What does a test program manager do?
Test program manager responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real test program manager resumes:
- Lead development of custom quoting tool build in Salesforce from requirements definition to implementation.
- Utilize Unix shell scripting to maintain the bug tracking database.
- Conduct vendor audits for performance, process issues, and ROI.
- Assist in creation and testing of programs using Java, HTML and C++ languages.
- Plan & track regression testing, system and performance testing for worldwide development efforts.
- Create and modify FRB & BRD in SharePoint and provide support during document sign off cycle.
- Improve test readiness by being more proactive in obtaining hardware requirements from the QA test teams well in advance of testing.
- Plan and conduct performance appraisals of QA staff, administer disciplinary action, raises, bonuses, and promotions when necessary.
- Deliver a strong scale able and repeatable UAT program to support all agent facing technologies, with a service base model.
- Assemble team that pioneer SharePoint technology usage within organization.
- Assist in modification of SQL store procedures for database update verification during test.
- Transition Medicare business organization from chaotic/fragment approach to UAT and project acceptance to alignment with all other lines of business.
- Repair and calibrate RF testing fixtures and stations.
- Experience as well in RF, analog and power supply circuit testing and troubleshooting.
- Contribute toward the layout and integrity of the GPS system.
Test program manager skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Test Program Managers are proficient in Life Cycle, SQL, and Test Coverage. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Test Program Managers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Life Cycle, 6%
Managed the defect life cycle to ensure there no defects in system test before the new release goes into production.
- SQL, 5%
Use SQL queries to access data from different Database Tables.
- Test Coverage, 5%
Helped other test leads to refine test plans and test cases in order to improve test coverage.
- Status Reports, 4%
Facilitated status meetings, prepared status reports and provided testing updates to senior level project stakeholders.
- QA, 4%
Led the QA team for a successful Re-platform program by creating and implementing Integrated Test strategy with 13% QA cost.
- Various Testing, 4%
Created, maintained WBS and plans for each of above various Testing efforts.
Common skills that a test program manager uses to do their job include "life cycle," "sql," and "test coverage." You can find details on the most important test program manager responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a test program manager to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what test program managers do because "management analysts must be able to interpret information and use their findings to make proposals." Additionally, a test program manager resume shows how test program managers use analytical skills: "provided course life cycle maintenance to ensure currency with fleet data and system specifications. "
Communication skills. Many test program manager duties rely on communication skills. "management analysts must be able to convey information clearly in both writing and speaking," so a test program manager will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways test program manager responsibilities rely on communication skills: "develop project management, communication, risk, and configuration management plan, for testing team. "
Interpersonal skills. test program managers are also known for interpersonal skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to test program manager responsibilities, because "management analysts work with managers and other employees of the organizations for which they provide consulting services." A test program manager resume example shows how interpersonal skills is used in the workplace: "team player with strong analytical, problem solving and organizational abilities with good interpersonal skill. "
Problem-solving skills. test program manager responsibilities often require "problem-solving skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "management analysts must be able to think creatively to solve clients’ problems." This resume example shows what test program managers do with problem-solving skills on a typical day: "developed schedules, managed risk mitigation, conflict resolution, management reporting, life cycle process definition and execution. "
Time-management skills. Another crucial skill for a test program manager to carry out their responsibilities is "time-management skills." A big part of what test program managers relies on this skill, since "management analysts often work under tight deadlines and must use their time efficiently to complete projects on schedule." How this skill relates to test program manager duties can be seen in an example from a test program manager resume snippet: "worked with business users (uat) through coaching and mentoring to ensure tasks are completed on time. "
The three companies that hire the most test program managers are:
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Compare different test program managers
Test program manager vs. Quality analyst
Pumpers are individuals who take responsibility for setting the pumping system controls for product maximization. Their job requires them to set density, concentration, rate, and pressure. They do the operation and maintenance of the auxiliary equipment pumping oil. It is their duty to set the wells so they will function based on the production schedules and switch the oil flow between tanks. They even install the pumping systems.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, test program manager responsibilities require skills like "life cycle," "sql," "test coverage," and "status reports." Meanwhile a typical quality analyst has skills in areas such as "customer service," "patients," "data analysis," and "corrective action." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Quality analysts really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $77,710. Comparatively, test program managers tend to make the most money in the retail industry with an average salary of $112,867.quality analysts tend to reach lower levels of education than test program managers. In fact, quality analysts are 6.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Test program manager vs. Senior quality assurance analyst
Senior quality assurance analysts are responsible for developing and implementing quality assurance standards within an organization. They collect and analyze data to reinforce proposed projects, systems requirements, and business cases. These will include writing scripts and test plans to monitor errors and fixes in product and software development, operational systems, and information systems. Besides, they are also responsible for several tasks, including preparing reports and recommendations, communicating with suppliers and vendors in assessing applications, and conducting internal audits.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real test program manager resumes. While test program manager responsibilities can utilize skills like "life cycle," "sql," "test coverage," and "data collection," senior quality assurance analysts use skills like "manual test cases," "selenium web," "jira," and "pl/sql."
On average, senior quality assurance analysts earn a lower salary than test program managers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, senior quality assurance analysts earn the most pay in the finance industry with an average salary of $99,710. Whereas test program managers have higher pay in the retail industry, with an average salary of $112,867.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Senior quality assurance analysts tend to reach similar levels of education than test program managers. In fact, they're 1.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test program manager vs. Quality assurance specialist
A quality assurance specialist is an individual who is responsible for monitoring, inspecting, and proposing measures to correct and improve a company's product. Quality assurance specialists need to outline quality assurance policies and procedures, making sure that quality standards are assured. It is important that a quality assurance specialist should have strong attention to detail and is excellent in data collection. This work may require a minimum of bachelor's degree and certification to get certified.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a test program manager is likely to be skilled in "life cycle," "sql," "test coverage," and "status reports," while a typical quality assurance specialist is skilled in "gmp," "patients," "fda," and "capa."
Quality assurance specialists make a very good living in the pharmaceutical industry with an average annual salary of $76,157. On the other hand, test program managers are paid the highest salary in the retail industry, with average annual pay of $112,867.quality assurance specialists typically earn lower educational levels compared to test program managers. Specifically, they're 9.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Test program manager vs. Quality assurance analyst
Quality Administrators are responsible for managing the quality processes of an organization. Their duties include creating data collection processes, conducting data cleansing, tracks quality milestones, and develop training programs for internal teams. They undertake daily audits, work with the quality coordinator to determine root cause, and assist with feedback and complaints. Quality administrators also write daily reports for purchase orders that are overdue, open service jobs, quotations needing to follow up, unconfirmed hires, and processed sales orders.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between test program managers and quality assurance analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a test program manager might have more use for skills like "life cycle," "sql," "test coverage," and "data collection." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of quality assurance analysts require skills like "manual test cases," "selenium webdriver," "jira," and "scrum. "
The retail industry tends to pay the highest salaries for quality assurance analysts, with average annual pay of $82,227. Comparatively, the highest test program manager annual salary comes from the retail industry.The average resume of quality assurance analysts showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to test program managers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 5.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 1.7%.Types of test program manager
Updated January 8, 2025
