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== my cv is a wiki ==and I think that's pretty cool. Welcome, feel free to explore my work history, skills, courses, projects and more. Hopefully I've arranged it so that you get a nice overview, and if you see something interesting you can dig deeper.{{ContactDetails}}
→Test Community Events
== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==As at 19-Sep-2016 this site is still very much work a versatile Software Quality Engineer, I aim to understand the nuances of the product, team dynamics, technological landscapes, and organizational structures so that I can adapt and contribute effectively. I specialize in progressadapting to diverse contexts, please bear with me as it becomes more usefuland look beyond traditional testing methodologies to consider the design of the whole quality ecosystem necessary for delivering quality software solutions efficiently.
== Contact Details Skills ==Name: Vincent Dirks e=== Testing ==={| class="wikitable"|- style="vertical-mailalign: nospam1@dirksonline.nettop;"Address: |Kelvin Rd* Context Driven TestingRemuera* API TestingAuckland 1050* Testing Native Mobile AppsMob: 021-0269-6216* Testing Web Apps Linkedin: https:* Testing Firmware/Embedded systems* Testability Concepts| * Observability Concepts* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)* Visual Modelling* Metrics Driven Development (A/nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557 B Testing)* Accessibility Testing|}
=== Programming and Automation ===
{| class="wikitable"
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
! style="text-align:left"| Javascript
! style="text-align:left"| Java
! style="text-align:left"| Other
|-
|
* Node.js
* Express.js
* React.js
* Jest
* Cypress.io
* Webdriver.io
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* Cucumber (BDD)
* Tidal Wave UI automation library
* Selenium
* REST Assured
* JUnit, TestNG
* LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
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* Appium
* XCUITest
* C#: Specflow (BDD)
* SQL
* GraphQL
* C++: Arduino, ESP32
|-
!colspan="3" style="text-align:left"| Tools
|-
|colspan="3"|
* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
* Postman, Newman
* Github/Bitbucket
* Jenkins, Azure Devops, TFS, Google Cloud Platform
* Bash & Powershell scripting
* SoapUI & ReadyAPI
|}
== Introduction = General ===I'm an agile software test analyst. I love adjusting the test process to match it to the context at hand. I like manual (exploratory) testing, but I also have fun coding some automated checks. I gravitate towards Context Driven Testing (CDT), and tend to agree with the thoughts and expressions from the leaders of the CDT community, such as James Bach and Michael Bolton. I'm also really enjoying learning about Agile methods and philosophies; for me, Agile is best summed up as {| class="Autonomy with Responsibility through Trustwikitable". When you distil software development to its true essence, it is still about people|- style="vertical-align:top; it is driven by people"|* Platform Engineering* Staff Mentoring & Induction* Agile Squad Master* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, made by peopleLasers, and most importantly, it is made for people. People have emotions, passions, motivators and more. We're all different, and we all have something unique to give. I'm looking to work with people that have a passion for what they do, and have fun doing it! For me, testing is my professional passion, and I'm looking for a new role where I can work with people who share their passions and challenge me to be the best.Fibre-optics* Electrical & Electronic Engineering|}
== Education Work Experience ==1993 Graduated ME I am taking a break from work to give myself some time for self-care after some difficult periods over the last couple of years. === [[Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===: Contracting through [https://ttcglobal.com TTC Global]. Part of the Test Automation team for the Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the [https://wave.tidalcode.dev/ Tidal. wave] Selenium automation library === [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===: Served as a Roving Automation Quality Engineer, bridging testing and automation gaps across multiple teams. Tested and automated mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also undertook a secondment as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and later developed a ReactJS web app for viewing the test environments and interconnections. === [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (ElecOct-2020 - Mar-2021) University ===: Served as a quality coach for a startup company developing a ReactJS Web App for the AML/CFT (Anti-Money Laundering/Countering Financing of Terrorism) industry. === [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===: Contracting 4 days/week. Helping modify legacy weather radars with some embedded Arduino micro controllers. Designing new electronics, PCB's, maintaining power waveguide systems, and performing signal analysis. === [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a Postman collection to test the API and implemented a node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the collection using Newman, and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports. The Web UI implemented access restrictions for whitelisted IPs and authenticated users. === [[Fiserv Auckland- Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===1991 Graduated BE : Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation. Using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(ElecPostman/Node.js/Express.js) Hons, Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created a [[Postman Testrunner Framework]] for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring. === [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Sep 2016 - Dec 2016) === === [[Trade Me - Senior Software Test Analyst]] (Dec-2014 - Aug-2016) ===: Part of a small squad at Trade Me, I conducted context-driven exploratory testing for software changes to the iconic website. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, and mobile apps, leading deployments, conducting test planning and peer reviews, utilizing BDD and visual test tools. I gained experience with implementing agile methods, Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and Confluence. I also enjoyed onboarding new staff and contributing to the test and agile guilds. === [[Pre-2014 Roles]] ===: [[Pre-2014 Roles#Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd - Logistics Manager (Aug-2005 - Aug-2009)|Logistics Manager]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Primary Caregiver (Sep-2003 - Jul-2005)|Caregiver]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Bioengineering Institute - Software Engineer (Sep 2002 - Aug 2003)|Software Engineer]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd - Development & Support Engineer (Aug 1997 - Nov 2001)|Development & Support Engineer]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Carter Holt Harvey(Tissue Group) - Production Scheduler (1994 - 1996)|Production Scheduler]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#University of Auckland- Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor (Sep-2003 - Jul-2005 part time)|Physics Tutor]]
== Work Experience Related wiki pages == Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me=== [[References_-_Full_List|References]] ===– Testing changes to the iconic NZ :[[References_-_Full_List#Dept. of Internal Affairs (TTC)| TTC]], [[References_-_Full_List#Westpac| Westpac ]], [[References_-_Full_List#Fiserv| Fiserv ]], [[References_-_Full_List#| Trade Me website (Motors Group) ]] === [[Volunteering]] ===covering DB: [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], UIEastern Suburbs AFC, APIGlendowie Boating Club, deploymentMOTAT, agile methodsEastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School === [[Professional Development]] ===: Conferences, squad masteringworkshops,meetups etc.new staf induction and junior staff support, API & UI automation checks Dec 2014 Aug 2016Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ=== [[Education]] ===– Testing various bespoke developed applications : University of Auckland: ME(for internal useElec)– Developing a test automation framework for LeasePlan Apr 2013Dec 2014=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===Volunteering whilst Primary Caregiver– Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014) – Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor (2011-2014)– MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)– Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012) Aug 2009- ==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024===== Test Community Events ===* Registered to go to the [https://nztestingconf.nz/ NZTestingConf 2024] in Wellington to listen to ** Shay Naiki, QA Manager @ Alphero: Creating a collaborative culture in the testing world: lessons from life in a digital agencyApr 2013** Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup worldResearch Assistant – University ** Emma Procter & Jonathan Shirley, @ PikPok: Finding the fun: researching and playtesting games at PikPok** Patricio Miner, Content Creator @ Free Range Testers: ETL: the testing niche you've never thought of AucklandSet ** Toby Martin, QA Practice Lead @ Pushpay: Stop automating, start investigating: a guide to slowing down to speed up database ** Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester:''== Watch this space for research into conference notes =='' ===Interesting Reads===* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/download/a cyclist-context-driven-approach-to-automation-in-testing A Context Driven Approach to Automation in Testing]'s exposure '' By James Bach and Michael Bolton:Quote: ''"dynamically evaluating context and selecting, designing, or adjusting our actions to solve the problems that we encounter."''* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/blog/archives/4947 Round Earth Test Strategy]''' by James Bach:Interesting alternative to air pollution when commuting the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''. :Quote: ''There are testing problems to and from work in Aucklandconsider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below". Aug 2011'' May 2012Logistics Manager ===My '''[[Observability Project]]'''===* [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/hello- Monitor Business Machines NZ LtdTotal management of all aspects of production world.html Express.js basic hello world] and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by my [https://github.com/VincentDirks/node.js-in-the-cloud node.js-in-the company-cloud] repo* [https://www. Augatlassian.com/microservices/microservices-2005architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian <br>Aug 2009:I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor – University of Auckland Feb-2004 – Dec 2005Bluetooth Software Engineer – UoA Bioengineering Institute Sep* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-2002 – Aug 2003Splunk Docker Splunk Image]Physics Tutor – University of Auckland Jul-2002 – Sep2002Senior Development & Support Engineer===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, Project Managerand Trying Out|Archive]]=== :Old pre- Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd Aug 1997 – Nov 20012024 entriesShort Term Contracts - Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation--- - Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support 1996 – 1997---Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Groupsales forecasting[[#Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer|Back to Top]], product specifications, Continuous improvement projects 1994 – 1996Send [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>]