• The project delivered a technical refresh of the legacy Excise Movement and Control System, to an AWS infrastructure re-platform. As this involved a completely new architecture, full performance and volume testing was required. • I was responsible for managing all aspects of Performance testing of the core EMCS service. Following guidelines determined by the CDIO Test Guild, I produced and managed the performance test strategy. The approach was to create automated Peak Hour, BAU Soak and stress test suites, based on Peak and BAU Trader Excise movement submissions. The method was to replicate these submissions, by injecting base64 encoded REST messages directly into the core message processing API’s using JMeter. • Analysis of the Test results demonstrated where additional tuning would improve message processing response times. Several subsequent iterations of tuning and PVT were conducted to maximise performance and to determine economies that could be made in terms right sizing the platform.• A test completion report for all PVT activities was approved by Senior Project and Test management and by the EMCS Live service owner.• Tools used for the delivery of this project included JMeter, SLQ Developer, Gitlab, Confluence, JIRA, and MS Teams.

• As Test Manager working on New Computerized Transit System moving from a hosted Legacy service, (Phase 4), to a re-platformed AWS hosted service (Phase 5). Phase 5 has additional upgraded functionality and this was fully tested by a separate team. My teams’ remit was to test the stability of the service, and the integrity and onward processing of in-flight Trader declarations during the Phase 4 to Phase 5 transition period. I created the test strategy, Test Schedule Test Plan, and several Test completion reports. A regression pack was created and executed following each new Phase 4 Phase 5 code release. Ready API, D4D, and Postman were used for API testing of XML payloads, and message exchanges with upstream and downstream services. It was also used for the automation of submitting new Trader declarations. • This was a waterfall delivery, in which we worked in close collaboration with the DevOps BA and DBA teams. MS Teams, JIRA, Zephyr, and Confluence were used extensively during the delivery of the project.

• As Test Manager working on the development of the International One Stop Shop distributed registry and Customs Declaration Service. The solution was to introduce a new data synchronization mechanism from EU to HMRC allowing Customs import declarations for items delivered to Northern Ireland to check whether the item was sold by a supplier registered with IOSS, and if not to trigger VAT payment request as part of the wider declaration process. • The project was totally Agile, delivered in by a scrum team in sprints. New APIs were incrementally introduced and tested using Ready API. Regression testing was also conduced to ensure confidence in every new code release. Functional Testing of a new business facing UI used to for reporting and analysis of trader VAT Status compliance. I occasionally operated as scrum master in the scrum master’s absence. MS Teams, JIRA, Confluence and Zephyr were used extensively for scrum and sprint management and defect tracking. Test Completion reports were created for all delivered elements and the service has been successfully implemented.

• As Test Manager working on an upgrade of the Micro Data Exchange Intrasoft 2 service. I produced the Test Strategy, and managed the Test Approach for Manual Functional UI Systems testing and Integration testing of MDE data exchange with a central Trader Mainframe. I also managed and supported UAT with a team of business SME’s. Tools included Confluence, MS Teams, Oracle SQL developer, Zephyr, and JIRA. I produced a Test completion report to demonstrate the successful outcome of All testing activities and the service was implemented successfully and on schedule.

• End-to-End Test Manager for Northern Ireland specific updates to the HMRC Import Control Systems. Test phases include Systems Testing, E2E Integration Testing, PVT, and EU conformance Testing. Tools Include MS Teams, D4D, SOAP UI, Oracle SQL developer, Jenkins, Zephyr, and JIRA. I manage a team of six Test analysts. I also work in an E2E Test assurance role for the testing work undertaken by external Design Groups and Third-party test phases. • Initially my role focused on Testing functional core system changes in preparation for Brexit on Jan 31st, 2020. Since initial go-live, I have successfully delivered testing and test assurance for a number of subsequent critical Business changes. For each, testing has been successfully completed and all delivery dates were met.

• I have been successfully shortlisted for a few commutable roles and offers have been discussed for Test Manager roles. However, in all situations, all of these positions were either deferred indefinitely or not logistically commutable because of ongoing lockdown restrictions. • My experience is that the wider national contract market is currently very restrictive. I hope the situation changes very soon for everyone, for all the right reasons. I am actively seeking a new role and am available for an immediate start.

• Since completing my role with HMRC I have become a grandfather; “twice”. I took the opportunity to take a break from contracting to develop a family business venture, and also enjoy some time off with my family and help support both daughters. I also completed expanding the family home. My time has also been well spent working with many peers and colleagues to assist with their career development

• I joined the CDIO group, (the HMRC IT and digital services function), as End to end test manager, working on the Border Systems Programme for Excise duty. • Changes were required to the Excise Movement and Control System, to develop a target operating model, (as-is to to-be), that would deliver a day one no deal solution for Brexit. The changes and upgrades would enable the continued movement of Excise goods following the UK’s exit from the European Union. • Testing focused on digital UI and core functional changes, and database and batch process upgrades. • As end to end test manager, I managed the activities of and provided test assurance for the integration of deliverables from internal and external digital delivery groups and work streams. • This was a truly Agile delivery focusing on continuous integration \ continuous delivery, using Jenkins and Subversion. SOAP UI, MS SQL developer, Zephyr. Confluence and Jira were used for test automation, sprint planning, asset management and Defect tracking.• Confluence was the repository specifically used to deconstruct Epics into a number of smaller stories (Issues). BDD and TDD was used was used for development and as the syntax for deriving test scenarios. Jira was used for the scrum backlog and to monitor progress during sprint retrospectives.• I managed and mentored a team of 5 test analysts and 2 junior developers. The solution was delivered in two-week sprint cycles. I worked closely with the scrum master, development leads and Business representatives to agree the scope and deliverables during sprint planning and retrospective meetings. I successfully managed and delivered Functional, Integration, Operational and Performance testing phases for the programme. The programme was successfully delivered on time and defect free, ready for the original Brexit day one no deal date.

RMG e-Business Test Lead. Testing and Test Assurance of a telephony upgrade delivering automated 24/7 IVR payment options for customers and Business Account holders. Responsible for Test Assurance of 3rd Party IVR development, in-house supporting infrastructure development and UAT of the end to end solution. The solution was delivered as a mixture of waterfall and agile development. I worked with the Portfolio Test Manager to ensure that the RMG Technology IT delivery approach, was consistent with internal Testing governance procedures. HP ALM 12 was used extensively for test to requirements traceability and Test coverage, test planning and execution and Defect tracking.

• Programme and Assurance Test lead for Smart metering transformation at First Utility. • Test Management of two complex Smart Metering work streams. • The solution has been designed to deliver benefits realization of real time usage and energy costs, using Smart Gas and Electricity metering for First Utilities 1 million customers • I am responsible for Test assurance of the third party enabler solution, linking First Utility business and billing systems with a centralized secure data and communications platform, created on behalf of the Department of environmental and climate change. • Management of in-house agile test teams and industry test teams during interface, end to end and soft launch live implementation.• Engaging with Industry and departmental Smart metering forums to influence how test processes and procedures need to be shaped to meet deliverables and milestones without compromising quality.

• Head of testing for the Tesco Store Voice and Data platform transformation. The programme delivered a strategic upgrade of the Global Tesco Network platform supporting 3200 stores.• I managed a team of in house Technical SME’s and Infrastructure engineers for the core infrastructure build and testing phases. I was also responsible for test assurance of the testing activities of third party solution providers. • Communications channels of the core solution included GWAN LAN connectivity between store and Data Centers, with failover across Secure Gateways. In store communications channels included, DSL, FTTC and 4G channels. • I worked collaboratively with Business Test and Application Teams to implement, configure and comprehensively test a full range of in store devices. These included, attended and self-serve POS terminals, Wi-Fi enabled .COM picker devices, PDA’s Scan as you shop devices, hand held printers, ATM’s, Lottery machines and more. In addition, I managed full technical and end user testing of the Tesco Voice platform following migration to the O2 network.• Responsible for Test risk management, Defect management, change management and dynamic and periodic test reporting to Project, Programme and Customer.• Testing for Store voice and data platform transition has been successfully completed and all candidate pilot stores have been migrated. Live roll-out continues, on schedule, for all remaining store types.

• I joined Capita Customer Management to implement and manage a Strategic test approach, for a Programme delivering Contact Centre enhancements for Dixons Carphone Warehouse. Technologies included a telephony upgrade to Avaya Aura Communication Manager (Telephony Switch) and Avaya Aura Experience Portal (IVR Self Service platform). Additional development included a bespoke new advisor desktop sync application centrally controlling all CPW apps web-services and mainframes. Development and upgrade of the IVR platform was the core product and key to the provision of Capita desktop and 3rd Party PCI compliance utilizing Semafone for customer payment transactions. • I defined and delivered the Test Strategy, associated test plans and schedules, managed teams of up to six in-house and eight offshore testing resources. I also managed defect tracking with up to twenty in-house developers Networks and ITS teams. • Third party vendor management was a large part of day to day test management and vendor assurance, ensuring the quality and stability of their components throughout testing and live deployment.• Quality Centre AML 10 was used extensively for Test planning execution and defect management.

• Assurance and test management of a new Speech Recognition IVR solution, for HMRC Contact Centre’s. Lead test integrator responsible for testing the IVR solution and assurance of all in-house development teams and 3rd party solution suppliers and platform hosts. These included BT, CWW\Vodafone, Nuance, Pega and Cyara Solutions.• Produced and implemented the end to end Assurance and Test Strategy, associated Test Plans and Test Schedules. The product definition and test life cycle followed the V-Model using Business requirements and Technical designs to define Business test threads, System interface models and functional ISIT test scenarios as inputs to Test Case Design. Test execution included cross party and in-house technical test phases and Non-Functional and Operational testing. Functional testing was fully automated. Defect and Incident tracking was centralized and managed using Rational ClearQuest.• Non-Functional testing included comprehensive Performance and Volume Testing including business Peak load, BAU soak and Stress testing.• Management and mentoring of an in-house testing team responsible for full integration testing of the end to end solution.• Responsible for all test reporting directly to project, programme and senior business stakeholders and also centrally managed cross team and business Defect \ incident triage and resolution.• Assisted with Business confidence activities Usability Testing and Business Product and Process testing, by coordinating the provision of Business Test Environments Test scenarios and Test data.

• Project and Test Manager for the Severn Trent Water Strategic Accommodation program, specifically for the implementation of a new, fully resilient CISCO VoIP DTMF IVR Telephony solution on to a CITRIX XenApp client desktop refresh domain. • Responsible for deploying and managing the overall project plan and Test Strategy. Third-party test Assurance and implementation activities using quality gates, reviews and test witnessing of the test phases of three primary suppliers. • Core test management of build and integration and Systems Testing phases, and planning for and co-coordinating with multiple business areas for UAT. Recruited and managed an integration test team of five who functionally tested all inbound call routing through the IVR to 8 distributed contact centre’s which used geographically split agent skill groups.• HP ALM v 11 was used extensively for requirements traceability, test planning \ execution and Defect \ incident management for all supplier and STW Test phases.

• Test Consultant working on the Swift FORD to JLR platform Transition Programme. Responsibilities included• Co-ordinating the production Test Execution Packs for over twenty ported distributed services and mainframe applications. • Analysis and review of all 3rd party vendor testing planning and execution activities and scrutinising the results, identifying and prioritising all outstanding issues prior to JLR IT and UAT test activities. • Responsible for co-ordinating a 5 Strong onshore and 18 strong offshore Test resource for JLR IT test Preparation and Execution. • Produced, implemented and took ownership of the Group defect management process for over 100 clone and go applications. • HP Quality Center 9.2 was used to manage and facilitate all testing and defect tracking activities.

• Initially responsible for managing several enabler projects for the LR Business Transformation programme. Successfully Test managed the implementation of a new WebSphere Business Portal onto an existing z/OS platform and integrated Oracle database applications.• Test Management of user acceptance and non-functional testing of a bespoke Active Client e-Security implementation. • Defined a strategic Test approach for HMLR Management Information. Responsible for creating, at grass-roots level, a completely new test strategy for this project. This Test led approach followed the V-model to define the project delivery and testing life-cycle. Advised the Requirements, Design and development teams on the adoption of best practices in terms of change and configuration management. Implemented and managed a comprehensive test life cycle, including functional and non-functional Systems, Integration, User Acceptance, and Operational Acceptance Testing. • I had a major influence on the Land Registry LRUP and Test Transformation programme, leaving a considerable legacy of testing best practices and newly developed processes. In particular, influencing the use of the Rational Unified Process. A combination of IBM Rational tools and HP Quality Center v 9.0 was used extensively during this role.

• A member of the Programme Design Authority, liaising with the Programme executive and lead Project Architect to ensure testing was considered, in the design of a bespoke Telemetric solution. Design and delivery of the end-to-end test strategy, set the direction for testing and provided technical leadership for the overall test design.• Recruited for, mentored and managed four geographically distributed test teams, and liaised with multiple development teams in Germany, Bulgaria, India, and the UK. • Recommended the test tools to be used. Designed and implemented an integrated IBM Rational tools environment (Test Manager, Manual Tester, Robot and ClearQuest) and provided training and mentoring of best practices for tool usage.• Continual mentoring of the test teams to follow best practices during test specification development and test case execution.• Advised during method adoption workshops, to establish which Testing work products would be adopted for the programme.• Engaged with stakeholders to gain approval and sign off of the end-to-end programme Test Strategy, Designed and implemented robust and achievable Test Plans for Unit, System, Integration Acceptance Field Acceptance Testing, and Non-Functional systems stability proving.• Advised the programme executives with programme and project Test planning.• Designed, the testing led Configuration Management procedures and processes for new project work stream delivery.

• Mentoring of RUP best practices to over twenty geographically distributed IT & business test teams• Implementation and Design of test artefacts including Test Approach, Test Strategy, Master Test Plans, Iteration Test Plans, and Test Evaluation summaries.• Liaised with and advised the ASPIRE testing centre of excellence for the development of an end-to-end account testing strategy. • To ensure compliance with the programme capability maturity model, provided advice on the implementation of best practices that addressed development and maintenance activities covering product lifecycles from conception through to delivery and maintenance• Creation and maintenance of integrated Rational tools environments using Sybase, Oracle 9i and DB2 database applications. • Provided comprehensive training for IBM Rational Requirements, Test, Configuration and Change Management Tools. (TestManager, Robot, Manual Tester, Functional Tester, RequisitePro, ClearCase and ClearQuest)

Business Test Manager for the Mobile Data Services Platform initiative to create and migrate all country-owned mobile telecoms products and services to a centrally managed platform. The solution was a migration of multi-media services, customer and device databases and business, consumer and portal services. My responsibilities included implementing a test strategy compliant to the Orange Business Testing policy, producing adaptive acceptance test plans and providing resource estimates, which aligned to the supplier delivery and test schedules.

Business Test Manager, initially responsible for 3rd party Test Assurance ensuring that the inaugural online service delivery for the Child Benefit service was ‘fit-for-purpose’ and could achieve its pre-determined go-live date. The programme followed the Prince 2 process model, however the delivery life cycle adopted by the service provider, was fragmented and in need of standardization. This led to the introduction of a directive to ensure a cohesive method of Testing and delivery. One of the development strands was experimenting with RUP principles. RUP Best Practises were identified and implemented helping to ensure a disciplined approach to future e-Services implementation. The original mandate was expanded to include Programme Testing and Release Management of the remaining IeS candidates. A comprehensive delivery and testing strategy employing the best use of environments and resources was created subsequently approved and implemented.

Delivering end to end testing for the DWP Empower solution. Responsible for the Integration and Non-Functional Testing of the inaugural Contact Centre. A ‘hands-on’ approach was used, which proved prudent given the tight deadlines that the programme was expected to meet. The use of Mercury Interactive Test Director test tools was key to the success of the solution. The first phase of the programme was successfully delivered on schedule.