Examples of tasks

• Creating the instructions for the products delivered by the various test levels
• Checking the enforcement of the instructions (internal reviews)
• Coordinating the various test activities comparable for the test levels, such as setting up and managing the technical infrastructure
• Creating guidelines for communication and reporting between the test levels, and the test process and the suppliers
• Setting up overall test method-related, technical and functional support
• Keeping the various test plans consistent
• Reporting on the overall test progress and quality of the test object
• Deployment/hiring of (extra) test personnel.

Manager or coordinator?

In practice, it is especially important to be clear about the responsibility of test management and coordination. In other words, when a certain test level becomes uncontrollable and the responsible test manager is not able to resolve the problem, does the (overall) test manager bear (final) responsibility or is his/her role more focused on coordination and advice? In the first case test manager is the proper term; in the second he is more of an overall test coordinator. In the first case, it means that the test manager must also have the associated authorisations. Think of e.g. his own budget and being able to take measures, such as deploying additional people or even replacing them. In the second case, the test coordinator’s task involves coordinating the various tests, specifying and monitoring the test method, and informing and advising the project management on test progress and the quality of the tested system. In practice, where testing is often allocated to multiple parties we usually see overall test coordination. Test management is more likely when various test levels are allocated to one single party.



Figure 1 - Possible responsibilities of test coordination or management

We should note that, in practice, a mix of management and overall coordination usually appears. For instance, the test manager directly controls one or  more test levels (e.g. the ST and UAT) and coordinates others (e.g. development tests and the PAT). Creating the organisation chart can help clarify the situation.