The future for test manager
skills
Facilitated by Steve Allott
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Agenda
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Introduction
 A general look at tester skills using PTMM
 The role of the test manager today
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Drivers of change
 Uncertainties
 Possible future scenarios
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Discussion
 What skills will the test manager of tomorrow require in
order to survive in a global marketplace?
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Personal tester maturity model
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Testing skills
IT skills
Domain knowledge
Soft skills
Acknowledgement: PTMM is a discussion paper and work in progress from
Stuart Reid and Julian Harty as presented at conferences throughout 2006
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Testing skills – examples
Testing activity related to automation
Role
Tester
Test Analyst
Test Automation Engineer
Test Leader & Manager
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Execute
Tests
Design
Tests
Develop
Prepare
Framework Business Case
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Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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IT skills / knowledge – examples
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Programming
Analysis
Web site design
SQL
Performance engineering
HCI
TMF 31 Jan 2007
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Relational databases
Unix
Windows XP
Vista
Dot (.) NET
Network protocols
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Domain knowledge – examples
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Industry Sector
 Financial services: Capital Markets
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Application knowledge
 Trading platforms, reporting software
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Regulatory change
 MiFID – price disclosure and trade reporting
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New opportunities
 MiFID Passport – cross border trading
Complex specialisation in all industry
sectors is probably the norm today
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Soft skills – examples
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Listening skills
Interviewing and questioning
skills
Analytical skills
Facilitation skills
Observational skills
TMF 31 Jan 2007
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Writing skills
Organisational skills
Modelling skills
Interpersonal skills
Creativity
Developing people
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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What is the role of the test manager?
Project 1
Tool Experts
Project 2
Test Managers
SIG
Project 3
Project 4
Centre of Excellence or Testing Practice
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Some typical test manager tasks
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Overall test strategy and planning
Managing and reporting test execution
Manage/review/escalate defects (this includes the
ability to recognize when it is appropriate)
Communicating the state of software; what has been
successfully tested, what has not passed, what
hasn't been tested at all (this can be due to time
constraints, functionality availability etc.)
Coordination/management of test environment
including change management principles
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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Drivers of change
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Uncertainties
 Political stability
 Business models
 Technology advances
 Global demographics
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Possible future scenarios
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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The 2012 Test Manager?
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Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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The future for test manager
skills
steve@electromind.com
TMF 31 Jan 2007
Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd
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