Final answer:
A test manager should not sign the system off for release; this is a decision made by senior management or product owners based on a myriad of factors including test results. Test managers do report deviations, re-allocate resources, and raise incidents for faults they discover.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to the activities that a test manager should not engage in the context of software project management. Among the options presented, sign the system off for release is generally not a test manager's responsibility. This decision is usually made by project stakeholders based on the test reports provided by the test manager. The test manager's roles typically include:
- Reporting on deviations from the project plan to ensure that any issues are communicated and can be addressed promptly.
- Re-allocating resources to meet original plans or adjusting plans based on the current project status.
- Raising incidents on faults that they have found, as identifying and documenting defects is a key part of a test manager's role to improve the overall quality of the software.
However, signing off on a system release often involves higher-level decision making, which takes into account not only the results of testing but also business considerations, risk assessments, and customer expectations. This decision is typically in the domain of senior management or product owners.