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

Capstone brief: Band 7 test engineering

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

Field Value
Track Band 7 test engineering
Band 7
UK GDaD PCF role Test engineer (Senior test engineer)
Module 16 depth Apply and lead or coach others
Automation target Practitioner
Presentation 20 minutes, aimed at a non-technical audience

The capstone, from the spec

Reusable fixtures or framework for an area, a pipeline with test selection, one performance or load test based on real clinical demand, and coaching two colleagues.

Scope

An area of several products or services, and two colleagues.

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

  • Reusable fixtures or a framework for the area: data builders, page objects, API helpers, and documentation, used by at least one other team's tests.
  • A pipeline with test selection (and sharding if useful), and a quarantine policy.
  • One performance or load test based on real clinical demand, with the demand model and results.
  • A spec/index.md for the framework and tests.
  • Traceability for any tests that protect hazards.
  • A coaching log (Coaching others in automation) for two colleagues, with their feedback.
  • A short engineering standards proposal for the area.

Acceptance

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

  • The framework is used by at least one other person's tests.
  • The pipeline is faster or more selective than before, with numbers.
  • The performance test's demand model is agreed with someone who knows real clinical demand.
  • Both coached colleagues' feedback is recorded.
  • The product owner accepts the capstone.
  • Synthetic data only, and no secrets in source control.
  • You can explain every line you submitted.

Support

Independent. The mentor is a lead test engineer or an external mentor.

Presentation

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

Panel

Chair: the head of test, or a lead from outside your area. 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-7-test-engineering.md