1. RICHARD JOHN ELSDON
OBJECTIVE
I will endeavour to raise the standard of excellence on all projects using my people skills, testing
expertise and life experience and follow these through to their successful completion.
PROFILE
I have a keen eye for detail. I am conscientious, dependable and trustworthy. I’m a people person
and a team player. I am a good organiser of projects and people and I am a good administrator. I
like to mentor team members because I believe that it is so important to pass on skills, knowledge
and experience. I will take time to plan any given project from the start, check for any obvious
problems so that they can be addressed and acted upon before any real work is implemented.
When I see things not working I will plan and act to correct the situation. I like to complete a task
once it has been started and I believe the customer deserves the best working product possible.
SKILLS
• Specialist in system/software testing, client-server environment (Web, Windows, Unix),
20+ years
• ISEB foundation certificate in software testing
• Automated testing – Quick Test Professional
• Agile development methodology
• Testing experience: Black box, white box, functional, integration, system, regression,
ad-hoc, security, legacy, performance, install/uninstall, usability, recovery, alpha, beta,
user acceptance
• V-Model testing methodology
• Team led 4 testers using management skills to plan and monitor progress
• Communicates well with all levels of a project hierarchy
• Very familiar with project life-cycles having worked in most of the areas at some stage
from feasibility studies through to customer support
• T-Plan – a tool used to manage the complete project test phase
• Scripted tests in Word (or text editor), based on requirements
• Executed tests/recorded results across multi-platforms
• Used SQL for data manipulation and examining relational databases
• Well versed with configuration management & defect management databases
• Worked to an internationally recognised standard for the quality management of
businesses
ACHIEVEMENTS
• Parmenion Progress System – tested/accepted
• Practice Management Financial System – tested/accepted
• New Workflow for Life and Pensions Solution – tested/accepted
• Student Record/Accommodation/Finance System – tested/accepted
• Time Management Packages – tested/accepted
• ISEB foundation certificate – passed
• Suite of packages designed for the Construction & Bulk Materials Industry –
tested/accepted
• TNT’s Service Exception & Complaint Handling System - tested
• New SMS control functionalities for mobile phone industry - tested
• Suite of s/w tools for electronic design architects to develop Systems On a Chip – tested
• School Of Evangelism & Crossroads Disciple Training School – passed
• Invoicing System for Securicor’s Parcel delivery, Phase I & II – tested/accepted
• EMU money markets system (cloning of a sterling system) – tested and delivered
• Central Gilts Office (CGO) Settlement System – Y2k compliance tested
• ISO9001 - TickIT accreditation – setup quality control procedures
• Digital camera s/w packages, new & upgrades – tested, released, sold, customer support
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3. INTERESTS/HOBBIES: Kit cars, National Trust properties and other places of interest,
cinema/theatre and Cheltenham festivals.
February 2016 – May 2016 PARMENION CAPITAL PARTNERS LLP (Contract)
Hardware: PCs Software:
Windows 7, TFS, SQL
Test Analyst reporting to the Test Manager. Testing an Investment/Pension web-based
system in an agile environment. Scenarios were scripted in Excel from User Stories and
executed in a client/server test environment with defects recorded/reviewed in TFS. The
software suite was developed in a .NET framework using C# and Java.
October 2013 – December 2015 SESAME BANKHALL GROUP (Permanent)
Hardware: Laptops, iPads Software:
Windows 7, Sharepoint, MortgageBrain
Test Analyst reporting to the Product Manager. Testing a Practice Management System
(developed by IRESS using Python) configured by SBG staff for the UK Financials market.
Test scripts were written in Excel from Requirement Specifications and stored in
Sharepoint. Scripts were executed in client/server environments, TEST, UAT & LIVE and
errors/observations recorded in Zoho (defect management tool) and results recorded in
Sharepoint. Financial Advisors used Practice Management to sell to the public -
Investments, Pensions, Mortgages, Protection and General Insurance.
September 2012 – June 2013 CAPITA (Fixed Term)
Hardware: PCs
Software: Windows 7, Quick Test Professional
(QTP), Team Foundation Server (TFS), SQL
One of three Test Analysts working in an agile environment testing the development of a
new Workflow Solution for Capita’s Life and Pensions System. Test scenarios were scripted
in Excel from User Stories and executed in a client/server environment. Defects were
recorded/reviewed in TFS and the test automation tool, QTP, was used to build a
regression suite of the new functionality. The software was developed using Model View
Controller framework, C# and javascript.
February 2012 – August 2012 ROYAL AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (Fixed Term)
Hardware: PCs Software: Windows 7, SQL, TestWave
Senior Tester testing the implementation of a Student Record (QUERCUS),
Accommodation (KINETICS), Payment (WPM) & Finance (ACCESS DIMENSIONS) system.
Scripts were developed from Word specifications and recorded/run in TestWave and the
observations stored in Excel spreadsheets. I used SQL to test the communications
(developed in Biztalk with staging tables) between the newly purchased software
packages. Some interfaces required web testing. The whole system went live in July.
June 2009 – June 2011 MITREFINCH (Permanent)
ISO9001 Certification
Hardware: PC, Time Management devices including mobile phone
Software: Windows 7, XP, SQL, TortoiseSVN
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4. QA/Test Analyst working in an agile environment (reporting to the Research Development
Manager) and responsible for the testing (including regression) of a suite of software tools
used in Time Management. Test scripts were created in Word from Requirement
Specifications. The scripts were executed (database manipulation using SQL) against
version controlled software in a PC networked environment. Any or all the following Time
Management devices were connected to the network: Blackberry phone, digital clock
terminals, fingerprint readers, fob readers, swipe-card and barcode scanners. Bugs were
recorded/controlled in an in-house developed package called Admin. The software was
developed using Microsoft Silverlight, C#, C++, Delphi and Visual Studio and run on a
.NET and/or Windows platform.
May 2007 – July 2008 COMMAND ALKON (Permanent)
Hardware: PC, HP Software: Windows XP, Oracle 10g, SQL, QACenter, CARS, Clarify
Senior QA/Test Analyst working on Construction and Bulk Materials Industry s/w tools.
June 2006 – April 2007 SOPRA, NEWELL & BUDGE (Permanent)
Hardware: PC, Enterprise 10000. Software: GUI/Windows 2000 & XP, DbVisualizer 5.1,
Rational ClearQuest 2003, T-Plan, Unix Sun/OS 5.8, Oracle 8i, Toad v8, Green Hat v3.1.
Lead a test team of 4 working on a new Service Exception & Complaint Handling project.
November 2002 - February 2005 BEACH SOLUTIONS (Permanent)
Systems test (on PC, Sun & HP) a suite of software (J2EE) tools in a client/server environment.
January 2001 - June 2002 YOUTH WITH A MISSION (Voluntary)
Develop people skills and team leadership qualities on courses in Scotland and Canada.
December 1998 - December 2000 SECURICOR (Contract)
Lead a test team of 4 in a new Invoicing System for Securicor's parcel delivery business.
January 1998 - October 1998 BANK OF ENGLAND (Contract)
System testing a number of financial systems while checking for Year 2000 compliance.
August 1992 - December 1997 NBA QUALITY SYSTEMS (Permanent)
Test/Support Leader responsible for system test/release & s/w configuration control (ISO9001).
July 1985 - March 1991 ADMIRAL COMPUTING (Permanent)
Technical Consultant assigned to projects linked closely with financial/banking systems (BS5750).
September 1983 - May 1985 BRITISH OLIVETTI (Permanent)
Stratus/32 specialist responsible for technical support for customers and in-house sales personnel.
February 1980 - September 1983 COMPUTER SCIENCES EUROPE (Permanent)
Senior member of technical staff working on a number of MOD study and implementation projects.
January 1978 - January 1980 INTERNATIONAL AERADIO (Permanent)
Responsibilities: design, implementation & testing of a Computer Aided Despatch System.
August 1976 - December 1977 MARCONI SPACE & DEFENCE SYSTEMS (Permanent)
Responsibilities included analysis/programming of a realistic user interface for Tank Fire Missions.
CONTACT DETAILS: Mobile: 07710 762 983 Telephone: 01242 236998
Address: 12 Dulverton Close, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL51 0HP
E-mail: richard_elsdon@hotmail.com
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