SAQA

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SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY

REGISTERED QUALIFICATION:

Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator

SAQA QUAL ID	QUALIFICATION TITLE
118789	Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator
ORIGINATOR
Development Quality Partner-MICT SETA
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY			NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
-			OQSF - Occupational Qualifications Sub-framework
QUALIFICATION TYPE	FIELD		SUBFIELD
Occupational Certificate	Field 10 - Physical, Mathematical, Computer and Life Sciences		Information Technology and Computer Sciences
ABET BAND	MINIMUM CREDITS	PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL	NQF LEVEL	QUAL CLASS
Undefined	179	Not Applicable	NQF Level 05	Regular-ELOAC
REGISTRATION STATUS		SAQA DECISION NUMBER	REGISTRATION START DATE	REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered		EXCO 0522/24	2022-02-03	2025-12-31
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT		LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2026-12-31		2029-12-31

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION

Purpose:
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to function as a Quality Test Automator. A Quality Test Automator is responsible for the quality of software development and deployment. Qualifying learners are involved in performing automated and manual tests to ensure the software created by developers is fit for purpose and any bugs or issues are identified within a product and reported to the relevant person before it gets deployed to everyday users. Some of the duties include analysis of software, mitigation of risk, prevention of software issues and testing of any changes.

A qualified learner will be able to:

Review and analyse software requirements, prepare test scenarios, and write test cases.

Set up and configure test data and a test environment.

Execute manual or automated test scripts and on software usability and review results in terms of database impact, defects, errors or bugs and usability.

Rationale:
In South Africa the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (PC4IR) reported in March 2020 that if we consider the future of work, human capital is the most important commodity to absorb the changes which the 4IR is bringing about. "Human capital is therefore an important feature of the economy; a key consideration in establishing an environment for private sector growth and investment." The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) is a fusion of advances in artificial intelligence (AI), robotic process automation (RPA), the Internet of Things (IoT), genetic engineering, quantum computing, cyber security, cloud computing, quality testing automation and data science. The development of the Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator is in response to this vision and dire need.

Quality software engineering is to check whether the software product matches expected requirements and to ensure that the software product is defect free. It involves execution of software/system components using manual or automated tools to evaluate one or more properties of interest. The purpose of software testing is to identify errors, gaps or missing requirements in contrast to actual requirements. While much focus is placed on software development, the testing is equally important. Testing is important because software bugs could prove to be expensive, risky or even dangerous. Software bugs can potentially cause monetary and human loss and history is full of such examples.

In April 2015, Bloomberg terminal in London crashed due to a software glitch affecting more than 300,000 traders on financial markets. It forced the government to postpone a 3bn pound debt sale.

China Airlines Airbus A300 crashed due to a software bug on April 26, 1994, killing 264 innocent people.

In April of 1999, a software bug caused the failure of a $1.2 billion military satellite launch, the costliest accident in history.

The above examples illustrate how society, and the economy can benefit from competent Quality Test Automators. As we are moving to a more digitally embedded society, software development is becoming increasingly important and software failure may potentially be even more disastrous and can cause irrecoverable damages and losses to businesses and individuals. Similarly, software testing is growing in importance and plays a decisive role to verify and validate each development. The industry will benefit from competent Quality Test Automators as software passes through the diversified levels of testing, the final products could perform beyond the expected outcomes and could guarantee the quality of the software, ensuring reliable and high-performance software operation.

Typical learners include school leavers, qualified learners from the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, new entrants into the sector and existing employees who have experience in this field, but without formal recognition of skills and competencies. Typical occupations of an this qualification would be Software Tester, Software Test Engineer, Quality Assurance (QA) Tester and Quality Assurance Engineer which is the first level towards growing as a Digital Transformation Leader. No professional registration or licencing is expected for Quality Test Automators to seek employment in the sector.

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

Learners will gain access to the qualification through RPL for Access as provided for in the QCTO RPL Policy. RPL for access is conducted by accredited education institution, skills development provider or workplace accredited to offer that specific qualification/part qualification.

Learners who have acquired competencies of the modules of a qualification or part-qualification will be credited for modules through RPL.

RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment:
Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result.

Entry Requirements:
The minimum entry requirement for this qualification is:

NQF Level 4 qualification.

RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING?

QUALIFICATION RULES

This qualification is made up of compulsory Knowledge, Practical Skill and Work Experience Modules:

Knowledge Modules:

251901-001-00-KM-01, Software Testing in Context, Level 4, 2 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-02, Basic Calculations and Logical Thinking, Level 4, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-03, Computers and Computing Systems, Level 4, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-04, Computing Theory, Level 4, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-05, The Role of Testing in Software Efficiency, Level 5, 8 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-06, Software Testing Principles, Methodologies and Techniques, Level 5, 8 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-07, Data and Databases, Level 5, 2 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-08, Introduction to Computer Database Management Systems, Level 5, 2 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-09, Introduction to Enterprise Resource Management Systems and Mobile Application Testing, Level 5, 3 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-10, Introduction to Governance, Legislation and Ethics, Level 4, 2 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-11, 4 IR and Future Skills, Level 4, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-KM-12, Design Thinking Principles for Innovation, Level 4, 1 Credit.

Total number of credits for Knowledge Modules: 44

Practical Skill Modules:

251901-001-00-PM-01, Basic Calculations for Programming, Level 4, 6 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-02, Basic Programming, Level 4, 6 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-03, Scrape Data and Access, Analyse and Visualise using Spreadsheets, Level 4, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-04, Gather Information and Systematically Analyse Requirements for Testing, Level 5, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-05, Plan Software Testing Activities and Develop a Test Design and Test Case, Level 5, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-06, Set up the Software Test Environment, Level 5, 4 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-07, Apply Current State-of-the-Art Tools and Techniques to Test a Software System, Level 5, 16 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-08, Execute Computer Software Program Testing against Expected Results, Level 5, 12 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-09, Participate in a Design Thinking for Innovation Workshop, Level 5, 3 Credits.

251901-001-00-PM-10, Function Ethically and Effectively in the Workplace, Level 4, 4 Credits.

Total number of credits for Practical Skill Modules: 63

Work Experience Modules:

251901-001-00-WM-01, System Specifications Analysis and Test Case Development, Level 5, 24 Credits.

251901-001-00-WM-02, Test Environment Setup, Level 5, 24 Credits.

251901-001-00-WM-03, Test Execution and Test Closure, Level 5, 24 Credits.

Total number of credits for Work Experience Modules: 72

EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES

1. Extract information from test basis documentation and execute a systematic analysis of the requirements to determine what must be tested and how and when it must be tested.
2. Set up and configure a test environment that provides accurate feedback about the quality and behaviour of the application under test.
3. Execute manual or automated test scripts as well as on software usability and review results in terms of database impact, errors or bugs and usability against expected results.
4. Document and report on the effectiveness, defects, and any technical issues.

ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:

Establish functional and non-functional requirements of the test case as per test basis.

Apply systematic scenario-based test design methodology to create test scenarios and test cases as per test basis and prepare a Requirement Traceability Matrix.

Create the test plan to cover all the requirements.

Access reusable scenarios, test cases, scripts and tools from the organization's knowledge base.

Create or modify software test cases relevant to the requirements.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:

Access or create test data relevant to the requirements and inserted to test environment (test bed).

Set up the test environment and ensure that the environmental factors such as servers, frameworks, hardware, software, database and testbed for executing developed test cases are in place.

Perform smoke test on the build and accept/reject the build depending on smoke test result.

Conduct troubleshooting is done on issues related to the environment, ensuring the test-environment provides accurate feedback about the quality and behaviour of the application under test.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:

Develop scripts informed by an input from the analysis phase and use scripts or automated testing tools to run the same tests again after every fix and deployment.

Test software against given specifications according to test plans and apply best in terms of test techniques and methods.

Provide assistance on troubleshooting and resolving of bugs, errors, defects and any issues until defect closure.

Map defects to test cases in Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) and document and track defects and fixes to closure.

Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:

Document, log and report technical on to provide an audit trail.

Record testing results as the script is being executed and validation is done against what is expected and actual.

Identify variations from expected test results by the records and give reasons where available.

Reproduce the recorded results if the tests are repeated under the same conditions.

Execute test cycle closure activities by performing checks that all deliverables have been accepted and signed off, archive the test ware, close the environment, analyse lessons learned and use the information to improve the test maturity.

Integrated Assessment:
Integrated Formative Assessment:
The skills development provider will use the curriculum to guide them on the stipulated internal assessment criteria and weighting. They will also apply the scope of practical skills and applied knowledge as stipulated by the internal assessment criteria. This formative assessment together with work experience leads to entrance in the integrated external summative assessment.

Integrated Summative Assessment:
An external integrated summative assessment, conducted through the relevant QCTO Assessment Quality partner is required for the issuing of this qualification. The external integrated summative assessment will focus on the exit level outcomes and associated assessment criteria.

The external integrated summative assessment will be conducted through a theoretical assessment and the evaluation of practical tasks at decentralised approved assessment sites in a simulated environment and conducted by an assessor(s) registered with the relevant AQP.

INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY

The Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator was compared with the training provided in India and United States of America.

India:
The Software Testing course is presented by Q-spiders, a reputable training institution from Bangalore, India.
The qualification is designed for any undergraduates or job seekers to enhance their technical knowledge with BE/ BTech, B.Sc, BCA, MCA, M.Tech/ ME, M.Sc and other technical graduations. Potential learners include manual testers, non-programming aware testers interested in learning automation, software engineers interested in mobile technologies and qualified learners or software testers. Possible learners are ensured that Java coding experience is not needed for this course. It is stated that even non-programming learners can comfortably follow this course. Outcomes of the qualification are stipulated as:

Software testing from basics to advanced level.

Testing any application from scratch.

Agile.

Automating web applications with in-depth knowledge of Java and Selenium tools.

The software testing life cycle (STLC) applied to two projects related to manual, database and automation.
Modules are listed as:

Core Java.

Selenium.

Agile methodology.

Manual Testing which includes:
> Software Development Life Cycle.
> Software Testing.
> Software Test Life Cycle.
> Test Management Tool.
> Defect Tracking.
> Static Testing.
> Dynamic Testing.
> Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
> Introduction to Mobile Application Testing.
> Database introduction which includes.
> Datatypes and constraints.
> Statements in SQL.
> Data Query Language (DQL).
> Operators.
> Functions in SQL.
> Sub Query.
> Pseudo Columns.
> Co- Related Sub Query.

Differences:
The duration and level of the Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator are identified, however the Indian qualification does not specify this information. The Indian qualification includes training in three vendor specific qualifications/courses while the South African qualification is vendor agnostic. The course is designed for any learners or job seekers to enhance their technical knowledge with BE/ BTech, B.Sc, BCA, MCA, M.Tech/ ME, M.Sc and other technical graduations. Potential learners include manual testers, non-programming aware testers interested in learning automation, software engineers interested in mobile technologies and qualified learners or software testers., whereas the South African qualification identifies school leavers as typical learners. The Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator provides for workplace experience which is not specified as part of the Indian qualification.

Similarities:
Content related to Database and Manual Testing is included in both qualifications.

United States of America (USA)
The International Institute for Software Testing (IIST) offers the Best Practices in Software Test Planning and Design. The IIST is the largest provider of software testing training in the world. It was founded in 1999 to advance the software testing and quality assurance professions by promoting and recognizing professionalism through education-based software testing certifications and software testing conferences.

Best Practices in Software Test Planning and Design is aimed at test and quality professionals, engineers, business and system analysts, project managers, product managers, developers and everyone who is involved in writing, validating and testing requirements and is promoted as essential to every software professional involved in software testing: test engineers and test analysts interested in performing effective planning, designing, and monitoring of all test activities and interested in gaining better control over the different test activities and the quality of the software product. This qualification offers a systematic approach to effective software test planning and test case design.

The qualification is available as online self-paced, online interactive or onsite and learners must choose one of the options. The outcomes are:

Documenting different types of requirements in a form that is testable.

Evaluating requirements for completeness, correctness, testability and precision of requirements.

Defining quality and functional requirements.

Traceability.

Following requirement managed testing processes.

Discovering and testing requirements.

Creating test scenarios and test cases.

Using cases to discover and test requirements

Similarities:
The course content of both qualifications covers similar topics and aspects.

Differences:
The duration and level of the South African qualification are identified, however the American qualification does not specify this information. The target groups for the two qualifications are different. The IIST qualification specifies test and quality professionals, requirement engineers, business and system analysts, project managers, product managers, developers and everyone who is involved in writing, validating and testing requirements while the Occupational Certificate: Quality Test Automator identifies school leavers and qualified learners from TVET colleges as typical learners.

Conclusion
This South African qualification compares favourably with the competencies covered in the above-mentioned international qualifications.

ARTICULATION OPTIONS

This qualification provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation options.

Horizontal Articulation:

Occupational Certificate: Computer Technician, NQF Level 5.

Vertical Articulation:

Diploma in Information Technology, NQF Level 6.

NOTES

Qualifying for External Assessment:
To qualify for an external assessment, learners must provide proof of completion of all required knowledge and practical modules by means of statements of results and a record of completed work experience.

Additional Legal or Physical Entry Requirements:

None

Criteria for the accreditation of providers
Accreditation of providers will be done against the criteria as reflected in the relevant curriculum on the QCTO website.

The curriculum title and code are: Quality Test Automator: 251901-001-00-00.

Encompassed Trade:
This qualification encompasses the following trades as recorded on the NLRD:

None.

Assessment Quality Partner (AQP)

MICT SETA.

LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION:

NONE

PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION:

This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.

NONE