Description
A tester on an Agile project works differently than one working on a traditional project. Testers must understand the values and principles that underpin Agile projects, and how testers are an integral part of a whole-team approach together with developers and business representatives.
Chapter 1: Agile Software Development
- The tester should remember the basic concept of Agile software development based on the Agile Manifesto.
- The tester should understand the advantages of the whole-team approach and the benefits of early and frequent feedback.
- The tester should recall Agile software development approaches.
- The tester should be able to write testable user stories in collaboration with developers and business representatives.
- The tester should understand how retrospectives can be used as a mechanism for process improvement in Agile projects.
- The tester should understand the use and purpose of continuous integration.
- The tester should know the differences between iteration and release planning, and how a tester adds value in each of these activities.
Chapter 2: Fundamental Agile Testing Principles, Practices, and Processes
- The tester should be able to describe the differences between testing activities in Agile projects and non-Agile projects.
- The tester should be able to describe how development and testing activities are integrated in Agile projects.
- The tester should be able to describe the role of independent testing in Agile projects.
- The tester should be able to describe the tools and techniques used to communicate the status of testing in an Agile project, including test progress and product quality.
- The tester should be able to describe the process of evolving tests across multiple iterations and explain why test automation is important to manage regression risk in Agile projects.
- The tester should understand the skills (people, domain, and testing) of a tester in an Agile team.
- The tester should be able to understand the role of a tester within an Agile team.
Chapter 3: Agile Testing Methods, Techniques, and Tools
- The tester should be able to recall the concepts of test-driven development, acceptance testdriven development, and behavior-driven development.
- The tester should be able to recall the concepts of the test pyramid.
- The tester should be able to summarize the testing quadrants and their relationships with testing levels and testing types.
- For a given Agile project, the tester should be able to work as a tester in a Scrum team.
- The tester should be able to assess quality risks within an Agile project.
- The tester should be able to estimate testing effort based on iteration content and quality risks.
- The tester should be able to interpret relevant information to support testing activities.
- The tester should be able to explain to business stakeholders how to define testable acceptance criteria.
- Given a user story, the tester should be able to write acceptance test-driven development test cases.
- For both functional and non-functional behavior, the tester should be able to write test cases using black box test design techniques based on given user stories.
- The tester should be able to perform exploratory testing to support the testing of an Agile project.
- The tester should be able to recall different tools available to testers according to their purpose and to activities in Agile projects.
Business outcomes
Holders of the ISTQB® CTFL Agile Tester Certificate can…
- Collaborate in a cross-functional Agile team being familiar with principles and basic practices of Agile software development.
- Adapt existing testing experience and knowledge to Agile values and principles.
- Support the Agile team in planning test-related activities.
- Apply relevant methods and techniques for testing in an Agile project.
- Assist the Agile team in test automation activities.
- Assist business stakeholders in defining understandable and testable user stories, scenarios, requirements and acceptance criteria as appropriate.
- Work and share information with other team members using effective communication styles and channels.
In general, a Certified Tester Foundation Level – Agile Tester is expected to have acquired the necessary skills to working effectively within an Agile team and environment.
Target Audience
The Foundation Level Extension – Agile Tester qualification is aimed at four main groups of professionals:
- Professionals who have achieved in-depth testing experience in traditional methods and would like to get an Agile Tester Certificate.
- Junior professional testers who are just starting in the testing profession, have received the Foundation Level certificate, and would like to know more about the tester’s role in an Agile environment.
- Professionals who are relatively new to testing and are required to implement test approaches, methods and techniques in their day to day job in Agile projects.
- Professionals who are experienced in their role (including unit testing) and need more understanding and knowledge about how to perform and manage testing on all levels in Agile projects.
These professionals include people who are in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, and software developers.
This Foundation Level Extension – Agile Tester certification may also be appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of software testing in the Agile world, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors, and management consultants.
Requirements
- Have successfully passed the ISTQB® CTFL Certification exam and hold the certificate.
- First experiences working in an Agile environment is recommended, but not required.
