The knowledge areas are identified as management areas of high importance for a test leader in which profound knowledge and expertise is needed in order to achieve the test leader activities in an effective and efficient way.
Every knowledge area is relevant to each test leader role. The test leader processes of the testing intelligence Framework are categorized in the different knowledge areas.
The 10 test leader knowledge areas are:
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Test management [TESTING], defines all knowledge and expertise related to the testing discipline from a content point of view. This includes test planning, test monitoring and control, test reporting and test closure. |
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Scope management [SCOPE], defines all knowledge and expertise related to which test work is required to come to an acceptable product risk and which work is not required. This includes test scope definition and change as well as the collection and management of the test requirements. |
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Time management [TIME], defines all knowledge and expertise to plan and control the timely finalization of the testing deliverables. This includes estimation, scheduling and control of test activities. |
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Cost management [COST], defines all knowledge and expertise to plan and control the budget of the test work. This includes estimating and controlling the test budget. |
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Quality assurance [QA], defines all knowledge and expertise to assure the quality of the current and future test work. This includes the quality assurance of the test deliverables as well as the continuous improvement of the test processes. |
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People management [PEOPLE], defines all knowledge and expertise involved in correctly staffing the test activities. This includes the staffing, management and development of the test team. |
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Communication management [COMMUNICATION], defines all knowledge and expertise involved in correctly and timely informing the correct people about the test progress and outcomes. This includes the identification of stakeholders as well as the planning and distribution of the test information. |
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Risk management [RISK], defines all knowledge and expertise related to risk control on the test object and the test project. This includes identification, analysis and mitigation of product and test project risks. |
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Procurement management [PROCUREMENT], defines all knowledge and expertise involved with purchasing test products and services. This includes the planning and making of test related procurements. |
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Change management [CHANGE], defines all knowledge and expertise related to the mental change of stakeholders during a test project. This includes the management of stakeholder expectations as well as the management of mental transitions. |
Because the test leader advices on and manages a testing component of a project, the knowledge areas are similar to the ones of a project leader (see PMBOK® of the Project Management Institute®).
