Network engineering staff or senior technical officers with appropriate project management roles and authority to direct the activities of software testing and evaluation apply the skills and knowledge in this unit.

Mobile phones, wireless modems, set top boxes, media centres, web applications and content servers use application software to provide a telecommunications service.

ELEMENT

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

1. Plan the test effort and develop test strategy for an application software

1.1. Analyse the functionalities of an application software from the system design document and create a test strategy for a new telecommunications product line

1.2. Produce the steps in developing the test strategy and the attributes of each step according to enterprise policy

1.3. Produce a test strategy for evaluating the suitability of the application software for integration into the telecommunications network

1.4. Analyse the test strategy and identify the types of risks that would hinder the test performance or reality

2. Plan test strategy for the regime

2.1. Produce the phases of a test cycle for a test regime according to the system design document

2.2. Assess a range of tests required to evaluate the performance and functionality of the application software and determine the tests required to suit the test regime

2.3. Evaluate features of testing tool and debuggers and select an appropriate tool to test the software application and detect faults

2.4. Evaluate the elements of a test plan that would cover the testing functionality of the application software

3. Design a test plan and produce test reviews

3.1. Determine the forecast time, effort and cost for low and medium intensity projects to perform testing

3.2. Develop a test case or test scenario with prerequisite states based on requirements to generate expected test results for the test plan

3.3. Produce a test plan for specific phases based on the requirements of the project specifications for the application software

3.4. Produce test reporting associated with particular test phases within the test plan

3.5. Analyse test reports and evaluate the impact of the test plan on the testing environment

3.6. Manage the progress of the test plan to minimise the risks associated with testing and ensure test compliance with test requirements

3.7. Report any detected defects to the product evaluation personnel and prepare a strategy to manage the defects

4. Manage test traceability

4.1. Create a traceability matrix to correlate the relationship between marketing requirements and detailed requirements of the software product to the matching parts of design, test plan and test cases

4.2. Analyse the testing metrics produced by the test tool to manage the tracking of defects and plan process improvements based on the metrics

4.3. Produce an evaluation report from the traceability matrix to manage the defects or failures from the test plan

Required skills

analytical skills to evaluate the functionalities of an application software

communication skills to:

interact with enterprise personnel, customers and other contractors, while maintaining a customer focus and consideration of customer needs

liaise with internal and external personnel on technical and operational matters

literacy skills to:

prepare reports given a specific format

read and interpret technical documentation, software and hardware manuals, specifications and relevant enterprise policy

numeracy skills to take and analyse measurements

planning and organisational skills to:

manage and prioritise own work

organise testing

manage the progress of the test plan

problem solving skills to resolve software, hardware and logistics problems

safety awareness skills to follow all related occupational health and safety (OHS) requirements and work practices

task management skills to work systematically with required attention to detail and adherence to project requirements

technical skills to:

plan test strategy for the regime

manage test traceability

Required knowledge

applications software features and functionalities

configuration of software testing tools

creation of traceability matrix

elements of test plans

features of testing tools and debuggers

identification of types of risks

legislation, codes of practice and other formal agreements that directly impact on testing

manage software defects

management of test traceability

phases of test cycles

production of test reviews

specific OHS requirements that impact on activity in terms of safety of self and public safety

steps in developing test strategy

testing procedures

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:

produce the steps in developing the test strategy

produce a test strategy for evaluating the suitability of the application software

design a test plan and produce test reviews

develop a test case or test scenario

produce a test plan for specific phases

produce test reporting associated with particular test phases within the test plan

create a traceability matrix

produce an evaluation report from the traceability matrix to manage the defects or failures from the test plan.

Context of, and specific resources for assessment

Assessment must ensure:

site where the planning and management of a test regime for evaluation of application software may be conducted

software tools currently used in industry

vendor products, specifications, equipment and enterprise policy required for the activity.

Methods 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 the candidate managing a test regime for evaluation of application software

direct observation of the candidate performing a systematic approach to test and analysis of problems arising

review of test regime, test results with interpretation and improvement recommendations prepared by the candidate

oral or written questioning of the candidate to assess required knowledge.

Guidance information for assessment

Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, for example:

ICTTEN7226A Manage development and application of testing artefacts.

Aboriginal people and other people from a non-English speaking background may have second language issues.

Access must be provided to appropriate learning and assessment support when required.

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

In all cases where practical assessment is used it will be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. Questioning techniques should not require language, literacy and numeracy skills beyond those required in this unit of competency.

Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.

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.

Application software may be for:

firmware

games software

media centre

mobile phone

operating system

set top box

sever

web application

wireless modem.

Test strategy may relate to:

communicating test plans to stakeholders and obtain buy-in from business clients

coordinating test environment and data requirements before starting phase

defining objectives, timelines, and approach for test effort

defining test activities with roles and responsibilities.

Steps in developing the test strategy may include:

objective and scope of testing:

business objectives

extent of application to be tested

goals to be met by testing effort

what systems and components need to be tested

types of testing:

different phases of testing required

different types of testing

test coverage

testing approach:

methodology for test development and execution

planning for test execution cycles

specification of test environment set up

testing process life cycle

testing templates, checklist and guidelines

test environment specifications:

configuration management, maintenance of test bed and build management

hardware and software requirements

test data creation

test automation:

criteria for feasibility of test automation

defect management

test automation strategy

test tool identification

communication and status reporting

configuration management:

list of testing artefacts

tools and techniques for configuration management

change management:

models for assessing impact of changes on testing

plan for managing requirement changes

process for keeping test artefacts in sync with development artefacts

testing metrics:

metric to match strategic objectives

plan of process improvement based on metrics

techniques for collecting metrics

tools to gather and analyse metrics.

Types of risks may include:

development:

complexity

defects in existing programme

inefficiently controlled project timelines

lack of reviews and configuration control

lack of specifications

less skilled human resources

problems in team coordination

production:

complexity of user interface

dynamic frequency of usage

high business impact of the function

testing lack of:

domain knowledge

sufficient time and resources

test facilities and test data

testing and platform skills.

Phases of a test cycle may include:

defect retesting

regression testing

requirements analysis

test closure

test development

test execution

test planning

test reporting

test result analysis.

Range of tests may include:

compatibility

on demand testing

performance

process improvement

technical

test management

verification.

Features of testing tool and debuggers may include:

automated functional graphical user interface (GUI) testing tool

benchmarks

formatted dump or symbolic debugging

performance analysis or profiling tool

program monitors:

code coverage reports

instruction set simulator

program animation.

Elements of a test plan may include:

test coverage

test methods

test responsibilities.

Test plan includes the following tests:

acceptance or commissioning test

design verification or compliance test

manufacturing or production test

regression test.

Defects may be:

deferred

fixed

rejected

treated.

Unit sector

Telecommunications

Telecommunications networks engineering

This unit contains employability skills.