Certified Tester
Expert Level Syllabus
Test Management
(Managing Testing, Testers, and Test Stakeholders)
2011
International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Copyright Notice
This document may be copied in its entirety, or extracts made, if the source is acknowledged.
Certified Tester
Expert Level Syllabus
International
Software Testing
Qualifications Board
Version 2011 Page 2 of 81 1st November 2011
© International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Copyright © International Software Testing Qualifications Board (hereinafter called ISTQB®).
Graham Bath, Rex Black, Debra Friedenberg, Kenji Onishi, Marcel Kwakernaak, Martin Klonk, Judy
McKay, Gary Mogyorodi, Erik van Veenendaal (2010 – 2011)
Certified Tester
Expert Level Syllabus
International
Software Testing
Qualifications Board
Version 2011 Page 3 of 81 1st November 2011
© International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Revision History
Version
Date
Remarks
2011 Beta
14.4.2011
Beta version
2011 Release
1.11.2011
Released version
Certified Tester
Expert Level Syllabus
International
Software Testing
Qualifications Board
Version 2011 Page 4 of 81 1st November 2011
© International Software Testing Qualifications Board
Table of Contents
Revision History ....................................................................................................................................... 3
Table of Contents .................................................................................................................................... 4
Acknowledgements ................................................................................................................................. 7
1. Introduction to this Syllabus 60 mins. ........................................................................................ 8
1.1 The International Software Testing Qualifications Board ....................................................... 8
1.2 Purpose of this Document ...................................................................................................... 8
1.3 The Certified Tester Expert Level in Software Testing .......................................................... 8
1.3.1 Expectations ...................................................................................................................... 8
1.3.2 Entry and Renewal Requirements ..................................................................................... 9
1.3.3 Level of Knowledge ........................................................................................................... 9
1.3.4 Examination ....................................................................................................................... 9
1.3.5 Accreditation ...................................................................................................................... 9
1.4 Normative versus Informative Parts ....................................................................................... 9
1.5 Level of Detail ...................................................................................................................... 10
1.6 How this Syllabus is Organized............................................................................................ 10
1.7 Terms and Definitions .......................................................................................................... 10
2. Test Missions, Policies, Strategies and Goals 555 mins. ............................................................ 11
2.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 12
2.2 Mission, Policy, and Metrics of Success .............................................................................. 12
2.3 Test Strategies ..................................................................................................................... 13
2.3.1 Analytical Strategies ........................................................................................................ 13
2.3.2 Model-based Strategies ................................................................................................... 14
2.3.3 Methodical Strategies ...................................................................................................... 14
2.3.4 Process- or Standard-compliant Strategies ..................................................................... 15
2.3.5 Reactive Strategies .......................................................................................................... 15
2.3.6 Consultative Strategies .................................................................................................... 15
2.3.7 Regression-Averse and Test Automation Strategies....................................................... 16
2.4 Alignment of Test Policy and Test Strategy with the Organization ...................................... 16
3. Managing the Test Team 855 mins. ......................................................................................... 18
3.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 Building the Test Team ........................................................................................................ 19
3.2.1 Job Descriptions .............................................................................................................. 19
3.2.2 Resumés .......................................................................................................................... 19
3.2.3 Interviewing ...................................................................................................................... 20
3.2.4 Assimilating New People ................................................................................................. 21
3.2.5 Termination of Employment ............................................................................................. 22
3.2.6 Ending Contractual Relationships.................................................................................... 22
3.3 Developing the Test Team ................................................................................................... 22
3.3.1 Developing Individuals ..................................................................................................... 23
3.3.2 Setting Goals and Objectives .......................................................................................... 23
3.3.3 Defining Clear Roles and Responsibilities ....................................................................... 23
3.3.4 Individual Personalities and Roles within Teams ............................................................ 24
3.3.5 Skills Development .......................................................................................................... 24
3.3.6 Training Opportunities ..................................................................................................... 25
3.3.7 Mentoring ......................................................................................................................... 25
3.3.8 Performance Reviews and Feedback .............................................................................. 25
3.4 Leading the Test Team ........................................................................................................ 26
3.4.1 Information Sharing and Communication ........................................................................ 26
3.4.2 Fostering Loyalty and Trust ............................................................................................. 26
3.4.3 Team Building .................................................................................................................. 26
Certified Tester
Expert Level Syllabus
International
Software Testing
Qualifications Board
Version 2011 Page 5 of 81 1st November 2011
© International Software Testing Qualifications Board
3.4.4 Motivating and Challenging the Test Team ..................................................................... 27
3.4.5 Managing Distributed Teams ........................................................................................... 27
4. Managing External Relationships 330 mins. .............................................................................. 28
4.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 29
4.2 Types of External Relationships .......................................................................................... 29
4.3 Contractual Issues ............................................................................................................... 29
4.4 Communication Strategies ................................................................................................... 30
4.5 Integrating from External Sources ....................................................................................... 30
4.6 Merging Test Strategies ....................................................................................................... 31
4.7 Verifying Quality ................................................................................................................... 32
5. Managing Across the Organization 780 mins. ............................................................................ 34
5.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 35
5.2 Advocating the Test Team ................................................................................................... 35
5.2.1 Promoting and Advocating the Test Organization ........................................................... 35
5.2.2 Selling the Value of Testing ............................................................................................. 35
5.2.3 Creating a Defensible Team ............................................................................................ 36
5.2.4 Protecting and Supporting the Team ............................................................................... 36
5.3 Placement of the Test Team ................................................................................................ 38
5.4 Stakeholder Communication ................................................................................................ 38
5.5 Creating and Building Relationships .................................................................................... 39
5.6 Advocating Quality Activities Across the Organization ........................................................ 40
5.7 Integrating Tools Across the Organization ........................................................................... 41
5.8 Handling Ethical Issues ........................................................................................................ 42
5.8.1 Managing the Team’s Ethics ........................................................................................... 42
5.8.2 Interacting with Test Stakeholders................................................................................... 42
5.8.3 Report Results ................................................................................................................. 43
5.8.4 Test Management Ethics ................................................................................................. 43
6. Project Management Essentials 615 mins. ...................................................................... 44
6.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 45
6.2 Project Management Tasks ................................................................................................. 45
6.2.1 Test Estimation ................................................................................................................ 45
6.2.2 Defining the Testing Schedule ......................................................................................... 47
6.2.3 Budgeting and Resource Allocation ................................................................................ 47
6.2.4 Managing and Tracking a Project .................................................................................... 48
6.2.5 Dealing with Trade-offs .................................................................................................... 49
6.2.6 Change Management ...................................................................................................... 49
6.2.7 Time Management ........................................................................................................... 50
6.3 Project Risk Management .................................................................................................... 50
6.3.1 Managing Project Risks ................................................................................................... 50
6.3.2 Participating in Project-wide Risk Management .............................................................. 50
6.4 Quality Management ............................................................................................................ 51
7. Test Project Evaluation and Reporting 510 mins. ....................................................................... 53
7.1 Introduction........................................................................................................................... 53
7.2 Tracking Information ............................................................................................................ 53
7.3 Evaluating and Using Information - Internal Reporting ........................................................ 54
7.4 Sharing Information - External Reporting ............................................................................. 55
7.5 Test Results Reporting and Interpretation ........................................................................... 56
7.5.1 Planning, Monitoring and Control .................................................................................... 56
7.5.2 Analysis and Design ........................................................................................................ 56
7.5.3 Implementation and Execution ........................................................................................ 57
7.5.4 Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting ............................................................................. 58
7.5.5 Test Closure Activities ..................................................................................................... 59
7.6 Statistical Quality Control Techniques ................................................................................. 59
8. Testing Considerations for Domain and Project Factors 270 mins. ............................................. 60