Location including building: University wide (Lansdowne Campus/Talbot Campus)

Transcription

1 Job Description Post/Job Title: Principal Test Analyst Post holder: Ref: School/Support Service: Group/Section: ITS62 IT Services IT Test Team - Governance Location including building: University wide (Lansdowne Campus/Talbot Campus) Normal hours per week: Full Time (Some flexibility will be required in order to ensure that key time scales and deadlines are met). Grade: 7 Duration if temporary: Fixed term until 30 November 2016 Accountable to: Special conditions: Test Manager Due to the nature of role, working unsocial hours will be required. Job Purpose Advise the Test Manager on the development of the University s strategic service readiness testing services, including system, unit, performance, load, security, smoke and regression testing. nsure effective and pro-active championing of the testing discipline within the quality assurance framework of service readiness, including reduction of the financial and reputational costs to BU of change-related failure. Define, monitor and maintain configurations, procedures and audit controls for all aspects of test services across multi-disciplinary teams. Main Responsibilities 1. Input technical experience into a quality driven function managing testing functional and non-functional and contributing to quality gates throughout the development lifecycle. Develop testing plans and processes aligned with BU business strategy and with industry best practice. Responsible for the alignment of test activities - across peers, clients and consultants - to the BU IT Strategy. Influence, define, monitor and manage test configurations, procedures and audit controls for all aspects of business process development, integration services, access controls, security and application lifecycle management, as directed by the Test Manager. 2. Collaborate with business clients to identify, document and agree their test requirements in relation to their business issues. Define, develop, document and gain acceptance from clients, peers and senior managers for testing requirements within each development phase. Plan, arrange and facilitate meetings/workshops for stakeholders and business process owners during test planning and throughout development stages. Actively participate in the development process in order to ensure continuous improvements to the quality of business process integration and appropriate test techniques. Design testing solutions and assist in the design of the testing process to be followed for all projects.

2 Identify and raise risks & issues associated with the test process; monitor escalation to project managers. Monitor, co-ordinate and prioritise risks and issues logs and collaborate with business clients and peers to ensure their resolution. 3. Lead through example all aspects of test cycle planning and delivery, including business case development, estimating, planning, budget management, resource allocation and management, risk/issue management, communications, test management, business client engagement and service transition. Accountable for the quality of the team s resource estimating and planning. nsure testing is on schedule and to budget. nsure the team works to management processes, methods and tools based upon project management, application lifecycle management and ITIL good practice. Raise risks and issues, communicating effectively with technical teams, client managers, consultants, and suppliers. Contribute to the quality standards in testing, and ensure their use in quality planning over the lifecycle of projects. Provide expert advice and guidance to the test team in the use of test tools and test processes. Manage defect tracking and archiving of project artefacts on closure. 4. Co-ordinate, prioritise and implement product and process improvement in test execution, system/integration test automation, release quality measurements and assessment via software development and QA metrics. Develop and implement unit and regression testing, including the development of automated test suites within agile and traditional development environments. nsure the quality and timeliness of the team s support services to business clients in their use of test tools. Actively seek ways to reduce the costs associated with the University s test services including automation. Measure and monitor KPIs which track testing progress across projects and ensure reporting to key stakeholders. Resolve QA environment resource conflicts between competing clients and project managers. 5. Provide leadership, support, coaching and performance management for the Senior Test Analyst (G6), working with the Test Manager and training and development agencies to maximise their performance and foster their career development. (Team numbers and composition may change over time.) 6. In collaboration with your manager review regularly your personal and professional development plan, identifying key objectives and development needs. 7. Maintain a current knowledge of testing industry best practice. 8. Deputise for the Test Manager as required. 9. Maintain a personal development programme, measuring your performance against Key Performance Indicators, as agreed with Communications Architect and in line with team objectives. 10. Develop and maintain excellent working relationships with all users and IT colleagues and work collaboratively to develop and provide integrated and seamless delivery of services to the University.

3 Organisation Chart Dimensions Applications and services are growing in number, complexity, scope and coverage. Increasingly they must exchange data, securely and reliably, with each other and with external agencies. In addition test functions and processes vary across existing teams. The analysis and design for new and improved test services encompasses a complex environment to ensure the test services are responsive, reliable, robust and secure. Improved test services will reduce the financial and reputational cost to BU of interruptions to staff and student production services. The Principal Test Analyst will co-ordinate with clients, project managers, enterprise architects and technology specialists the design and development of test services across a variety of technologies and services. Contacts Internal: The test team s customers are throughout the University Schools and Professional Services at many levels. The postholder will work directly with senior managers and technology specialists to advise and design test services. In addition there is close liaison with other teams within IT Services and the Programme Management Office. This post involves working with a range of Professional Services on key and complex applications and projects and will involve a close working relationship with members of the relevant management teams. xternal: Partners, suppliers, consultants, other H, user groups, external agencies. Challenges This role presents challenges in:- test development for business processes, systems and data working with colleagues to introduce new best practice test framework developing internal working practices for a new team working efficiently and to project deadlines educating clients on the need to consider alternative approaches and view test requirements holistically

4 Additional Information The post holder must operate at all times in accordance with legislative and regulatory requirements. In particular:- The post holder must at all times carry out their responsibilities with due regard to the University s Dignity, Diversity and quality Policy Statement The post holder must be vigilant in complying with Health & Safety regulations, to maintain a safe and secure working environment The post holder must actively seek and promote measure to reduce the University s carbon footprint The purpose of the job description is to indicate the general level of responsibility and location of the position. The duties may vary from time to time without changing their general character or level of responsibility. The post-holder may be required to:- Attend training courses away from the University Be contactable at reasonable times Be expected to work unsocial hours as required by projects (inc. weekends / bank holidays) Be expected to supervise and manager Partners / Suppliers October 2015

5 Person Specification Post / Job Title: Principal Test Analyst Post No: ITS62 School / Professional Service: IT Services Date: October 2015 SLCTION CRITRIA ssential / Desirable Knowledge (including experience & qualifications) in order of importance Significant experience in test development including the transition into operation of new services, ideally including data warehouse and integration services Understanding and experience of test planning, developing and executing test plans and scripts in an enterprise system environment, recording results and archiving the evidence Knowledge of structured and automated test methods and processes and understanding of formal methodologies such as Agile, V-model, Iterative or Waterfall xperience in the effective deployment of defect tracking and test management tools Knowledge of load/stress testing and meeting non-functional requirements Relevant academic qualification or comparable professional capability relating to testing Knowledge of server and service technologies (such as Linux, Windows, Web) including test environment setup xperience of working within ITIL and project management frameworks D Understanding of the IT requirements deriving from Higher ducation processes D Skills Practical experience in the use of testing tools (such as Quality Centre (ALM), Sprinter, Quick Test Pro (UFT), Selenium and WebLOAD) and ability to support both the test team and the wider user community Proficient in the development and management of automated test scripts, with advanced scripting skills (such as VBScript) Interpersonal and communication skills including the ability to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders including business clients at all levels, consultants and suppliers Strong analytical skills; ability to evaluate and model complex test issues Ability to lead and inspire test teams, including performance management, resource planning, and coaching/mentoring skills Knowledge of defect tracking, experience of facilitating defect review boards, and quantitative defect measurement xcellent written and oral communication skills Ability to investigate and analyse problems Proactive customer support and problem resolution Package support and resolving problems through suppliers help desks Ability to provide technical support to other technical teams as required Methodical and disciplined approach Ability to prioritise workload and work to required timescales Coaching and mentoring skills Negotiating skills Attributes Demonstrable customer service orientated approach including influencing and decision making skills ffective technical leadership and motivational skills including facilitation, listening and communication skills Ability and flexibility to process and prioritise a range of activities to tight and varied timescales Ability to mentor and support business clients in their use of test tools Ability to assimilate complex customer requirements Team worker Self reliant and proactive Ability to work under pressure Proven customer focus