Summary
A senior test engineer has similar responsibilities to a test engineer but at a more complex level and on a greater scale. At this role level, you will:
identify and raise awareness of risks arising from the automation test results
identify new and implement existing test frameworks to improve confidence in testing
be proficient in a range of coding languages (you may be an expert in only one)
mentor and advise other team members in testing practices
Work Activity Components
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| Risk management (Level 3) | Identifies and reports issues and risks associated with own work. |
| 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 3) | Analyses test activities and results. Records explicit details of failing test cases, such that project or service teams can understand and reproduce issues found. |
| Analysis and reporting (Level 3) | Reports test activities and results in a clear and concise manner. |
Behavioural Skills
| Title | Details |
|---|---|
| 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. |
| Verbal Expression | Communicating effectively using the spoken word. |
| Written Expression | Communicating effectively in writing, such as reports and via emails. |
| 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. | Aware of |
| Corporate, Industry and Professional Standards | Applying relevant standards, practices, codes, and assessment and certification programmes to the specific organisation or business domain. | Familiar with |
| 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. | Aware of |
| 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. | Familiar with |
| 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. | Aware of |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 |
| Gaining Knowledge of Employing Organisation | Gaining basic knowledge of the employing organisation, its business, structure, culture, policies, products/services, operations and terminology. | Increasing Knowledge |
| Gaining Knowledge of Surrounding Technical Areas | Gaining knowledge of IT activities in employing organisation external to own function. | Increasing Knowledge |
| Research Assignments | Exploring a topic which is not part of own normal responsibilities and presenting findings to colleagues and/or management | Increasing Knowledge |
| Involvement in Professional Body Activities | Attending meetings, seminars and workshops organised by professional body and reading published material, such as journals and web content. | Participation in Professional Activities |
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. |
Practitioner Functional testing You can: design and execute a wide range of testing techniques and communicate test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders make decisions on the environment for testing, and can coach others identify defects, alert the business to them, and help to prioritise them based on defect severity |
| 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. |
Practitioner Non-functional testing You can: design and execute a wide range of non-functional testing techniques communicate non-functional test results to both technical and non-technical stakeholders make decisions on running types of non-functional testing coach and mentor others identify defects, alert the business to them, and help to prioritise them based on defect severity |
| Government Digital and Data Profession Capability Framework |
Technical breadth |
Practitioner Technical breadth You can: demonstrate a good working knowledge of different tools and techniques, and can train others advise others on testing techniques and frameworks effectively research, plan and train others within the team |
| 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 Senior Practitioner |
FEDIP - The Federation for Informatics Professionals in Health and Care |
| ISTQB-BCS Certified Tester Foundation Level | |
| ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation level - Performance Testing |
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.