Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

ICASAS513A Mapping and Delivery Guide
Develop detailed test plans

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency ICASAS513A - Develop detailed test plans
Description This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to plan for testing by collating documentation of conditions and expected results sufficient to allow for thorough system testing.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This unit applies to information technology (IT) staff in a variety of areas who are required to test IT systems, including software development, systems administration, networking, and web development. Group or team coordination may also be involved.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities 		Slides
PPT 		Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare test environment and gather tools
  • Determine structure of system and user accounts to understand the test environment
  • Determine areas to test and test objectives, according to organisational standards
  • Ensure accessibility of documentation
  • Notify user representatives or approval authorities of objectives and scheduled test
  • Notify operations staff of scheduled test to ensure preparedness and an understanding of implications
       
Element: Prepare test data
  • Gather test schedules, according to organisational standards
  • Correlate schedules with related functionality, according to organisational standards
  • Check testing schedule prior to validation, according to organisational standards
  • Prepare test drivers or stubs for test harness, according to organisational standards
  • Register test plan, and initiate log entries, according to organisational standards
       
Element: Complete test plan and acceptance processes
  • Use software metrics where appropriate
  • Validate test and acceptance processes
  • Ensure documentation and reporting comply with test plan and quality benchmarks
       


Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Evidence of the ability to:

interpret software specifications

consistently and accurately develop a comprehensive test plan that documents:

test conditions or cases to be applied

data to be processed

automated testing coverage

expected results

activities, dependencies and effort required to conduct the system test.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure access to:

appropriate learning and assessment support when required

modified equipment for people with special needs

system engineering management plan

test and evaluation program plan

system or application suitable for testing plus its associated documentation

organisational plans and documentation.

Method of assessment

A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:

direct observation of candidate preparing test data

verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of:

items to be tested

features to be tested

tasks involved in testing

personnel involved

any risks requiring contingency planning

evaluation of candidate’s test plan describing the scope, approach, resources, and schedule of intended testing activities.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate.

Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed.

Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support.

In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assignment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)

Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

Required skills

communication skills to:

conduct presentations

liaise with system users and other internal staff

participate in teams

literacy skills to:

analyse and evaluate information

interpret business and organisational requirements

prepare documentation and reports

planning and organisational skills to develop strategic initiatives

technical skills to:

participate in critical areas, including access control and pathing

identify, analyse and evaluate broad features of system testing and best practice in system testing.

Required knowledge

at least three different operating systems, with detailed knowledge of operating systems relevant to project requirements

automated test tools, with detailed knowledge of features and processes in some areas

organisational requirements

system or application being tested

testing techniques.

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Testing schedule may relate to:

complexity

dependency

importance

security

testability

X-factor, where X is an unknown and may or may not impact on the test schedule.

Quality benchmarks may include:

AS3925.1-1994 Software quality assurance - plans

AS4042-1992 Software configuration management plans

AS4043-1992 Software configuration management

AS/NZS 14102:1998 Information technology - guideline for evaluation and selection of computer-aided software engineering (CASE) tools

AS/NZS 4258:1994 Software user documentation process

AS/NZS ISO/IEC 12207:1997 Information technology - Software life cycle processes.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Determine structure of system and user accounts to understand the test environment 
Determine areas to test and test objectives, according to organisational standards 
Ensure accessibility of documentation 
Notify user representatives or approval authorities of objectives and scheduled test 
Notify operations staff of scheduled test to ensure preparedness and an understanding of implications 
Gather test schedules, according to organisational standards 
Correlate schedules with related functionality, according to organisational standards 
Check testing schedule prior to validation, according to organisational standards 
Prepare test drivers or stubs for test harness, according to organisational standards 
Register test plan, and initiate log entries, according to organisational standards 
Use software metrics where appropriate 
Validate test and acceptance processes 
Ensure documentation and reporting comply with test plan and quality benchmarks 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

ICASAS513A - Develop detailed test plans
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Assessment Record Sheet

ICASAS513A - Develop detailed test plans

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: