PA 3.1 SG 3 – Establish test career paths

Test career paths are established that allow testers to improve their knowledge, skills, status and rewards.

Introduction

This Goal is looking to see that test career paths are established that allow testers to improve their knowledge, skills, status and rewards.

As a minimum, organisational positions should exist for the roles of tester, team leader and test manager.

Ideally it should be possible to see the progression from junior roles to more senior roles.

Importantly, interviewees in the TMMi assessment process must feel that they are able to progress their career paths.

Specific Practices

SP 3.1 Define test career paths

This Specific Goal is looking to have demonstrated that the professional test organisation resources are fully integrated into the personal development framework of the organisation .

SP 3.2 Develop personal test career development plans

This must translate into clearly defined career paths, personal development plans, appraisals of personal development and identification of deficiencies, training gaps and required skills.

Deployment notes

• Is there a clear organised career path for test organisational roles defined and integrated within a overall career framework?
• Is the personal development of professional test resources managed in the same way as all other resources?
• Do appraisals take place which provide individuals with personal development plans?
• Are the skills required to do the job translated through development plans into training requirements?