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Software Testing Professional
Profile:
I am a methodical
and dependable ‘hands-on’ Software Testing practitioner, with a
professional view of testing and a realistic attitude towards
business needs. My core area of expertise is in high-level
functional testing – system testing, system integration testing
and user acceptance testing – and I also have practical
experience of usability and accessibility issues. I am educated
to master’s level – BA (London) MPhil (Hull).
Each project on
which I have worked has presented different technical and
business challenges, but each has involved the application of
core testing skills. I have experience in a wide range of types
of business in both the public and commercial sectors, including
software houses, service providers and system integrators, and
have worked with applications in business intelligence,
distribution, education, entertainment, finance, human
resources, retail, security and telecommunications.
Key Skills:
My skills are in
the practice of testing rather than particular technologies and
include:
·
Test
planning, analysis, design, scripting, execution and reporting.
·
Devising and implementing test strategies and processes.
·
Editing and reviewing paper and electronic documents.
·
Writing technical documentation in clear, concise English.
·
Mentoring and people management.
·
Learning new technologies, software and business applications.
Professional Qualifications and Activities:
·
ISEB
Foundation Certificate in Software Testing (1999).
·
Member of the British Computer Society’s Specialist Group in
Software Testing (SIGIST). Presented SIGIST conference paper on
Test Automation (1993); moderated discussion sessions on System
Testing (1994) and Recruitment (2001).
·
Member of the British Computer Society’s Disability Group.
·
Practitioner Member of the Software Testing Board from 2001
until it was disbanded in 2003, contributing to the revision of
the syllabus for the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software
Testing.
Project Achievements
|
Role
and industry |
Contribution |
|
2006–7
Test
Analyst, [snip]
Motor Vehicle Industry
|
Analysed, designed and scripted a suite of
functional test scenarios for a large motor vehicle
industry database (Oracle) and reporting (Cognos)
application, replacing an existing system. Executed
the tests in a system integration environment,
working with business analysts and the offshore
development team and using a web-based defect
reporting and management system (Bugzilla). |
|
2006
Test
Analyst, [snip]
Public Sector
|
Analysed, designed and scripted system tests for a
new document scanning and data capture component
(BancTec) in a major public sector project. Worked
closely with user representatives and the
development team to execute the tests, achieving
delivery of the system within a demanding
timescale. Used a custom web-based test management
tool and a web-based defect reporting and management
system (Bugzilla). |
|
2003–5
Voluntary work
During recovery from a leg injury
|
-
Online
research/cold-calling on behalf of a locally-based
charity (National Society for Epilepsy).
-
Researched and wrote an article on Accessibility
Testing (Professional Tester, April 2004).
-
Learned
HTML via online course; developed websites for two
local organisations (Marlow & District Railway
Society, Terriers Church).
-
Advised
on navigation and usability of two charity websites
being redeveloped for re-launch (National
Osteoporosis Society, Railway & Canal Historical
Society) including reviewing design documents and
prototype screens.
-
IT
support for the disabled through the ITCH Network
(ongoing).
-
Administrator for Railway & Canal Historical Society
‘Book of the Year’ award (ongoing). |
|
2003
Senior
Test Analyst, [snip]
Retail Distribution
|
Analysed, designed and scripted system tests for the
integration of a new stock forecasting system (TXT)
with existing warehousing and distribution systems.
Set up and configured a web-based defect reporting
system (BugCentral) and introduced test processes
where none existed. |
|
2002–3
Senior
Test Analyst, [snip]
Mobile Telephony
|
Member
of a large system integration test team working on
the UK’s first 3rd generation mobile phone network.
Developed, maintained and executed tests for
on-line applications, including integration with the
billing system, and conducted live deployment
verification tests. All were managed using Test
Director. |
|
2001–2
Test
Team Leader, [snip]
Entertainment/Leisure
|
Planned
and implemented testing of the first live customer
applications for a pioneer in secure digital
downloading (Digital Rights Management) including
integrated e-commerce websites. Testing was
primarily functional, but involved some load testing
and usability reviews of websites. Set up and
maintained test processes, managed test environments
(Ghost), managed/mentored a junior test analyst and
deputised for the Configuration Manager.
|
|
2001
Test
Manager, [snip]
Security Systems |
Built
an independent test team for a leading security
system vendor, integrating existing staff drawn from
two development groups. Improved the integration of
UK software with that developed overseas and with
third party token suppliers. |
|
1999–2000
Test
and Support Manager, [snip]
Mobile Telephony
|
Established a dedicated test and support team for an
expanding development group, with a mandate to
improve customer satisfaction with the delivered
systems. Planned a test strategy and recruited and
trained staff to implement it successfully. Managed
support staff and scheduled 7 x 24 cover (including
the Y2K period). |
|
1999
Test
Manager, [snip]
Education
|
Co-ordinated on-site testing activity for a system
integration project for a major British University,
covering primarily the functionality of new
financial systems (Oracle) and interfaces between
them and the student and administration systems.
|
|
1998–9
Test
Consultant, [snip]
Public Sector |
Wrote,
maintained and executed system tests for a large
phased Financial/HR system implementation (Oracle).
Both phases were delivered on time. Provided
immediate support during the initial live running of
the system. |
|
1997–8
Acceptance Test Manager, [snip]
Public Sector |
Managed
a team responsible for the scripting and execution
of acceptance tests for a major public sector HR
project (Oracle).
This included the day-to-day running of a test team
and test environment on-site for four months. |
|
1993–7,
Test
Specialist, [snip]
Retail Software |
Co-ordinated system testing in a development group
responsible for a range of retail merchandise
planning software. This included script writing,
execution, and management of a small test
laboratory. Execution was partly automated using a
bespoke script language. |
|
1988–93
Product
Verification Manager, [snip]
Business Intelligence and Software
|
Established an independent test team in a
development group responsible for an integrated
range of multidimensional software products. These
ran on both mainframe and PC platforms and supported
multiple language versions. Responsibilities
included writing, managing and executing test
scripts using an automation tool (Evaluator), and
recruiting, training and managing two test analysts. |
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