ISTQB CTEL-TM-STM

Description

The ISTQB Expert Level Test Management (CTEL-TM) certification (Managing Testing, Testers, and Test Stakeholders) comprises three parts: 'Strategic Test Management', 'Operational Test Management', and 'Managing the Test Team'. Note that separate certification exams are provided for each part, and all three parts must be achieved to gain full certification in CTEL-TM. An Expert-Level Certificate is valid for seven years.

The ISTQB® CTEL-TM–Strategic Management content within the CTEL-Test Management syllabus considers the purpose of testing, the test mission, and the relation between the test policy, the test strategy, and the test objectives. It addresses the test policy objectives' effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction metrics. Integrating tools across the organization and testing as part of a more extensive set of quality management activities necessary to deliver quality software products and services are included, as well as the management of external relationships, most especially the merging of test strategies with third-party organizations. Part 1 of the CTEL-TM also examines the test management considerations for different project lifecycle models.

For Part 2 of the CTEL-TM certification, refer to CTEL-TM-OTM, and for Part 3, refer to CTEL-TM-MTT. All 3 Parts are required to be "CTEL-TM" certified.

Business Outcomes

The expert test manager can perform each of the following tasks:

• Lead the test management within an organization, project, or program to identify and manage critical success factors with management commitment at the CEO/Board level;
• Take appropriate business-driven decisions on a test management strategy and implement organization-wide commitment and compliance based on quality KPIs;
• Assess the current status of the test management, propose step-wise improvements, and show how these are linked to achieving business goals within the organizational context of test management (organization or project/program);
• Set up a strategic policy for improving test management and testing and implement that policy in an organization;
• Analyze specific problems with the test management and its alignment with other roles or management areas in the project/organization and propose practical solutions;
• Create a master test plan with a matching governance dashboard to meet or exceed the business objectives of the organization or a project/program;
• Develop innovative concepts for test management (project) organizations, which include required roles, skills, methodologies (tools), and organizational structure;
• Establish a standard process for implementing test management in an organization (project/program) with standardized delivery based on quality KPIs;
• Lead an organization to improve the test management process and manage the introduction of changes;
• Understand and effectively manage the human issues associated with test-project management and implement necessary changes.