Overview

The ISTQB® Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) certification provides the knowledge and competencies to take responsibility for managing all the testing activities across the software development lifecycle. It covers everything from how to design a suitable test approach for the project based on the organizational test strategy to building a test team or testing competencies to complete the necessary testing.

Audience

The Advanced Level Test Manager certification is aimed at people who have already achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing and wish to develop further their expertise in test management.
To gain this certification, candidates must hold the Certified Tester Foundation Level certificate and have sufficient practical experience. Please contact an ISTQB® Member Board or Exam Provider to determine the specific practical experience criteria.

Content

ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM)

Testing Process

Test Planning, Monitoring and Control

Test Design

Test Implementation

Test Execution

Evaluating Exit Criteria and Reporting

Test Closure Activities

Test Management

Test Management in Context

Risk-based Testing and Other Approaches for Test Prioritization and Effort Allocation

Test Documentation and Other Work Products

Test Estimation

Defining and Using Test Metrics 

Business Value of Testing

Distributed, Outsourced, and Insourced Testing

Managing the Application of Industry Standards

Reviews

Management Reviews and Audits

Managing Reviews

Metrics for Reviews

Managing formal Reviews

Entry

Defect Management

The Defect Lifecycle and the SDLC

Defect Report Information

Assessing Process Capability with Defect Report Information

Imroving the Testing Process

Test Improvement Process

Improving the Test Process

Improving the Test Process with TMMi

Improving the Test Process with TPI Next

Improving the Test Process with CTP

Improving the Test Process with STEP

Test Tools and Automation

Tool Selection

Tool Lifecycle

Tool Metrics

Entry

Entry

People Skills – Team Composition

Individual Skills

Test Team Dynamics

Fitting Testing within an Organization

Motivation

Communication

Exam Structure

  • No. of Questions: 65
  • Passing Score: 75
  • Total Points: 115
  • Exam Length (mins): 180 (+25% Non-Native Language)

Business Outcomes

A candidate who has achieved the Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager certification should be able to:

  • A candidate who has achieved the Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager certification should be able to:
  • 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

More Information

Training is available from Accredited Training Providers (classroom, virtual, and e-learning). We highly recommend attending accredited training as it ensures that an ISTQB® Member Board has assessed the materials for relevance and consistency against the syllabus.

Self-study, using the syllabus and recommended reading material, is also an option when preparing for the exam.

Holders of this certification may choose to proceed to other Core, Agile, or Specialist stream certifications.

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