Is CTEL-ITP-ITPI a complete Expert Level certification?

CTEL-ITP-ITPI is a separate Expert Level module. Candidates must also complete Assessing the Test Process to achieve the full CTEL-ITP certification.

What are the two CTEL-ITP modules?

The two modules are Assessing the Test Process and Implementing Test Process Improvement. Each module has a separate certification examination.

What are the prerequisites for CTEL-ITP-ITPI?

Candidates must hold the ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level and Advanced Level Test Manager certificates. They must also have at least five years of practical software testing experience and at least two years of industry experience in the relevant Expert Level topic.

How much testing experience is required?

Candidates need at least five years of practical software testing experience.

Do I need the ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certification?

Yes. Candidates must hold a valid ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager certificate.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover improvement planning?

Yes. The syllabus covers defining improvement objectives, prioritising improvements, assigning responsibilities, establishing milestones and creating a structured test improvement plan.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover change management?

Yes. Candidates learn how to plan, communicate, implement, monitor and reinforce changes to the test process.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover human factors?

Yes. The certification covers motivation, resistance, organisational culture, trust, communication, leadership and other human factors that influence improvement.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover organisational roles?

Yes. It considers improvement sponsors, programme managers, process owners, improvement champions, coaches, trainers and other roles involved in implementing test process improvement.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover critical success factors?

Yes. Candidates learn how to identify, monitor and manage the critical factors that influence whether a test process improvement programme succeeds.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover continuous improvement?

Yes. The syllabus addresses how to establish a culture in which test processes are reviewed, measured and improved continuously.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover Agile and DevOps?

Yes. Test process improvement approaches can be adapted to Agile, DevOps, sequential, iterative, incremental and hybrid lifecycle models.

Does CTEL-ITP-ITPI cover improvement metrics?

Yes. Candidates learn how to select suitable measures, establish baselines, monitor progress and evaluate whether improvement objectives have been achieved.

Is CTEL-ITP-ITPI suitable for junior testers?

No. It is intended for experienced professionals who hold Foundation and Advanced Level Test Manager certifications and meet the practical experience requirements.

Is CTEL-ITP-ITPI internationally recognised?

Yes. CTEL-ITP-ITPI forms part of the internationally recognised ISTQB Expert Level certification programme.

Can I complete the two CTEL-ITP modules separately?

Yes. Each CTEL-ITP module has a separate examination. However, candidates must complete both modules to achieve the full ISTQB Expert Level Improving the Test Process certification.

ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level Assessing Test Processes (CTEL-ITP-ATP)

Q: What is ISTQB CTEL-ITP-ITPI?

ISTQB CTEL-ITP-ITPI is the Implementing Test Process Improvement module of the ISTQB Expert Level Improving the Test Process certification. It focuses on planning, introducing, managing and sustaining test process improvements.

Q: How much topic-specific experience is required?

Candidates need at least two years of industry experience in the relevant Expert Level topic.

Assess Testing Capability and Identify the Right Path for Improvement

Improving a test process starts with understanding how testing currently works, where weaknesses exist and which improvements will create the greatest business value.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Expert Level – Improving the Test Process: Assessing Test Processes (CTEL-ITP-ATP) certification develops the advanced skills required to assess test processes, diagnose improvement needs and recommend suitable improvement approaches.

This certification covers the context of test process improvement, views of quality, recognised process improvement models, analytical approaches, causal analysis, Goal Question Metric techniques, metrics and indicators, approach selection and the initiation of an improvement programme.

CTEL-ITP-ATP is one of two modules that form the complete ISTQB Expert Level Improving the Test Process certification. Candidates must successfully complete both modules to achieve the full CTEL-ITP qualification.

The Two Parts of ISTQB Expert Level Improving the Test Process

The ISTQB Expert Level Improving the Test Process certification consists of two separate modules:

Implementing Test Process Improvement

(CTEL-ITP-ITPI)

Assessing the Test Process

(CTEL-ITP-ATP)

A separate certification examination applies to each module. Therefore, passing the Assessing Test Processes examination alone does not award the complete CTEL-ITP certification.

Candidates must successfully complete both modules to earn the full ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level – Improving the Test Process qualification.

An ISTQB Expert Level certificate is valid for seven years.

ISTQB Certified Tester – Expert Level Assessing Test Processes

Basic The Context of Improvement

Why Improve Testing?

What can be Improved?

Views of Quality

Generic Improvement Process

What can be Improved?

Model-based Improvement

Introduction to Model-based Approaches

Software Process Improvement Models

Test Process Improvement Models

Content-based Models

Analytical-based Improvement

Causal Analysis

The GQM Approach

Analysis using Measures, Metrics and Indicators

Selecting the approach for Test Process Improvement

Selecting Test Process Improvement Approaches

Process for Improvement

Initiating the Improvement Process

Diagnosing the Current Situation

Exam Structure

Candidates qualify for extra time if they are not writing the exam in their native language. Extra time needs to be applied for upon completing the exam registration form.

The expert levels includes two components, multiple-choice and essay:

Multiple-choice component

No. of Questions: 25
Points: 35
Duration: 45 min

Essay component

No. of Questions: 2 (out of 3) essays
Points: 100 (50 per essay)
Duration (reading & writing): 90 min

Total Exam Duration: 135 min
Extra Time (Non-Native Language): 34 min
Validity: 7 years

Prerequisites:

To qualify for ISTQB Expert Level certification, candidates must meet the required certification and experience criteria.

Candidates must have:

ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) certificate

ISTQB Certified Tester Advanced Level Test Manager (CTAL-TM) certificate

At least five years of practical software testing experience

At least two years of industry experience in the relevant Expert Level topic

Candidates should retain evidence of their certifications and practical experience.

Specific eligibility and documentation requirements should be confirmed with SASTQB before registering for the examination.

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Why Get ISTQB CTEL-ITP-ATP Certified?

Effective assessment helps organisations invest in the right improvements and avoid changes that do not address the real problem.

By completing CTEL-ITP-ATP, you can develop the ability to:

Lead test process assessments

Understand the context for improvement

Build a business case for change

Identify what can be improved

Evaluate different views of quality

Apply generic improvement processes

Use recognised process models

Apply analytical assessment techniques

Perform causal analysis

Use the Goal Question Metric approach

Analyse test measures and indicators

Select suitable improvement approaches

Initiate improvement programmes

Diagnose current test processes

Prioritise improvement opportunities

Present evidence-based recommendations

The certification demonstrates expert-level knowledge built on substantial testing, test management and test process improvement experience.

Who Is the CTEL-ITP-ATP Certification For?

The ISTQB CTEL-ITP-ATP certification is intended for experienced testing professionals who have reached an advanced point in their careers.

This certification is ideal for:

Test Process Assessors

Test Process Improvement Leads

Test Process Improvers

Test Managers

Senior Test Managers

Test Directors

Heads of Testing

Test Consultants

Test Governance Leads

Test Centre of Excellence Leads

Quality Engineering Leaders

Quality Assurance Managers

Process Improvement Managers

Management Consultants

The certification is best suited to professionals responsible for assessing testing capability, identifying improvement opportunities or advising organisations on test process improvement.

Download Documents

Download the documents below for more information about the syllabus, exam structure, and sample exam questions for the ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level – Assessing Test Processes certification.

Please note that these documents are intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered official study material. For effective exam preparation, SASTQB recommends using accredited training course material and attending an accredited training course.

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FAQ’s About ISTQB Expert Level Assessing Test Processes?

What is ISTQB CTEL-ITP-ATP?
Is CTEL-ITP-ATP a complete Expert Level certification?
What are the two CTEL-ITP modules?
What are the prerequisites for CTEL-ITP-ATP?
How much testing experience is required?
How much topic-specific experience is required?
Do I need the ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certification?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover test process models?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover analytical assessment?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover root cause analysis?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover Goal Question Metric?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover test metrics?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover selecting an improvement approach?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover process diagnosis?
Does CTEL-ITP-ATP cover business alignment?
How long is the Expert Level certificate valid?
Is CTEL-ITP-ATP suitable for junior testers?
Is CTEL-ITP-ATP internationally recognised?
Can I complete the two CTEL-ITP modules separately?