New ISTQB President

The ISTQB Certified Tester is not a commercial company, but a worldwide network of 68 volunteer boards - with over 800,000 certificates and a curriculum system that has been professionalizing software testing for 20 years. The new Foundation Level 4.0 breaks with the old V-model logic and focuses on agile practices, because the reality in the industry has long since moved on. The biggest challenge for the future: reacting faster to new technologies, involving young testers and making the portfolio more visible - because 90 percent of the work remains invisible beneath the surface.

Podcast Episode: 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 been working with a lot of 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 networking in the ISTQB places very special requirements 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 tests 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 and has been a trainer for the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation and Advanced Level as well as a lecturer for software testing at the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg for more than 20 years. Since March 2009, Klaudia has been chairwoman of the DIN working committee on systems and software engineering and is actively involved in the development of standards at international level.

Highlights der Episode

• ISTQB is a worldwide voluntary organization with 68 country boards and over 800,000 certificates.
• Foundation Level 4.0 integrates agile practice into the curriculum - away from pure V-model thinking.
• Three separate roles: Curriculum creator, training provider, exam provider - quality through separation of powers.
• New specializations such as AI testing are created by international expert groups in weekly calls.
• Test training is still lacking at many universities - despite 50 university contacts in Germany.

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.