Testing software systems to make sure they perform as expected and to ensure their reliability
is a very critical quality control activity. Unfortunately this critical activity is being performed on almost
every software project in a very ad hoc, informal manner by developers, testers, and users. Informal surveys conducted
by the International Institute for Software Testing during its seminars indicated that less than 1% of test professionals
attending these seminars have used formal test design techniques to design their tests.
The testing phase in many software projects mostly goes without planning and test teams are unable to perform adequate
testing. Software testers have been given very little training and guidance on how to perform effective testing.
There is much for developers and test professionals to learn.
Education is the Only Way to Establish Testing as a Profession and Discipline
One of the most effective ways to establish a profession is education. That education must
cover all areas of study that can serve the profession. Developing a Body of Knowledge (BOK) is an essential first
step to establishing software testing as a profession and educating our testers. That Body of knowledge needs to
be mastered by everyone who performs software testing. Education is the only way to establish testing as a discipline
and to change the perception that it is an ad hoc activity that requires minimal training.
The two certifications now offered by the International Institute for Software Testing are:
