SWeeTComp - Framework para Avaliação de Competências em Testes de Software

Abstract

With the popularization of agile methods and the advancement of digital transformation over the past decade, the demand for software products has grown significantly, leading the industry to seek increasingly qualified professionals with both technical and interpersonal skills essential for problem-solving. Among the phases of Software Engineering, the testing stage plays a central role in quality assurance by detecting defects, validating requirements, and ensuring that the system meets user expectations. The effectiveness of this activity depends directly on the testers' skills, experience, and decision-making, which directly impacts the quality of the testing process.

This study is based on the premise that understanding the competency levels of testing professionals is essential to identify training gaps, guide development actions, and contribute to process and product improvement. Systematic assessment of these competencies can support both individual initiatives and organizational training strategies. To answer the research question \textit{“How to assess the technical competency levels of software testing professionals?”}, this study developed SWeeTComp (Software Testing Competency Assessment Framework), a framework based on the SWECOM model, structured into competency areas, assessment criteria, and levels of technical proficiency.

SWeeTComp was initially validated in an academic setting, with preliminary results indicating positive clarity and coherence of the items. In the industry, it demonstrated applicability in identifying competencies and technical gaps, enabling more targeted professional development. As a contribution, this work presents a structured and theoretically grounded instrument to support both self-assessment and competency management in software testing teams. Nevertheless, some threats to validity are acknowledged, such as the limited number of participants, potential bias in self-assessments, and the application of the study in a single industry segment.