The global skills and competency framework for the digital world

Functional testing TEST

Assessing specified or unspecified functional requirements and characteristics of products, systems and services through investigation and testing.

Revision notes

Updates for SFIA 9

  • Theme(s) influencing the updates for this skill: Support for specialised domains in the field of testing, Making SFIA easier to consume (enhance readability/guidance/descriptions), Making SFIA easier to consume (updates to skill name/skill description).
  • Testing split into 3 specialised skills
  • Content and/or readability changes have been made to levels 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.
  • You can move to SFIA 9 when you are ready - SFIA 8 skill descriptions will still be available to use.
  • Previous SFIA assessments or skills mapping may be impacted by this change.

Guidance notes

Functional testing verifies that systems, components and interfaces deliver specific functionality, operate as intended and meet user expectations. Risk-based test planning and execution is a key aspect, focusing on identifying and mitigating risks such as functionality errors, integration failures, edge case defects, data inconsistencies and non-compliance with requirements.

Activities may include, but are not limited to:

  • collaborating with stakeholders to align testing with business requirements and objectives
  • designing and adapting test cases based on requirements, including various scenarios, boundary values and edge cases
  • preparing data and configuring environments to simulate realistic use cases
  • executing tests to verify actual results align with expected outcomes
  • logging defects with detailed reproduction steps, prioritising issues and providing feedback for improvements
  • analysing results to identify patterns, assess quality and suggest system/testing enhancements
  • promoting a shift-left approach by integrating functional testing early in the lifecycle for early issue detection
  • managing, executing and automating tests, including regression and smoke tests, to improve efficiency and coverage
  • developing and maintaining scalable, reliable automated tests and frameworks to validate critical functionality and ensure continuous quality
  • ensuring compliance with industry standards, regulations and recognised good practices.

Understanding the responsibility levels of this skill

Where lower levels are not defined...
  • Specific tasks and responsibilities are not defined because the skill requires a higher level of autonomy, influence, and complexity in decision-making than is typically expected at these levels. You can use the essence statements to understand the generic responsibilities associated with these levels.
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • Responsibilities and accountabilities are not defined because these higher levels involve strategic leadership and broader organisational influence that goes beyond the scope of this specific skill. See the essence statements.

Developing skills and demonstrating responsibilities related to this skill

The defined levels show the incremental progression in skills and responsibilities.

Where lower levels are not defined...

You can develop your knowledge and support others who do have responsibility in this area by:

  • Learning key concepts and principles related to this skill and its impact on your role
  • Performing related skills (see the related SFIA skills)
  • Supporting others who are performing higher level tasks and activities
Where higher levels are not defined...
  • You can progress by developing related skills which are better suited to higher levels of organisational leadership.

Show/hide extra descriptions and levels.

Levels of responsibility for this skill

1 2 3 4 5 6

Functional testing: Level 1

Level 1 - Follow: Essence of the level: Performs routine tasks under close supervision, follows instructions, and requires guidance to complete their work. Learns and applies basic skills and knowledge.

Executes given manual functional test scripts under supervision to verify basic software capabilities.

Configures test environments, uses basic automated tools for functionality verification, records results and reports issues.

Functional testing: Level 2

Level 2 - Assist: Essence of the level: Provides assistance to others, works under routine supervision, and uses their discretion to address routine problems. Actively learns through training and on-the-job experiences.

Assists in designing functional test cases and creating test scripts.

Supports the preparation of test data for functional testing under supervision.

Configures test environments to reflect realistic use cases.

Executes and records manual and automated functional tests, analysing results and reporting on findings, issues and risks.

Functional testing: Level 3

Level 3 - Apply: Essence of the level: Performs varied tasks, sometimes complex and non-routine, using standard methods and procedures. Works under general direction, exercises discretion, and manages own work within deadlines. Proactively enhances skills and impact in the workplace.

Designs detailed functional test cases and scripts, covering various scenarios and boundary values.

Actively participates in requirement and design reviews, refining test plans based on insights gained.

Undertakes structured exploratory testing to investigate and verify functionality.

Prepares test data, configures environments and automates repeatable tests. Executes tests, logs defects with detailed information and analyses results to assess system functionality.

Functional testing: Level 4

Level 4 - Enable: Essence of the level: Performs diverse complex activities, supports and guides others, delegates tasks when appropriate, works autonomously under general direction, and contributes expertise to deliver team objectives.

Selects appropriate functional testing approaches, considering risk, criticality and complexity.

Develops, automates and executes comprehensive test plans and cases.

Configures environments to mirror real-world usage, collaborates with stakeholders to refine requirements and manages scalable automated testing frameworks.

Identifies and mitigates risks during testing, provides detailed analysis and reports on functional test activities and results, including work done by others.

Functional testing: Level 5

Level 5 - Ensure, advise: Essence of the level: Provides authoritative guidance in their field and works under broad direction. Accountable for delivering significant work outcomes, from analysis through execution to evaluation.

Leads functional testing efforts across all development stages, ensuring alignment with functional requirements and focusing on risk-based prioritisation.

Provides authoritative advice on testing methods, tools and frameworks.

Monitors and improves test coverage, collaborates with teams to address challenges and ensures compliance with standards.

Leads efforts to improve the efficiency and reliability of functional testing. Identifies improvements and contributes to organisational policies, standards and guidelines for functional testing.

Functional testing: Level 6

Level 6 - Initiate, influence: Essence of the level: Has significant organisational influence, makes high-level decisions, shapes policies, demonstrates leadership, promotes organisational collaboration, and accepts accountability in key areas.

Develops organisational policies, standards and guidelines for functional testing, ensuring they align with business strategy and incorporate a risk-based approach.

Plans and leads complex testing initiatives, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and incorporating a risk-based approach.

Manages risks and opportunities, coordinates with other testing activities and drives improvements in functional testing capabilities.

Promotes a culture of quality in functional testing, driving adherence to organisational standards and proactive risk mitigation.

Keywords
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