Overview

The ISTQB® CTEL-TM syllabus considers the skills needed for the Test Manager to manage third party relationships including contractual, communication, integration, and verification of quality aspects. It covers the ability to create, build, and maintain relationships with other managers and other teams, as well as project management skills, including project risk management, and organizing and moderating effective retrospective meetings. Reporting and interpreting test results by evaluation of exit criteria is elaborated upon, and metrics are described which play a crucial role in the management of the test process. Release considerations for the Test Manager are also highlighted.The CTEL-TM has been aligned to the new methodologies and existing ISTQB® Syllabi such as Foundation, Advanced and Specialist.

Audience Exam Structure Business Outcomes More Exam Information Download Materials

Audience

The Expert Level certification is aimed at those who have already achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing and wish to develop further their expertise in a specific area.

To obtain Expert Level certification, candidates must have:

  • the Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate
  • the Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) certificate
  • passed the Expert Level Exam
  • It should be at least 5 years of practical testing experience and at least 2 years of industry experience in the specific Expert Level topic

Content

ISTQB® Certified Tester Expert Level – Test Management (CTEL-TM)

Test Policies, Test Strategies and Test Objectives

Organizational Quality Goals and Test Policy

Organizational-level Test Strategies and Practices

Aligning the Test Policy with the Test Strategy within the Organization

Managing the Test Team

Building the Test Team

Developing the Test Team

Leading the Test Team

Managing Across the Organization

Advocating for the Test Team

Placement of the Test Team

Building Strategic Relationships

Stakeholder Communication

Integrating Tools Across the Organization

Managing External Relationships

Types of External Relationships

Contractual Issues

Communication Strategies for Third Parties

Integrating from External Sources

Merging Third-Party Test Strategies

Verifying Third-Party Quality

Project Management Essentials

Test Estimation and Defect Prediction

Project Risk Management

Change Management

Test Management Considerations for Project Types

Test Monitoring and Test Control

Metrics and Measurement

Test Reporting

Interpreting the Test Results

Evaluating Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction and Improving Test Policy

Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction Metrics for the Test Process

Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction Metrics for the Test Policy

Test Policy Improvement

Ethical Considerations

Ethical Principles in Test Management

Identifying and Addressing Ethical Issues

Exam Structure

  • No. of Questions: 61
  • Passing Score: 29
  • Total Points: 93
  • Exam Length (mins): 120 (+25% Non-Native Language)

Business Outcomes

Individuals who hold the ISTQB® Certified Tester Expert Level Test Management certification should be able to accomplish the following business outcomes:

  • On organizational/strategic level, promote and position testing for the production of quality software.
  • Define, implement, evaluate, and improve the test policy and test strategy suitable for the business objectives and ensure commitments within the organization.
  • Align test management with other roles or management areas across the organization and outside the organization.
  • Lead the test management within an organization, project or program to identify and manage critical success factors and risks with management commitment at strategic level.
  • Understand and manage the human themes associated with test-project management and implement necessary changes.
  • Set up a metrics tracking and test reporting for test monitoring and test control, interpreting the test results, making business decisions, and communicating to internal and external stakeholders.
  • Assess the current test maturity, implement improvements, and manage the introduction of change.
  • Adapt test management to address different software development lifecycle models or project types.
  • Maximize productivity by selecting the appropriate mix of personnel considering skill levels, staffing options, location of resources and management structure.
  • Introduce innovations to test management within organization, which among others include roles, skills, test techniques, technologies, tools and organizational structure.

More Information

Materials provided at Expert Level build on the knowledge and experience obtained at the Advanced Level.

Download Materials

Syllabus

Sample Exams

Exam Structures and Rules

General Files