# Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

> Develop and execute software tests to identify software problems and their causes. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation. Document software and application defects using a bug tracking system and report defects to software or web developers. Create and maintain databases of known defects. May participate in software design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, operational characteristics, product designs, and schedules.

- Code: 15-1253.00 (O*NET-SOC; SOC 2018 15-1253)
- Family: [Computer & Mathematical](https://foundation.org.ai/occupations#family-15), one of its 38 occupations
- Tasks: 30 tasks (27 core and 3 not rated)
- Page: https://foundation.org.ai/occupations/15-1253.00
- JSON: https://foundation.org.ai/data/tasks/15-1253.00.json

## What the work is made of

1. Identify, analyze, and document problems with program function, output, online screen, or content.  
   Core task · Task 14642 · Rated by 33 occupational experts, August 2022
2. Document software defects, using a bug tracking system, and report defects to software developers.  
   Core task · Task 14641 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
3. Develop testing programs that address areas such as database impacts, software scenarios, regression testing, negative testing, error or bug retests, or usability.  
   Core task · Task 14640 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
4. Design test plans, scenarios, scripts, or procedures.  
   Core task · Task 14638 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
5. Document test procedures to ensure replicability and compliance with standards.  
   Core task · Task 14648 · Rated by 33 occupational experts, August 2022
6. Provide feedback and recommendations to developers on software usability and functionality.  
   Core task · Task 14653 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
7. Install, maintain, or use software testing programs.  
   Core task · Task 14652 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
8. Test system modifications to prepare for implementation.  
   Core task · Task 14639 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
9. Create or maintain databases of known test defects.  
   Core task · Task 14644 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
10. Develop or specify standards, methods, or procedures to determine product quality or release readiness.  
   Core task · Task 14649 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
11. Monitor bug resolution efforts and track successes.  
   Core task · Task 14643 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
12. Update automated test scripts to ensure currency.  
   Core task · Task 14650 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
13. Participate in product design reviews to provide input on functional requirements, product designs, schedules, or potential problems.  
   Core task · Task 14646 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
14. Plan test schedules or strategies in accordance with project scope or delivery dates.  
   Core task · Task 14645 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
15. Monitor program performance to ensure efficient and problem-free operations.  
   Core task · Task 14654 · Rated by 33 occupational experts, August 2022
16. Conduct software compatibility tests with programs, hardware, operating systems, or network environments.  
   Core task · Task 14655 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
17. Investigate customer problems referred by technical support.  
   Core task · Task 14651 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
18. Review software documentation to ensure technical accuracy, compliance, or completeness, or to mitigate risks.  
   Core task · Task 14647 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
19. Identify program deviance from standards, and suggest modifications to ensure compliance.  
   Core task · Task 14658 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
20. Perform initial debugging procedures by reviewing configuration files, logs, or code pieces to determine breakdown source.  
   Core task · Task 14661 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
21. Design or develop automated testing tools.  
   Core task · Task 14659 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
22. Install and configure recreations of software production environments to allow testing of software performance.  
   Core task · Task 14656 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
23. Collaborate with field staff or customers to evaluate or diagnose problems and recommend possible solutions.  
   Core task · Task 14657 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
24. Coordinate user or third-party testing.  
   Core task · Task 14660 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
25. Visit beta testing sites to evaluate software performance.  
   Core task · Task 14662 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
26. Conduct historical analyses of test results.  
   Core task · Task 14664 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
27. Evaluate or recommend software for testing or bug tracking.  
   Core task · Task 14663 · Rated by 34 occupational experts, August 2022
28. Modify existing software to correct errors, allow it to adapt to new hardware, or to improve its performance.  
   Not rated · Task 21680 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
29. Recommend purchase of equipment to control dust, temperature, or humidity in area of system installation.  
   Not rated · Task 21681 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020
30. Store, retrieve, and manipulate data for analysis of system capabilities and requirements.  
   Not rated · Task 21682 · Listed by O*NET analysts, November 2020

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## Where this comes from

Quoted from O*NET 29.0, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, under CC BY 4.0: free to copy and reuse, with credit. Nothing on this page is written by the Org.AI Foundation.