Software developer
Description
A software developer is a person concerned with the facts of the software development process wider than design and coding, a somewhat broader scope of computer programming or a specialty of project managing including some aspects of software product management. This person may contribute to the overview of the project on the application level rather than component level or individual programming tasks.
A software developer could be involved in wider aspects of the software development process such as:
- participation in software product definition, including business case or gap analysis
- specification
- requirements analysis
- development and refinement of throw-away simulations or prototypes to confirm requirements
- feasibility and cost-benefit analysis, including the choice of application architecture and framework, leading to the budget and schedule for the project
- design
- implementation (e.g. installation, configuration, programming/customisation, integration, data migration)
- authoring of documentation needed by users and implementation partners etc.
- testing, including defining/supporting acceptance testing and gathering feedback from pre-release testers
- participation in software release and post-release activities, including support for product launch evangelism (e.g. developing demonstrations and/or samples) and competitive analysis for subsequent product build/release cycles and
- maintenance.
Software developers are often still guided by lead programmers but also encompasses the class of freelance software developers.
A software developer exhibits a combination of capabilities from the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) and the Leadership competencies for Queensland.
SFIA profile
Within the SFIA profile, the account manager has level 4 and 5 capabilities, i.e. enables, ensures and advises on the skills outlined below.
Refer to the framework for descriptions of the seven levels of responsibility and accountability.
| SFIA skill code | SFIA skill level of responsibility | SFIA skills level descriptor |
|---|---|---|---|
Systems development management | DLMG | 5 | Plans and drives systems development work to deliver the organisation's objectives and plans. Selects, adopts and adapts appropriate systems development methods, tools and techniques. Ensures stakeholders are aware of required resources and that they are made available. Facilitates availability and optimum utilisation of resources. Monitors and reports on the progress of development projects. Ensures projects are carried out in accordance with agreed architectures, standards, methods and tools and addresses security and privacy requirements. Develops roadmaps to communicate future development activity. |
Programming / software development | PROG | 4 | Designs, codes, verifies, tests, documents, amends and refactors complex programs/scripts and integration software services. Contributes to the selection of the software development methods, tools, techniques, and security practices. Applies agreed standards, tools, and security measures to achieve well-engineered outcomes. Participates in reviews of own work and leads reviews of colleagues' work. |
Functional testing | TEST | 4 | 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. |
Specialist advice | TECH | 5 | Provides professional advice that informs operational leadership and influences the translation of strategy into operations in their specialist area. Oversees the provision of specialist advice by others. Consolidates expertise from multiple sources, including third-party experts, to provide coherent and professionally sound advice to further organisational objectives. Supports and promotes the development and sharing of specialist knowledge within the organisation. |
Software design | SWDN | 4 | Designs and architects complex software applications, components and modules. Uses appropriate modelling techniques in line with agreed software design standards, guidelines, patterns and methodologies. Produces and communicates multiple design views to address stakeholder concerns and meet both functional and non-functional requirements including security. Identifies, evaluates and recommends design alternatives and trade-offs. Models, simulates or prototypes proposed software behaviours to secure stakeholder approval and facilitate effective software construction. Reviews, verifies and enhances own designs against specifications and leads reviews of others' designs. |
SFIA skillLeadership skills
Leadership competencies for Queensland describes what highly effective, everyday leadership looks like in the sector. In simple, action-oriented language, it provides a common understanding of the foundations for success across all roles. The profile describes three performance dimensions (vision, results and accountability) and 11 leadership competencies required against five leadership streams.
Leadership streams are not connected to a level or classification, but rather reflect the balance between leadership and technical skills required of an individual. Individuals can consider the value proposition of roles rather than the traditional lens of hierarchical structures or classification levels. The five leadership streams are:
- Individual contributor (Leads self and does not supervise others)
- Team leader (leads a team and typically reports to a program leader)
- Program leader (leads team leaders and/or multiple areas of work)
- Executive (leads program leaders or other executives)
- Chief executive (leads the organisation).
When developing a role description, identify the role type and then focus on the most important attributes and create a balance between SFIA skills and leadership skills.
Entry points
A degree level qualification in information technology or computer science are highly regarded in this field.