Summary
A lead test engineer writes new automation test frameworks based on project requirements. At this role level, you will:
promote the use of open source tools
be proficient in multiple test scripting languages
have a presence in external test communities and regularly share learning
work closely with leads across the Government Digital and Data profession to champion quality
guide test team members to design test strategies (which may involve more complex and larger scale delivery)
manage communications between projects to control integration and dependencies
Work Activity Components
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| System errors (Level 4) | Uses normal operating facilities, diagnostic tools, technical manuals, test scripts and systems documentation to identify, diagnose and report on complex system errors. |
| Test results and progress (Level 4) | Monitors progress and documents test failures and successes compared with pre-defined criteria, creating traceability records from test cases back to requirements, in accordance with agreed standards. |
| Analysis and reporting (Level 4) | Reviews test results and modifies tests if necessary. Reports on system quality and metrics on test cases. Records and analyses actions and results and maintains a defect register. |
| Risk management (Level 4) | Provides reports on progress, anomalies, risks and issues associated with the overall project. |
| Validation, verification and reviews (Level 4) | Conducts early lifecycle validation and verification. Plans, estimates and schedules phase tests. |
| Test planning (Level 4) | Designs and produces re-usable test scripts (including simple automated test scripts and packages), procedures and regression test packs (with expected results) to test new and amended software or services. Produces plans to test the effects of new and changed software on existing systems. |
| Advice/guidance (Level 4) | Provides specialist advice, guidance and assistance to colleagues on any aspect of test planning and execution. |
Behavioural Skills
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Planning and Organisation | Determining a course of action by breaking it down into smaller steps and by planning and resourcing each of these, making allowance for potential problems and escalating if necessary. |
| Goal Orientation | Maintaining focus on agreed objectives and deliverables. |
| Attention to Detail | Applying specific quality standards to all tasks undertaken to ensure that deliverables are accurate and complete. |
| Teamwork | Working collaboratively with others to achieve a common goal. |
Technical Skills
| Title | Details | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Application Development Tools | Software tools which automate or assist part of the development process. | Familiar with |
| Corporate, Industry and Professional Standards | Applying relevant standards, practices, codes, and assessment and certification programmes to the specific organisation or business domain. | Proficient in |
| Test Management Techniques | Principles, methods, techniques and tools for the effective management of the testing process and the execution of tests throughout the lifecycle of development or integration projects. | Familiar with |
| Development Approach | Understanding and application of different development approaches e.g. iterative/ incremental methodologies (Agile, XP, TDD, SCRUM) or traditional sequential methodologies (Waterfall or V-Model). Irrespective of development methodology a DevOps approach may also be taken where development and operational staff work collaboratively. | Proficient in |
| DevOps | The collaborative approach consisting of agile practices, processes, and procedures designed to facilitate rapid IT service and product delivery. DevOps emphasizes people (and culture) and seeks to improve collaboration between development (Dev) and operations (Ops) teams with the aim of shortening the systems development life cycle to provide continuous release of high-quality software. | Familiar with |
| Agile | A collection of methods, practises, tools and techniques, underpinned by the Agile Manifesto, that enable teams to deliver high value products and services in small, workable, increments. An Agile culture typically encompasses concepts such as Servant-Leaders; ceremonies, Stand-Ups, Sprints and Retrospectives; and the deployment of tools and techniques such as Backlogs and A/B Testing. | Familiar with |
Other Skills
| Title | Details | Depth |
|---|---|---|
| Techniques for Effective Meetings | Methods and techniques for running effective meetings and for understanding and influencing the roles played by participants. | Aware of |
| Coaching Techniques | Methods and techniques for coaching individuals or groups by a balanced combination of support and direction, which could include use of virtual learning environments plus add-ons to augment feedback specific to work items, workflow or career plans. | Familiar with |
| Standards Writing Techniques | Principles, methods and techniques for establishing, documenting, and maintaining standards. | Aware of |
| Project Planning and Control Techniques | Methods and techniques associated with planning and monitoring progress of projects. | Aware of |
Training
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Systems Development | Systems development, including development life-cycles and methods, organisation interfaces, typical corporate application architectures, project and programme management, risk management and change control. |
| Software Configuration | Installation, configuration and tuning of applications or systems software. |
| Coaching | Concepts, methods and techniques for providing coaching in subject specialisms to individuals or groups (e.g. GROW model). |
| Security Awareness | Tools and techniques to help users and employees understand the role they play in helping to combat information security breaches and for IT and security professionals to prevent and mitigate risk. |
Professional Development Activity (PDA)
| Title | Details | PDA Group |
|---|---|---|
| Deputising | Standing in for supervisor or manager on a temporary basis during periods of absence. | Broadening Activities |
| Job Shadowing and Special Assignments | Undertaking temporary periods or secondments in other roles, particularly those that offer a new perspective on own function or exposure to other environments and cultures. | Broadening Activities |
| Research Assignments | Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management | Increasing Knowledge |
| Gaining Knowledge of Activities of Employing Organisation | Developing an understanding of the potentially diverse range of activities (service, governance, administrative, regulatory, commercial, charitable, industrial, etc.) undertaken by the employing organisation. | Increasing Knowledge |
| Gaining Knowledge of IT Concepts and Techniques | Undertaking study, learning and, where possible, practice in IT concepts and techniques external to own function. | Increasing Knowledge |
| Participation in Professional Body Affairs | Taking an active part in professional body affairs at branch, specialist group, committee or board level. | Participation in Professional Activities |
| Negotiating and Influencing | Undertaking learning and practice of negotiating with and influencing others. | Developing Professional Skills |
| Team Leadership | Undertaking learning and practice of the skills required to lead teams, including motivation, direction, coaching, delegation, appraisal, counselling and developing others. | Developing Professional Skills |
Organisational Skill Name and Description
| Framework | Skill | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework |
Functional testing Financial management involves planning, organising and monitoring financial resources. |
Expert Functional testing You can: advise on up-to-date functional testing techniques assess and peer-review the work of others coach and mentor others write test approaches for major projects and provide guidance on risk approaches devise new test techniques and provide recommendations |
| Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework |
Non-functional testing Modern development standards involves using the latest technologies and best practices to improve the quality of the software development process. |
Expert Non-functional testing You can: advise on up-to-date non-functional testing techniques assess and peer-review the work of others coach and mentor others write non-functional test approaches for major projects and provide guidance on risk approaches devise new non-functional test techniques and provide recommendations |
| Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework |
Technical breadth |
Expert Technical breadth You can: act as an adviser with a strategic understanding of IT trends and technologies write and publish papers demonstrate knowledge of emerging tools and techniques set up frameworks based on the needs of the team effectively work across different tools and software languages |
| Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework |
Test analysis |
Practitioner Test analysis You can: think creatively, ask the right questions and critically evaluate and communicate findings to a larger team lead investigative work into problems and opportunities in existing processes drive the collection of information and the creation of recommendations for improvements absorb large amounts of conflicting information and use it to determine solutions |
Qualification Components
| Title | Awarding Bodies |
|---|---|
| FEDIP Advanced Practitioner |
FEDIP - The Federation for Informatics Professionals in Health and Care |
| ISTQB-BCS Advanced Technical Test Analyst |
BCS - The Chartered Institute of IT |
The Professional Body Responsible for this job family is BCS. This job role profile was created in collaboration with BCS, using Role Model Plus.