrants to the testing industry such as (junior/probationary) testers, test analysts, acceptance testers and test engineers.

The workshop has also been found to be extremely valuable to other project stakeholders who interact with the test function or get involved with the testing, such as business analysts, developers, architects, development managers, project managers, QA personnel, product owners, business customers, IT directors and management consultants.

Workshop Objectives

The objectives of the ‘Introduction to Software Testing’ workshop are to:

• improve understanding of software testing as a discipline;
• provide a foundation in formal software testing principles for those who need to know how to test software systems;
• provide an understanding of different development life cycle models and how testing fits into these models;
• identify the key testing phases and their characteristics;
• cover the key aspects of designing and executing test cases;
• introduce delegates to standard software testing terminology;
• provide an understanding of the range of test processes that support testing at the organizational, management, dynamic and static test levels;
• introduce test techniques to delegates – both static and dynamic (black box & white box);
• enable the delegate to start testing productively within a project.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirement for the ‘Introduction to Software Testing’ workshop is that the delegate should have a basic working knowledge of IT.

Key points

The workshop covers the following key topic areas:

• Testing Fundamentals
• Testing in Different Life Cycles
• Test Processes
• Test Techniques
• Risk-Based Testing
• Test Planning
• Test Monitoring & Control
• Test Process Improvement
• Standards and Qualifications
• Testing Tools
• People Skills

Next steps

As a next step, delegates may wish to enhance their career prospects by gaining a software testing qualification, such as:

• ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing (a three-day course).

Alternatively, those who want more practically-based training may find the following more appropriate:

• The one-day TSG ‘Introduction to Testing Techniques’ workshop;
• The one-day TSG ‘Introduction to Risk-Based Testing’ workshop;
• The two-day TSG ‘Non-Functional Testing’ course.

If you are interested in any of the above courses/workshops then please contact TSG (contact details below).

Workshop Materials

Each delegate will be provided with their own workbook containing copies of all slides and supporting text and hand-outs.