While Software Development is reaching new heights in its advancements, Software Testing seems stagnant in its progress, not just this year but from the past 50 years. Assembly languages led to higher-order languages which fostered the development of structured programming. This unveiled a whole new era for Software Programming i.e. Object-oriented Programming. While there have been such significant changes in development, Software Testing still has a long way to go. The commonly used practices lag behind the best yielding ones by more than 50 years. To add to this underdevelopment, there are few testers who are not aware of the important concepts like equivalence partitioning, boundary value analysis etc. And like adding fuel to fire, there are few testers who are even reinventing such concepts. The ISTQB training is the initiative to train testers to achieve a standardized qualification in Testing.
The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB) is strongly based on an industry-focused syllabus designed by worldwide experts. An ISTQB certificate in a candidate’s hand means he is master in the best practices and key concepts of the field, differentiating him from the rest of the crowd. Thus, ISTQB training can either advance or even kickstart your career. And companies too are realizing the need for better testing services, thus creating a platform for all ISTQB certified testers. This would gradually change the testing standards to better with reduced bug risk and high test consistency and reusability.
The Value of ISTQB Training Certification
What is it that a ISTQB certification adds to your profile which other certifications cannot:
* Develops Common Testing Jargon
Every company and tester are acquainted to usage of their own testing jargon making it difficult for others to understand and leading to project delays and missed defects. ISTQB provides a common terminology across the industry clearing off the misunderstandings and miscommunications within teams and across projects.
* Creates Common Practices for Software Testing
ISTQB sets common practices not just to match the national level but also with the international standards across all industries and the syllabi to reach this is borrowed from sources like ISO, IEEE, BSI etc. With this ocean of knowledge, the team now understands the proven practices and the application of the correct technique in a particular situation.
* Builds a Skill Building Framework
With varied levels of training, it is often confusing to choose one which builds the skills of a team. ISTQB training tree provides a framework of courses which can be applied at both college and corporate levels. The first course is the Foundation level, which doesn’t require a specific qualification and can be taken by anyone. And the next course is the Advanced level which is open only for ISTQB Foundation Certified candidates. And then, comes the Expert Level, for profound knowledge on Test Automation, Test Process Improvement etc.
* Builds Credibility for Your Team
A certification doesn’t mean the certified is the best tester, it attests to the level of knowledge a candidate has attained. And as a tester this certification brings the credibility to the team and also the test manager. According to a survey conducted by ASTQB, 96% of managers agreed that certifications help a professional to demonstrate better competency.
* International Recognition
More than 3.5 lakh candidates have been certified in 2014 over 100 countries all round the world at a growth rate of 12,000 per quarter. This proves the recognition and growth of ISTQB training internationally. It is considered as a consistent mode of training that goes hand in hand with international advancements.
