Salary Competitive
Test Assurance Manager
Location - London – Manchester – Nottingham - Hybrid working model
Competitive Salary plus benefits
The Role
The DCC Test Assurance and Governance practice sits within the Service Delivery function as part of a broader test organisation which includes Test Architects, a Test Issues team, and the Testing Services team who manage all engagement with our end users, the energy supply companies, and facilitates their user testing activities.
Test Assurance is responsible for managing DCC’s end-to-end delivery through a structured governance process, on time, within budget and to the required standards for successful in-life operations, and guiding the transition of project deliveries through multiple test phases, before transitioning to the Testing Services team to coordinate User Testing.
The Test Assurance and Governance function practice is responsible for assuring and governing the significant technical testing undertaken by our Service Providers across the DCC ecosystem, up to the point of delivery to the User Testing and Live environments.
* Working with service providers and stakeholders to establish and agree the scope of testing required, and how it will be assessed. This includes reviewing or preparing Test Approach Documents, reviewing and approving Service Provider Test Plans and Test Traceability Matrices, conducting Test Witnessing and ensuring compliance with regulatory and DCC test documents and DCC's Test Strategy.
* Representing DCC in key governance and regulatory activities relating to the design, documentation and operation of testing and test assurance, including DCC's Test Assurance Board (TAB), the Testing Advisory Group (TAG), the Testing Design and Execution Group (TDEG) and meetings with senior stakeholders from the energy industry, Ofgem and BEIS.
* Reporting to internal and external governance forums on the progress of testing and completion of test reports for approval of the exit of test phases.
* Assuring that DCC systems, including those of our service providers, have been thoroughly tested and are ready for live operation.
* Supporting transition to the Testing Services team within DCC's Operations function, who are responsible for the environment in which prospective Service Users prove they can interface with the DCC service and can exercise their business processes.
The Test Assurance and Governance team assures the testing undertaken by the DCC's Service Providers (including DCC's Communications Service Providers (VM02 and Arqiva), the Data Service Provider (CGI) and other service providers supporting security and the end to end DCC service). The team does not undertake testing, but its assurance of testing activities is integral to driving the quality and confidence of the DCC service.
What will you be doing?
The Test Assurance Manager will:
* Establish and maintain a working knowledge of regulatory documentation, DCC’s overall testing approach, and develop a demonstrable understanding of the technical and functional aspects of the DCC SMETS ecosystem
* Manage all required Test Assurance activities across the designated test phases for assigned programmes. This includes line management of Test Assurance Leads and Test Assurance Analysts in accordance with DCC’s management policies
* Act as the primary point of contact and SME in DCC, engaging with programme and project management in relation to Test Assurance activities for all assigned Programmes and Releases, and facilitate the successful handover to the Testing Services Team and deployment into the User environments
* Act as the primary point of contact for DCC’s Service Providers on testing matters, leading the assurance activity to ensure services can be implemented, are operationally fit for purpose, do not adversely impact existing services, and are fit for the User environment and Live service.
* Manage the Planning, Execution, Monitoring, and Reporting of testing and test assurance activities throughout the delivery lifecycle to include:
o Review of Business Requirements to assess testability, clarity, completeness, and correctness
o Establish the scope of testing to be undertaken for each phase of a release, ensuring test coverage is assessed and requirements traceability metrics logged.
o Lead the production of the Test Approach Document, and its presentation at governance forums to secure approval from internal and external stakeholders, including Suppliers, BEIS and Service Users
o Support the drafting and consultation of changes to regulatory documents
o Specify / verify the artefacts to be produced by the Service Providers and their schedule for production and review.
o Manage the review all test planning artefacts (including Test Plans, Test Scenarios, Test Scripts, Test Readiness Reports)
o Verify Service Provider and DCC Project Plans, ensuring that provision is made for Assurance activities
o Agree scope and schedule of Test Execution and Witnessing with Service Providers, and monitoring and reporting on test progress and issues.
o Collate, produce and present Test Progress and Test Completion Reports to the relevant governance bodies both internal and external to the DCC
* Support the function’s Capability Improvement initiatives, identifying opportunities to enhance the delivery of the Test Assurance service, submitting relevant proposals to the senior test assurance team, and implement agreed changes to processes and practices.
* Collaborate with Programme Management to assess commercial work proposals, contract advice notes, and bid documentation, determining the validity of Service Providers’ proposed testing costs for both new programmes and maintenance or upgrade releases. This may include representing Test Assurance at bid evaluation sessions to help assess the value, completeness, and validity of each bidder’s proposal
Key Accountabilities
* Manage DCC’s engagement with the Programmes/Projects and Service Providers on test assurance matters for relevant projects
* Line manage and develop Test Assurance Leads and Test Assurance Analysts
* Establish the scope and agree the testing to be undertaken by the Service Providers
* Direct the analysis of test evidence to confirm that agreed criteria have been met
* Collate, report and present information on the progress of testing and its assurance
* Produce high-quality written reports
What we are looking for
Skills and Experiences - Essential
* Team management and evidence of developing and coaching team members
* Minimum of 10 years’ relevant testing experience, with at least 5 years at test manager / lead level
* Ability and experience necessary to rapidly understand complex functionality and architectures
* In-depth understanding of testing standards and processes, and how these apply to a service provider
* Ability to:
o scope the required system testing
o define or map the associated business scenarios
o assess the test programme and plan proposed by the Service Provider
o review Service Provider test artefacts with an understanding of “what good looks like”
o manage the witnessing of tests and inspection of test results
o provide clear and concise reports on progress and test completion to senior internal and external stakeholders including regulators.
* Excellent analytical skills: able to identify exceptions to the agreed test approach, propose alternative solutions and appropriate responses
* Strong communications skills: written and verbal with good presentation and persuasion skills, able to present technical issues clearly and confidently to a non-technical group and to senior executive level
* Committed to driving a high performing, quality service through continuous improvement
* Approachable, with strong interpersonal skills and a collaborative approach.
* Experience of managing functional and non-functional test phases.
Skill and Experiences - Desirable
* Knowledge of the GB telecoms or energy industry, in particular smart metering
* Experienced in using test management tools (such as HP ALM) to manage test execution and reporting
* Familiarisation with Remedy, Incident Management System
* ISEB, ISTQB or equivalent certification
* Experience of shaping and managing Agile and waterfall test projects.
Other
Travel to other DCC and service provider sites may be required
About the DCC
At the DCC, we believe in making Britain more connected, so we can all lead smarter, greener lives. That desire to make a difference is what drives us every day and it wouldn’t be possible without our people. Each person at the DCC brings a special kind of power to the business, and if you join us, we’ll give you the means to unleash yours. Here, we depend on each other and hold each other accountable. You have the power to challenge and make change, to take the initiative and enjoy real responsibility. Whether it’s doing purposeful work, helping us grow or building the career you want – we’ll give you the support to do it all. Our secure network for smart meters is transforming Britain’s energy system and helping the country’s fight against climate change: we want you to be part of our journey.
Company benefits
The DCC’s continued success depends on our people. It’s important to us that you enjoy coming to work, and feel healthy, happy, and rewarded. In this role, you’ll have access to a range of benefits which you can choose from to create a personalized plan unique to your lifestyle.
If there are any questions you’d like to ask before applying, please contact Simon.Harrup@capita.com or complete your application, so we can learn more about you. Your application will be carefully considered, and you’ll hear from us regarding its progress.
Join the DCC and discover the power of you.
What to do now
Choose ‘Apply now’ to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you. If you have any questions you’d like to ask before applying, please contact Simon.Harrup@capita.com
Capita Opportunity Statement
The parent company, Capita Plc*, are a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We’re supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right people in place, working towards a shared goal. We encourage an open, honest working environment where everyone can be true to themselves, and people are valued for their differences. We’re always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes. We work across such a huge range of businesses and sectors, that you’ll have the opportunity to grow and develop your career in any number of directions. You’ll also become part of a network of 63,000 experienced, innovative, and dedicated individuals across multiple disciplines and sectors. There are countless opportunities to learn new skills and develop in your career, and we’ll provide the support you need to do deliver. Our purpose is to create a better outcome for you.
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