Experience

Hitachi Solutions Europe

• United Kingdom
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 300 - 400 Employee

• Senior Test Consultant

  • Feb 2020 - Present



Amido

• United Kingdom

• QA Engineer

  • Sep 2015 - Jan 2020

  As a QA engineer with a cloud native consultancy my role was focused upon delivering digital transformation programmes for a variety of clients across business sectors such as retail, housing associations and logistics. Specific details of my role with each client can be found below. As a QA engineer with a cloud native consultancy my role was focused upon delivering digital transformation programmes for a variety of clients across business sectors such as retail, housing associations and logistics. Specific details of my role with each client can be found below.



Condor Ferries

• Guernsey
• Travel Arrangements
• 200 - 300 Employee

• QA Engineer

  • Jun 2019 - Dec 2019

  A digital freight booking & loading transformation project with 2 key deliverables; • A self-service booking portal removing the dependency upon Condor staff having to manually input bookings. • An Android hosted mobile application for the planning, loading & unloading of freight at the ports. As the sole QA with overall testing responsibility across the whole project I made all strategic decisions from a QA perspective and through the following activities in conjunction with the agile delivery team delivered a quality end product. • I defined & implemented the test strategy. • I had full participation in all scrum ceremonies (stand-ups, planning & refinement sessions, retrospectives etc) • I created a .NET Core automation framework using Visual Studio, Selenium WebDriver, SpecFlow & XUnit. • I followed a page object model design to create and execute automated E2E UI scenarios for the freight portal. • I reviewed the test automation solutions for UI & back end API at unit, integration & feature test levels. • I adhered to a GIT based policy for committing my feature branches, raising pull requests and deploying builds across several environments as part of the CI/CD pipeline. • I collated with the DevOps team to define the CI/CD pipeline set up for several environments in accordance with my test strategy. • I defined and delivered BDD style test scenarios & acceptance criteria for manual in sprint execution of the front end feature & back end API test coverage using tools such as Swagger & Postman. • I lead UAT sessions with the client and their end users for both the freight portal and the load and the stow mobile app in order to ensure delivery of a quality product that met the customer needs & requirements. • I collated and documented feedback from these UAT sessions and fed this back into the project via workshops in order to drive out potential issues with completed features in addition to identifying any potential new change requests. Show less



Notting Hill Genesis

• United Kingdom
• Non-profit Organizations
• 700 & Above Employee

• QA Engineer

  • Mar 2017 - Jun 2019

  Built upon an architecture of around 15-20 micro-services this programme provided staff and tenants with the ability to self-manage their housing needs through an initial Auth0 IDAM solution before uniting business areas such as Sales, Repairs, Payments, and Cases into a single self-service portal. At a more detailed level my QA achievements included; • I defined project level test strategy documentation for both the development and agile skills uplift phases. • I performed code reviews for new automated feature tests. • I used Azure DevOps (VSTS) to investigate & analyse front end UI and back end API automated test failures. This included re-running the C# code automation tests locally using the SpecFlow framework, manually investigating the application behaviour and business logic as well as analysing the input and output test data. • I planned and executed manual QA at feature, regression, & E2E levels for both UI and back end APIs across multiple environments while following either a Scrum or Kanban methodology. • I ensured that the UX from desktop & mobile devices met the needs of the end user. • I conducted E2E analysis & mapping exercises that traced FE data through Azure Cosmos DB, Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Event Store. • I used Microsoft Azure Application Insights to analyse and investigate API requests that presented as FE failures. • I oversaw the QA release activity within the CI/CD pipeline for each micro-service across multiple environments. • As a process improvement I introduced 1:2:1 UAT sessions with the PO to obtain feature level sign off. • I was involved with UAT sessions with end users that were aimed at drawing out any usability or business logic issues. • I ran paired sessions with a representative from an external maintenance organisation to test the business logic and E2E flow down to the level of individual key value pairs within a JSON response object for the self-servicing repairs booking function that relied upon 3rd party APIs. Show less



ASOS.com

• United Kingdom
• Retail Apparel and Fashion
• 700 & Above Employee

• QA Engineer

  • Jan 2016 - Jan 2017

  This was a 12 month project within a larger multi-team digital transformation programme to redesign and develop the shopping bag and saved items functionality for the multi-regional ASOS.com UI across desktop and mobile devices through the integration with and consumption of multiple APIs that had been created by a number of different software teams. • I defined and documented the test & defect management strategies at project level. • I ensured that all manual and automated QA feature & E2E test coverage for up to 4 test resources was coordinated and delivered as part of the agile approach that was being followed by the project delivery team. • I managed the in-sprint QA activity using VSTS to ensure that burn-down progress was accurately recorded. • I reviewed an ever evolving FE automation solution that was built upon a Jasmine & Protractor framework. • I used Gherkin language to write BDD style user stories and acceptance criteria and committed these to the project solution using GitBash so that the step definitions could be automated. • I used the browser development tools to ensure that all HTTP method requests to the various API endpoints returned the expected response codes and investigated any failures with the API design teams. • I took a very active role in ensuring quality through working in close conjunction with the BA to ensure that user stories and acceptance criteria were fit for purpose and that they followed a BDD structure. • I made certain that quality was delivered from the outset by ensuring that the test and defect management strategies were adhered to. • I represented the project delivery team at regular programme level meetings such as stand-ups, defect review calls and progress reporting sessions. • I reported into the programme stakeholders, sponsors and steering groups for project level QA activity. Show less



Voidbridge Software Limited

• Gambling Facilities and Casinos
• 1 - 100 Employee

• QA Engineer

  • Sep 2015 - Dec 2015

  Timed to coincide with the lead up to the 20/20 cricket world cup held in India during the spring of 2016 this 3 month POC project aimed to develop a 20/20 cricket application that integrated into the Facebook platform. This concept of this game was based around the successful fantasy football manager offerings. Working in a Scrum team, I as the sole QA engineer on this project had the full responsibility for defining and executing the overall test strategy and approach which included; • Working with the agile project team to define the Gherkin syntax BDD user stories and acceptance criteria. • To test the Java back end APIs and the through validation of the RESTful request responses using tools such as Postman or Advanced Rest Client. • To test the in play game engine calculation algorithms through analysis of the PostgreSQL data logs. • To test the front end UI & UX that was built upon a JS / React framework to ensure that the customer requirements and desired experiences were being met. • I also took it upon myself to act in an advisory role to fill a knowledge gap in the project team to help deliver a realistic player experience due to my prior knowledge & understanding of the rules of all forms of Cricket. Show less



QAWorks

• United Kingdom
• IT Services and IT Consulting
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Aug 2010 - Sep 2015

  As a specialist QA consultant working on a number of digital transformation programmes I engaged with a number of clients cross a variety of business sectors that included retail, finance (global payments), media, logistics and motor insurance. Specific details of these engagements are outlined below. As a specialist QA consultant working on a number of digital transformation programmes I engaged with a number of clients cross a variety of business sectors that included retail, finance (global payments), media, logistics and motor insurance. Specific details of these engagements are outlined below.



Bennetts Motorcycling Services Ltd

• United Kingdom
• Insurance
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Jan 2015 - Aug 2015

  Bennetts were involved in a business transformation programme where they had separated with their parent company (BGL Group) and thus needed to decouple their back end systems and data. My role at Bennetts had 2 core objectives; 1. A leadership & coaching role with the core objective of mentoring and aiding the existing project team during the transition from a waterfall methodology to a scrum based agile approach. 2. To lead the day to day QA activity for a JS / React front end quote generation application during the decoupling of shared applications, services & data from the parent company systems. On a day to day basis my responsibilities included; • Driving the transformation from a waterfall based methodology into a Scrum based Agile approach using BDD through a series of methodology focussed team & 1:2:1 workshops, practical team led sessions and refactoring following group reflection. • Full participation in all Agile (Scrum) sprint ceremonies to mentor the project team with the aim of ensuring best practice. • Mentoring the existing development team as they migrated from Jira to VSTS. • Overseeing the automated QA activities that were built upon a C# / .Net stack that incorporated a SpecFlow / Selenium WebDriver framework. • Manual testing of each new feature via exploratory techniques such as time-boxing. • Regression testing of the quote generation application via manual and automated techniques. • Defining and implementing a defect management strategy to improve on the current practice. • Interaction with all members of the agile team. • Regular & structured reporting to senior management & stakeholders. Show less



The Telegraph

• United Kingdom
• Media Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Aug 2014 - Dec 2014

  Bastion" was a £1billion digital transformation programme to align back end legacy systems and to streamline technology process. Following an Agile approach which included a Scrum methodology the part I was involved with included the development and implementation of a new Salesforce driven payments & subscription solution which was rendered via a JS & React UI as well as the overseeing of a large 3rd party led data migration workstream. As the testing lead I had responsibility for several aspects of the programme. • To support and directly report into the senior manager with overall responsibility for all test activity across the whole digital transformation programme. • To define, document & oversee the implementation of the project level test strategy by a 3rd party development & QA team from Red Badger. • To review the test activities conducted by a 3rd party analytical team from ITelligence who had responsibility for migrating subscriber data as part of the digital transformation programme. • To own and align the regression testing phase activity with the BDD style development work being implemented by the 3rd party team from Red Badger. • To own and implement the UAT testing phase following each development sprint with the Kent based subscriptions team through regular workshops and feedback sessions. • To manage relationships at a variety of different levels with multiple internal and external teams and stakeholders across the whole programme of work. Show less



TNT

• Netherlands
• Freight and Package Transportation
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Mar 2014 - Jul 2014

  During my engagement with TNT Post I was tasked with providing 2 main deliverables for the client. • Day to day testing aimed at providing support for BAU functional activity during a personnel transition at both test analyst and test manager levels. • A strategic piece aimed at the uplift of existing testing practice. The aim of this was to review the current testing approach and to identify solutions that meet the clients manual and automated testing goals across both the short and long term. Show less



Macmillan

• United States
• Book and Periodical Publishing
• 700 & Above Employee

• Programme QA Lead

  • Nov 2013 - Feb 2014

  As the test lead located on client site I was tasked with defining and creating a programme level test strategy that would provide an uplift to the current testing practice across the Science & Scholarly division. In addition to this I also provided input into guiding and implementing the test effort for a cross-organisation integration project that focused upon promoting usage of a social networking facility for the scientific community. My main responsibilities within these programmes of work were: • Investigation and analysis of current testing practice and maturity across the Science & Scholarly division in order to formulate a testing strategy. • Mentoring & advising the programme team in best practice for testing following a BDD methodology • Guide test effort at programme and project level. • Identify gaps in current test practice and team composition. • Undertook a gap analysis across the existing tooling solution. • Developed a defect management process. • Hands on involvement with all phases of SCRUM based project approach. (e.g. Following BDD strategy in creating feature files using Gherkin language, product grooming, backlog creation and revision for overall product and sprints, daily stand-up sessions etc) • Provision of progress updates to QA Management & Director of Software Development. Show less



The Telegraph

• United Kingdom
• Media Production
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • May 2013 - Oct 2013

  Based on client site and responsible for the delivery of functional testing in addition to the creation of a reusable regression test pack for the Content Hub programme (CHP-DAM). The CHP-DAM project is part of the wider Editorial Asset Management programme and focuses upon the uplift of the existing asset sourcing process to introduce the use of a central data repository. Following on from the CHP-DAM project I was heavily involved in the POC and start-up of a new programme to create a fresh platform to host online products and deliver a capability from which to launch new products and channels. • My main responsibilities within these programmes of work were; • Delivered a test approach POC from which a BDD derived Gherkin style language was selected as the basis for the creation of the required regression pack. • Developed a re-usability focused framework from which to create the regression pack which incorporated the creation of all templates, asset upkeep, and the execution strategy. • Execution of functional test scenarios and associated defect management activity. • Test estimation and project timeline management. • Defined scope coverage and alignment of testable functional areas. • Management of test analyst resources in defining testable features & scenario creation through analysis of existing documentation. • Mentored test analysts in best practice. • Defined requirements around compatibility testing coverage. • Refined existing defect management workflow to incorporate a triage layer. • Risk management and metric delivery through both daily stand-up sessions and a more formal documented format. • Lead participant in planning workshops and advised on BDD best practice. • Sprint planning and backlog analysis. Show less



Barclays Corporate Banking (on behalf of QAWorks)

• London, United Kingdom

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Nov 2011 - Jan 2013

  • Based on client site within the corporate banking data management team involved with implementing an uplift of testing across the GPU programme through development and delivery of a data driven test approach. The GPU programme involves a phased release approach with the overall objective of updating the existing AFTS STP payment processing engine with Global PayPlus (GPP). • My main responsibilities within this programme of work were; • Gap analysis, optimisation and uplift of current test coverage for multiple on and off-shore test streams based upon comparison of existing test data v production records. • Profiling, reverse engineering and obfuscation of live data for use in test environment to support ongoing BAU activities as well as development of a strategic test uplift solution. • Detailed analysis of the E2E multi-format inbound and outbound message flow, including system routing and application touch-point triggering criteria. • Database schema design including creation, modification and management of tables. • Population, development & management of a repository incorporating both referential and transactional data. • Managing multiple data requests simultaneously across various test teams within a shared environment and against very aggressive timelines. • Sourcing and management of data from multiple sources and systems to ensure alignment across a shared integrated landscape. • Development, revision and implementation of a data request process due to environmental constraints across testing streams. • Control and allocation of referential and transactional data across testing streams. • Managing expectations and requirements of stakeholders including programme leaders and sponsors, SMEs, on and off shore test teams, technical experts & 3rd party suppliers) • Managed resourcing requirements for team enhancement and expansion through skill gap analysis and recruitment process. Show less



John Lewis Partnership for QAWorks

• London, United Kingdom

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Aug 2010 - Nov 2011

  • Test Manager at John Lewis with responsibility for the resourcing, long and short-term planning, execution and delivery of many concurrent online projects and website enhancements across a monthly release pattern. • My main responsibilities within this programme were; LEADERSHIP SKILLS • Planning, prioritisation, resource estimation and management of test effort as part of a £1bn technology programme involving input from up to 3 project teams. A typical monthly release incorporated up to 40 items of project work, bug fixes, and enhancements. • Directly managed test effort on day to day basis for up to 10 onshore & 3 off-shore analysts to ensure delivery milestones were met. • Impact analysis of changes to scope and timeline revision. • Involved with release and change management panel. • Co-ordinated test effort with 3rd party suppliers. • Mentored existing test team. • Instigated & led daily stand-up, team & project level progress meetings. STRATEGY & TEST APPROACH • Wrote a test strategy to cover both traditional and iterative test methodologies. • Developed existing test framework through the introduction of version-control, the revision of the defect life cycle practice, and advised on best-practice for the introduction of BDD derived Gherkin language scripting. • Extended compatibility testing coverage. • Advised on framework for regression pack automation. • Driving force behind the transition from traditional scenario based testing to techniques using test charters and exploratory testing. • Defined test approach based upon individual project characteristics. • Supported the programme TM in planning and strategy. TESTING ACTIVITY • Developed working relationships between project teams. • Reviewed requirements and test approach to prioritise activities. • Produced project level test plans and the related summary reports. • Risk identification and management. • Daily & weekly metric reporting. • Defect triage & management. • Execution of test scenarios. Show less



PRS for Music

• United Kingdom
• Musicians
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Test Analyst

  • Feb 2007 - Jul 2010

  Functional test analyst on an internal bespoke royalty payment distribution application with an Oracle DB and which incorporates J2EE API’s for the retrieval of data from various legacy systems. Adopted a V-Model approach for testing of large scale multi release projects which included Pan-European Licensing (PEL) & the International Copyright Enterprise (ICE) with the Swedish collection agency. (STIM). Applied Exploratory-testing methods for concurrent change requests to support BAU activities. Identified and created test cases, scripts & expected results from technical specifications. Executed batch files as part of E2E processing to satisfy test scenarios and undertook analysis of resulting logs. Wrote SQL queries that interrogated the database to aid test data identification and analysis of the test results. Used visual checks on front-end application to provide confidence from a QA and usability perspective. Reported progress to test management. Advised on test methodology and potential improvements to test strategy and approach. Show less



Betfair

• United Kingdom
• Software Development
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Test Analyst

  • Jul 2006 - Dec 2006

  QA and system testing to integrate a 3rd party flash application and an in-house java development into an existing .net based product. V-model based project methodology which included both static and dynamic testing. Derived test cases from functional specification. Involved with adopting aspects of an Agile working environment to encourage thorough communication (mixed project team and regular stand-ups) Created and prepared the test suite using Test Director. Amendment of the test suite to incorporate changes to the requirements during the test phases. Created test data and conditions. Executed scripts and managed test iterations. Analysed test results, raised defects where required and undertook confirmation testing. Post-project upkeep of the test suite for regression purposes. Reviewed UAT test scenarios to identify any gaps between the system test and UAT phases of the project. Regression testing of existing application. Forged close working relationships with technical authors, project management, business stakeholders and the internal development team. Provided test management with regular progress reports, resolution actions and execution metrics. Show less



International Financial Data Services (IFDS)

• United States
• Information Technology & Services
• 500 - 600 Employee

• Test Analyst

  • Nov 2004 - Sep 2005

  System and regression testing of a browser based e-Commerce application using both manual and automated testing methods. Coded, developed and maintained an automated regression test pack using QTP & Test Director. Planned, created, executed and analysed manual test cases and scripts to address new functional requirements. Analysed and validated test results through running SQL queries against the back-end database tables. Raised and tracked defects through Test Director. Maintained data quality through AS400 batch jobs to ensure the test baseline was fit for purpose. Replaced daily manual pricing process for >1000 funds and products across 48 platforms with an automated QTP script. Liaised closely with business and test analysts, development teams, and project management. Reported into test management with daily metrics and for progress updates and escalation of any issues. Mentored permanent test analysts as part of a skill transfer aimed at uplifting in-house capability through group workshops and 1-2-1 tutoring. Show less



Citi

• United States
• Financial Services
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior Test Analyst

  • Dec 2000 - Oct 2004

  Senior test analyst on a global browser based corporate banking system. Oversaw the UAT testing of Cash Management file-based projects across Europe, the Middle East & Africa. Directly managed 5 offshore resources. Liaised with development and programme management teams in London, New York, Singapore, & Buenos Aires. Project based methodology using the V-model development and testing process. Analysed business requirements through to full life cycle testing. Involved at all phases of the test life cycle from planning, execution and analysis through to defect management and metric reporting. Minimised impact to production code through regression testing. Show less



NFU Mutual

• United Kingdom
• Insurance
• 700 & Above Employee

• Test Analyst

  • Jul 1998 - Dec 2000

  Test analyst for the IPSIS 32-bit migration project with focus upon regression testing, analysis of issues occurring within a Btrieve database & defect resolution. Maintained and generated manual and automated test scripts using the Rational toolset (Robot / Test Manager) Logged, retested, and closed defects. Coded defect resolutions using VB6. Analysed and investigated production issues to support the live environment. Test analyst for the IPSIS 32-bit migration project with focus upon regression testing, analysis of issues occurring within a Btrieve database & defect resolution. Maintained and generated manual and automated test scripts using the Rational toolset (Robot / Test Manager) Logged, retested, and closed defects. Coded defect resolutions using VB6. Analysed and investigated production issues to support the live environment.