Example Career: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

Career Description

Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

What Job Titles Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Might Have

• Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst)
• Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer)
• Software Quality Engineer
• Software Test Engineer

What Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Do

• Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
• Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
• Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
• Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
• Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.
• Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.
• Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.
• Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
• Create or maintain databases of known test defects.
• Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.
• Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.
• Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.
• Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.
• Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.
• Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.
• Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.
• Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.
• Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.
• Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.
• Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.
• Design or develop automated testing tools.
• Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.
• Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.
• Coordinate user or third-party testing.
• Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.
• Conduct historical analyses of test results.
• Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.
• Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.
• Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.
• Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.

What Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Should Be Good At

• Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
• Deductive Reasoning - The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
• Inductive Reasoning - The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
• Written Comprehension - The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
• Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
• Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
• Written Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Information Ordering - The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
• Near Vision - The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

What Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Should Be Interested In

• Investigative - Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
• Realistic - Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

What Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers Need to Learn

• Computers and Electronics - Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
• English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
• Engineering and Technology - Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
• Mathematics - Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.