This course is designed to provide comprehensive knowledge of software testing, covering both manual and automation practices. It equips learners with the skills required to validate software quality, identify bugs, and ensure robust system performance in real-world environments. Whether you’re starting your QA career or looking to level up, this training bridges the gap between theory and industry application.
Learning Methodology
- Lectures & Discussions: Interactive sessions covering theoretical concepts.
- Hands-on Exercises: Practical assignments and coding challenges to reinforce learning.
- Tool Demonstrations: Live demonstrations of industry-standard testing tools.
- Case Studies: Real-world scenarios to apply learned concepts.
- Quizzes & Assessments: Regular evaluations to track progress.
- Final Project: A comprehensive project integrating all learned skills.
The objective of this course is to enable participants to understand, apply, and execute key concepts in software testing—ranging from test case creation to automated test scripting and performance monitoring—aligned with industry standards.
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Understand the software development lifecycle and the role of testing
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Identify and execute various types and levels of testing
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Design test plans, scenarios, cases, and defect reports
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Perform bug tracking and lifecycle management
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Gain hands-on experience with tools like JIRA, Selenium, Postman, and JMeter
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Automate web application testing using Selenium
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Test APIs for reliability, performance, and security
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Integrate testing workflows into Agile and DevOps environments
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Prepare for interviews and build a strong tester portfolio
Week 1: Introduction to Software Testing
Module 1.1: What is Software Testing?
1.
Definition and Importance of Software Testing
2.
Goals and Objectives of Testing
3.
Quality Assurance (QA) vs. Quality Control (QC) vs. Testing
4.
Common Misconceptions about Testing
5.
Exercise: Discussion on real-world examples of software failures due to inadequate testing
Module 1.2: Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) & Software Testing Life Cycle (STLC)
1.
Overview of SDLC models (Waterfall, Agile, V-Model)
2.
Phases of STLC: Requirements Analysis, Test Planning, Test Case
3.
Development, Test Environment Setup, Test Execution, Test Cycle Closure
4.
Exercise: Map a simple software project (e.g., a login form) through the phases of STLC.
Module 1.3: Types of Testing
1.
Manual Testing vs. Automation Testing
2.
Functional Testing vs. Non-Functional Testing
3.
Levels of Testing (Unit, Integration, System, Acceptance)
4.
Practice Session: Identify and categorize types of testing applicable to different scenarios (e.g., testing an e-commerce website).
Module 1.4: Roles, Responsibilities, and Testing Principles
1.
Roles of a Software Tester/QA Engineer
2.
Seven Principles of Software Testing
3.
Test Mindset and Tester's Qualities
4.
Exercise: Group discussion and role-playing based on tester responsibilities in a team.
Week 2: Test Planning and Documentation
Module 2.1: Test Plan Creation
1.
Purpose and Scope of a Test Plan
2.
Key components of a Test Plan (IEEE 829 standard)
3.
Test Strategy and Approach
4.
Entry and Exit Criteria
5.
Practice Session: Draft a basic test plan for a small application feature (e.g., user registration).
Module 2.2: Test Case Design
1.
What are Test Cases? Importance of well-written Test Cases
2.
Components of a Test Case (Test ID, Title, Pre-conditions, Steps, Expected Result, Actual Result, Status)
3.
Characteristics of Good Test Cases (Atomic, Independent, Reusable)
4.
Exercise: Write detailed test cases for a specific functionality (e.g., password reset).
Module 2.3: Test Scenarios and Traceability Matrix
1.
Differentiating Test Cases from Test Scenarios
2.
Creating effective Test Scenarios
3.
Understanding and creating a Traceability Matrix (Requirements to Test Cases)
4.
Practice Session: Create test scenarios and a simple traceability matrix for a given set of requirements.
Module 2.4: Introduction to Test Management Tools
1.
Overview of popular Test Management Tools (e.g., Jira, TestRail, Azure DevOps)
2.
Basic functionalities: Test Case management, Test Execution tracking
3.
Hands-on: Guided tour and basic task creation within a chosen test management tool (e.g., creating a project, adding test cases).
Week 3: Static Testing Techniques
Module 3.1: Introduction to Static Testing
1.
Definition and Objectives of Static Testing
2.
Benefits of early defect detection (Shift-Left Testing)
3.
Static Testing vs. Dynamic Testing
4.
Exercise: Analyze sample requirement documents to identify potential issues before dynamic testing.
Module 3.2: Reviews and Walkthroughs
1.
Types of Reviews (Informal, Walkthroughs, Technical Reviews, Inspections)
2.
Roles and Responsibilities in Review Process
3.
Checklists for effective reviews
4.
Practice Session: Perform a peer review of sample documentation (e.g., test cases or requirements).
Module 3.3: Static Analysis Tools
1.
Introduction to Code Static Analysis
2.
Purpose and benefits of using static analysis tools (e.g., SonarQube, Checkstyle concept)
3.
Demonstration/Guided Exercise: Explore a static analysis tool's interface and interpret its findings on a sample code snippet.
Module 3.4: Requirement Analysis for Testers
1.
Understanding Business Requirements Document (BRD) and Functional Specification Document (FSD)
2.
Identifying ambiguous, incomplete, or untestable requirements
3.
Techniques for clarifying requirements
4.
Exercise: Critique a set of poorly written requirements and suggest improvements.
Week 4: Dynamic Testing Techniques - Functional Testing
Module 4.1: Black Box Testing Techniques
1.
Equivalence Partitioning: Dividing input data into valid and invalid partitions.
2.
Boundary Value Analysis (BVA): Testing values at the boundaries of equivalence partitions.
3.
Decision Table Testing: Representing complex business rules in tabular form.
4.
State Transition Testing: Testing systems that react differently based on their current state.
5.
Use Case Testing: Deriving test cases from user interactions and system responses.
6.
Practice Session: Apply Equivalence Partitioning and Boundary Value Analysis to a given input field (e.g., age input).
7.
Exercise: Create test cases using Decision Table Testing for a complex pricing rule.
Module 4.2: White Box Testing Techniques
1.
Introduction to White Box Testing (Structural Testing)
2.
Statement Coverage: Executing every executable statement at least once.
3.
Decision Coverage (Branch Coverage): Executing all possible branches from decision points.
4.
Path Coverage: Executing all possible paths through a program.
5.
Practice Session: Given a simple code snippet, identify paths and create test cases to achieve statement and decision coverage.
Module 4.3: Exploratory Testing
1.
Concept and Benefits of Exploratory Testing
2.
When to use Exploratory Testing
3.
Session-based exploratory testing
4.
Hands-on: Conduct an exploratory testing session on a small, unfamiliar web application and log findings.
Week 5: Non-Functional Testing
Module 5.1: Performance Testing
1.
Types: Load Testing, Stress Testing, Endurance Testing, Spike Testing
2.
Key Metrics: Response Time, Throughput, Latency, Error Rate
3.
Introduction to Performance Testing Tools (e.g., JMeter concepts)
4.
Demonstration/Guided Exercise: Basic setup and execution of a load test using a tool like JMeter (conceptual, focusing on interpreting results).
Module 5.2: Security Testing
1.
Basic Security Concepts (Authentication, Authorization, Data Encryption)
2.
Common Vulnerabilities (OWASP Top 10)
3.
Types: Vulnerability Scanning, Penetration Testing
4.
Exercise: Analyze a simple web form for common security vulnerabilities.
Module 5.3: Usability Testing
1.
Principles of Usability
2.
Methods: User Surveys, Interviews, Usability Labs
3.
Key Considerations for Usability Testing
4.
Practice Session: Design a simple usability test plan for a mobile app feature.
Module 5.4: Compatibility, Localization, and Internationalization Testing
1.
Compatibility Testing: Browser, OS, Device Compatibility
2.
Localization Testing: Adapting software to specific languages and regions
3.
Internationalization Testing: Designing software to support multiple languages and regions without re-engineering
4.
Exercise: Identify compatibility issues for a given web application across different browsers and devices.
Week 6: Database and API Testing
Module 6.1: Database Concepts for Testers
1.
Introduction to Relational Databases (RDBMS)
2.
Basic SQL Queries (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
3.
Understanding Tables, Columns, Rows, Primary Keys, Foreign Keys
4.
Practice Session: Write basic SQL queries to retrieve, insert, update, and delete data in a sample database.
Module 6.2: Testing Database Integrity and Data Validation
1.
Verifying data consistency, accuracy, and integrity
2.
Testing stored procedures and triggers
3.
Backend validation vs. Frontend validation
4.
Exercise: Design test cases to verify data integrity after a complex transaction in an application.
Module 6.3: Introduction to API Testing
1.
What is an API? Types of APIs (REST, SOAP)
2.
HTTP Methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE)
3.
API Request and Response Structure (JSON, XML)
4.
Exercise: Analyze sample API documentation (e.g., a public API like a weather API) to understand its endpoints and request/response formats.
Module 6.4: Tools for API Testing
1.
Hands-on with Postman: Sending requests, assertions, collections
2.
Introduction to SoapUI (for SOAP APIs)
3.
Understanding API documentation (Swagger/OpenAPI)
4.
Hands-on: Use Postman to send GET and POST requests to a public API and validate responses using assertions.
Week 7: Introduction to Test Automation
Module 7.1: Why Automate Testing?
1.
Benefits of Test Automation (Speed, Accuracy, Reusability)
2.
Challenges and Limitations of Test Automation
3.
When to Automate and When Not to Automate
4.
Exercise: Discuss scenarios where automation is highly beneficial versus where manual testing is preferred.
Module 7.2: Test Automation Frameworks
1.
Overview of different Frameworks (Linear, Data-Driven, Keyword-Driven, Hybrid)
2.
Choosing the Right Automation Tool
3.
Practice Session: Compare and contrast different automation frameworks, discussing their pros and cons.
Module 7.3: Setting up the Automation Environment
1.
Introduction to a programming language (e.g., Python or Java basics for automation)
2.
Setting up IDE (e.g., VS Code or IntelliJ IDEA)
3.
Installing necessary dependencies (e.g., WebDriver, browser drivers)
4.
Hands-on: Set up the development environment, install Python/Java, VS Code/IntelliJ, and basic Selenium WebDriver dependencies.
Module 7.4: Introduction to Selenium WebDriver Basics
1.
What is Selenium WebDriver?
2.
Automating basic browser interactions (opening URL, navigating)
3.
First automated script: "Hello World" of Automation
4.
Hands-on: Write a simple Selenium script to open a browser, navigate to a URL, and verify the page title.
Week 8: Advanced Test Automation Concepts
Module 8.1: Locators Strategies
1.
Understanding HTML DOM Structure
2.
Types of Locators: ID, Name, ClassName, TagName, LinkText, PartialLinkText, CSS Selector, XPath
3.
Best practices for robust locator strategies
4.
Hands-on: Practice identifying various locators for elements on different web pages using browser developer tools.
5.
Coding Challenge: Write Selenium scripts to interact with elements using different locator strategies.
Module 8.2: Handling Dynamic Elements and Waits
1.
Challenges with dynamic elements
2.
Implicit Waits, Explicit Waits (WebDriverWait), Fluent Waits
3.
Handling Alerts, Frames, and Multiple Windows
4.
Coding Challenge: Implement explicit and implicit waits in Selenium scripts to handle dynamic elements and synchronize actions.
5.
Practice Session: Automate interaction with a web page containing frames and alert boxes.
Module 8.3: Page Object Model (POM)
1.
Introduction to POM design pattern
2.
Benefits of POM (Readability, Reusability, Maintainability)
3.
Implementing POM in automation scripts
4.
Coding Challenge: Refactor existing Selenium scripts into a Page Object Model structure for a given web application.
Module 8.4: Test Runners and Data-Driven Testing
1.
Introduction to TestNG (Java) or Pytest (Python)
2.
Annotations, Assertions, Test Suites
3.
Implementing Data-Driven Testing: Reading test data from external sources (Excel, CSV)
4.
Hands-on: Create test methods with assertions using TestNG/Pytest.
5.
Coding Challenge: Implement a data-driven test by reading test data from a CSV file to test a login functionality with multiple credentials.
Week 9: Defect Management and Reporting
Module 9.1: Defect Life Cycle
1.
Stages of a Defect (New, Assigned, Open, Fixed, Re-test, Reopened, Closed, Deferred)
2.
Roles involved in Defect Management
3.
Exercise: Trace the lifecycle of a simulated defect from discovery to closure.
Module 9.2: Effective Defect Reporting
1.
Components of a Good Bug Report (ID, Title, Description, Steps to Reproduce, Expected Result, Actual Result, Environment, Severity, Priority, Attachments)
2.
Best practices for writing clear and concise defect reports
3.
Practice Session: Write a detailed bug report for a given software defect scenario.
Module 9.3: Defect Tracking Tools
1.
Hands-on with a Defect Tracking Tool (e.g., Jira): Creating, updating, and managing defects
2.
Workflow customization in defect tracking tools
3.
Hands-on: Create, assign, and transition a defect through its lifecycle in a defect tracking tool.
Module 9.4: Test Metrics and Reporting
1.
Key Test Metrics: Test Case Pass/Fail Rate, Defect Density, Defect Trend, Test Execution Progress
2.
Creating effective Test Reports and Dashboards
3.
Introduction to Regression Testing and its importance
4.
Exercise: Analyze sample test execution data to calculate key metrics and interpret trends.
Week 10: Agile Testing and Career Guidance
Module 10.1: Testing in an Agile Environment
1.
Introduction to Agile Methodologies (Scrum, Kanban)
2.
Role of a Tester in Agile Teams (Collaboration, Cross-functional)
3.
Iterative Testing and Continuous Feedback
4.
Practice Session: Participate in a simulated Agile scrum meeting, focusing on the tester's contribution.
Module 10.2: Shift-Left Testing and DevOps
1.
Concept of Shift-Left Testing (Testing early and often)
2.
Introduction to DevOps and Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery (CI/CD)
3.
Role of automation in CI/CD pipelines
4.
Discussion: How can testers contribute to a successful CI/CD pipeline?
Module 10.3: Best Practices and Future Trends
1.
Test Automation Best Practices
2.
Emerging Trends: AI in Testing, Cloud Testing, Mobile Testing Considerations
3.
Exercise: Research and present on an emerging trend in software testing.
Module 10.4: Career Guidance for Software Testers
1.
Building a Strong Resume for QA Roles
2.
Interview Preparation Tips (Common QA interview questions, Technical skills assessment)
3.
Different Career Paths in Software Testing (Manual Tester, Automation Engineer, SDET, Lead QA, QA Manager)
4.
Continuous Learning and Professional Development
5.
Practice Session: Mock interview session focusing on common QA interview questions.
Knowledge Area: Software Testing Mastery
Certificate
Automation, Testing Lifecycle
Your Instructor
Rajesh Kumar Singh
Codeed Incorporated
Project Manager | QA Manager
