ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager

This 5-day course covers test management topics in detail, including planning, risk analysis, estimation, effective reviews, defect management, test process improvement and people skills.

This course is accredited by ISTQB and is based on the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Syllabus.

The course includes exercises and practice exam questions to highlight key aspects of the Syllabus, and to help participants understand and practice the concepts and methods presented.

Course Objectives

To provide an understanding of Software Test Management issues beyond the ISTQB Foundation Level – giving participants the knowledge and skills required to become an Advanced Level Test Manager.

Who will benefit?

This 5-day course is most appropriate for Software Testers, Software Test Analysts, Software Test Engineers, Software Test Consultants, Software Test Managers and anyone wishing to gain the ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Certificate.

ISTQB’s Advanced Level Certificates are also appropriate for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of Software Testing, such as Project Managers, Quality Managers, Software Development Managers, Business Analysts, IT Directors and Management Consultants.

Prerequisites

To take the actual exam ( ISTQB Advanced Software Test Manager Certificate ) candidates must hold the ISTQB Foundation certificate. Note: There are no prerequisites for participating in the course without taking the exam.

Skills Gained

A candidate who achieves the  ISTQB Advanced Level Test Manager Certificate can be expected to:

• Implement the mission, goals and testing processes established for the Software Testing Organization.
• Organize and lead risk management activities and use risks to drive software test planning and reporting.
• Create and implement software test plans consistent with organizational policies and testing strategies.
• Continuously monitor and control the software test activities to achieve project objectives.
• Assess and report relevant and timely test status.
• Identify skills and resource gaps in their software testing team and participate in sourcing adequate resources.
• Identify and plan test team skills development.
• Propose a business case for test activities that outlines the costs and benefits expected.
• Ensure proper communication within the software testing team and with other project stakeholders.
• Actively lead test process improvement initiatives.
• Design & implement a defect classification scheme.
• Apply tools to support testing.

Course Content

Testing Process

The Test Manager’s activities within the test process are covered with emphasis on the tasks of test planning, monitoring and control.

Test Management

Explains how to define Test Management tasks according to the context of a project and how to adjust the test activities to the software lifecycle in use. Risk-based testing for test prioritization and effort allocation is discussed with emphasis on product and project risk management. Participants learn how to take stakeholder views into account when assessing risk levels and defining the risk mitigation activities. Risk control activities and risk reporting are also covered. Evaluates different types of test document and discusses how to tailor them to meet project and organization needs. Relevant standards are also considered.

Metric and experienced-based methods for estimating testing effort are covered and participants learn how to communicate the value of testing. Distributed, outsourced and insourced forms of test organization are described.

Reviews

Here the focus on defining an appropriate software review plan and setting up the review to achieve the best results. Participants learn how to use metrics to optimize the review results and to show return on investment. This session also explains how to lead a review team through a formal review.

Defect Management

Describes how to set up a defect lifecycle tailored for the software lifecycle in use and explains how to analyse defect reports to evaluate the capability of the testing and software development processes.

Improving the Testing Process

Explains the generic steps for conducting a standard test process improvement initiative and how to create a test improvement plan. Includes the software test process improvement models TMMi, TPI Next, CTP and STEP.

Test Tools and Automation

Covers how to plan and implement different types of tools (including open-source and custom-built tools) considering risks, costs, benefits and opportunities. Tool use for metric collection and evaluation is described.

People Skills

Discusses how to assess the range of skills required for a software testing team, and define a growth plan for skill development. Includes team motivation and communication skills.

The Exam

The ISTQB Advanced Test Manager Certificate is awarded to those who pass the 3-hour multiple choice exam, which is set, moderated, marked and invigilated by an ISTQB licensed Exam Provider. Candidates must score 65% or greater to pass the exam.

The exam may be taken during the course or at a later date. It can also be taken online.