Talented analytical and dedicated software QA Test Lead with expertise in writing and executing test plans, test cases, and test scripts, both manual and automated to ensure that product testing is through and that product function meets expectations and with quality.
Proven background leading teams in stressful deadline oriented projects. Able to handle multiple projects and task responsibilities simultaneously and switch among them quickly to meet prioritized business needs. QA Lead on four of the largest base development projects released to date.
Excellent communication skills with an aptitude for building strong work relationship with teammates, project teams and management. Experienced in leading successful offshore testing teams. Lead testing initiatives, the use of test case repository, automation tools, testing best practices, implementation of continuous delivery processes and lessons learned sessions after release of each project.
Core Competencies
Superior trouble shooting and creative problem solving skills for design/spec reviews, creation and maintenance of test plans and test cases.
Proven leader experienced leading both on and offshore testing resources in multiple locations.
Skilled in agile testing, continuous delivery, status reporting, defect entry and tracking, metrics, manual and automated testing.
Champion for change and eager to learn new technologies and tools.
Expert understanding of software testing, QA, and defect management processes.
Adaptable to change in direction quickly and work in a fast paced environment across multiple concurrent projects.
Strong technical skills including SharePoint, Quality Center, Selenium, SQL
Remarkable attention to detail with excellent written and verbal communication
Work History
QA Test Project Lead, 09/2009 to 03/2014 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Worked with Agile teams and other project teams to develop test strategies, test plans, schedule and provide estimates of QA testing activities. Assisted, reviewed and approved business users in defining and executing User Acceptance testing, Install Test, Regression test, Smoke test, Integrated and Matrix test.
Created, prepared and conducted quality assurance reviews to adhere to and advocated the use of established quality methodologies to ensure quality processes were carried out through all phases of the software development cycle. Analyzed testing processes and identified opportunities for improvement.
Developed all QA artifacts i.e. test plans, detailed test cases, traceability matrix and test scripts for automation using technical requirements or design specifications.
Wrote new end to end integrated test that exercised all major system applications in realistic scenarios at a level of complexity not previously available. In its first use, the test was so effective in identifying gaps in early stage of testing that it became mandatory for all future projects as a standard part of system testing.
Coordinated multiple “borrowed” resources when necessary to ensure the successful completion of testing activities on schedule, managed extensive defect logs and reported status daily.
Created new Quality Management Plan document template to better detail QA processes and procedures utilized during testing.
Participated in walkthroughs, inspections and critiques of all business specifications. And used that information to communicate with appropriate areas on problems, changes and enhancements that may impact data, workflow and/ or functionality of the system as a whole.
Reviewed and approved “What to test” documentation from specifications, final project test plans, test cases, test results and all project QA entry and exit criteria checklist.
Evaluated and tracked project team testing results to ensure system applications were free of defects.
QA Lead for project tasked with rewriting the system from COBOL to Java. Created all new QA test bed to be used when testing new Java deliveries. Also built all new function list for all Java applications.
Led the effort to define Critical Function Regression test beds for all applications to support java testing. This included development of manual regression tests, the automation of those test and then execution of those test to capture XML request and responses for use in Unit testing. Added all new java test cases to new test case repository.
Compiled and reported weekly status to all project stakeholders. Led joint weekly and daily project status calls with U.S. and offshore resources.
Mentored and trained new team members and offshore test resources. Documented instructions for using SQL as well as other testing and automation tools.
Assisted with release testing on projects lead by other QA team leads.
Maintained defect reports and updated regression test after project was released. Managed QA test case inventory.
Created all testing metrics, including metrics tracking specification and test case inspection results compared to the number and severity of project defects reported pre and post release.
Responsible for final sign off of projects release readiness and quality.
Volunteered to teach user “How to” classes.
Participated in Lean Six Sigma team to improve testing of projects with quarterly deliverables.
Test Lead for Customer Delivery Project, Special Assignment while on QA team – Blythewood, SC
Selected by customer to step in and lead large testing project with both customer and project team resources.
Participated in risk management, project scheduling, and release management. Maintained issues list and daily testing status.
Wrote Test Strategy and Project Acceptance Criteria documents. Oversaw creation and execution of ad hoc, regression, and integrated system testing.
Led daily touch point meetings with project management and customer. Set daily defect priorities and testing assignments.
Reviewed and approved project documentation, system test entry and exit checklist.
Executed ad hoc, regression, and integrated testing with customer team.
Created and automated new test cases using customer configurations and data.
Utilized Quality Center for entry and review of test cases, customer defect reporting and tracking. SharePoint used to upload project documents, change control and update project logs. Bugzilla used to report and track base defects versus customer modification code.
Senior Business Analyst Project/Team Lead, 08/2005 to 09/2009 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Project lead responsible for overall coordination of team and project task for delivery of new Billing and Claim Disbursements application/product. Reported project status, created and maintained project schedule and complied project and test metrics. Assisted with writing business specs, writing test plans, test matrix, function list, acceptance test. Participated in all phases of testing.
Set weekly and daily priorities for both technical and BA resources. Responsible for all project statuses, project scheduling, project metrics and overall project test strategy.
Conducted demo of new application at User Group convention and operated a customer test lab for ‘hands on' customer testing of new application. Organized a Bug Bash and took part in multiple user group breakout sessions.
Assigned risk manager and held weekly risk management meetings. Participated in customer and manager meetings.
Served as liaison to independent team executing performance testing. Analyzed and quantified performance test results.
Led and participated in test improvement projects to create better and more consistent testing methodologies across all applications.
Member of Six Sigma team tasked to address defect leakage and post release defects found by clients. Final recommendation of the team was the need of a QA manager and QA test team.
Senior Business Analyst Test Coordinator, 07/2001 to 08/2005 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Coordinated project system testing of all applications/products supported as per project plans.
Provided subject matter expertise on specific applications; Personal Lines and Policy Administration, Client, Disbursements, Agent Contracts and Commissions.
Designed a new Verification and Validation Checklist to streamline testing signoff and bring focus and improve testing of both front and back end code when delivering new functionality.
Instituted use of project issues list to keep open issues top of mind and ensure that appropriate progress toward addressing all issues was made.
Facilitated the setup, configuration and maintenance of test environments and test data.
Planned and estimated system testing efforts in collaboration with project manager. Developed specified testing deliverables over the life cycle of the project in order to monitor progress against project schedule and if deviation occurred, provided options to achieve the project goals.
Obtained individual application test statuses to compile and report one overall project test status to all project stake holders and upper management. Generated and reported all test metrics.
Created new System Test Entry checklist to ensure individual application teams had meet set quality standards before entering integrated system test environment.
Earned reputation for speed and accuracy and given additional project lead responsibilities.
Senior Business Analyst, 06/1999 to 07/2001 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Considered and proven to be the subject matter expert for all Personal Lines Insurance applications.
Verified all test plans and test cases were accurately mapped to functional and technical project requirements.
Oversaw all inspections and critiques of business and technical specifications.
Using defect tracking system, recorded, tracked and verified resolution of all defects.
Building expertise as a business analyst test lead, took on de facto role of system testing lead.
Quickly earned reputation as “go to” resource for getting testing done, with quality and on time.
Volunteered several times to travel and go onsite to assist customers with testing.
Business Analyst, 05/1996 to 06/1999 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Developed and delivered top quality business requirements and functional specifications. Responsible for design of new screens, prototypes, writing all test plans, creating function list and acceptance test documents.
Completed all phases of testing. Provided detailed documentation of test results that facilitated trouble shooting any defects discovered during testing.
Technical Writer, 04/1995 to 05/1996 CSC – Blythewood, SC
Wrote all user documentation. Authored “How To” user guide manual that was utilized to create all online help files and user training materials.
Assisted Development Team with System Testing and Model Office Acceptance Testing.
Insurance Sales and Service, 02/1989 to 04/1995 State Farm Agent Charles Elfert – Columbia, SC
Licensed Property and Casualty, Life and Health insurance agent working for State Farm Agent.
Sold and serviced personal property, life and health policies. Responsible for taking claim reports and settling small personal property claims.
Education
Bachelor of Arts: Business Administration, Columbia College - Columbia, SC
Technical Skills and Tools
Lotus Notes, Microsoft office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) Microsoft Project, SharePoint, SQL, TSO, JCL, Bugzilla, JIRA, Micro Focus TestPartner, Selenium, Quality Center
