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== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==As 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 adapting to diverse contexts, and look beyond traditional testing methodologies to consider the design of the whole quality ecosystem necessary for delivering quality software solutions efficiently. == Skills ===== Testing ==={| class="wikitable" |- style="floatvertical-align:righttop; margin"|* Context Driven Testing* API Testing* Testing Native Mobile Apps* Testing Web Apps * Testing Firmware/Embedded systems* Testability Concepts| * Observability Concepts* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)* Visual Modelling* Metrics Driven Development (A/B Testing)* Accessibility Testing|} === Programming and Automation ==={| class="wikitable"|- style="vertical-leftalign: 10pxtop;"!Namestyle="text-align:left"|Vincent Izaak DirksJavascript! style="text-align:left"|-Java!estyle="text-mailalign:left"|nospam1@dirksonline.netOther
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!Mobcolspan="3" style="text-align:left"| 021-0269-6216Tools
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== Intro = 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|}
== Work Experience ==
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. ===[[TTC - Dept. of Internal Affairs - Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me Automation Engineer]] (Dec 2014 Nov-2023 - Jan- Aug 20162024)===:Contracting. Part of small squad (cross functional agile the Test Automation team) testing software changes to for the Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the iconic [https://wave.tidalcode.dev/ Tidal. wave] Selenium automation library === [[Westpac NZ Trade Me website - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Motors GroupApr-2021 - Nov-2023) covering ===:* DBServed 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), APIand various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also undertook a secondment as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and architecture changeslater developed a ReactJS web app for viewing the test environments and interconnections.:* deployment:* agile methods and squad mastering=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===:* new staff induction and junior staff support:* test automation Served as a quality coach for a startup company developing a ReactJS Web App for API the AML/CFT (Ready!APIAnti-Money Laundering/SoapUICountering Financing of Terrorism) and UI changes industry. === [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (tractor/protractorJun-2020 - Oct-2020)===:* test planning 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 test reviewsperforming signal analysis. :* test guild contributor=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===:Whilst at Trade Me I continued Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a Postman collection to attend many WeTest MeetUps test the API and have developed implemented a well connected network of professionals node in Google Cloud Platform to execute the Auckland as well as New Zealand collection using Newman, and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test communityreports. The Web UI implemented access restrictions for whitelisted IPs and authenticated users. :Attended:*WeTest 2015 annual conference:*Rapid === [[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Testing by James Bach Test Engineer]] (was awarded the coveted James Bach star) (3 day courseJan-2017 - Apr-2020)===:*Critical Thinking by Michael Bolton Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation. Using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript(1 day coursePostman/Node.js/Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created a [[Postman Testrunner Framework]] for automated API integration checks and environment health monitoring.:*Visual Modelling by Adam Howard === [[Engel Consulting - Contracting]] (Trade Me internal trainingSep 2016 - Dec 2016):Presented:*Gather 2016, an interactive session on Metrics Driven Development and the analysis of AB Testing data:*Agile Auckland, Three Agile testing Lessons I learned at Trade Me===
===[[Trade Me - Senior Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ Test Analyst]] (Apr 2013 Dec- Dec 2014- Aug-2016)===:Full time Part of a small squad at Trade Me, I conducted context-driven exploratory testing contractor for software changes to the IS departmenticonic website. My responsibilities included testing DBs, UIs, APIs, testing a variety of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.:*Complex quotation app for car leasing built in MS-Access :*Online driver FBT data collection portal (UIand mobile apps, web securityleading deployments, data flows from web to conducting test planning and from LPNZpeer reviews, emailing):*Character based legacy (AS-400) system testing:*Developed a utilizing BDD and visual test automation framework for above character based systemtools. :At LPNZ I was introduced to testing as a proper profession by my friend Christina Linwoodgained experience with implementing agile methods, Splunk, ReadyAPI, XMind, Jira, and Confluence. I attended also enjoyed onboarding new staff and contributing to the NZ Tester Magazine conference, test and went to a full day workshop on Risk Based Testing by Matt Mansell. It was exhilarating to be with people passionate about testingagile 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-2009 2003 - MarJul-20132005) ===:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co|Caregiver]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Bioengineering Institute - Software Engineer (Sep 2002 - Aug 2003)|Software Engineer]], [[Pre-2014 Roles#Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd -ordinator Development & Support Engineer (2011Aug 1997 - Nov 2001)|Development & Support Engineer]], [[Pre-2014Roles#Carter Holt Harvey(Tissue Group) :* Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor Production Scheduler (20111994 -20151996):* MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012|Production Scheduler]], [[Pre-2014):* Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School Roles#University of Auckland - PTA Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor (2011Sep-2003 - Jul-20122005 part time)|Physics Tutor]]
==Related wiki pages =Research Assistant – University of Auckland (part time Aug 2011 ==== [[References_- May 2012)_Full_List|References]] ===:Set up large database [[References_-_Full_List#Dept. of Internal Affairs (MS AccessTTC) of historic Auckland traffic flows for research into a cyclist's exposure to air pollution when commuting to and from work.| TTC]], [[References_-_Full_List#Westpac| Westpac ]], [[References_-_Full_List#Fiserv| Fiserv ]], [[References_-_Full_List#| Trade Me Motors]]
===Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd (Aug-2005 - Aug 2009)[[Volunteering]] ===:Total management [[Ministry of all aspects of production and delivery Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of all electronic hardware sold by the company.Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland[[Professional Development]] === : Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute[[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===Sep-2002 – Aug 2003
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024=Senior Development & Support Engineer, Project Manager====Interesting Reads=== Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd Aug 1997 – Nov 2001* '''[https://www.satisfice.com/download/a-context-driven-approach-to-automation-in-testing A Context Driven Approach to Automation in Testing]''' 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 the ''"Test Automation Pyramid"''. :Quote: ''There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".''
===Short Term Contracts[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]=== :Old pre- Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation - Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support 1996 – 1997===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group===2024 entries
[[#Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer|Back to Top]], Send [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title== Education ==1993 ME (Elec) University of AucklandTalk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <br /u>1991 BE (Elec) Hons. University of Aucklandfeedback<br /u>1989 Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High School]