ISTQB® Certified Tester – Advanced Level – Test Management v3.0 | 8, 9 & 10 April 2025 | Drachten (NL)

The ISTQB® Advanced Test Manager training is an advanced qualification designed for professional software testers who want to sharpen their skills and take on leadership roles within the testing domain. This intensive training, offered by the renowned International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB®), is tailored to provide in-depth expertise in managing test processes, tools, and teams.

The objective of the ISTQB® Advanced Test Manager training is to equip test managers with the essential knowledge and skills needed to successfully lead test teams and testing activities. You will learn advanced-level testing principles, methods, and management practices, enabling you to develop and implement effective test strategies.

After completing the training, you can take the certification exam to earn the globally recognized ISTQB® certificate, which serves as proof of your skills and knowledge in software testing.

An exam voucher is included with the ISTQB® Advanced Test Manager  training.

Objectives

During the course, you will gain the following knowledge and skills:           
• Managing testing within various software development projects by applying test management processes established for the project team or testing organization.
• Identifying test stakeholders and software development lifecycle models relevant to a specific context.
• Organizing risk identification and risk assessment sessions for each software development lifecycle and using the results to guide testing to meet the testing objectives.
• Defining a project test strategy that aligns with the organization’s overall test strategy and the project’s context.
• Continuously monitoring and controlling testing activities to achieve project objectives.
• Assessing and reporting the progress of testing to project stakeholders.
• Identifying and developing the necessary skills within your team.
• Preparing and presenting a business case for testing in various contexts to outline the costs and expected benefits.
• Leading test process improvement activities within projects or software development workflows and contributing to organizational test process improvement initiatives.
• Planning test activities, including defining the required test infrastructure and estimating the necessary testing effort.
• Producing defect reports and managing a defect workload that is suitable for the software development lifecycle.

Targeted audience

The ISTQB® Advanced Test Management training is suitable for anyone involved in leading projects related to software testing. This includes software testers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers, Scrum Masters, project managers, or product owners.

If you obtain the ISTQB® Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) certificate, you can advance to ISTQB® expert-level certifications. The Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Management (CTAL-TM) certification is valid for life and does not require renewal. Moreover, it is internationally recognized, allowing you to demonstrate your professional knowledge and credibility in test management.

To enroll in the ISTQB® Advanced Test Management training, you must hold the Certified Tester Foundation Level v4.0 certificate (or earlier versions of the ISTQB® Foundation Level certificate) and possess sufficient work experience.

Prerequisites

Before participating in the ISTQB® Advanced Test Management training, it is important that you have first obtained the Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate and have sufficient practical experience.

Course Outline

ISTQB® Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) – You must hold this certification before taking the Advanced Level Test Manager exam.

1 Managing the Test Activities

1.1 The Test Process.
1.1.1 Test Planning Activities.
1.1.2 Test Monitoring and Control Activities.
1.1.3 Test Completion Activities.

1.2 The Context of Testing.
1.2.1 Test Stakeholders.
1.2.2 Importance of Stakeholders’ Knowledge in Test Management.
1.2.3 Test Management in a Hybrid Software Development Model.
1.2.4 Test Management Activities for Various Software Development Lifecycle Models.
1.2.5 Test Management Activities at Various Test Levels.
1.2.6 Test Management Activities for Different Test Types.
1.2.7 Test Management Activities to Plan, Monitor, and Control.

1.3 Risk-Based Testing.
1.3.1 Testing as a Risk Mitigation Activity.
1.3.2 Identification of Quality Risks.
1.3.3 Quality Risk Assessment.
1.3.4 Quality Risk Mitigation Through Appropriate Testing.
1.3.5 Techniques for Risk-Based Testing.
1.3.6 Success Metrics and Difficulties Associated with Risk-Based Testing.

1.4 The Project Test Strategy.
1.4.1 Choosing a Test Approach.
1.4.2 Analyzing the Organizational Test Strategy, Project Context and Other Aspects.
1.4.3 Definition of Test Objectives.
1.5 Improving the Test Process.
1.5.1 The Test Improvement Process (IDEAL).
1.5.2 Model-Based Test Process Improvement.
1.5.3 Analytical-Based Test Process Improvement Approach.
1.5.4 Retrospectives.

1.6 Test Tools.
1.6.1 Good Practices for Tool Introduction.
1.6.2 Technical and Business Aspects for Tool Decisions.
1.6.3 Selection Process Considerations and Return on Investment Evaluation.
1.6.4 Tool Lifecycle.
1.6.5 Tool Metrics.

2 Managing the Product

2.1 Test Metrics.
2.1.1 Metrics for Test Management Activities.
2.1.2 Monitoring, Control and Completion.
2.1.3 Test Reporting.
2.2 Test Estimation.
2.2.1 Estimating What Activities Testing Will Involve.
2.2.2 Factors Which May Influence Test Effort.
2.2.3 Selection of Test Estimation Techniques.

2.3 Defect Management.
2.3.1 Defect Lifecycle.
2.3.2 Cross-functional Defect Management.
2.3.3 Specifics of Defect Management in Agile Teams.
2.3.4 Defect Management Challenges in Hybrid Software Development.
2.3.5 Defect Report Information.
2.3.6 Defining Process Improvement Actions Using Defect Report Information.

3 Managing the Team

3.1 The Test Team.
3.1.1 Typical Skills within Four Areas of Competence.
3.1.2 Analyze Required Test Team Member Skills.
3.1.3 Assessing Test Team Member Skills.
3.1.4 Developing Test Team Member Skills.
3.1.5 Management Skills Required to Manage a Test Team.
3.1.6 Motivating or Demotivating Factors for a Test Team in Certain Situations.

3.2 Stakeholder Relationships.
3.2.1 Cost of Quality.
3.2.2 Cost-benefit Relationship of Testing.

Certification and Career Benefits

Upon successful completion of the CTAL-TM v3.0 exam, you will:

• Receive the ISTQB® Advanced Level Test Manager certification, globally recognized by employers in the IT industry.
• Be well-positioned for career advancement, with many organizations seeking certified professionals for senior test management roles.
• Enhance your ability to deliver quality products, manage testing teams effectively, and contribute to business success.

Why Train With Us?

• Expert Trainers: Our trainers are experienced professionals with deep knowledge of test management and practical industry experience.
• Comprehensive Learning Materials: You’ll receive up-to-date training materials, including case studies, examples, and exam preparation resources.
• Hands-On Exercises: Practice real-world scenarios and apply your knowledge in a controlled environment.
• Flexible Learning Options: We offer both in-person and online learning formats to fit your schedule.

Course Delivery

The course duration is three days and is organised only in a live classroom or live virtual classroom.

Our accredited trainer will share experience in software testing through various real-life examples and different mock exams will ensure you’re optimally prepared to pass your certification exam. 

The course material is in English. The course is in English.
All training materials are provided at the start of the training.

The Exam

The exam can be taken via a Flex (remote) or in an exam centre of choice (Pearson View). 
– 50 multiple-choice questions. 
– Total points 88
– Passing score 58
– 120 minutes (+25%, if the candidate’s native language is not the exam language). 

More information about the exam can be found in our FAQ.

Administration

Pricing 
€ 1995 / person for three days, VAT excluded. The price includes the exam fee, course material, lunch and beverages.

Course Logistics 
All courses begin promptly at 9 am and are scheduled until 5 pm. 

This course is organised in a Live Classroom in Drachten, The Netherlands. When required, you can organise an in-company format training course. Please reach out to us for more information.

Terms and Conditions
Find our Terms and Conditions for the training here.