Elements and Performance Criteria

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.

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.