✅ Key Concepts – ITM-3.1.5: Skills Required to Manage a Test Team (K2)
| Skill Category | Description |
|---|---|
| Professional & Methodological | Core management skills: test planning, progress monitoring, reporting, control, risk management. |
| Test-Specific Knowledge | Deep knowledge of test approaches, strategies, techniques, SDLC, and test process improvements. |
| Social Competence | Building trust, resolving conflict, gaining team acceptance, assertiveness with stakeholders. |
| Personal Competence | Resilience, adaptability, self-confidence, delegation, motivation. |
| Team & Organizational Fit | Ability to analyze work culture, team dynamics, and adapt team structure or environment accordingly. |
| Situational Leadership (Tuckman Model) | Ability to lead through team development phases: Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing, Adjourning. |
📋 Summary Table with Examples
| Skill Type | Description | Example in Test Team Management |
|---|---|---|
| Planning & Monitoring | Creating schedules, allocating resources, tracking test progress. | Creating a weekly defect report. |
| Test Knowledge | Choosing suitable test strategy and techniques. | Using risk-based testing for a banking app. |
| Conflict Resolution | Managing interpersonal conflicts in the team. | Mediating between two testers arguing over design. |
| Delegation | Assigning responsibilities appropriately. | Assigning exploratory testing to an experienced tester. |
| Stakeholder Communication | Advocating test needs clearly. | Justifying test effort during sprint planning. |
| Tuckman Model (Situational) | Adjusting leadership style based on team maturity stage. | Providing direction during "Forming", delegating during "Performing". |
🧠 Mind Map for Quick Revision
Short Scenario 1
You are leading a team of new testers who are unfamiliar with each other and unsure about their roles. What leadership action is most appropriate at this stage?
A. Delegate all tasks immediately
B. Provide guidance and help build relationships
C. Focus on test automation
D. Remove underperformers
✅ Correct Answer: B
(Tuckman Model – Forming stage)
Long Scenario 2
You’re managing a test team that recently experienced a dispute over responsibilities. The team is still delivering but morale is dropping. Which skill is most crucial now?
A. Resilience
B. Conflict resolution
C. Test automation skills
D. Monitoring
✅ Correct Answer: B
(Social competence – resolving team conflict)
Short Scenario 3
Which of the following BEST reflects the ‘Performing’ phase in Tuckman’s team development model?
A. Team members are unsure of their responsibilities
B. The manager micromanages each task
C. The team works independently with occasional guidance
D. The team is being formed for the first time
✅ Correct Answer: C
1. Scenario:
You're managing a test team during the early weeks of a project. Team members don’t know each other well and are hesitant to take initiative.
Which leadership approach should you apply?
A. Encourage autonomy
B. Apply strict performance reviews
C. Provide guidance and team-building support
D. Push for faster test execution
✅ Answer: C (Forming stage)
2. Scenario:
A senior developer challenges the need for an extended test phase. You must defend the test effort and strategy.
What skill is most critical?
A. Delegation
B. Communication with stakeholders
C. Coaching
D. Scheduling
✅ Answer: B
3. Scenario:
Your team is highly productive, understands their roles, and works well independently.
Your leadership style now should:
A. Shift to strict supervision
B. Increase coaching sessions
C. Delegate responsibility and empower the team
D. Replace experienced members with new testers
✅ Answer: C (Performing stage)
4. Scenario:
You are reviewing the project test progress and need to adjust the plan to handle a delay.
Which skill is being demonstrated?
A. Social competence
B. Planning and control
C. Delegation
D. Conflict resolution
✅ Answer: B
5. Scenario:
Two testers frequently argue over test approach decisions, slowing progress. What is your best approach?
A. Replace both testers
B. Ignore the issue
C. Facilitate a resolution and assign clear responsibilities
D. Assign them to work together more closely
✅ Answer: C
6. Scenario:
Your test team includes one very quiet member who contributes well but is not engaged in team discussions.
Which skill can help address this situation?
A. Test estimation
B. Coaching and inclusion
C. Monitoring defect metrics
D. Automating reporting
✅ Answer: B
7. Scenario:
You are hiring for a critical performance testing role. You assess team dynamics and work culture before finalizing the candidate.
What skill are you demonstrating?
A. Personal competence
B. Conflict resolution
C. Team-fit analysis
D. Estimation
✅ Answer: C
8. Scenario:
After a successful project, two team members are moving to other teams. You want to ensure they feel valued and appreciated.
What leadership behavior is aligned with this?
A. Norming
B. Forming
C. Adjourning
D. Storming
✅ Answer: C
9. Scenario:
You’re updating the team’s test approach mid-project. This requires everyone to adapt quickly to new responsibilities.
Which leadership trait is most important now?
A. Technical depth
B. Adaptability and clear communication
C. Micromanagement
D. Reporting skills
✅ Answer: B
10. Scenario:
A team member is overwhelmed by too many tasks. You notice quality is dropping. What should you do?
A. Assign more tasks for learning
B. Monitor silently and review later
C. Re-balance the workload and offer mentoring
D. Replace the tester immediately
✅ Answer: C
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