This course is designed for both beginners and intermediate testers, aiming to provide a comprehensive foundation in software testing. The outline covers a wide range of topics, from fundamental concepts to advanced automation techniques and career-related guidance.

Module 1: Introduction to Software Testing

• Introduction to the Course and Key Roles in the Software Development Team
  • The Big Picture: Why Testing is Crucial
  • What is Software Testing & Why Should One Test It?
  • What is Quality in Terms of Software Testing?
  • What in the World Does a Tester Do?
  • What Makes a Good Tester?
  • A Few Guidelines for New Testers
• Understanding Software Development Lifecycle Models (SDLC)
  • The Waterfall Model
  • The V-Model
  • The Agile Model
• Core Concepts of Software Testing: What is Quality and Why Do We Test?
  • The Seven Fundamental Principles of Testing
  • The Difference between SDLC and STLC

Module 2: Manual Testing Fundamentals

• Basic Concepts of Software Testing
  • Types of Testing: Functional vs. Non-Functional
  • Manual vs. Automation Testing
• Test Planning Process
  • What is a Test Strategy and its Components?
  • How to Plan Your Testing
• Test Case Management
  • Test Scenario and Test Case Writing
  • Test Case Specifications
  • Test Basis and Traceability Matrix
  • Using Tools like Zephyr Scale for Test Case Management
• Black-Box Testing Techniques
  • Equivalence Partitioning
  • Boundary Value Analysis
  • Decision Table Testing
  • State Transition Diagrams
• Test Execution and Defect Reporting
  • What is a Defect and What are Some of its Categories?
  • How to Report Defects (Bug Reporting)
• Understanding Test Reports: Test Plan, Test Progress & Test Completion Reports
• Practical Projects in Manual Testing
  • Finding a simple application or website to test
  • Writing and executing test cases
  • Writing bug reports for encountered issues

Module 3: Agile and Mobile Testing

• Introduction to Agile and Agile Testing
  • Key Principles and Scrum Practices
• How to Use Jira for Agile Project Management
  • Navigating Jira for Agile Teams
  • Creating and Managing User Stories and Tasks
• Mobile Testing Basics and Unique Challenges
  • Types of Mobile Testing: Functional, Performance, Usability
  • Challenges of Mobile Testing (Fragmentation, Network Conditions, etc.)
• Practical Agile Testing Scenarios
  • Working within a Scrum framework
  • Collaboration with Developers

Module 4: API and Performance Testing

• API Testing Fundamentals
  • What is an API and Why Do We Test It?
  • Types of API Testing
• Hands-on API Testing with Postman
  • Setting up Postman
  • Making GET, POST, PUT, and DELETE requests
• Practical Projects with APIs (e.g., ReqRes.in and Trello APIs)
• Performance Testing Fundamentals
  • What is Performance Testing and Why is it Important?
  • Types of Performance Testing (Load, Stress, Endurance)
• Introduction to Performance Testing with JMeter
  • Setting up JMeter
  • Creating and running a simple Load Test

Module 5: Test Automation

• Introduction to Test Automation
  • Benefits of Automation
  • What to Automate and What Not to Automate
• Approaches to Automation and Choosing the Right Tools
• Test Automation with Selenium WebDriver: Basics and Element Locators
  • Setting up Selenium WebDriver
  • Using Java for Automation
  • Element Locator Techniques (ID, Name, CSS Selector, XPath)
• Codeless Automation with Selenium IDE and Katalon Studio
• Managing Automated Tests using TestNG
  • TestNG Annotations and Assertions
• Advanced Automation with Playwright

Module 6: Advanced Topics and Career Development

• White-Box Testing Techniques (e.g., Statement, Decision, and Path Coverage)
• SQL and Database Fundamentals for Testers
  • Basic SQL Queries for Data Validation
  • Joining Tables
• An Introduction to Java Programming for Software Testers
  • Variables, Data Types, Control Flow, and Functions
• Your Road to Certification: How to Become a Certified Tester
  • Overview of ISTQB Certification
• Writing a Professional CV and Preparing for Interviews
  • Common Interview Questions for Testers
• Finding Freelance Testing Opportunities
  • Introduction to freelance platforms (e.g., TesterWork, Test IO, BugFinders)

Module 7: Capstone Projects

• Hands-on projects combining multiple testing concepts to simulate real-world scenarios.