What training did you get when you became a Test Manager?
From conversations I have had with friends in the UK and the US, I have found that it is a common experience for people not to receive management training when they first become test managers.
I received training as a manager and have learned that I was fortunate to do so.
A test manager or test lead is an important role. You are a line manager and are responsible for testing. When you become a test manager or test lead you get a new job title and new responsibilities, but, unfortunately, I think it is rare for you to receive training.
It is interesting to contrast becoming a test manager with a voluntary role in sport. I managed my children’s cricket teams. Whilst in this role I had to complete a course on how to coach that took ten weekends plus two online courses. When I moved up a level as a cricket coach and became a volunteer Regional Manager for Middlesex CCC I needed to have completed this course. I also received continuing professional development and support from Middlesex.
When I became a test manager, I found the coaching knowledge I gained from cricket useful. I wrote these two blog posts about coaching techniques that are useful in 1:1’s, annual reviews and helping someone with a problem:
“Management needs training to learn about the company, all the way from incoming material to the customer” [1].
I have had a test management role in three companies and, in addition to my learning as a cricket coach, these resources have helped me understand the role of a manager/leader. I hope that they are helpful to you:
- Online courses
- Harvard ManageMentor (this was used for management training when I was Test Lead at ActiveStandards)
- DemingNext
- Books
- Learning to Lead, Leading to Learn by Katie Anderson
- The Leader’s Handbook by Peter Scholtes
- Mailing List
- Posts from Awesome Folks by Emily Webber
I would like to thank RJ McDermott for prompting me to write this post.
References
[1] Out of the Crisis by W. Edwards Deming (1986, p52)