asg1968@hotmail.co.uk
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Additional Achievements |
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I'm an enthusiastic, determined and adaptable full stack web developer and former Software Performance Testing Consultant, with a Computing Science degree.
I have 13 years software testing experience in various sectors; including Finance, Insurance, Banking, Utilities and Pensions.
Making the transition from tester to developer, I recently completed the Makers Academy 16-week software bootcamp and look forward to a career developing high quality software solutions.
| Project | Duration | Testing | Language | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seedlings | 4 days | RSpec, Capybara | Ruby, Sinatra, PostGgreSQL, HTML5, CSS | Tech test, Seedlings is a mini Seedrs clone, that allows you to view and invest in companies looking for funding. Built using BDD, TDD & OOP principles. |
| Anagram Finder | 1.5 days | RSpec | Ruby | Tech test, Anagram Finder is an application, that verifies if a word is an anagram of any of the words stored in a given file. Built using BDD, TDD & OOP principles. |
| Bank Tech Test | 3 days | Jasmine | JavaScript | Sample Tech Test for a banking application. Built using BDD, TDD & OOP principles. |
| googleyEyes | 10 days (group project) | Node based Jasmine & Selenium + WebdriverIO | JavaScript, HTML5, CSS | Final group project, googley Eyes is a chrome extension that monitors your browser activity and presents you with metrics of website usage. Built using BDD, TDD & OOP principles. |
| Thermostat | 3 days | Jasmine | JavaScript | Thermostat is a SPA (Single Page Application), which responds to user interaction, as well making a 'GET' call to an external API. Built using BDD, TDD and OOP principles. |
Throughout my software testing consultant career, as well as at Makers, I’ve been required to break down ‘challenges’ and create satisfactory ‘solutions’.
Whilst performance testing Aviva’s web service gateway, I was given a complex load profile from the architects. Utilising a selection of existing test scripts, tailoring some new ones, and using ‘if’ and ‘while’ statement logic, I was able to successfully simulate the required load.
Whilst at Makers, I used various modelling techniques, (CRC and Domain Modelling) to break down system requirements, which then enabled me to derive with the necessary objects (classes, methods, databases/relevant db tables) to build the required application.
Working as a testing consultant necessitated strong verbal and written communications skills, as well as an ability to collaborate with various individuals from multiple teams; for instance when creating test strategies I was required to liaise with project managers, developers, BAs, DBAs, architects and environment managers.
Having these skills really helped whilst working solo, as well as in teams on the Makers course, and will serve me well going forward as full stack web developer.
I’ve been told, by previous managers and peers, that I’m one of the most determined people they have ever met.
My determination has taken me from being a double glazing installer, to completing a computing science degree and working for several blue chip companies as a software testing consultant, and on to becoming a full stack web developer; if you don’t give in, you’ll always win!
- ISEB Intermediate Certificate in Software Testing
- ISEB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing
A highly selective, intensive, Full Stack Web Development bootcamp.
- TDD, BDD, OOP, XP, Agile, Pair Programming
- Ruby, Sinatra, JavaScript, jQuery
- HTML5, CSS, Bootstrap
- RSpec, Capybara, Jasmine
- PostGgreSQL, sqlite3, Active Record
- Github
Computing Science (Sandwich degree with a placement at Charterhouse School).
- BSc (Hons) Computing Science
- 2:1
At Waltham Forest College I successfully completed their Access to Computing course.
- Access to Computing
IFDS (January 2014 to July 2017: Jan 2014 - Feb 2015 via SQS; March 2015 - July 2017 via AG Software Testing Ltd)
Performance Testing Consultant
Slalom and Oval Projects:
- Managed the Performance Testing Team. Liaised with business, developers and environment SMEs and project managers to obtain information to enable the production of the Performance Test Strategies & Plans for the Bluedoor element of both the Slalom and Oval projects. Introduced a more robust methodology to the performance testing team, as well as creating several keys assets, including a test execution log, test report templates, test result processing templates, Issues log (prior to ALM) and a test process document. Coordinated the testing Batch, UI and Data Migration testing. Provided guidance to new team members on how to test the E2E batch schedule. Created a utility to extract batch test details from the SQL DB, process those details and present the results in table and graphical format. Created and delivered Weekly & Monthly Status Reports and End of Cycle test reports.
StarBase (April 2012 to December 2013)
Performance Testing Consultant
Clients included:
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JLR (Turbo Wave 1 Programme): Created / executed SAP test scripts with LoadRunner 11.x.
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Aviva (General Insurance): Wrote test strategies, created / executed test scripts with LoadRunner 11.x, analysed / reported results, raised and tracked defects in ALM for the Web Service Gateway and several other related projects.
AG Software Testing Ltd (April 2010 to October 2011)
Performance Testing / Process Improvement Consultant
Clients included:
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Deutsche Bank (Application Services Improvement Process Programme): Reviewed testing tool usage across Capital Markets. Liaised with test tool vendors (inc HP, IBM, Microfocus, GreenHat and ITKO) to determine comprehensive product capability and provide product demonstrations. Documented the findings and produced a Strategic Testing Tools Recommendations report detailing the recommended tools for Test Management, GUI Automation and GUI Performance.
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London Stock Exchange (TRM2 Project): Created non functional test condition documentation. Liaised with LSE architect and Millennium IT Builds team to ensure correct application process installation. Oversaw creation of network and hardware failover scripts. Created batch and shell scripts to capture and collect the tcpdump, iostat and vmstat data from Linux Server farm. Developed utilities to process vmsat and iostat data from 70+ Linux servers.
SQS (January 2007 to December 2009)
Performance Testing / Non Functional Testing Consultant
Clients included:
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Centrica (Smart Metering project): Managed the Non Functional Testing. Consulted with development, business, environment and data SMEs to obtain documentation and information for the production of Tech Test Plans for the Head End and MDUS projects Planned and organised infrastructure, environment, DBA, application support, scheduling and alerts resources to arrange and carry out all pre-OAT activities, including SSD/TRAP documentation and installation of scheduling and alerting software.
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UBS (PM1e project): Created the Performance Test Strategy. Coordinated with BAs, build and environment teams to ensure all data, application configuration and environments were as required. Recorded, customised and validated all scripts using LoadRunner 8.1. Used TOAD to derive data required for LoadRunner scripts. Produced Excel macros, utilising VBA, to format test data for use by LoadRunner scripts. Set up UNIX server resource monitoring on PM1e Solaris 10 servers and arranged server resource monitoring/reporting via support teams for systems that PM1e interfaces with. Executed / analysed and reported the results of tests, raised and tracked defects in Quality Centre.
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LloydsTSB (Customer Transformation Programme): Created Non Functional Test Strategies for several projects. Devised and documented a high-level generic approach for performance testing IBM’s DataStage within LTSB, which incorporated the creation of several key deliverables. Partially managed Non Functional Testers involved in the testing of DataStage. Liaised with Performance and Capacity Team to organise monitoring approach. Provided handover to Cognizant resources.
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Prudential (Work Smart project): Created / executed test scripts with LoadRunner 8.x, analysed and reported results.
LogicaCMG (June 2004 to December 2006)
Functional / Performance Tester:
- Alcatel Project: Executed automated functional tests and reported the results.
Charterhouse School (September 2002 to August 2003)
Network Support / Webmaster:
- Worked with colleagues to co-ordinate the expansion of the Network. Updated the Website and Intranet.
Everest Double Glazing (September 1984 to September 1999) Double Glazing Installer
- Installed double glazed windows / doors / conservatories.
- Co-ordinated multi team installations and the training of junior installers.
- 2009-2017: Completed several Olympic Triathlons, including London and Hever Castle.
- 1998 / 2001: Attained PADI ‘Open Water Diver’ and ‘Advanced Open Water Diver’ certification in Australia and Bali.
- 1991: Completed Level 1 RYA Windsurfing course and gained certification whilst living in Cornwall.
- 1990: Awarded ‘Best Senior Boxer’ for the 1989/90 season at Launceston Amateur Boxing Club.
- Sports: Surfing, skiing, scuba diving, running, swimming, cycling & generally keeping fit.
- Ceroc (Modern Jive).
- Travel: Highlights include motorbiking around Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, catching waves in Indonesia and a secret surf spot on a small island in the Philippines.
- Photography: Whilst travelling, I've compiled many albums, which attempt to capture the panorama of geological and cultural diversity and traditions of each country – see: http://www.flickr.com/photos/29416068@N07/sets/.
- References available on request.