"SCADA Quality Testing" would typically cover the methodologies and procedures used to evaluate
the functionality, reliability, and security of a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA)
system, including details on testing different components like the Human Machine Interface (HMI),
Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), communication protocols, and data acquisition processes, with a focus
on ensuring the system meets quality standards and operational requirements across various
scenarios and stress conditions; you can find such information in documents from organizations like
the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) or industry-specific technical papers
discussing best practices for SCADA system testing.
Key aspects covered in a SCADA Quality Testing might include:
SCADA System Architecture:
Understanding the different levels of a SCADA system (field level, control level, supervisory level)
and how data flows between them to design targeted tests.
Test Objectives and Criteria:
Defining specific goals for testing, including performance metrics like response time, data
accuracy, alarm handling, and system availability.
Test Case Design:
Creating detailed test scenarios covering normal operations, edge cases (like communication
disruptions, sensor failures), and potential security threats to comprehensively evaluate the
system.
Test Environments:
Setting up a dedicated test environment that can simulate real-world conditions, including
hardware configurations, communication networks, and data sources.
Testing Technics:
Functional testing: Verifying all system functions work as intended.
Performance testing: Evaluating system response time under various loads.
Stress testing: Assessing system behaviour under extreme conditions.
Security testing: Identifying vulnerabilities in network and data access.
Interoperability testing: Ensuring compatibility between different SCADA components.
Test Planning and Design:
Identifying test scenarios based on system requirements.
Creating test cases with expected results.
Designing test environments (simulated or real-world).
Test Execution and Validation:
Manual testing of user interfaces and data interactions.
Automated testing using dedicated tools to execute repetitive test cases.
Data analysis and verification of test results against expected outcomes.
Specific Testing Areas:
Communication protocols: Testing data exchange between different devices using
protocols like Modbus, DNP3, etc.
Alarm management: Verifying proper alarm generation, notification, and escalation
procedures.
Data logging and trending: Checking data integrity and visualization capabilities.
User interface testing: Evaluating HMI design and usability for operators.
Cybersecurity testing: Assessing system resilience against cyber threats.
Test Documentation and Reporting:
Recording test results, defects, and mitigation strategies.
Generating comprehensive test reports with insights for improvement
The Role
As a SCADA SME Tester, you will be testing design and execution to ensure complete test
coverage. In this role you will also monitor and report on the progress of test preparation and
execution of JIRA/XRAY Tests (and associate test plans) using the defined processes.
Key responsibilities:
Understanding of Functional design and ensure that tests meet the requirements fully.
Test Design and execution to ensure complete test coverage.
Assure the testing conducted by 3rd Party Suppliers fulfils client Delivery Requirements.
Work within Teams Scrum includes the product Owner (PO) and SCADA SMEs / Business testers
to ensure appropriate User Stories and Tests capture Test Requirements fully.
Monitor and report on the progress of test preparation and execution of JIRA/XRAY Tests (and
associate test plans) using the defined processes.
Identify and manage any risks and issues relating to testing in your area.
Agree action plans to rectify any issues identified through that test assurance, assisting and
leading problems solving activities as required.
Lead defect triage for your ART Team ensuring the right stakeholders are engaged.
Ensure testing follows a common approach and is managed and conducted in the central Test
Tool/s according to the defined Test Strategy and Approach and Test Phase Test Plans.
Your Profile
Essential skills/knowledge/experience:
SCADA experience - Electricity Transmission (preferably OSI Monarch but others considered) -
Previous experience of SCADA and Real-Time Control and NMS (Network Monitoring Systems) is
essential but will consider comparable Industry Products.
At least worked on one project in SCADA for Power Utility in Testing.
Testing knowledge including integration middleware - Oracle MFT and Mulesoft APIs.
Familiarity with industry standards and regulations related to power systems and control
systems engineering (e.g., IEC101, IEC104, GI74, IEC 61850, IEEE standards).
Agile methodology work experience.
Any Test management tool (Ex: JIRA, HP-ALM] hands-on.
Work experience in Power utility Transmission networks in Alarm Management, work pack
management and change management.
Strong experience testing such as SIT, SAT& FAT.
Strong test design, development, and documentation skills – creating test cases, scenarios,
defect management.
Product Quality Model
• Functional Suitability
• Performance Efficiency
• Compatibility • Usability
• Reliability
• Security
• Maintainability
• Portability
