The Importance of ISEB and ISTQB Software Testing Certifications
As the name sounds, ISEB and ISTQB certifications are a means to add to one’s already given skill set. It could be a software developer trying to get a stamp of approval or a software tester trying to get the global certification on his/her resume. It is a way to bridge the gap between the somewhat ordinary software tester and a good software tester engineer. Usually the trend amongst Information Technology graduates is to focus on their career from the get-go. Whether it is software testing or software development, their focus is to get a reasonable job and to make a mark in that particular company. While that may be a good choice in terms of making a good repute professionally, it does not cover the gap which will exist if the stamp of ISEB or ISTQB certification is missing.
There are some factors to consider, before a test engineer embarks on this certification quest; first of all the career path must be clear. If the person wants to make a switch at some stage of moving from software testing to software project management, or even software development, these certifications will still be of help, but not as much if the person has their mind purely on software testing. Am ISEB or ISTQB certification will help a person get better knowledge of ‘what should be’ instead of ‘Just get it done’, which is very essential for personal growth and development. If software testing certifications are obtained, it helps a person understand the right processes and approach, which in turn helps the person in understanding the whole software life cycle. Not only does it help to improve the knowledge, it also helps to enhance the career path adopted by the person.
With ISEB and ISTQB testing certifications the individual is also made to understand the difference between ‘poor’ or ‘below average’ practices/methods and ‘ideal’ or ‘regulation’ practices/methods. Whether the individual is concerned with web app testing or mobile app testing, or even web service testing, the domain is inconsequential in this matter. The basic rules or the fundamental regulations do not change. And indeed it is the pitfall in which many of the software testers fall into, that whatever practice or method is appropriate for just getting a career going will be sufficient; software testing is a constant learning and improvement domain and you cant be satisfied or complacent at any stage. It is something which is ongoing and constant, and should the individual just lay back and relax over whatever methods he/she is following at work, or if the company is following, then it could lead to career level crisis. Constant learning is just as important, whether it is software testing or software development.
