DAAMON PARKER
PERSONAL DETAILS
Nationality : British E-mail : daamonp@yahoo.co.uk
Post Code : WC2H 7AS Mobile : 07792 095 690
Date of Birth : 1970 Other : 0207 766 5209
Linkedin : uk.linkedin.com/in/daamonparker
EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS
1989 – 1990 Warwick University: Joint Honours Mathematics & Physics
January 2003: Mercury Interactive (HP) Test Suite 7 Certified Product Specialist (CPS) covering
WinRunner and Test Director, scoring 91%
June 2002: ISEB / ISTQB Accredited Trainer: Foundation Course in Software Testing
April 2002: Training Course: “Producing Test Strategies”
March 2002: ISEB / ISTQB Foundation Certificate in Software Testing
January 2002: BOOTSTRAP Trained Assessor (Process Improvement Methodology)
PROFILE
An ISEB / ISTQB certified Quality Assurance Consultant and Program / Project Test Manager
with over 12 years experience in many diverse industries (such as Banking, Telco and Logistics),
often managing large teams. Takes a pragmatic view on the recommendation and implementation of
core QA principles, balancing the need for results with best practice. Endeavours to provide the most
appropriate solutions for the best outcome.
An in-depth knowledge of all phases of the SDLC as depicted by the common V-Model. Able to
translate this and apply the concepts in other models, such as Agile. Highly experienced in System
Testing (manual, automated and non-functional), System Integration Testing (SIT) and User
Acceptance Testing (UAT). An advocate for proactive prevention of defects through the supported
implementation of Quality Control early in the project lifecycle using reviews and Quality Gates.
Has regularly undertaken Client Account Management duties, providing support to the client in QA
and testing matters, as well as managing commercial aspects of the engagement. Enjoys working in a
busy, focussed and motivated environment to achieve results, and actively contributes towards
creating such an environment.
Seeking contract work being immediately available for both interviews and starts for locations in
and around London, having recently returned from Melbourne, Australia.
TECHNICAL SKILL SUMMARY:
Industry Experience: 8 years in International Banking, including Treasury functions;
Financial Services; Credit Card Services; Telco / IVR; Travel; Online
Information and Search Services; Betting and Gambling; Logistics.
Testing Tools: Quality Center 10.0 (Project and Site Administrator); Jira; Mantis
WinRunner 7.5; LoadRunner 7.5 (basic); TestComplete, QuickTest
Pro (QTP), soapUI (basic)
Operating Systems: Windows 7, Vista, XP, 2000, NT, 98, 95
Software/Desktop: Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project)
REFERENCES: AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
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DAAMON PARKER
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY
Jan 2010 to June 2011 Experior Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
Experior specialises in Quality Assurance across the Project and Software Development Lifecycles:
providing strategic consultancy; resources; guidance on testing tools; training.
Co-Director and Principal Consultant:
Responsibilities:
Test Management: Assigned on client site in a Program / Project Test Manager role.
Business Development Support: Accompanying sales staff to demonstrate understanding,
capability and competency. Inputting into proposals.
Client Engagement: Define a detailed Statement of Work; defining the Test Strategy.
Client Management: Maintaining and building the relationship, pro-actively dealing with
developing issues and looking to identify new opportunities for Experior.
Staff Management and Support: Support all members of staff across all roles.
I consulted for Experior on the following Client projects:
1. Victoria University, Melbourne, Australia – Program / Project Test Manager
VU were replacing their Student Management System. The impact was across processes,
interfaces, and IT infrastructure. The Program comprised 20 projects.
Responsibilities:
Engage with stakeholders to identify, prioritise and agree high-level risks.
Define and document the Program Quality Assurance Strategy.
Communicate and explain the QA Strategy to all Project Managers and their teams.
Undertake oversight, compliance and governance of adherence to the QA Strategy.
Reporting status, risks and issues to Program Director.
Engage with appropriate members of staff (end users), the BA’s and Product Specialists to
ensure a high-level of comfort with the scope and approach for UAT.
Write the individual Test Plans in line with the QA / Test Strategy.
Manage the overall testing efforts in terms of planning, resources, tasks, approach, risks and
issues, reporting, management and control.
Provide guidance and mentoring to team members and colleagues.
Proactively identify and address potential or developing situations.
Inform the Program Management Team on the progress and status of the testing efforts.
Work with the various Project Managers and their associated UAT Managers to define and
agree the various UAT Test Plans – including scope and approach.
Work closely with the UAT Test Managers to ensure consistency of approach across the
program and to create or exploit synergies or efficiencies between them, if possible.
Achievements:
Turned a reactive and inefficient program approach to quality into a proactive and effective
one, saving time, money and increasing the quality of the end deliverables.
Implemented the use of a formal Test Management tool (HP Quality Center), realising greatly
improved reporting, management and control.
Implemented a consistent approach to all levels of testing across the program, resulting in
clearer visibility of status, increased efficiency, and a reduction of major issues.
Prevented an inappropriate solution being implemented into production.
Skills snapshot: System Testing, System Integration Testing (SIT) and UAT, Stakeholder
engagement and management, process assessment and improvement, defect management.
2. Dimension Data, Melbourne, Australia – User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Manager
The project was tasked with a major upgrade to their “Remote Infrastructure Management” (RIM)
service, and the introduction of a new RIM system management application.
Responsibilities:
Engage with project management and business stakeholders to agree on the scope and
approach for the UAT team. Write the UAT Test Plan and get sign-off.
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DAAMON PARKER
Early engagement with business end users to gain their co-operation and understanding of the
value of their input into the project, specifically the UAT testing.
Lead the test team on a daily basis, managing tasks, workload, approach and issues.
Look ahead to assess developing situations and potential issues and either address them, or
communicate them to project management.
Work closely with the Team Leads of the business end users.
Advise the Program Management Team on the status of all of the testing efforts.
Achievements:
Asked to work with other test teams on the project to assist them with their strategic and
tactical approach to their testing.
The Business Team Leads had a high level of confidence that their teams would be able to
perform the common and critical tasks following the introduction of the new system.
Several show-stopper issues were identified before go-live that would have otherwise gone
through.
Skills snapshot: User Acceptance Testing (UAT), mentoring, stakeholder engagement, defect
management.
Oct 2007 to Dec 2009 Nu Solutions Pty Ltd, Melbourne, Australia
Nu Solutions is a Software Testing consultancy. Acquired by Capgemini in September 2009.
Principal Consultant
Responsibilities:
Test Management: Assigned on client site in a Senior Test Manager role.
Test Process Improvement: Undertaking health-checks and audits.
Business Development Support: Accompanying sales staff.
Client Management: Building the relationship. Customer care and support.
Staff Management and Support: Support all members of staff across all roles.
Training: The delivery of client or public training courses.
I worked on the following Client projects for Nu Solutions:
1. Fosters, Melbourne, Australia – Lead Quality Assurance Consultant
Fosters were seeking to establish a Quality Assurance Framework, part of which was the
implementation of standard practices, procedures and documentation across the organisation.
Responsibilities:
Liaise with the client’s QA Manager to ensure understanding of their requirements.
Lead the team according to the project schedule; managing tasks, workloads and issues on a
daily basis. Reported progress and status to the Project Manager.
Provide input and guidance to the team. Undertook reviews of the “final draft” versions before
passing them to the client’s QA Manager for their review process.
2. Dimension Data – System Testing and System Integration Testing (SIT) Test Manager
The project was tasked with the significant upgrade of an existing bespoke (and basic) IVR
system.
Responsibilities:
Define and document the Test Strategy.
Write the individual Test Plans in line with the Test Strategy.
Manage the overall testing efforts in terms of planning, resources, approach, tasks, risks and
issues, reporting, management and control. Mentor team members.
Regularly keeping the Project Manager updated on the progress and status of all of the testing
efforts – both formally, and on an ad-hoc basis as necessary.
Achievements:
Identified by both Dimension Data and Telstra as being instrumental in increasing Telstra’s
level of confidence in the quality of the end product.
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DAAMON PARKER
Asked to provide guidance to the BA and Development teams on how to improve the quality
of their deliverables. This resulted in a marked reduction in the defects found in testing, saving
time and money and delivering a quality product on time.
Skills snapshot: System Testing, System Integration Testing (SIT), writing Test Strategy and Test
Plans, stakeholder engagement, mentoring, process improvement.
April 2007 – Oct 2007 Australia Post, Melbourne, Australia
Program Test Manager – “refresh” Program
Responsibilities:
Program Quality Assurance definition, governance and compliance.
Test Management of the System Testing and System Integration Testing (SIT).
Achievements:
Developed an excellent relationship with senior stakeholders to the point where I was
requested to assist them with their UAT (outside the program’s remit).
Skills snapshot: System Testing, System Integration Testing (SIT), writing Test Strategy and Test
Plans, stakeholder engagement, mentoring, process improvement.
Aug 2004 – Dec 2006 PlanIT Test Management, Melbourne, Australia
Senior Test Consultant
Responsibilities:
Test Management; Process Improvement Audits; Client Management
Business Development Support; Staff Management and Support; Training
PlanIT Project for Corporate Express, Melbourne, Australia - System Testing and User
Acceptance Testing (UAT) Test Manager
Responsibilities:
Write the Test Strategy after consultation with stakeholders and the Project Manager.
Write the individuals Test Plans in line with the Test Strategy.
Manage the running of the test team. Reporting progress, status and issues.
Achievements:
End users expressed their gratitude for their level of comfort with the new system.
Skills snapshot: System Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), writing Test Strategy and Test
Plans, stakeholder engagement, mentoring, reporting.
Dec 2003 – May 2004 NMQA Consultants, London
NMQA Project for TUI London - User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Test Manager
Responsibilities:
Write the Test Plans in line with the existing Test Strategy.
Manage the test team, and report progress, status and issues to the Project Manager.
June 1999 – Dec 2003 SIM-SQS Group, Woking
Assigned to many projects across various industries. Joined as a Test Analyst, and progressed to Test
Consultant. Undertook test planning, management, scripting, execution and reporting.
SIM Project for Commercial Union (now Aviva), Norwich - System Testing Test Manager
Responsibilities:
Work to the Test Strategy and Test Plan already in existence.
Manage the 30-strong test team. Report progress, status and issues.
1991 – May 1999 Lombard Banking Services, Redhill, Surrey
Treasury Front Office Assistant (1998 – 1999); Account Executive (1996 – 1998); Banking
Services (1991 – 1996)
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