Test Architect Master's Course

1. Introduction to Test Design 

• Overview of test design: definition, importance, and goals
• Understanding the role of test design in the software testing life cycle
• Types of testing: functional, non-functional, regression, and exploratory testing
• Key principles of effective test design

2. Test Design Techniques Overview

• Overview of different test design techniques
• Static vs. dynamic testing techniques
• White-box vs. black-box testing
• Model-based testing and risk-based testing

3. Requirements Analysis and Test Case Design 

• Understanding the requirements and specifications
• Techniques for analyzing requirements for test case design
• Creating test scenarios from requirements
• Writing effective test cases: format, structure, and best practices

4. Equivalence Partitioning and Boundary Value Analysis 

• Introduction to Equivalence Partitioning (EP): concepts and benefits
• How to identify equivalence classes
• Boundary Value Analysis (BVA): concepts and significance
• Practical examples of applying EP and BVA in test design

5. Decision Table Testing

• Understanding decision tables: what they are and why they are used
• How to create and use decision tables for test design
• Practical application of decision tables for complex logic testing
• Examples and hands-on practice with decision tables

6. State Transition Testing 

• Introduction to state transition testing: concepts and scenarios
• Creating state transition diagrams and tables
• Identifying test cases from state transitions
• Practical examples of state transition testing

7. Exploratory Testing and Ad Hoc Testing 

• What is exploratory testing and its role in test design
• Differences between exploratory and ad hoc testing
• Techniques for effective exploratory testing
• Documenting findings and outcomes in exploratory testing

8. Test Data Management 

• Importance of test data in test design
• Strategies for creating and managing test data
• Using synthetic vs. real data: pros and cons
• Tools and techniques for test data generation

9. Test Automation and Test Design

• How test design impacts test automation
• Designing test cases for automation: considerations and best practices
• Test automation frameworks and tools: an overview
• Integrating manual and automated test cases

10. Review, Refine, and Optimize Test Design

• Importance of reviewing and refining test case
• Techniques for optimizing test coverage and efficiency
• Peer reviews and static analysis in test design
• Continuous improvement in test design practices

• Installation and configuration of JMeter
• Overview of the JMeter GUI and main components
• Best practices for setting up the testing environment

Creating Your First Test Plan 

• Understanding the test plan structure in JMeter
• Adding thread groups (users) and configuring their properties
• Adding HTTP request samplers for basic web application testing
• Using listeners to monitor and visualize test results

Recording and Scripting

• Setting up the HTTP(S) Test Script Recorder
• Recording user actions for dynamic script generation
• Editing and enhancing recorded scripts
• Introduction to JMeter functions and variables

Parameterization and Correlation

• Importance of parameterization in performance testing
• Techniques for parameterizing test scripts (using CSV Data Set Config)
• Handling dynamic data through correlation
• Examples of parameterization and correlation in JMeter

Assertions and Timers 

• Using assertions to validate server responses
• Types of assertions in JMeter (response, duration, size, etc.)
• Incorporating timers to simulate real-world user behavior

Load Testing and Scaling 

• Configuring thread groups for different load scenarios
• Running load tests: ramp-up, constant load, peak load
• Best practices for scaling tests and distributing load

Analyzing Test Results 

• Interpreting results from listeners (View Results Tree, Summary Report, Graph Results)
• Identifying bottlenecks and performance issues
• Using JMeter’s report dashboard for detailed analysis

• Overview of security testing: importance, goals, and key concepts
• Types of security testing: vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, ethical hacking
• Common security threats: SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, etc.
• Security testing lifecycle and integration in SDLC

Setting Up the Testing Environment 

• Introduction to common security testing tools: OWASP ZAP, Burp Suite, Nessus, etc.
• Setting up a basic security testing environment
• Configuring tools for effective security testing
• Overview of virtual environments and containers for safe testing

Understanding Web Application Security 

• Introduction to OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities
• How web applications are commonly exploited
• Demonstrating common vulnerabilities:
  • SQL Injection
  • Cross-Site Scripting (XSS)
  • Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF)
• How to identify and test for these vulnerabilities

Hands-On with OWASP ZAP

• Setting up and configuring OWASP ZAP
• Scanning web applications for vulnerabilities
• Intercepting and modifying HTTP requests
• Using automated scanners to identify common security flaws
• Reporting and interpreting results

Manual Security Testing Techniques 

• Importance of manual testing alongside automated tools
• Techniques for manual testing:
  • Input validation testing
  • Session management testing
  • Authentication and authorization testing
• Using browser developer tools for manual security testing
• Example scenarios and hands-on exercises

Testing APIs for Security

• Introduction to API security and common threats
• Tools for API security testing: Postman, OWASP ZAP, etc.
• Testing REST APIs: authentication, authorization, and input validation
• Case study: API security testing with real-world examples

Reporting and Remediation 

• Documenting findings and creating comprehensive security reports
• Prioritizing vulnerabilities based on risk and impact
• Recommending remediation steps
• Working with development teams to fix vulnerabilities

Advanced Topics in Security Testing 

• Introduction to penetration testing methodologies (OWASP, PTES)
• Social engineering techniques and testing
• Testing for advanced threats: APTs, zero-day vulnerabilities
• Secure coding practices and how they relate to testing

Continuous Security Testing and Automation

• Integrating security testing into CI/CD pipelines
• Automated security testing tools and frameworks
• Best practices for continuous security monitoring
• Case study: Implementing DevSecOps

Software Architecture Basics:

• Architectural Styles: Microservices, Monolithic, Layered Architecture.
• Design Patterns: Singleton, Factory, Observer, etc.
• SOLID Principles.

Test Architecture:

• Designing Scalable Test Automation Frameworks.
• Integration of Testing in CI/CD Pipelines.
• Test Data Management and Environment Configuration.
• Leadership and Team Management:
  • Leading a Testing Team.
  • Collaboration with Developers, Product Owners, and other Stakeholders.
  • Conflict Resolution and Effective Communication.
• Strategic Planning:
  • Test Strategy Development.
  • Risk Management and Mitigation Strategies.
  • Budgeting and Resource Allocation.
• Metrics and Reporting:
  • Defining Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for Testing.
  • Effective Test Reporting Techniques.
  • Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization.