International Software Testing Certified Engineers in CI

Yes, I am proud to say that my Test Engineers are all ' International Software Testing Certification Agency's Certified Engineers.

There are a lot of things that we have been doing in our company since our inception. We went in for ISO certification, way back in 2000 itself, just 2 years into software development, more to build the organization in a process oriented way. This enabled all of us to think in terms of a standardization or streamlining of our operations, with back up, audit, etc. Of course, we may have 10 teams with 10 different process since we are in outsourced Product development. Our 10 clients want us to follow their way. So what has happened is that though we have 10 different ways, still within the team itself, all the members follow the same process without deviation.

Similarly, we went in for BS 7799 , which is now ISO 27001, which deals with Information Security. Here also, it was more our vision of getting a sanitized atmosphere rather than any client pressure or marketing needs that made us take this up.

Along with this certification, we went ahead with our BS 15000, which is now ISO 20000 which deals with IT Service Management Certification which includes, process, security too. CI was the 1st among the SMB segment in India, 8th in India and 58th organization in the world to secure BS15000 certification.

In CI, we have testing teams for our clients, apart from our internal testing teams, which tests the deliveries of our product and also our deliverables. I heard about ISTC, which is a not-for-profit entity which has been conceived to spread the quality consciousness and strongly supports the need for Qualified and Certified Software Testing Community globally. Immediately I felt that I can get my people to take up this Certification, as this will not only help me benchmark the talent available in my company, but will lead to a standardization of approach.

This Certification is based on BOK of one of the best selling book " Software Testing - Principles and Practices"

The Certification Procedure as follows:

1. This certificate is issued only to those participants who got a minimum of 70% of marks
2. The questions for the exam and correction of answers are done by the author of the book, Mr Srinivasan Desikan
3. A class room section by the author is part of this certification introducing various topics on testing
4. The certification process includes exercises that are implemented in live projects, a combined internal assessments by Organization and Certification boards
5. The certification process involves approx 30 days of preparation time (attending class room training, reading the book, practicing techniques in live project and preparing for written exam)

Topics covered

1. Basic principles, concepts of testing
2. Black box testing and techniques
3. White box testing techniques
4. Component testing standards
5. Integration testing types and methodologies
6. System testing types and methodologies
7. Acceptance testing
8. Regression testing methodology
9. Software test automation
10. Adhoc testing types
11. People aspects in testing

Of course, this certification is at the basic level or foundation level only. There are 2 more levels in the certification, which CI will undertake shortly.

If you or your company is interested, do let me know I can be a bridge for you to get introduced to either founders of this society.