ISTQB Test Management and Planning 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the role of a 'test coordinator' in a large project with multiple test teams?
- To write all test cases for the project
- To coordinate test activities, resources, and communications across teams (Correct answer)
- To execute all automated regression tests
- To approve software releases based on test results
Correct answer: To coordinate test activities, resources, and communications across teams
A test coordinator synchronizes activities, resources, and communication across multiple test teams.
Question 2: Which of the following BEST describes a 'product risk' in the context of test management?
- The risk that the testing project will run over budget
- The risk that a software work product may fail to satisfy stakeholder needs (Correct answer)
- The risk of key testers leaving the project
- The risk that test tools will not be available on time
Correct answer: The risk that a software work product may fail to satisfy stakeholder needs
Product risks relate to the potential that the software itself will not meet stakeholder needs or quality requirements.
Question 3: During test execution, the team discovers that 30% more defects than expected are being found. What should the test manager consider FIRST?
- Immediately halt testing and notify management of project failure
- Assess whether additional time and resources are needed to complete testing (Correct answer)
- Reduce the number of test cases to meet the original schedule
- Remove the testers who are logging too many defects
Correct answer: Assess whether additional time and resources are needed to complete testing
Higher-than-expected defect rates require the test manager to evaluate whether the plan needs adjustment for resources and schedule.
Question 4: Which of the following is an example of a 'qualitative' risk analysis approach?
- Calculating the probability of failure using statistical models
- Rating risks as High, Medium, or Low based on team judgment (Correct answer)
- Measuring mean time between failures from historical data
- Computing expected monetary value of each risk
Correct answer: Rating risks as High, Medium, or Low based on team judgment
Qualitative risk analysis uses descriptive ratings like High/Medium/Low based on expert judgment rather than numerical calculations.
Question 5: A test plan section on 'test deliverables' would typically include which of the following?
- The source code modules to be tested
- Test scripts, test logs, defect reports, and the test summary report (Correct answer)
- The list of developers responsible for fixing defects
- The production deployment schedule
Correct answer: Test scripts, test logs, defect reports, and the test summary report
Test deliverables are the outputs produced by the test team, including scripts, logs, defect reports, and summary reports.
Question 6: Why is it important to involve testers early in the software development lifecycle?
- So testers can begin writing code earlier in the project
- To allow testers to detect defects in requirements and designs before coding begins (Correct answer)
- Because testers are required to approve all design documents by law
- To reduce the number of test cases needed during system testing
Correct answer: To allow testers to detect defects in requirements and designs before coding begins
Early involvement enables testers to find defects in requirements and design, which is far cheaper to fix than post-coding defects.
Question 7: What is the key difference between 'exit criteria' and 'suspension criteria' in a test plan?
- Exit criteria define when testing is done; suspension criteria define conditions that temporarily halt testing (Correct answer)
- Exit criteria halt testing permanently; suspension criteria define when to resume
- They are interchangeable terms in ISTQB terminology
- Exit criteria are set by developers; suspension criteria are set by testers
Correct answer: Exit criteria define when testing is done; suspension criteria define conditions that temporarily halt testing
Exit criteria define conditions for completing testing, while suspension criteria define conditions under which testing must be temporarily stopped.
ISTQB Test Management and Planning 3
What is the role of a 'test coordinator' in a large project with multiple test teams?