Expert/Test Automation Engineering
The Test Automation Engineering Expert Level extends the knowledge and experience obtained at the Advanced Level by providing in-depth, practically-oriented certifications in test automation and objectives. Criteria are set to ensure good and consistent quality of the Expert Level and the candidates must have:
- the Foundation Certificate
- an Advanced Certificate in Technical Test Analyst
- passed the Expert Level Exam
- at least 5 years of practical testing experience
- at least 2 years of industry experience as Technical Test Analyst
Contents of the Syllabus
The Test Automation Engineering syllabus can be divided into three parts:
- Test Automation Management
- Test Automation Engineering
The syllabus starts by considering the purpose of testing or the test mission, and the relation between the test policy, the test strategy and the test objectives. Test prioritization and various effort allocation techniques, including risk-based are considered in depth. The expert test manager is considered to be able to utilize and adapt all available methods to define and meet testing objectives. Furthermore, an expert test manager is expected to be able to design a specific method or approach to meet those objectives and to gain and maintain early management commitment.
The syllabus defines test automation, the scope covered, and objectives. There are a number of different tools and technologies available to assist test projects in managing, executing, and reporting testing. Basic questions like "why would you use automation?", "how would you use automation?", and "when would you use automation?" are addressed.
Strategies for successful implementation of automated testing tools are covered extensively beginning with an assessment and evaluation of economic benefit. Discussion of generic automated testing architectures and how they can aid in the development, deployment, and maintainability of automated scripts is covered along with specific planning activities surrounding implementation which affect staffing, tools, and schedule.
An expert in the field of test automation will have the understanding to know what tools should be applied during what phase of the testing lifecycle and which approach should be used to ensure a successful implementation for any given situation.
Techniques, based on best practices including automation frameworks, are described to ensure the successful and efficient implementation of testing tools and the skills necessary to develop and maintain an automated test environment.
The process of automating test scripts in order to create a sustainable regression test suite can be described in several steps. There are specific roles and responsibilities for test teams wishing to incorporate automation into the overall testing process including the detailed consideration of critical success factors.