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There are 4 modules in this course
Organizations need skilled systems professionals who can lead software testing, deployment, and maintenance efforts that ensure quality and reliability. This IBM course equips existing and aspiring Systems Architects, Solutions Architects, Systems Analysts, Software Engineers, IT Managers, Product Managers, Release Managers, QA Managers, and Business Analysts with the frameworks and coordination skills needed to deliver stable, production-ready systems.
During the course, you’ll learn to design effective test plans and traceability matrices, ensure testing coverage, and coordinate user acceptance testing (UAT) across teams. Through hands-on exercises, you’ll develop deployment checklists, manage CI/CD workflows, validate data migration, and apply risk management techniques for successful releases.
You’ll also explore non-functional requirements (NFRs)—including performance optimization, scalability, and reliability—to strengthen post-deployment system health and business continuity.
If you want to build the in-demand skills for testing and release management, monitoring post-deployment performance, and maintaining software lifecycle excellence through continuous improvement, enroll today!
In this module, you will explore the key concepts of software testing and how it supports quality throughout the development process. You'll start by learning why testing matters, examining real-world examples of failures caused by poor testing. You'll also become familiar with different levels of testing, including unit, integration, system, and user acceptance testing, and understand how analysts contribute at each stage.
Next, you'll dive into test planning and design. You'll learn about test coverage, how test cases are structured, and how traceability matrices help ensure that all requirements are tested. Hands-on activities will give you practice in reviewing and improving test plans.
Finally, you'll be introduced to Test-Driven Development (TDD) and Behavior-Driven Development (BDD). You'll see how these approaches work, how they support collaboration, and how you can contribute using tools like Gherkin syntax.
What's included
13 videos2 readings4 assignments6 plugins
Show info about module content
13 videos•Total 73 minutes
Course Introduction•3 minutes
The Importance of Testing•8 minutes
Testing Levels and Release Cycle•5 minutes
Key Roles and Responsibilities in Software Testing•5 minutes
Testing Case Study•9 minutes
Test Coverage •8 minutes
Anatomy of a Test Case•7 minutes
Creating and Using a Traceability Matrix•5 minutes
TDD and BDD•4 minutes
Benefits of Test Driven Development•5 minutes
Benefits of BDD•2 minutes
BDD Workflow and Gherkin Syntax •5 minutes
Exploring TDD and BDD Through Examples•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 7 minutes
Course Overview•4 minutes
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Testing Strategies and Practices•3 minutes
4 assignments•Total 51 minutes
Practice Quiz: Introduction to Software Testing•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Test Planning and Design•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Implementing TDD and BDD•10 minutes
Graded Quiz: Testing Strategies and Practices•21 minutes
6 plugins•Total 95 minutes
Helpful Tips for Course Completion•5 minutes
Reading: Sample Test Plan with Architect Comment•10 minutes
Lab: Review and Annotate a Test Plan for a Login System•30 minutes
Reading: Glossary: Testing Strategies and Practices•5 minutes
Software Deployment, Release, and Maintenance Strategies
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you’ll walk through the steps involved in managing the software deployment, from pre-launch preparation to post-launch monitoring. You’ll start by exploring the difference between deployment and release, along with the key activities involved, such as coordinating CI/CD workflows, handling stakeholder approvals, and planning rollback strategies. Next, you’ll cover the steps involved in planning and validating data migration, a critical part of many projects. This includes mapping data from legacy to new systems, documenting the migration process, and confirming successful transfers using techniques like record counts, checksums, and dry runs. Finally, you’ll be introduced to the processes that happen after deployment, including monitoring system performance, reviewing logs, and supporting continuous improvement. You’ll also outline key metrics and build a maintenance schedule to help ensure long-term system stability. By the end of the module, you’ll have a clear view of the full release cycle and the analyst’s role in making sure systems launch smoothly and continue to meet user and business needs.
What's included
9 videos1 reading4 assignments6 plugins
Show info about module content
9 videos•Total 49 minutes
Deployment versus Release: Key Concepts and Responsibilities•5 minutes
Enabling CI/CD Planning•5 minutes
Release Checklist Template with Roles and Approvals•6 minutes
Rollback Strategy Essentials•4 minutes
Data Migration Basics: Legacy to New Systems•6 minutes
Data Mapping and Validation Techniques•6 minutes
Data Mapping: Case Study•6 minutes
Monitoring and Alerting; What to Track and Why•6 minutes
Creating a Maintenance Calendar•7 minutes
1 reading•Total 3 minutes
Reading: Summary and Highlights: Deployment, Release, and Maintenance Strategies•3 minutes
4 assignments•Total 51 minutes
Practice Quiz: Deployment and Release Management•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Data Migration and Validation•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Post-Deployment and Continuous Improvement•10 minutes
Graded Quiz: Deployment, Release, and Maintenance Strategies•21 minutes
6 plugins•Total 114 minutes
Lab: Release plan with CI/CD workflows•30 minutes
Lab: Create a Data Migration Readiness Checklist•30 minutes
Reading: Retrospectives and Post-Mortem Templates•4 minutes
Lab: Design a Monitoring Plan and Maintenance Checklist•30 minutes
Activity: Podcast: Strategies for Software Deployment, Release and Maintenance•15 minutes
Glossary: Deployment, Release, and Maintenance Strategies •5 minutes
Non-Functional Requirements
Module 3•3 hours to complete
Module details
This module introduces learners to the critical non-functional aspects of system design that determine whether a system will succeed in production. You'll learn to identify and plan for non-functional requirements, including performance, scalability, and reliability.
The module covers essential capacity planning techniques, performance optimization strategies, and disaster recovery principles. Through practical examples and labs, you'll develop skills to design systems that not only work correctly but can handle real-world demands.
By the end of this module, you'll understand how to measure system health, plan for growth, and ensure business continuity. This knowledge forms the foundation for building robust, production-ready systems that meet both user expectations and business needs.
What's included
6 videos1 reading3 assignments8 plugins
Show info about module content
6 videos•Total 36 minutes
What are Non-Functional Requirements?•7 minutes
Capacity Planning Essentials•6 minutes
Metrics and Monitoring Basics•7 minutes
Scalable Architecture Principles•5 minutes
Performance Optimization and Tips•6 minutes
Backup and Disaster Design•5 minutes
1 reading•Total 1 minute
Summary and Highlights: Non-Functional Requirements•1 minute
3 assignments•Total 41 minutes
Practice Quiz: Introduction to Non-Functional Requirements•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Performance and Resilience Requirements•10 minutes
In this final module, you’ll bring together all key concepts to build a complete Testing and Release Planning Kit for a fictional software system. This includes defining a testing strategy, validating data migration steps, planning the deployment workflow, and outlining post-release monitoring activities.
The capstone simulates what a systems analyst would deliver to support cross-functional software delivery. You’ll tailor your work to a scenario you create, using templates and frameworks introduced in earlier modules. As part of the process, you’ll review success criteria, identify risks and rollback strategies, and ensure the software is prepared for a stable launch and long-term support.
This project focuses on coordination, planning, and documentation related to testing, deployment, and post-launch maintenance and not on coding or software development.
At IBM, we know how rapidly tech evolves and recognize the crucial need for businesses and professionals to build job-ready, hands-on skills quickly. As a market-leading tech innovator, we’re committed to helping you thrive in this dynamic landscape. Through IBM Skills Network, our expertly designed training programs in AI, software development, cybersecurity, data science, business management, and more, provide the essential skills you need to secure your first job, advance your career, or drive business success. Whether you’re upskilling yourself or your team, our courses, Specializations, and Professional Certificates build the technical expertise that ensures you, and your organization, excel in a competitive world.
You’ll learn how to plan and lead software testing, deployment, and maintenance activities from a systems professional’s perspective. You’ll design test plans, manage CI/CD processes, validate data migration, and apply non-functional requirements like performance, scalability, and reliability to ensure software success.
Do I need prior experience?
This is an intermediate-level course. A basic understanding of the software development lifecycle will help you to get the most from this course. The course offers clear guidance and hands-on activities to help you build your skills and confidence as you progress.
Why are testing and deployment necessary in systems and software development?
Testing and deployment ensure that software is stable, secure, and production-ready before release. Effective testing prevents costly post-launch failures, while structured deployment minimizes risks and ensures smooth system rollout and user satisfaction.
Will I gain practical experience during the course?
Yes. You’ll apply everything you learn through hands-on labs and a final Testing and Release Planning Kit project. This capstone-style project lets you demonstrate your ability to plan testing activities, design deployment strategies, and manage post-deployment performance in a simulated real-world environment.
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is ideal for systems architects, solutions architects, software developers, systems analysts, QA managers, and release managers involved in software delivery and system lifecycle management. It is suitable for both those who are looking to start careers in any of these roles and experienced professionals. It’s also valuable for IT professionals looking to strengthen their testing and deployment expertise.
How does this course support me as a systems professional?
The course helps you apply testing, deployment, and maintenance frameworks in real-world scenarios. You’ll learn to bridge business and technical goals, coordinate across teams, manage non-functional requirements, and ensure successful system delivery and long-term stability.
Will this course help me collaborate with developers and QA teams?
Yes. You’ll learn how to communicate effectively across development, testing, and operations teams, manage feedback loops, and align testing and release plans with QA workflows and stakeholder expectations for smoother collaboration.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Certificate?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.