The testing manager oversees all testing processes and activities. With responsibility for defining and shaping all testing and quality measurement, the testing manager is the focal point for testing. Working through the test support function, the test manager coordinates and supports users, designers, developers, testers, and all other groups involved with testing.
The testing manager’s responsibilities include:
- Test organization and policy - shaping the organization’s testing policies and guiding development to facilitate testing
- Test planning and evaluation - obtaining agreement on what, how, and when the product will be tested
- Test preparation and readiness - planning for and procuring test tools and aids, developing the test database, and preparing test specifications
- Test control and conduct - ensuring that testing is performed as planned, controlling changes, and reviewing procedures for testing
- Test tracking and costing - maintaining test performance records, tracking problems, tracking the costs of testing, and providing organization feedback to prevent future errors
- Test documentation and records - recording the test results, test data, review logs, and so forth; certifying the testing performed; and defining what has not been tested.