TMF 31 Jan 2007Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd1 The future for test manager skills Facilitated by Steve Allott

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 2 Agenda Introduction  A general look at tester skills using PTMM  The role of the test manager today Drivers of change  Uncertainties  Possible future scenarios 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 3 Personal tester maturity model 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 4 Testing skills – examples Testing activity related to automation Role Execute Tests Design Tests Develop Framework Prepare Business Case Tester Test Analyst Test Automation Engineer Test Leader & Manager

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 5 IT skills / knowledge – examples Programming Analysis Web site design SQL Performance engineering HCI Relational databases Unix Windows XP Vista Dot (.) NET Network protocols

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 6 Domain knowledge – examples Industry Sector FFinancial services: Capital Markets Application knowledge TTrading platforms, reporting software Regulatory change MMiFID – price disclosure and trade reporting New opportunities MMiFID Passport – cross border trading Complex specialisation in all industry sectors is probably the norm today

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 7 Soft skills – examples Listening skills Interviewing and questioning skills Analytical skills Facilitation skills Observational skills Writing skills Organisational skills Modelling skills Interpersonal skills Creativity Developing people

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 8 What is the role of the test manager? Resource pool Test lab Test Managers SIG Consultants Knowledge Base R&D Centre Tool Experts Project 1 Project 2 Project 3 Project 4 Centre of Excellence or Testing Practice

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 9 Some typical test manager tasks 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 10 Drivers of change Uncertainties  Political stability  Business models  Technology advances  Global demographics Possible future scenarios

TMF 31 Jan 2007 Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd 11 The 2012 Test Manager?

TMF 31 Jan 2007Copyright 2007 ElectroMind Ltd12 The future for test manager skills