[ISTQB] 5.1 Test Organization (K2)

LO-5.1.1 Recognize the importance of independent testing (K1)

According to the formal ISTQB definition: "separation of responsibilities encourages the accomplishment of objective testing". Independence testing is therefore more effective in finding defects and performing reviews.

Ideally, testers should be the at least independent of the developing team (and ideally fully independent from the organisation or outsourced), they report to executive management or project management, but the level of independence testing depends on the company organisation and size (resources available). 

LO-5.1.2 Explain the benefits and drawbacks of independent testing within an organization (K2)

Independent testing is crucial for large, complex or safety critical projects. 

Independent and experienced testers may design tests according to test policy and strategy of the organisation and are more able to see ambiguities, find defects and challenge assumptions. 

Also, if independent testers are isolated from the others teams of the project, they should always be involved in any key change decisions for avoiding any bottlenecks or delays. 

LO-5.1.3 Recognize the different team members to be considered for the creation of a test team (K1)

• Tester: is a skilled professional who is involved in the testing of a component or system.
• Test Leader or Test Manager: is responsible for the project management of testing activities and resources, and evaluation of a test object. The individual who controls, directs, administers, plans and regulates the evaluation of a test object.
• Project managers report to the client and ensuring all project management activities, including testing activities managed by the test manager. 
• Quality managers are aware of quality requirements of the project (process, product) and have to ensure that they are respected by the test team.
• Developers could be involved in component testing, business analyst provide business user requirements on which acceptance criteria and conditions are designed. IT operations are involved in ensuring delivery and operational test on environment and make sure that the helpdesk is able to assist users. 

LO-5.1.4 Recall the tasks of typical test leader and tester (K1)

The test leader plans, monitors and controls testing tasks from test preparation, test execution and test completion. He is responsible for coordinating test strategy and plan (context, rules, automation or manual testing, tools and environment available..) with project or quality managers and others stakeholders and making sure that test policy and standards of the organization are respected. 

He selects consequently test approach, estimates time, cost and effort needed, states test levels and associated cycles, planning communication. After confirming that acceptance criteria and prerequisites has been covered by test plan, he will record progress of test execution against the test plan, delivers report and take any action necessary to compensate potential problems.

Testers review and contribute to test planning, they analyse and assess testability of user requirements, specifications. They create test specifications, set up test environment with IT teams, prepare and acquire test data. They follow test procedures in test execution and logs defects found.