- Understand the role of a test manager
- Learn how to create a test strategy
- Perform risk analysis
- Control and manage a testing effort
It is easy to waste a lot of resources focusing on tasks that eventually turn out to be relatively unimportant. The purpose of the test strategy is to direct the test effort in the most effective and efficient manner possible. Strategy decisions include: choosing staffing levels; designing appropriate test environments; analyzing product and project risks; selecting workable metrics to measure status and effectiveness; determining the test automation strategy and so forth.
For a test strategy to have value, it must be implemented and maintained. Due to the dynamic nature of software development, testers and test managers must be prepared to revise their strategy based upon the changing situation. Risks must constantly be re-evaluated based on both internal and external influences. Exit criteria must be reviewed and changed if necessary based upon the current state of the project. The choice of how and what to test is also subject to constant change.
This course is appropriate for anyone that has an influence on determining the testing strategy, including senior testers and QA analysts, test leads, and test managers. This course complements the Systematic Software Testing course, which provides a similar outline of good testing methods from the viewpoint of the test engineer. Participants should have at least six months of leadership experience and two years of test experience.
