ISTQB® CTAL - Test Manager

Description

ISTQB® CTAL Test Manager certification is aimed at software professionals who already have the ISTQB® Foundation certificate and are looking for a deeper understanding of software testing to become a Test Manager.

Chapter 1: Testing Process

• The Test Manager’s main activities are covered for each step in the fundamental test process. Emphasis is placed on the tasks of Test Planning, Monitoring and Control. In addition, the Test Manager learns how to implement a project retrospective in order to validate processes and discover areas to improve.

Chapter 2: Test Management

• This is the core chapter of the syllabus and accounts for over two days of training out of the five days course.
• The Test Manager should understand how to define test management tasks according to the context of a project. This involves taking all stakeholder needs into account and adjusting test activities to the software lifecycle model.
• Risk-based testing (RBT) for test prioritization and effort allocation is covered in detail. Emphasis is placed on the Test Manager’s tasks in identifying, analyzing and assessing risks for the product and the project. The Test Manager learns specific techniques and understands how to take stakeholder views into account when assessing risk levels and when defining the set of test activities needed to mitigate the risks. By performing appropriate risk control activities, the Test Manager learns how to determine residual risks and can report them to project stakeholders so that informed release decisions can be made.
• The Test Manager needs to know how to evaluate different types of test documentation and tailor them to meet project and organization needs. This includes an understanding of relevant standards.
• Estimation of testing effort using specific metrics and based on experience is covered. Techniques required for estimating are covered and the Test Manager should learn how to use available data to communicate the value of testing.
• Test Managers should have an understanding of distributed, outsourced and insourced forms of test organizations.

Chapter 3: Reviews

• The activities of the Test Manager focus on defining an appropriate review plan and setting up the review to achieve the best results. The Test Manager should learn how to use metrics to optimize the review results and to show return on investment.
• The Test Manager should understand how to lead a review team through a formal review.

Chapter 4: Defect Management

• The Test Manager should know how to set up a defect lifecycle tailored for the adopted software lifecycle.
• The Test Manager should understand the skills to acquire in analyzing defect reports with the objective of evaluating the capability of the testing and software development processes.

Chapter 5: Improving the Test Process

• The Test Manager should be aware of the generic steps for conducting a standard test process improvement initiative and how to create a test improvement plan based on these steps.
• Information is provided on the test process improvement models TMMi, TPI Next, CTP and STEP.

Chapter 6: Test Tools and Automation

• The Test Manager should be able to plan and implement the selection of different types of tools (including open-source and custom-built tools) so that risks, costs, benefits and opportunities are adequately considered.
• An understanding of using tools for metric collection and evaluation is acquired.

Chapter 7: People Skills - Team Composition

• The Test Manager should understand how to assess the availability of soft skills along with the technical, business domain and testing skills required for a testing team, and can define a growth plan for skill development.
• The Test Manager should understand the relevant team motivation and communication skills required.

Business outcomes

Holders of the ISTQB® CTAL Test Manager certificate can…

• Manage a testing project by implementing the mission, goals and testing processes established for the testing organization.
• Organize and lead risk identification and risk analysis sessions and use the results of such sessions for test estimation, planning, monitoring and control.
• Create and implement test plans consistent with organizational policies and test strategies.
• Continuously monitor and control the test activities to achieve project objectives.
• Assess and report relevant and timely test status to project stakeholders.
• Identify skills and resource gaps in their test team and participate in sourcing adequate resources.
• Identify and plan necessary skills development within their test team.
• Propose a business case for test activities which outlines the costs and benefits expected.
• Ensure proper communication within the test team and with other project stakeholders.
• Participate in and lead test process improvement initiatives.

In general, an Advanced Test Manager is expected to have acquired the necessary skills to enable further development at the Expert Level in the areas of test management and improving the test process.