Nicole Donough

I am currently a Senior Software Tester with 15 years of software testing experience in agile IT environments. I have supported the quality assurance of web based applications and internal business systems by following the software testing process and using software test techniques as per ISTQB standards. I ensure that end users get to experience great functional and user friendly applications and processes.

Work Experience

4C Group - January 2021 to Present

Position:      Senior Software Tester

Duties: 

• Testing large volume data management and transaction processing systems. 
• Creation of test cases for use with automation and regression testing.
• Actively participate in the SDLC process of existing and new applications and features. 
• Perform Front end and Back-end testing of all the Modules using Manual testing.   
• Responsible for the documentation of test cases/procedures. 
• Maintain Regression tests and validate test defects. 
• Report on test execution and issues that may occur. 
• Participate in, assist with, and give feedback on any activities where product quality practices and risks should be considered. 
• Responsible for creating and updating functional and regression test cases, as well as executing tests and reporting on results.
• Record problems and issues on Jira. 
• Participate in project planning with team members to contribute time estimates on software testing. 

Capfin - July 2016 to December 2020

Position:      Senior IT Quality Test Analyst

Duties: 

I was a member of a scrum team within an agile environment. My team was responsible for product configuration, assigning credit risk scoring to customers based on bureau data and internal company variables. We also managed the bureau calls made whenever a customer applied for a loan. My role within the team was a Senior IT Quality Test Analyst and my main responsibilities were as follows:

• Produce project test plans by: 
• Identifying the objectives of testing and the specification of test activities in order to meet the project objectives. 
• Integrating and coordinating the testing activities into the software life cycle activities 
• Defining the amount, level of detail and templates for the test documentation 
• Setting the level of detail for test procedures in order to provide enough information to support reproducible test preparation and execution. 
• Determine the activities required to successfully meet the objectives of the project. 
• Making decisions about what to test, what roles will perform the test activities, how the test activities should be done, and how the test results will be evaluated. 

• Scheduling test case analysis and design 
• Scheduling test execution 
• Monitor testing activities throughout the project 
• Creation of the relevant test project in the applicable test management tool 
• Assist automation team with automated regression initiatives.
• Include non-functional test planning within scope of testing. 
• Reviewing the test basis (such as requirements, design, interface specifications) 
• Evaluating testability of the test basis and test objects
• Identifying and prioritizing test conditions based on analysis of test items, the specification, behavior and structure of the software. 
• Designing and prioritizing high level test cases 
• Identifying necessary test data to support the test conditions and test cases. 
• Designing the test environment set-up and identifying any required infrastructure and tools 
• Be able to derive non-functional testing requirements from the applicable test basis Test Implementation and Execution 
• Finalizing, implementing, and prioritizing test cases (including the identification of test data) 
• Developing and prioritizing test procedures 
• Creating test suites from the test procedures for efficient test execution 
• Executing test procedures according to the planned sequence (functional testing) 
• Logging the outcome of test execution and recording the test results 
• Comparing actual results with expected results 
• Reporting discrepancies as defects and analyzing them to establish their cause (e.g., a defect in the code, in specified test data, in the test document, or a mistake in the way the test was executed) 
• Repeating test activities because of action taken for each discrepancy, for example, re-execution of a test that previously failed in order to confirm a fix (confirmation testing) 
• Execution of a corrected test and/or execution of tests to ensure that defects have not been introduced in unchanged areas of the software or that defect fixing did not uncover other defects (regression testing) 
• Ensuring the project in the applicable test management tool is up to date and reflects the correct test execution status. 
• Assist automation test team with performing non-functional testing Evaluating Exit Criteria 
• Assess the test execution against the defined objectives for each level of testing to determine if enough testing has been done.
• Check if defects raised have been resolved, confirmation tested, or are outstanding. 
• Finalizing and archiving test results for later reuse 
• Analyzing lessons learned to determine changes needed for future releases and projects. 
• Using the information gathered to improve test maturity. 
• Maintenance of the regression test suite post signoff 
• Assisting with post deployment (to production) sanity testing
•  

Syntell (Pty) Ltd - January 2015 to June 2016

Position:      Test Team Lead   

Duties:

 As a Test Team Lead at Syntell (PTY) Ltd, I was responsible for managing the company's Testing department. The testing team was responsible for maintain quality within the companies Traffic Fine Management System. We ensured the process of capturing, processing, and issuing fines was always up to par. My roles and responsibilities were as follows:

• Defining and implementing the role testing plays within the organizational structure.
• Defining the scope of testing within the context of each release / delivery.
• Deploying and managing the appropriate testing framework to meet the testing mandate.
• Implementing and evolving appropriate measurements and metrics.
  • To be applied against the Product under test.
  • To be applied against the Testing Team.
• Planning, deploying, and managing the testing effort for any given engagement / release.
• Managing and growing Testing assets required for meeting the testing mandate:
  • Team Members
  • Testing Tools
  • Testing Process
• Implement and Provide input for Test Plans.
• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Check / Review the Test Cases.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using a bug-tracking system.

Syntell (Pty) Ltd - April 2014 to January 2015

Position:      Test Analyst

Duties:

• Analysis of Software Requirements
• Creation and Execution of test cases and test scenarios
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Prepare technical and general release notes for production.
• Installation and Maintenance of test servers and databases
• Deploying software to testing environments and monitoring server logs during testing and identify errors and/or unexpected log entries.
• Testing web applications, mobile applications, web services and windows services
• System testing of new applications and existing software enhancements to ensure they meet design specifications.
• Functional testing of new applications and existing software enhancements 
• Regression testing of new and existing software enhancements to identify any possible impacts caused by changes.
• Provide software support to the IT systems support team.
• Training Internal users and IT systems support

MWEB - May 2013 to March 2014 

Position:     Software Test Analyst

Duties:

I was a member of an agile development team, responsible for the creation and maintenance of company products. I made sure that customers and agents were able to purchase our services and products online and via the business system. My duties were as follows:

• Implement and Provide input for Test Plans.
• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Check / Review the Test Cases.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using a bug-tracking system.

Travelstart - December 2012 – April 2013 

Position:     Software Tester

Duties:

My responsibilities were maintaining an online travelling website while working in an agile environment and reporting to a senior software tester.

• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using an issue tracking system.
• Check that reports are being generated correctly.
• Ensures that the correct information is updated in the database.
• Maintain website.
• Maintain business system.

MWEB - July 2012 – December 2012 

Position:     Software Tester

Duties:

I was a member of an agile development team, responsible for the following duties:

• Implement and Provide input for Test Plans.
• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Check / Review the Test Cases.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using a bug-tracking system.
• Write Selenium unit tests.

MWEB - June 2010 – July 2012 

Position:     Junior Software Tester

I was a member of an agile development team and am responsible for the following duties:

• Implement and Provide input for Test Plans.
• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Check / Review the Test Cases.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using a bug-tracking system.

MWEB - November 2009 - June 2010 

Position:     Software Testing Intern

Duties

I was a member of an agile development team and am responsible for the following duties under the supervision of a Senior Software Tester:

• Implement and Provide input for Test Plans.
• Design Test Cases.
• Create Test scenarios.
• Check / Review the Test Cases.
• Keep track of the new requirements.
• Perform functional testing duties.
• Perform regression testing duties.
• Report bugs, track defects, resolve issues with the developers.
• Track problem reports using a bug-tracking system.

1. Key Skills

• Functional Testing, Usability Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Regression Testing
• API Testing
• Writing test plans according to requirement specifications and User stories
• Managing test execution cycles according to time specifications
• Logging and maintaining the lifecycle of bugs and defects.
• Scrum methodology and Agile framework
• Team leading
• Mentoring team members

ISTQB Advanced Test Analyst Certificate

ISTQB ISEB Software Testing Foundation Certificate

Diploma in IT Programming