Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
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.
Sample of reported job titles:
Application Integration Engineer, Computer Consultant, Information Technology Analyst (IT Analyst), Product Assurance Engineer, Quality Assurance Analyst (QA Analyst), Software Quality Assurance Engineer (SQA Engineer), Software Quality Engineer, Software Test Engineer, Systems Engineer, Test Engineer
Occupation-Specific Information
Tasks
- Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.
- Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.
- Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.
- Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.
- Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.
Technology Skills
- Access software:Citrix cloud computing software,PuTTY
- Accounting software:Tax software
- Administration software:Software distribution management software
- Analytical or scientific software:Data analysis software,Dynamic modeling software,IBM SPSS Statistics,MathWorks Simulink,Minitab,SAS statistical software,Simulation program with integrated circuit emphasis SPICE,StataCorp Stata,The MathWorks MATLAB
- Application server software:Docker,GitHub,Oracle Application Server,Oracle WebLogic Server,Red Hat OpenShift,Red Hat WildFly,Spring Boot,VMWare ESX Server
Occupational Requirements
Work Activities
- Working with Computers:Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
- Analyzing Data or Information:Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
- Getting Information:Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems:Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge:Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
Detailed Work Activities
- Analyze data to identify or resolve operational problems.
- Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
- Assess database performance.
- Collaborate with others to determine design specifications or details.
- Collaborate with others to resolve information technology issues.
Work Context
- Electronic Mail:96% responded"Every day"
- Face-to-Face Discussions:85% responded"Every day"
- Physical Proximity:85% responded"Slightly close (e.g., shared office)"
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:78% responded"Every day"
- Spend Time Sitting:77% responded"Continually or almost continually"
Worker Requirements
Skills
- Critical Thinking:Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
- Reading Comprehension:Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.
- Programming:Writing computer programs for various purposes.
- Speaking:Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Active Listening:Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Knowledge
- 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.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
- 70%Bachelor's Degree
- 15%Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
- 7%Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Worker Characteristics
Abilities
- 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).
- 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 that there is a problem.
- Written Comprehension:The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- 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).
Interests
- 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.
- Conventional:Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
- 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.
Work Values
- Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
- Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
- Working Conditions:Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Work Styles
- Attention to Detail:Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
- Analytical Thinking:Job requires analyzing information and using logic to address work-related issues and problems.
- Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
- Adaptability/Flexibility:Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
- Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
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