Successful Test Engineering and The ISTQB Programme for Professional Capability Development | The Agile Stream

The Agile Stream

The Agile stream contains only 3 units, but collectively they serve to fulfil the needs of foundation level agile testing through to the differing roles and aspects of a large, distributed agile project.

Figure 17 - ISTQB Agile Stream

Building on the principles taught at Foundation Level, the stream contains:

• Agile Tester, which must be passed before venturing in the either of the higher-level certifications within the stream. Note: Holders of an IISTQB Foundation certificate at Version 4 or later need not obtain an Agile Tester certification before embarking on the other certifications in this stream.
• Agile Technical Tester for those wishing to progress on a technical route, rather than management of larger agile projects.

There is no interdependency between the two Agile Level Certifications; although to attempt them requires a prior pass at Foundation Level - Agile Tester or Foundation Level (Version 4 or above).

The Agile Tester

The syllabus addresses in detail:

• Agile Software Development;
• Findamental Agile Testing Principles & Processes;
• Agile Training Methods, Techniques & Tools.

The syllabus is shown on page 38, and can be further downloaded here. The exam is multiple choice, with at least 26 questions from 40 being answered correctly over 60-minutes.

People sitting and passing an exam should expect the following business-based outcomes:

• 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.

Agile Technical Tester

The ISTQB® Advanced Level Agile Technical Tester (CTAL-ATT) certification provides a thorough introduction to the technical testing skills which are fundamental in organizations using an Agile development approach. These skills include testing and agile techniques, test automation approaches, and continuous deployment and delivery.

The syllabus addresses in detail:

• Agile Software Development;
• Fundamental Agile Testing Principles & Processes;
• Agile Training Methods, Techniques & Tools.

The syllabus is shown on page 40, and can be further downloaded here. The exam is multiple choice, with 40 questions of variable value that offer a combined value of 64 points. The point pass mark is set at 42 over 90-munites to be awarded a pass.

People sitting and passing an exam should expect the following business-based outcomes:

• Apply Agile techniques to ensure tests that provide adequate coverage;
• Define testable requirements within Agile Team;
• Create and implement various Agile Test approaches using appropriate techniques;
• Support and contribute to test automation activities in an Agile project;
• Support continuous integration in an Agile Team;
• Support Agile Team in continuous delivery and deployment;
• Learn the service virtualization concepts;
• Work with, and share information with, other team members using effective communication styles and channels.

Agile Test Leadership at Scale

The Agile Test Leadership at Scale (CTAL-ATLaS) certification focuses on how to organize and improve quality and testing across multiple teams in an agile organization. It also covers how to approach quality and testing at a strategic level in order to achieve higher business agility in an organization. CTAL-ATLaS covers how to scale testing and quality assurance efforts by fostering a quality mindset and culture across the organization. This includes shifting from a traditional test management approach typically used in sequential development models to a quality assistance approach which builds on Lean and Agile principles and values. It also includes how to adopt common Lean and Agile techniques and processes for analyzing and solving problems and how to use them to improve testing and quality in the organization.

At the time of writing, ATLaS is being developed as a series of certifications that build into an overall certificate. At this time, it is advertised as being a 'Minimal Viable Product (MVP)' of several components for which an exam is available. People passing the exam now will be granted the full certification. As further products are added to ATLAS so will exams, and candidates will need to pass them all to be awarded the certification.

The syllabus addresses in detail:

• Quality Assurance;
• Improve Quality and Flow in a Value-Driven Organization;
• Continuous Improvement of Quality and Testing.

The syllabus is shown on page 42, and can be further downloaded here. The ATLaS body of knowledge provides further reading here. The exam is multiple choice, with 15 questions of variable value that offer a combined value of 25 points. The point pass mark is set at 17 over 45-munites to be awarded a pass.

People sitting and passing an exam should expect the following business-based outcomes:

• Foster a value-driven quality mindset and culture.

ISTQB Agile Test Leadership at Scale (ATLaS) Tester Syllabus