Application
This unit is relevant to those responsible for test plan preparation, execution, maintenance, and reporting of tests; as well as defect management in the software development life cycle.
The positions in this role include programmers, developers, testers and test analysts.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Determine testing need in development | 1.1 Identify testing role across software development life cycle 1.2 Identify testing types and testing tools 1.3 Recognise testing benefits, standard and terms |
2. Prepare test plan document | 2.1 Gather requirements to develop test plan 2.2 Analyse and identify test data using various test-case design techniques 2.3 Define and design test cases |
3. Write and execute test procedures | 3.1 Choose and adopt a unit test framework 3.2 Design and implement algorithm in test procedures 3.3 Perform test executions |
4. Review test results | 4.1 Record test results 4.2 Analyse test results 4.3 Produce test progress reports 4.4 Manage defects |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to:
liaise with developers on programming matters
liaise with managers or leaders on report and result matters
seek requirements and information from business and technical experts
literacy skills to:
develop reports and documentation in relation to presentation of information
read and interpret program specifications developed by business and technical experts
problem-solving skills to apply basic debugging techniques in the context of software and application development
research skills to:
locate and interrogate complex and varied sources of information
source information from available sources
technical skills to:
develop a small scale application
execute an application.
Required knowledge
characteristics of programming language
detailed knowledge of input and output requirements
overview knowledge of software development life cycle
processes and techniques related to small-size application development.
Evidence Required
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: apply test case design techniques to develop test plan and test cases that adequately cover specific test requirements design, implement and execute test procedures or scripts by using a unit test framework and an integrated development environment (IDE) create test progress reports based on recorded test results. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: software development environment specific test requirements, such as test-plan document suitable code to be tested word-processing software appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
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: verbal or written questioning to key issues in testing software applications related to a specific project evaluation of candidate’s ability to create testing project and execute test cases in a specific context observation of test cases development and documentation based on specific requirements. |
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. |
Range Statement
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 types may include: | acceptance testing accessibility testing alpha testing beta testing component testing integration testing performance testing security testing system testing usability testing. |
Testing tools may include: | graphical user interface (GUI) test tools: AutoHotkey AutoIt Selenium White load and performance tools: BrowserMob QTest SiteBlaster Xceptance LoadTest static analysis tools: Coverity FindBugs FxCop PMD test coverage tools: JCover NCover test design tools: ADL AllPairs.java DGL Jenny Multi TSL unit test tools: csUnit MbUnit NUnit OCUnit xUnit. |
Terms must include: | defect failure quality verification validation. |
Test-case design techniques may include: | black box design techniques: boundary value analysis decision table test equivalence partitioning error guessing desk checking white box design techniques: basic path testing branch coverage condition coverage loop testing statement coverage. |
Unit test framework may include: | cppUnit jUnit mbUnit nUnit ocUnit pyUnit xUnit. |
Test procedures may include: | fake mock stub test class test fixture test method. |
Sectors
Programming and software development
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.