Proposed Changes to Effective Test Management Course

The course aims to assist those new to Test Management in building an environment in which effective test processes can flourish and is scheduled to last a couple of days

From feedback I’ve received however it has become apparent that 2 days is simply not sufficient to do justice to all of the topics within the current syllabus particularly if space and time for interactive elements is to be found.

So as a result I’ve been working on a redesign of the existing material with a view to making it more modular and allowing individuals and organisations to access the elements which are of most relevance to them

I see the revised course in its revised format as having 4 separate modules as follows

1. Managing an effective test process – which will include the existing material on how best to manage each phase of the testing process along with additional exercises and interactivity and become a self contained 1 day course

2. Effective Test Strategies and Test Plans - this element has already been carved out into a separate 1 day course and is available for download from the website

3. Building an effective test team - this subject is touched upon in the existing material but I plan to expand into a half day session including sessions on

• Working out what sort of testers your team needs

• Recruiting the right people

• How your needs will vary according to the sort of organisation and project you are working on

• Maintaining an effective team over the long term which will include a section on to how to mentor and bring on the careers of more junior members of your team

This is another topic covered at a high level in the existing material but which I plan to expand and make more interactive, looking at ways in which an effective test manager can create good working relationships with other parts of the organisation and build general acceptance of the role that testing needs to play within the overall delivery process if it is to be effective.

This material is still in the very early stages of preparation but I would expect it to be a half day session when complete also

Once all 4 courses are complete I will then look to recombine them into a single coherent set of training for those with the time and inclination to spend 3 solid days learning about how to become an effective test manager.

I will be looking to merge elements from all 4 modules into this unified course into a revised running order at this point in order to better show how each element is interrelated and each supports the other

I will retain the original course material on the site however even when all of the above is complete for anyone who wishes to use it