QA Automation Skill Matrices (mature professionals)
Original date: 7 Feb 2009, 5:00pm
This post continues the previous one.
3. Senior Automation Developer
Capable to maintain and enhance Framework-based Automation Architecture.
Capable to develop data-driven framework.
Should have a solid understanding of Test Automation Requirements: Usability, Maintainability, Scalability, Robustness, and be able to identify current level of needs.
Should be aware of Technical Setup, Requirements, Test Coverage, Verification, Robustness, and Integration problems, and be able to address them effectively.
Career level: at least 5-6 years in IT/SDLC.
| Skill | Priority | Description |
| Senior Programming/Scripting | Critical | Mandatory: VB Script;Mandatory: C/C++, JavaScript.At least 4-5 years of experience on 3 (or more) different projects. Code examples to demonstrate. |
| Test Automation full cycle | Critical | At least 2-3 years of experience on 3 (or more) different projects. Solution examples to demonstrate. |
| Senior QA/Testing | Critical | At least 2-3 years of experience on 3 (or more) different projects |
| Self-starter / Quality-driven | Critical | Demonstrated ability |
| Both technical and non-technical Problem Solving | Critical | Demonstrated ability.Real projects experience |
| Cross-platform Technologies | Critical | Mandatory: XML/XPath;Mandatory: HTML/XSL, SQLOptional: Dot NET |
| Project Management and resource planning | Strongly Desired | Demonstrated ability |
| Excellent Communication with both technical and non-technical people | Strongly Desired | Demonstrated ability |
| Technical English and Documentation | Mandatory | Demonstrated ability. Document examples to demonstrate. |
| Quick Learner | Critical | Demonstrated ability |
| Analytical Nature | Critical | Demonstrated ability |
| Attention to detail / goal-oriented | Mandatory | Demonstrated ability |
Hiring truly senior automation professional (not the one who has just spent a few years “sitting in the environment”) is always a critical step.
4. QA Automation Architect
Proven experience building Automation Frameworks starting from nothing.
Career level: at least 8-10 years in IT/SDLC, including at least 4-5 years in QA/Test Automation.
Hands-on experience with data-driven, keyword-driven, and hybrid frameworks.
Hands-on experience with commercial and open-source automation tools.
Combines both QA and programmer’s mindset.
Hiring QA Automation Architect: technical requirements.
Should have a solid understanding of Test Automation Requirements: Usability, Maintainability, Scalability, Robustness, be able to identify current level of needs, and implement from scratch or based on existing solution.
Proven experience meeting and effectively addressing Project Planning, Technical Setup, Resource Allocation, Requirements, Test Coverage, Verification, Robustness, and Integration problems.
In addition to automation skills needs team leading and project management skills.
