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The purpose of this Qualification is to produce well trained people who can conduct a practical investigation to provide stakeholders with information about the quality of the software product or service under test. It will provide learners with both theoretical and practical learning to develop their ability as software testers in the workplace. In essence, it will equip the learner with the ability to apply the software testing process of validating and verifying that a software programme/application/product:

• Meets the business and technical requirements that guided its design and development.
• Works as expected.
• Can be implemented with the same characteristics.

  On achieving this Qualification, the learner will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the principles of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC).
• Evaluate requirements and requirement-based test design.
• Execute the testing process.
• Manage the testing process, execution and defect tracking.
• Conduct static testing.

  The Qualification not only consists of knowledge and skills required to equip the learner to perform the function of Software Testing professionally with insight, but contains building blocks of skills and knowledge that can be developed further in Qualifications in Information Technology and Communications (ITC) at higher levels on the NQF. The intention is:

• To promote the development of knowledge, skills and values that are required in the Information Technology and Communications (ITC) Software Testing industry.
• To release the potential of people, in order for them to grow and develop and stimulate the economy.
• To provide opportunities for people to move up career paths by being more valuable to their organisation, the economy and themselves.

  Rationale:

  In an international study conducted recently it was found that software bugs/problems cost a country’s economy billions of rands annually. It was also established that more than a third of this cost could be avoided if better software testing was performed. There is therefore a need for a qualification to produce highly trained and competent Software Testers. This Qualification will produce persons who will be able to perform software testing to verify that the completed software package functions according to the expectations defined by the requirements/specifications. The Qualification will assist the learners to see that the overall objective of software testing to not to find every software bug that exists, but to uncover situations that could negatively impact on the customer and on the usability and/or maintainability of the software package, that could produce unexpected results, and to improve the long term maintenance of the application.

  As computers and software are used in critical applications, the outcome of a bug can be severe. Bugs can cause huge losses. Bugs in critical systems have caused airplane crashes, allowed space shuttle missions to go awry and halted trading on the stock market. This situation has given birth to Information Technology industry consultants and programming tools dedicated to making sure the operations in our modern world are not compromised. In a computerized embedded world, the quality and reliability of software can be a matter of life and death.

  The Information Technology and Computer Science sub-field is therefore concerned with the development of ‘Software Testers’ so that software testing becomes an integrated part of software development. It is directly related to software quality. It has many subtle connections with software quality, software reliability and Information Technology system reliability.

• Communications at NQF Level 4.
• Mathematical Literacy at NQF Level 4.
• Computer Literacy at NQF Level 3.

  Recognition of Prior Learning:

  Credit will be given to learners for competencies in the knowledge, skills, values and attitudes implicit in this Qualification and its constituent Unit Standards.

  Assessment for the Recognition of Prior Learning will be done by means of an Integrated Assessment as mentioned in Assessment Criteria.

  Recognition of Prior Learning may allow for:

• Access to the qualification by learners who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission.
• Gaining of credits for Unit Standards mastered.
• Obtaining the Qualification in whole or in part.

  All Recognition of Prior Learning is subject to quality assurance by the relevant accredited Education, Training and Quality Assurance Body and will be conducted by a registered assessor.

  Access to the Qualification:

  Access to the qualification is open to all learners in possession of a National Senior Certificate, or equivalent qualification that grants access to certificate study at a higher education institution.

There are Unit Standards to the value of 25 credits in the Fundamental Component. All the Fundamental Unit Standards are compulsory.

Core Component:

Unit Standards to the value of 91 credits have been included in this Component. All the Unit standards in the Core Component are compulsory.

Elective Component:

The learner must choose Elective Unit Standards totalling 22 credits from this Component related to the business/computer/information technology field in which they operate.

2. Evaluate requirements and requirement-based test design.

3. Execute the testing process.

4. Manage the testing process, execution and defect tracking.

5. Conduct static testing.

Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

The qualification addresses the following Critical Cross-Field Outcomes:

• The use of Science and Technology is supported by the use of computer literacy in the operational environment as well as the electronic applications used for the gathering and reporting of information in the testing process.
• Problems are identified and solved in the application of software testing as they relate to software quality, software reliability and system reliability.
• Information is collected analysed, organized and evaluated in the testing process to ensure that software testing can verify that the completed software package functions according to the expectations defined by the requirements/specifications.
• The world is understood as a set of related systems when learners understand how the accurate analysis and testing of software has an impact on software development and how software packages can influence the operations of organisations and systems.
• Own activities are managed and organised in the performance of software testing processes, in the maintaining of liaison, communication processes and in the execution of software testing duties and functions.
• Teamwork is supported in the operational environment and in the execution of the software testing function regardless of the specific type of IT business in which the learner is required to operate and apply obtained knowledge and skills.
• The maintaining of effective working relationships is supported through the requirements of the operational environment and the very nature of the IT industry, which is very service orientated.
• Effective communication is enabled through the maintaining of relevant communication as per organisational requirements applicable to the planning, implementation and support services associated with the provision of a software testing service.

• The role and importance of defining business requirements accurately and completely is explained with examples.
• A user requirements specification document is produced to meet business functions and requirements.
• A computer programme is developed based on a user requirements specification document.

  Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Outcome Level 2:

• User requirements are defined, described and documented in a form that is testable.
• Strategies for designing tests are investigated using test design techniques to discover test requirements.
• Test design methodology and terminology is explained with examples.
• Requirement-based test design techniques are explained with examples.
• Use Cases are made use of for discovering and testing requirements.

  Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Outcome Level 3:

• Testing in the Software Life Cycle is conducted to meet the expectations from the testing process.
  > Range: Testing Models may include but are not limited to V-Model, S Curve, and Iterative-Incremental.
• Test Planning is conducted according to identified test requirements.
  > Range: Test Planning may include but is not limited to System Test Planning/Test Planning for Iterative and incremental projects.
• Test Design is carried out to establish most important tests, Test Cases, Test Data, and Risk.
• Reports are generated according to task/activity requirements.
• Test Automation techniques and tools are used to increase test efficiency.
• Regression testing of computer systems is performed to analyse the impact of changes and/or enhancements.

  Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Outcome Level 4:

• The quality of requirements is assessed for improvement purposes.
• The testing process is controlled to ensure objectives are met.
• Testing process is evaluated and assessed for improvement purposes.

  Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Outcome Level 5:

• Software inspection and reviews are carried out following a Process-Oriented Approach.
• Static testing is performed to improve the quality and test process.

  Integrated Assessment:

  Assessment should take place within the context of:

• Given Quality Assurance policies, procedures and processes.
• A guided and supported learning environment.

  Assessment principles:

  Assessment should be in accordance with the following general and specific principles:

• The initial assessment activities should focus on gathering evidence in terms of the main outcomes expressed in the titles of the Exit Level Outcomes to ensure assessment is integrated rather than fragmented. Take special note of the need for integrated assessment.
• Evidence must be gathered across the entire range specified in each outcome, as applicable. Assessment activities should be as close to the real performance as possible, and where simulations or role-plays are used, there should be supporting evidence to prove that the candidate is able to perform in the real situation.
• All assessments should be conducted in accordance with the following universally accepted principles of assessment:
  > Use appropriate, fair and manageable methods that are integrated into real work-related or learning situations.
  > Judge evidence on the basis of its validity, currency, authenticity and sufficiency.
  > Ensure assessment processes are systematic, open and consistent.
• Formative and summative assessment should be undertaken throughout the programme.

The following programmes were used for the comparability exercise as they are regarded as representing best practice:

Institution: The International Software Testing Qualifications Board (ISTQB)

The South African Software Testing Qualifications Board (SASTQB) became the 40th National Board of the ISTQB. The qualifications offered by the ISTQB are used for accrediting software testers in South Africa.

The following programmes are used:

Course Title: Certified Tester: Foundation Level

It includes the following:

• Fundamentals of testing
• Testing throughout the Software Life Cycle
• Static Techniques
• Test Design Techniques
• Test Management
• Tool Support for Testing
• Fundamentals of testing

  The Foundation Level qualification is aimed at anyone involved in software testing. This includes people in roles such as testers, test analysts, test engineers, test consultants, test managers, user acceptance testers and software developers. This Foundation Level qualification is also appropriate for anyone who wants a basic understanding of software testing, such as project managers, quality managers, software development managers, business analysts, IT directors and management consultants.

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares favourably with this Qualification, as all of its content is included in it.

  Course Title: Certified Tester: Advanced Level

  It includes the following:

• Basic Aspects of Software Testing
• Testing Processes
• Test Management
• Test Techniques
• Testing of Software Characteristics
• Reviews
• Incident Management
• Standards and Test Improvement Process
• Test Tools and Automation
• People Skills – Team Composition

  The Advanced Level qualification is aimed at people who have achieved an advanced point in their careers in software testing. To receive Advanced Level certification, candidates must hold the Foundation Certificate and satisfy the Exam Board which examines them that they have sufficient practical experience to be considered Advanced Level qualified.

  Only part of the Advanced Level course is included in the South African Qualification. Some of the more advanced competencies will be included in a Level 6 Qualification.

  Course Title: Certified Tester: Expert Level

  It includes the following:

• The Context of improvement
• Model-based Improvement
• Analytical-based Improvement
• Selecting the Approach for Test Process Improvement
• Process for Improvement
• Organisation, Roles and Skills
• Managing Change
• Critical Success Factors
• Adapting to Different Life Cycle Models

  The Expert Level provides in-depth, practically-oriented certification courses in a range of different testing subjects. Courses provided at Expert Level build on the knowledge and experience obtained at the Advanced Level.

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 does not compare well with the Expert level qualification as it contains competencies which are at a higher level and will be included in a Level 6 or higher Qualification.

  USA, Canada, India, China, Malaysia, Singapore

  Institution: QAI Global Institute

  Course Title: Software Test Automation

  It includes:

• Introduction to test automation
• Effective test automation
• HP quality centre – Beginner
• HP quality centre – Advanced
• HP quick test professional – Beginner
• HP quick test professional – Advanced
• IBM rational functional tester v7.0
• IBM rational test manager
• Borland silk v8.0
• Computer test partner v 6.0

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 does not compare very well with this Qualification as its focus is more on test automation and this is only a small component of the competencies required.

  Course Title: Agile Methodology

  It includes:

• Agile SCRUM Practitioner training
• Agile SCRUM Master training
• Agile test strategies and management
• Overview to Agile methodology

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 course does not compare at all with this qualification as it concentrates on a specific strategy and technique, whereas the South African qualification is generic in nature and allows the use of a wide range of approaches and techniques..

  Course Title: Software Engineering and Testing

  It includes:

• Induction programme for software testing
• Structured methods in software testing
• Effective software testing – Test Planning
• Effective software testing – Test Case Design
• Effective test case writing
• Essentials of leadership in testing
• Manual testing skills for better productivity
• Design for reliability – Applications in Software
• Effective unit testing
• Effective user acceptance testing
• Introduction to SOA based testing
• Regression testing
• Requirement based testing
• Skilled exploratory testing
• Software test estimation
• Software test metrics
• Peer reviews
• Test process improvement
• Defect protection – Process Approach
• V&V – A CMMI� Approach
• Practical test driven development using NUNIT & VS NET 2008 Team Studio
• Testing for internationalisation and globalisation
• Testing for interoperability
• Testing multimedia applications and products
• Testing web-based software applications
• Web application security testing
• Web service security testing

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 is comparable with this course as the majority of the content and competencies are the same. The latter, however, covers specific testing methods and issues related to specific software testing, whereas the South African Qualification is more generic.

  United Kingdom:

  Institution: GB Direct Training

  Course Title: Software Testing Training

  It includes:

• Testing basics
• System testing
• Advanced testing techniques
• Practical test planning – Writing Test Plans
• Test estimation
• Writing test strategies
• Fundamentals of performance testing
• Advanced performance testing
• Fundamentals of test automation
• Advanced test automation
• Requirements testing
• Introduction to test environment and data management
• Introduction to testing in a service orientated architecture and using soapUI
• Advanced test management
• User acceptance testing
• Managing user acceptance testing
• Introduction to acceptance test-driven development
• Practical test driven development
• Implementing a testing centre of excellence
• Test strategy and techniques
• ISTQB software testing
• ISEB software testing

  The above course is based on the ISTQB Certification and therefore it is very comparable to the Level 5 South African Qualification.

  Institution: UK Software Testing Consultancy

  Course Title: ISEB Software Testing Foundation Certification

  It includes:

• Principles of testing
• Testing throughout the development life-cycle
• Dynamic testing techniques
• Testing tool support for software testing (CAST)

  The above course only covers a minimal subject matter is therefore not very comparable with the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5. However all the above subject matter is included in the South African qualification, as either Unit Standards or Specific Outcomes within Unit Standards.

  Institution: BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT

  This institute offers the following courses based on the ISTQB syllabus

• Course Title: ISEB Software Testing – Foundation Certification
• Course Title: ISEB Software Testing – Intermediate Certification
• Course Title: ISEB Software Testing – Advanced Level Certification
• Course Title: ISEB Software Testing – Practitioner Level Certification

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 Foundation Certification is fully comparable with the Foundation and the Intermediate Certification. It is only partially comparable with the Advanced Level Certification and not comparable at all with the Practitioner Level Certification as it is pitched at a higher level.

  Singapore:

  Institution: Angee Ann CET Academy

  Course Title: NICF – TESCOM – Certified Software Tester

  It includes:

• Quality assurance and testing as a strategy
• Software quality control principles
• Software testing plan (High level)
• Software test rules definition (High level)
• Software test rules descriptions (High level)
• Traceability model
• Testing in practice
• Testing measurement (High level)
• Software quality deployment (High level)

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares favourably with this Qualification. The latter does however also include some higher level competencies which may be included in a Level 6 Qualification.

  Course Title: NICF – TESCOM – Certified Test Analyst

  It includes:

• Business processes and object orientated terminology
• Use case structure and traceability
• Business process fundamentals
• Use case template review
• Use case review
• Test cases review
• Use case to test case transposition
• Creation of test suites
• Creation of test plans
• Test plan types
• Test rules and description
• Test procedures
• Test procedure language
• Test scripts
• Test processes
• Test execution
• Test reporting

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares very well with the course offered by the Angee Ann CET Academy.

  Institution: National University of Singapore

  Course Title: Software Testing

  It includes:

• Introduction to software
• Test case design techniques
• Testing the lifecycle
• Test planning, execution and reporting
• Test automation and tools

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares very well with the above-mentioned as all content items are included.

  India:

  Institution: Software Testing Expert (STE)

  Course Title: Software Test Expert – Foundation Level

  It includes:

• Software development life cycle
• Software testing
• Phases in software testing life cycle
• Automation testing

  Course Title: Software Testing Expert – Advanced Level

  It includes:

• Software development life cycle
• Software testing
• Phases in software testing life cycle
• Automation testing

  The above courses are based on the ISQTB Certification syllabus, and therefore the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares favourably with both.

  Course Title: Software Testing Expert – Mobile Testing

  It includes:

• Software development life cycle
• Software testing
• Phases in software testing life cycle
• Mobile testing

  The above course is also based on the ISQTB syllabus and therefore is very comparable with the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5. It does however also have an additional subject specifically for Mobile testing (Cell Phones).

  United States of America (USA):

  Institution: International Institute for Software Testing

  Course Title: Certified Software Test Professional (CSTP) – Certification

  It includes:

• Principles of software testing
• Test design
• Principles of software testing and design
• Evaluating requirements and requirement-based test design
• Managing the testing process
• Managing the testing process, test executions and defect tracking
• Requirement definitions, refinement and verification
• Test automation
• Static testing

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares very well with the Certified Software Test Professional course.

  Course Title: Certified Test Manager (CTM) – Certification

  It includes:

• Test process management
• Test project management
• Test process measurement and improvement
• Test organisation management
• Risk management
• Test automation strategies and architectures
• Software quality assurance

  The above course is only fairly comparable with the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 as it focuses more on the management of software testing rather than on the testing process itself.

  Association for Software Testing

  Course Title: Foundations of Black Box Software Testing

  It includes:

• The mission of testing
• The oracle problem
• The measurement problem
• The impossibility of complete testing

  The above course is fully contained in The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5.

  Course Title: Bug Advocacy

  It includes:

• Defining key concepts
• The scope of bug reporting
• Bug reporting as persuasive writing
• Bug investigation to discover harsher failures and simpler replication conditions
• Excuses and reasons for not fixing bugs
• Making bugs reproducible
• Lessons from the psychology of decision-making
• Style and structure of well-written reports

  The above course is not very comparable with the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 as it deals with a specific method only.

  Conclusion:

  The National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5 compares favourably with the training and development that is offered internationally by all countries included in this comparison. It provides the learner with a solid understanding of, and practical experience in Software Testing. Differences between international practice and this Qualification, relate mainly to specific testing procedures and managerial competencies.

  This Qualification meets the needs of the software testing requirements in South Africa and it is evident that it would be portable to other countries in terms of subject matter content and alignment with the ISQTB and other internationally recognised institutions. The only real major difference is in the range of the Elective Unit Standards contained in the National Certificate: Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Software Testing, Level 5.

• ID 48872: National Certificate: Information Technology (Systems Development), Level 5.
• ID 63769: National Certificate: Business Analysis Support Practice, Level 5.
• ID 48573: National Certificate: Information Technology: Systems Support, Level 5.

  Vertical articulation is possible with:

• ID 63909: National Certificate: Business Analysis, Level 6.

• Anyone assessing a learner or moderating the assessment of a learner against this Qualification must be registered as an assessor with the relevant Education, Training, Quality, Assurance (ETQA) Body.
• Any institution offering learning that will enable the achievement of this Qualification must be accredited as a provider with the relevant ETQA.
• Assessment and moderation of assessment will be overseen by the relevant ETQA according to the ETQA’s policies and guidelines for assessment and moderation; in terms of agreements reached around assessment and moderation between ETQA’s (including professional bodies); and in terms of the moderation guideline detailed immediately below.
• Moderation must include both internal and external moderation of assessments at exit points of the Qualification, unless ETQA policies specify otherwise. Moderation should also encompass achievement of the competence described both in individual Unit Standards as well as the integrated competence described in the Qualification.
• Anyone wishing to be assessed against this Qualification may apply to be assessed by any assessment agency, assessor or provider institution that is accredited by the relevant ETQA.

• Be registered as an assessor with the relevant ETQA or an ETQA that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant ETQA.
• Be in possession of a Qualification in Information Technology (Systems Development) or any other relevant Qualification at NQF Level 6 or above.
• Have a minimum of two years’ practical, relevant occupational experience.