This unit is relevant to those responsible for test plan preparation, execution and maintenance; reporting of tests; and defect management in an application.
The positions that undertake this role include quality assurance analysts, test analysts, testers, system testers, software testers, test leads and developers.
Not applicable.
1. Plan and design test | 1.1 Analyse and review software development specifications 1.2 Determine test context, scope, standard and methodology 1.3 Determine test types and tools 1.4 Determine test input data requirements 1.5 Design test plan and test cases using various test design techniques |
2. Prepare test environment | 2.1 Analyse and review documents to prepare test environment 2.2 Determine test environment requirements 2.3 Build and set up test environment |
3. Implement and execute test | 3.1 Build input data for testing 3.2 Create test suite or script from test cases 3.3 Execute test cases 3.4 Create test record to store test result |
4. Manage defect and testing process | 4.1 Evaluate and report test results 4.2 Track defect and verify fixes 4.3 Maintain and archive testware |
Required skills
analytical skills to review and evaluate technical and business requirements
communication skills to:
liaise with programmers on fault debugging matters
liaise with project managers or leaders on report and result matters
seek requirements and information from business and technical experts
literacy skills to:
develop reports and documentation related to test result report
read and interpret software specifications developed by business and technical experts
problem-solving skills to apply basic debugging techniques in the context of software or application development
research skills to:
locate and interrogate complex and varied sources of information
source information from available sources
technical skills to:
operate software applications and navigate the internet
develop a small scale application
execute an application.
Required knowledge
characteristics of programming language
detailed knowledge of input and output requirements
software development life cycle (SDLC) methodologies
system layers, such as data network, hardware, operating system, database management systems, web servers, application servers and client deployment
processes and techniques related to small-size application development.
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: develop test-plan document and test cases to verify the completeness, reliability and performance of an application according to requirement specifications analyse and prepare test environment, and execute test cases by using automated test tools document and manage test result by performing application debugging process and re-testing application. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: test environment that closely resembles production environment business, functional, system and user requirements system or application suitable for testing 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: review of test-plan document that follows a certain standard, such as AS/NZS15026:1999 evaluation of candidate’s ability to: select and use features of automated testing tool to perform certain type of test (e.g. stress testing) analyse and document test results debug application. |
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. |
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.
Software development specifications may include: | budget requirements customer requirements functional design internal design specifications schedule requirements user stories. |
Standard may include: | ASNZS15026:1999 IEEE 829. |
Methodology may include: | agile extreme rapid application development (RAD) spiral traditional plan driven development (TPDD) waterfall. |
Test types may include: | accessibility testing load testing performance testing smoke testing stress testing usability testing volume testing. |
Tools may include: | automated test configuration management defect management dynamic analysis modelling monitoring requirement management review static analysis test-data preparation test-design test-execution test-management. |
Test design techniques may include: | black-box experience-based specification-based structure-based white-box. |
Documents may include: | configuration guides installation guides reference documents user manuals. |
Test environment requirements may include: | communications configuration hardware software versions. |
Set up test environment may include: | obtain and install software releases set up logging and archiving processes set up or obtain test input data set up test tracking processes. |
Testware may include: | automation tools defect repositories script test cases test plan test report test result testing framework. |
Programming and software development
This unit contains employability skills.
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.