What is ISTQB CTEL-TM-SM?

ISTQB CTEL-TM-SM is the Strategic Test Management part of the ISTQB Expert Level Test Management certification. It covers test missions, policies, strategies, metrics, organisational alignment, tool integration and lifecycle considerations.

Is CTEL-TM-SM a complete Expert Level certification?

CTEL-TM-SM is a separate Expert Level module. Candidates must also complete Operational Test Management and Managing the Test Team to achieve the full CTEL-TM certification.

What are the three CTEL-TM modules?

The three modules are Strategic Test Management, Operational Test Management and Managing the Test Team. Each module has a separate examination.

What are the prerequisites for CTEL-TM-SM?

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-TM-SM cover test policies?

Yes. The syllabus covers the creation, alignment, implementation and evaluation of organisation-wide test policies.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover test strategies?

Yes. Candidates learn how to develop and align test strategies with organisational policies, business objectives, risks and quality goals.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover test metrics?

Yes. It covers effectiveness, efficiency and satisfaction metrics for both the test process and test policy objectives.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover external relationships?

Yes. The certification covers external relationships, collaboration with third-party organisations and the merging or alignment of test strategies.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover tool integration?

Yes. Candidates learn about integrating testing, development, reporting and quality tools across the organisation.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover Agile and DevOps?

The syllabus considers strategic test management across different lifecycle models. Its principles can be applied to Agile, DevOps, sequential, iterative and hybrid environments.

Does CTEL-TM-SM cover quality management?

Yes. It explores how testing forms part of broader quality management activities and supports organisation-wide quality objectives.

Is CTEL-TM-SM suitable for junior testers?

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

Is CTEL-TM-SM internationally recognised?

Yes. CTEL-TM-SM forms part of the internationally recognised ISTQB Expert Level certification programme.

Can I complete the CTEL-TM modules separately?

Yes. Each CTEL-TM module has a separate examination. However, candidates must complete all three modules to achieve the full ISTQB Expert Level Test Management certification.

ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM)

Q: How much topic-specific experience is required?

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

Lead Testing at a Strategic and Organisational Level

Strategic test management focuses on more than individual projects. It considers how testing supports the wider goals, governance structures and quality objectives of an organisation.

The ISTQB® Certified Tester Expert Level – Test Management: Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM) certification develops the advanced skills required to define, align and improve test management across projects, programmes and organisations.

This certification explores the relationship between the test mission, test policy, test strategy and test objectives. It also covers quality metrics, organisation-wide tool integration, lifecycle considerations, external relationships and the alignment of testing with broader quality management activities.

CTEL-TM-SM is one of three modules that form the complete ISTQB Expert Level Test Management certification. Candidates must successfully complete all three modules to achieve the full CTEL-TM qualification.

The Three Parts of ISTQB Expert Level Test Management

The ISTQB Expert Level Test Management certification consists of three separate parts:

Operational Test Management

(CTEL-TM-OTM)

Strategic Test Management

(CTEL-TM-STM)

Managing the Test Team

(CTEL-TM-MTT)

A separate certification examination applies to each part. Consequently, passing the Operational Test Management examination alone does not award the complete CTEL-TM certification.

Candidates must successfully complete all three modules to earn the full ISTQB Certified Tester Expert Level – Test Management qualification.

An ISTQB Expert Level certificate is valid for seven years.

ISTQB® Certified Tester Expert Level – Strategic Test Management

Test Missions, Policies, Strategies and Goals

Missions, Policies, and Metrics of Success

Test Strategies

Alignment of Test Policy and Test Strategy with the Organization

Managing External relationships

Merging Test Strategies

Verifying Quality

Managing Across the Organization

Creating and Building Relationships

Advocating quality Activities Across the Organization

Integrating Tools Across the Organization

Testing Considerations for Domain and Project Factors

Test Management Considerations for Lifecycle Models

Managing partial Lifecycle Project

Evaluating Effectiveness and Efficiency

Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction Metrics for the Test Process

Effectiveness, Efficiency and Satisfaction Metrics for the Test Policy Objectives

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: 14
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.

Exam Price

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Why Get ISTQB CTEL-TM-SM Certified?

Strategic test management has a direct influence on governance, quality, risk and business outcomes.

By completing CTEL-TM-SM, you can develop the ability to:

Define a clear test mission

Establish test policies

Develop organisation-wide test strategies

Align testing with business objectives

Define meaningful success metrics

Evaluate testing effectiveness and efficiency

Build management commitment

Promote quality across the organisation

Integrate testing with quality management

Align external test strategies

Manage strategic supplier relationships

Integrate testing tools across teams

Adapt strategies to different lifecycle models

Establish governance dashboards

Lead strategic test improvement

Support executive-level decision-making

The certification demonstrates expert knowledge built on extensive practical testing and test management experience.

Who Is the CTEL-TM-SM Certification For?

The ISTQB CTEL-TM-SM certification is intended for experienced testing professionals who have reached an advanced stage in their careers.

This certification is ideal for:

Expert Test Managers

Senior Test Managers

Programme Test Managers

Test Directors

Heads of Testing

Quality Engineering Leaders

Quality Assurance Managers

Test Practice Leads

Test Consultants

Test Governance Leads

Senior Project and Business Professionals

The certification is best suited to professionals responsible for organisation-wide testing strategy, governance, quality policy or large-scale 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 – Operational Test Management 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 Strategic Test Management (CTEL-TM-SM)

What is ISTQB CTEL-TM-SM?
Is CTEL-TM-SM a complete Expert Level certification?
What are the three CTEL-TM modules?
What are the prerequisites for CTEL-TM-SM?
How much testing experience is required?
How much topic-specific experience is required?
Do I need the ISTQB Advanced Test Manager certification?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover test policies?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover test strategies?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover test metrics?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover external relationships?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover tool integration?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover Agile and DevOps?
Does CTEL-TM-SM cover quality management?
How long is the Expert Level certificate valid?
Is CTEL-TM-SM suitable for junior testers?
Is CTEL-TM-SM internationally recognised?
Can I complete the CTEL-TM modules separately?