Agile Test Lead

Outline of role

The Agile Test Lead (ATL) is responsible for leading an agile software testing team.

• The ATL will be responsible for the allocation of resource to perform all types of testing. An ATL will have a test specialism. These are defined below.
• The ATL will define all test processes and use standard centralised test tools across the whole testing team/discipline.
• The ATL will be responsible for defining all testing activities and verify they are performed effectively and will drive test performance and efficiency.
• The test specialisms include: Cross Platform Integration; Performance Testing; Automation Testing; Functional Testing.
• As named specialists ATL’s will promote best practice, standardisation, continuous improvement, and efficient reuse of testing frameworks and infrastructure across all delivery streams. They will ensure that their guidance is being adhered to by continually assessing test activities and monitoring the resulting throughput and quality of the software we produce.

Essential skills and experience

• Expert knowledge of industry testing techniques and methodologies, best practices, and quality assurance activities, assuring the delivery robust, performant systems that meet quality expectations
• Broad knowledge and understanding of planning and project management tools and techniques, particularly within the agile arena;
• Expert knowledge of how to effectively test the integration of internal/external web sites, back office transactional systems
• Expert knowledge of testing automation practices and frameworks
• Degree, or equivalent qualified in a relevant subject area is desirable (e.g. information technology).
• Expert knowledge of test artefacts, well formed test scripts, test execution, test metrics, and test review processes.
• Expert knowledge in Agile methodologie
• Strong software testing capabilities; proven ability to evolve test process to improve software quality and test efficiency
• Possess exceptional problem solving, analytical, non-functional and estimation skills.
• Proven ability to influence people at all levels across the organisation and outside, including negotiating and successfully facilitating joint decision-making, driving quality across all software development disciplines.
• Ability to manage stakeholder expectations and deliver a service or product to meet these expectations;* Extensive experience in large-scale IT systems with specific experience of testing and developing test infrastructure for high performance, high volume enterprise-level software platforms
• Active practitioner of Agile testing principles particular CI, TDD and high levels of automation
• Expert experience of people management and team development on a high-volume, high-revenue systems
• Proven experience of leading the functional and non functional testing of business critical large multi tier applications
• Experience prioritising defects, managing test environment, estimating stories and organising UAT
• Experience of delivering the Test strategy

Key Accountabilities

Provide technical leadership and strategic direction to the test team. Assures that deliveries have been tested and meet stakeholder requirements Ensure the solution meets timescales, budget and required quality and performance standards.
Provide a test specialism across the entire Agile Test Team. An Agile Test Lead will champion a specific discipline from one of the following roles:

Cross Platform Integration – Co-ordinate internal integration efforts across multiple pipelines in line. Develop effective collaborative relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Witness testing and assurance of 3rd party deliverables
Performance and Non-Functional – Drive performance testing and robustness of our products, implementing non-functional testing standards through all stages of life cycle
Automation – Drive test efficiency by developing processes and reusable testing frameworks / tooling for automation testing Functional – Define process/standards to ensure software functions in accordance with agreed acceptance crite
ATL will be accountable for ensuring that the specialist guidance and processes they provide is being adopted across all agile delivery streams, monitoring resulting software to qualify that these processes are providing quantifiable improvements in line with specified expectations.
Accountable for resourcing and development of the Agile Test Team, recruiting of staff with the appropriate level of resources and skills. With the Agile Test Team, effect and monitor the development of people, processes and tools which will continually improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the team.
Define and adapt quality assurance methodology for the agile software life cycle, making continuous improvements in our testing efficiency and accuracy. Ensure we cater for 3rd parties software life cycle methodologies, and encourage synergies wherever possible.