New ISTQB President

Klaudia has been actively involved in software testing for many years. Since the founding of the ISTQB (International Software Testing Qualifications Board) and the GTB (German Testing Board), she has also worked with great energy. And now she has been elected as the new President of the ISTQB! In this interview, we talk about the early days of software testing and the development history of the ISTQB. Klaudia tells us how the certifications and curricula are created. The international network within the ISTQB places very special demands on the work. Finally, she tells us what she would like to achieve at the ISTQB over the next few years.

“We have well over a million exams and around 800,000 certificates. That’s fantastic!” - Klaudia Dussa-Zieger

Klaudia has been working in the field of software testing and quality assurance for more than 25 years. She is the team leader responsible for consulting at imbus AG. She is particularly interested in test management, the continuous improvement of the test process and the professional training and further education of testers. For more than 20 years she has worked as a trainer for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation and Advanced Level and as a lecturer for software testing at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg. Since March 2009, Klaudia has been Chair of the DIN Working Committee on Systems and Software Engineering and is actively involved in the development of standards at international level.

The ISTQB was founded in 2002 by representatives from Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom (UK).

Highlights of this episode:

• Klaudia Dusser-Zieger is the new president of the ISTQB
• The ISTQB is concerned with the professionalization of the testing profession through certifications
• The Certified Tester Foundation Level is an important step for many testers
• The Foundation Level has recently been revised to reflect more agile practices
• The ISTQB is voluntary and international
• There are a variety of specialized certifications beyond the Foundation Level
• Klaudia would like to keep the ISTQB portfolio more up-to-date and activate new, younger members
• There are efforts to integrate testing knowledge into the academic sector as well
• The separation of powers in the ISTQB ecosystem ensures quality and independence
• Klaudia is also campaigning for more women in the testing industry

The ISTQB: New president, new course content, challenges and visions for the future

An insight into the ISTQB, Klaudia Dussa-Zieger’s presidency and the challenges she would like to tackle over the next three years.

The new President of the ISTQB

I was delighted to have Klaudia Dussa-Zieger, the new President of the ISTQB, as a guest on my podcast. Her election as President of the International Software Testing & Qualification Board marks a pivotal moment, not only for her personally, but also for the future of the software testing industry. Klaudia’s ambitions and vision for the ISTQB promise an exciting development and an increased focus on quality and standardization in software testing.

The mission of the ISTQB

The ISTQB has set itself the task of promoting the profession of tester and ensuring a high level of quality through standardization and certification. With the Certified Tester Foundation Level, the ISTQB offers sound training for testers worldwide. Klaudia’s passion for this mission is infectious. She emphasizes how important it is to strengthen and further develop the profession of testers - a goal she intends to pursue vigorously during her term of office.

A global community

With members from 68 nations, the ISTQB forms an impressive global community. Klaudia shares insights into the founding history and development of the Board. It’s fascinating to hear how the ISTQB has evolved from an idea at a testing conference to a global organization. This community works on a voluntary basis to advance the profession of software testing - a fact that demonstrates Klaudia’s pride in her commitment.

Der neue Certified Tester Foundation Level

One of the highlights of my conversation with Klaudia was the introduction of the new Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) 4.0. This updated syllabus reflects the changes in the industry and integrates agile principles more than ever before. The adaptation to current industry practice shows the ISTQB’s efforts to remain relevant and prepare testers for their tasks in the best possible way.

Challenges and visions for the future

Klaudia shares her thoughts on the challenges and goals for her term as ISTQB President. From the need to develop more up-to-date curricula to promoting diversity in testing, her vision is broad. Of particular note is her desire to increase the involvement of young talent and bring new perspectives to the board. Her plans promise a dynamic future for the ISTQB.