Test Lead

The LTA coordinates and manages planning of the system and acceptance tests within a specialist team or supporting Agile squads. They take responsibility for integrity of testing and acceptance activities and coordinate the execution of these activities. The role also provides authoritative advice and guidance on any aspect of test approach, planning and execution. They define and communicate the test strategy for the project or specialist team. The LTA manages all test processes, including test plans, resources, costs, timescales, test deliverables and traceability. Manages client relationships with respect to testing matters. Identifies process improvements, and contributes to corporate testing standards and definition of best practice. About the role

• Takes responsibility for the management of the testing activities.
• Plans or oversees the planning of the system and acceptance tests and co-ordinates the execution of these plans. Takes responsibility for early life-cycle validation and verification.
• Takes responsibility for the production and approval of testing deliverables and achievement of testing milestones.
• Co-ordinates all activities and all testers during each testing phase.
• Co-operates with clients/users and senior staff as required to agree the testing strategy to be employed. Maintains awareness of testing alternatives at a level where they can be analysed and the most effective testing strategy selected and agreed.
• Directs and carries out investigations to assess and advise on the practicality of testing process alternatives. Identifies improvements to the process and assists in their implementation.
• Ensures that any risks associated with test strategy and the system test plan are clearly documented and described to the clients/users and colleagues. Manages all risks associated with the testing and takes preventative action when any risks become unacceptable.
• Provides authoritative advice and guidance to colleagues on any aspect of test planning and execution.
• Plans, arranges, controls meetings, workshops and relations with client/user staff during test planning and throughout subsequent development and testing activities. Takes responsibility for the proper conduct of such relations.
• Establishes and plans the automated testing strategy for the project or programme providing a platform for the testing team to automate previously manual scripts.
• Mentors the Test Analyst's in the team.
• Maintains knowledge of specific specialisms, provides detailed advice regarding their application and executes specialised tasks. The specialism can be any area of information or communication technology, technique, method, product, or test automation application area.
• Champions the use of automation and other test methods like static testing, exploratory testing.
• Liaises with the Non functional performance and security testers to ensure they are included in a project or a specialist team.
• Facilitates effective working relationships between team members, Motivates team members to maintain a high level of performance. Engages with, and empowers team members.
About you
• Acquires understanding of the underlying issues in complex problems or situations by correctly relating these to simpler or better understood concepts, models or previous experiences.
• Can determine a course of action by breaking it down into smaller steps and by planning and resourcing each of these, making allowance for potential problems.
• Makes decisions at the appropriate time, taking into account the needs of the situation, priorities, constraints, known risks, and the availability of necessary information and resources.
• Understands the needs, objectives and constraints of those in other disciplines and functions.
• Checks progress against targets, reporting and escalating exceptions/issues as necessary and taking action to resolve exceptions.
• Organises and documented sets of techniques, and proven methods, intended to facilitate the structured and Open development of applications. Increasingly a DEVOPS approach is taken where development and operational staff work together.
• Is proficient in the collection, analysis and application of historical test measurements and future estimation.
• Is proficient in the principles, methods, techniques and tools for the effective management of the testing process and the execution of tests throughout the lifecycle of development projects. Examples: organisation standards for testing, planning & estimating, configuration management, incident management, test efficiency and effectiveness measurement.
• Is proficient in methods and techniques for the assessment and management of business risk.
• Is expert in specific standards, practices, appraisal and certification programs associated with testing.
• Brings positive change to the test services practice.
• Has experience of using and leading teams using automated test tools.
• Has experience of an application, process or product that benefits the test team.
• Has specialist knowledge and skills in one or more function, technology or automation tool.
  
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