Manual testing to automatic testing A formal training programme for testers at Bands 3 to 7

Capstone brief: Band 4 test engineering

Evidence 16 for Module 16. Hours 230.5–268. Assessed at Gate 4.

Field Value
Track Band 4 test engineering
Band 4
UK GDaD PCF role Test engineer
Module 16 depth Apply with support
Automation target Awareness, with maintained tests
Presentation 10 minutes, aimed at a non-technical audience

The capstone, from the spec

Automate 10 cases, including 2 API tests, and maintain an existing suite over 30 learning hours.

Scope

10 manual cases from your Evidence 7 sample, at least 2 at the API layer, and your team's existing automated suite in hours 230.5–268.

Agree the exact scope with the product owner and mentor at hour 230.5, using the scope agreement, your Evidence 7 analysis, and your Evidence 15 estimate.

Deliverables

  • 10 automated tests: browser tests with a page object, and at least 2 API tests.
  • A spec/index.md that agrees with the code.
  • The tests running in CI.
  • A maintenance log for the existing suite over 30 learning hours: each failure triaged, each fix made through a pull request.
  • Synthetic data, and traceability rows for tests that protect a hazard.
  • A README: how to run and extend the tests.

Acceptance

The product owner and the Gate 4 panel will look for:

  • All 10 tests pass in CI and fail when behaviour is wrong.
  • The existing suite stayed green, or every failure was triaged and acted on.
  • Spec and code agree.
  • The product owner accepts the tests.
  • Synthetic data only, and no secrets in source control.
  • You can explain every line you submitted.

Support

Work under supervision, as the role requires: the mentor reviews every pull request.

Presentation

10 minutes, plus questions, following the presentation outline. Include a live run: it is the Gate 4 Part D practical.

Panel

Chair: a lead test engineer or test manager at least one band above you, not your mentor. A developer from another team. The training lead. The clinical safety officer reviews traceability evidence in writing.

Gate 4 thresholds

At least 90% in each of Parts A, B, and C of the capability self-assessment; Part D Meets; no skill more than one level below expected; test engineering at your automation target; capstone accepted by the product owner. See the spec for the full rules.

View this document on GitHub materials/modules/module-16-capstone/brief-band-4-test-engineering.md