Software testers, or quality analysts, are the unsung heroes who help eliminate the irritating glitches found in software.

Most software development companies would have at least one software tester on board working alongside software developers. There are approximately 1,500 software developers working in Western Australia. The majority work in the Perth metropolitan area.

Each year, approximately 800 training places are offered in degrees majoring in an information technology discipline. Not all of these course graduates will choose to work as software testers, opting instead for careers in software development, web design, IT management, Internet systems administration, or in an IT technical position.

When a new computer application or system is being developed or implemented, a software tester needs to be on hand to ensure that these are free of any software bugs or anomalies, and that all of the data is processed properly. Furthermore, after enhancements have been made to a system or a system's problem has been fixed, an independent person (a software tester) is needed to verify that everything is still working as intended.


Trouble Shooting Team

Software testers, or quality analysts, work alongside software developers from the outset. This makes sense when you consider how time consuming and costly it would be for developers to finalise a product without regular testing, only to find out that their products were faulty.

''There are numerous types of testing processes performed to perfect software. Interface, performance, load testing, useability, security, installation, and recovery are just some,'' says Tracey Eaton, a former quality analyst with Asgard Wealth Solutions.

For example, installation tests are carried out so that applications that are installed won't cause computers to crash.

Tracey says that the software testing process also involves numerous tasks. Software testers first read the product specifications from a technical document to get an understanding of what the product is designed to do. Discussions with the project managers may also be required to increase the software tester's understanding of the product and to keep the project managers fully informed during the testing stage.


Strategic Test Cases

FTR Pty Ltd Research and Development Manager Neil Jones says that testing strategies for new products are developed by software testers in the research and development departments of companies. Software testers also consider previous, similar test cases and use that information to develop effective strategies.

''This enables our testers to create and maintain test plans for exercising and stress testing all current and future FTR products using both automated and manual test systems.''

Helping to locate and evaluate the effectiveness of tools that are used in the testing process is also part of the job. Neil Jones says that FTR's software testers provide input at meetings and liaise with other FTR test sites and personnel to consolidate test programs and results.

Software testers must also create and maintain defect reports, keeping track of their progress and making note of a system's various defects throughout the testing process. Test results need to be handed over to a technical manager before the product is presented to a client.

Asgard Wealth Solutions is the wholly owned subsidiary of the St George Bank Group, and it provides services and products to the financial planning and investment advisory community throughout Australia. It was quality analyst Tracey Eaton's job to ensure that the applications which stored Asgard's client data on financial transactions performed as designed and met the organisation's requirements.

Tracey's job description involved more than just software testing. She says that quality assurance focuses on the life cycle of software products, whereas testing for bugs is the key purpose of software testing.


All Important Employee

Software development companies test their products in different ways. Some companies have inhouse quality assurance teams that put their products through rigorous testing processes. Others contract software testers to come on site to test their applications. Any company or organisation that develops software will also employ software testers.

Companies look for people who are fascinated with the nuts and bolts of computing so that they will go the extra mile to check things to the last detail during testing.

''We also view good verbal and written skills highly, as well as people who are motivated to explore all combinations of the operation of a software application and who have the ability to clearly identify outcomes,'' says Neil Jones.

An information technology spokesman from ICON Recruitment says that until a bug-free system is designed and as long as new applications continue to be developed, there will always be a need for software testers. Most of the software development in Australia, however, is undertaken in its larger cities such as Sydney.

According to a career industry resource, the starting salary is about $40,000 per year and this may go as high as $103,000.

Employers generally prefer applicants who have completed a degree in an information technology discipline. These would typically include Bachelor degrees with majors in computer science, information technology, management information systems or software engineering.

Most universities in Western Australia offer computing science degrees. Prerequisites are usually the appropriate TER score, with passes in English and mathematics. Please contact your preferred institution for more details or refer to the Universities website below.

To increase the likelihood of employment, it is recommended to take studies to Honours level. Many employers prefer people who have achieved First Class Honours.

The vocational education and training sector's response to the needs of the IT industry has meant that an increasing number of IT certificate and diploma level graduates are being successfully employed in IT businesses as associate professionals.

Another study option is to complete a Diploma of Information Technology (Software Development) offered through various TAFE campuses. You will need to complete the Certificate IV in Information Technology (Programming), or equivalent, for entry. For further course information, please refer to the TAFE website below.

Private providers also offer relevant short, certificate and diploma level courses. For further information, contact the NTIS website below.

Traineeships are being offered in Information Technology and this may be a good way to get into the industry and gain valuable experience. For more information, contact the Australian Apprenticeships Hotline on 13 38 73 (local call cost).

Relevant industry experience may also be advantageous to gaining entry into this occupation.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full-time TAFE courses throughout WA.
	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Australian Computer Society
PO Box 301 Victoria Park WA 6979 Ph: (08) 9470 4878 Fax: (08) 9470 4912 Email: acswa@acs.org.au URL: http://www.acs.org.au

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