ISEB Software Testing Systems Analysis Diploma

The ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing is the international standard training-course and qualification for software testers, developers and solution architects. It is also a key specialist module for the ISEB Systems Development Diploma, which is an important addition to the CV of any IT professional.

The ISEB Systems Development Diploma is awarded on successful completion of five examinations: four written and one oral. Each exam is approximately one hour long, and the four written exams all follow a similar format (scenario-based essay-questions or multiple choice). The exams are taken at the end of individual training-courses, and are all independent ISEB qualifications.

The ISEB Systems Development Diploma is based on three core modules and five specialist modules. Students must gain certificates in each of the three core modules and one of the specialist modules before registering for the oral exam. All three core modules and most of the specialist modules are independent ISEB Practitioner or Intermediate qualifications. The ISEB Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis and the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing are the only foundation level certificates that qualify as specialist modules within the structure of the ISEB Systems Development Diploma.

The three core ISEB Systems Development Diploma modules are:
• Systems Design and Implementation Techniques (3 day training-course)
o Covers all aspects of the user interface, as well as underlying issues regarding data and process design.
• Systems Development Essentials (3 day training-course)
o Fundamental systems development methodology and organisation, from systems investigation to systems review.
• Systems Modelling Techniques (3 day training-course)
o Construction and implementation of modelling systems from three key perspectives (structured, object-oriented and agile).

The five specialist ISEB Systems Development Diploma modules are:
• Business Analysis Essentials (3 day training-course)
o Developing a business strategy, learning business analysis techniques and applying these techniques to a business scenario.
• Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis (3 day training-course)
o Business analysis principles and techniques, including a basic introduction to subject areas covered by other BSD modules.
• Integrating Off-the-Shelf Software Solutions (3 day training-course)
o Process and framework for selecting, customising and implementing commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) software package solutions.
• Intermediate Certificate in Enterprise and Solution Architecture (2-3 day training-course)
o Architecture frameworks and management relating to data, business, software, applications and infrastructure.
• Foundation Certificate in Software Testing (3 day training-course)
o Software testing processes, tools and techniques.

Anybody who aspires to work in systems development or software testing requires an accredited, professional qualification. At present, the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing is the de-facto industry standard. Individuals who wish to progress beyond introductory level are recommended to study towards the independent ISEB Practitioner qualifications in their own specialist area. IT professionals who require a thorough, practical knowledge of systems development are ideally placed to achieve the ISEB Systems Development Diploma.

Simon Buehring is a project manager, consultant and trainer. He works for KnowledgeTrain which offers ISEB software testing foundation in the UK and overseas. He can be contacted via the ISEB business analysis website.