About the role
Test Analysts within Scottish Friendly play a crucial role in the software development process by executing test plans. They work closely with project teams to understand system requirements, and then design, execute, and identify test cases that would benefit from being automated.
Reporting and documenting defects, as well as collaborating with developers, business analysts and product owners to ensure timely issue resolution, are common tasks.
Test Analysts also contribute to the improvement of testing processes, tools and methods, as part of a culture of continuous improvement within the organisation.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and proficiency in test management tools like Jira and Zephyr are required for this role.
Effective communication and collaboration skills are vital, as they need to convey testing progress and results to various stakeholders. Additionally, staying abreast of industry trends and advancements helps them adapt to evolving technologies.
Continuous learning about emerging technologies and industry best practices is essential for staying effective in the position.
Key responsibilities
* Analyse business and technical requirements to design test scenarios and create comprehensive test cases
* Collaborate with developers and business analysts to clarify expected functionality and troubleshoot issues
* Assist with the refinement of requirements, user stories and acceptance criteria, ensuring that they meet SMARTT principles
* Perform various types of manual testing including functional, regression, usability, smoke, and exploratory testing
* Identify, document, and track bugs using test management and issue tracking tools (e.g., JIRA, Zephyr)
* Participate in regular project meetings such as sprint planning, stand-ups, and retrospectives
* Review and validate test results, ensuring software behaves as expected across multiple platforms and browsers (if applicable)
* Maintain and update test documentation to reflect application changes
* Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives within the Testing process
Qualifications and skills
Essential:
* Proven experience as a Manual Test Analyst or similar role
* Experience within financial services/regulated organisation
* Strong understanding of software testing methodologies and best practices
* Experience writing clear, concise, and comprehensive test plans and test cases
* Familiarity with defect tracking tools (e.g. JIRA)
* Excellent attention to detail and strong analytical skills
* Good report writing skills
* Good communication and collaboration skills
Desirable:
* Experience working in Hybrid/Agile/Scrum environments
* Hands-on experience with manual and/or automated testing in web, mobile, and enterprise applications such as CRM
* Basic understanding of SQL and ability to query databases for test validation
* Knowledge of web and mobile application testing
* Experience with test management tools (e.g. Zephyr)
* Familiarity with basic automation concepts is a plus
* ISTQB Foundation Certification or similar is a plus