ISTQB_3 Managing the Team_3.1 The Test Team _TM-3.1.3 (K2) Explain typical techniques for skill assessments for test team members

 

✅ Key Concepts – TM-3.1.3: Skill Assessment Techniques (K2)

Concept	Details
Why assess?	To compare current team skills vs. required skills and identify development needs.
How to assess?	Use a skills matrix, test task demonstrations, and feedback mechanisms.
Models to help	Belbin’s Team Roles, DISG®, PCM® – assess team dynamics and personality traits.
Assessment techniques	1. Task demonstrations 2. Feedback discussions 3. Reviewing work 4. Certifications and experience 5. Retrospectives (Agile)
Demonstrated tasks	Writing strategies, reviewing bases, applying test techniques, writing reports.
External references	Belbin’s model (2010), Agile retrospectives, mentors, and coaches.
When used	During team formation, project initiation, Agile retrospectives, or process audits.

📋 Summary Table with Examples

Technique	Description	Example
Skills Matrix	Table comparing required vs. actual skills.	Analyst A is strong in automation but weak in exploratory testing.
Test Task Demonstration	Perform real tasks to assess technical and soft skills.	Write a test report and get peer-reviewed.
Belbin’s Roles	Assign roles based on personality traits for balance.	“Plant” role generates ideas, “Implementer” delivers.
Feedback Discussion	Team members get evaluated on test tasks by peers/manager.	Post-review discussion of test case effectiveness.
Certifications & Degrees	Consider formal credentials and work history.	ISTQB, CS degree, or years in automation testing.
Agile Retrospectives	Regular team feedback and gap analysis.	Sprint retrospective reveals missing performance testing skills.
Coach/Mentor Support	Ongoing guidance for skill improvement.	Senior tester mentors junior on risk-based testing.

🧠 Mind Map: Assessing Test Team Member Skills

                                +--------------------------+
                                | Assess Test Team Skills  |
                                +--------------------------+
                                        |
         +------------------------------+------------------------------+
         |                                                             |
+--------v--------+                                         +----------v---------+
| Skill Assessment|                                         | Team Role Models   |
| Techniques      |                                         | (e.g., Belbin, etc)| 
+--------+--------+                                         +----------+---------+
         |                                                             |
         |             +--------------------------+                   |
         |             | Skills Matrix            |                   |
         |             | Test Task Demonstration  |                   |
         |             | Peer Feedback            |                   |
         |             | Retrospectives (Agile)   |                   |
         |             | External Certifications  |                   |
         |             +--------------------------+                   |
         |                                                             |
         +-------------------------------------------------------------+
                          ↓ Coach/Mentor Involvement

Short Scenario 1

You are reviewing your team’s competencies. One member lacks exploratory testing experience, though it’s needed in the next sprint. What is the best first step?

A. Remove the team member from the sprint
B. Assign them to documentation tasks only
C. Include exploratory testing in the skills matrix and arrange mentoring
D. Ignore the gap as it’s a short sprint

✅ Correct Answer: C

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Long Scenario 2

An Agile team has just completed a sprint retrospective and realized their test team lacks performance testing knowledge. The manager decides to act. What technique best supports identifying this gap and planning next steps?

A. Skill Matrix and Retrospective Outcomes
B. Formal degrees and academic credentials
C. Only consider certified performance testers
D. Belbin team roles analysis

✅ Correct Answer: A

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Short Scenario 3

Which of the following best describes the purpose of Belbin’s model in assessing test teams?

A. Measure code quality of the testers
B. Assign tasks based on functional skills only
C. Understand personality and team role preferences
D. Replace technical assessments

✅ Correct Answer: C

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1. Scenario:

You’re leading a test team for a new cloud product. You use a skills matrix to compare current and needed skills.

What is your primary objective?

A. Eliminate low-skilled testers
B. Identify skill gaps for training
C. Assign only high-skilled tasks
D. Justify promotions

✅ Answer: B

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2. Scenario:

A team member struggles to apply boundary value analysis during test design. You assign them to work with a mentor.

This is an example of:

A. Belbin's team roles
B. Feedback session
C. Skills demonstration
D. Coaching support

✅ Answer: D

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3. Scenario:

An Agile team evaluates itself after each sprint to determine areas for improvement.

Which method is this?

A. Formal assessment
B. Retrospective
C. Skills matrix
D. Test technique evaluation

✅ Answer: B

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4. Scenario:

Your team uses Belbin’s roles and realizes there are no "Finishers".

What’s the next step?

A. Assign roles randomly
B. Hire external help
C. Encourage existing team to develop finishing skills
D. Replace team structure

✅ Answer: C

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5. Scenario:

A tester writes a test strategy and receives peer feedback to improve it.

What is being assessed here?

A. Certifications
B. Writing skills only
C. Practical and communication skills
D. Team workload balance

✅ Answer: C

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6. Scenario:

In an audit, a stakeholder requests proof of team capability. You present ISTQB certificates and degree qualifications.

This reflects which method?

A. External credentials
B. Feedback model
C. Skills matrix
D. Mentorship

✅ Answer: A

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7. Scenario:

A tester reviews the test basis and identifies missing requirements. This indicates:

A. Weakness in coding
B. Strong test and communication skills
C. Poor time management
D. Need for more testers

✅ Answer: B

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8. Scenario:

Which of the following is NOT a valid skill assessment technique?

A. Observing task performance
B. Personality profiling
C. Unstructured guesswork
D. Retrospective feedback

✅ Answer: C

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9. Scenario:

Which technique best identifies technical gaps in a cross-functional Agile test team?

A. Job interviews
B. Skills matrix with role mapping
C. Stand-up meetings
D. Pair programming only

✅ Answer: B

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10. Scenario:

During retrospectives, your team discusses how to improve test design skills. A senior tester volunteers to help juniors.

This scenario demonstrates:

A. Reassessment of roles
B. Skills gap analysis and mentoring
C. Only certification dependency
D. Task reassignment only

✅ Answer: B