Difference between revisions of "Curriculum Vitae - Vincent Dirks"

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<u>my cv is a wiki</u> ...and I think that's pretty cool. Welcome and explore! Hopefully you'll find what you're looking for.
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{{ContactDetails}}
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''It's early days still, and there's plenty more things to do. [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback is welcome</u>]''
 
  
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{| class="wikitable" style="float:right; margin-left: 10px;"
+
== Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer ==
−
!Name
+
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.
−
|Vincent Izaak Dirks
+
 
−
|-
+
== Skills ==
−
!e-mail
+
=== Testing ===
−
|nospam1@dirksonline.net
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
|-
+
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
−
!Address
+
|
−
|Kelvin Rd<br />Remuera<br />Auckland 1050
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* Context Driven Testing
−
|-
+
* API Testing
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!Mob
+
* Testing Native Mobile Apps
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| 021-0269-6216
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* Testing Web Apps
−
|-
+
* Testing Firmware/Embedded systems
−
!LinkedIn
+
* Testability Concepts
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| https://nz.linkedin.com/in/vincent-dirks-937aa557
+
|  
 +
* Observability Concepts
 +
* Exploratory Testing (Session & Thread Based)
 +
* Visual Modelling
 +
* Metrics Driven Development (A/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
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
 
 +
|
 +
* Node.js, npm
 +
* Express.js
 +
* React
 +
* Jest
 +
* Cypress.io
 +
* Webdriver.io
 +
* mermaid.js
 +
|
 +
* Cucumber (BDD)
 +
* Maven
 +
* Tidal. Wave UI automation library
 +
* Selenium
 +
* REST-assured
 +
* JUnit, TestNG
 +
* LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
 +
|
 +
* Appium
 +
* XCUITest
 +
* C#: Specflow (BDD)
 +
* SQL & [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SQL_Server_Management_Studio SSMS]
 +
* GraphQL
 +
* C++: Arduino, ESP32
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
=== Tools ===
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
|
 +
* Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
 +
* Postman, Newman
 +
* VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
 +
* Github, Bitbucket
 +
* Docker, Linux
 +
|
 +
* Fiddler, Charles Proxy
 +
* Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
 +
* Bash & Powershell scripting
 +
* Atlassian, Confluence
 +
* SoapUI, ReadyAPI
 
|}
 
|}
  
−
== 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 "Autonomy with Responsibility through Trust".
+
{| class="wikitable"
−
When you distil software development to its true essence, it is still about people; it is driven by people, made by people, 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.
+
|- style="vertical-align:top;"
 +
|
 +
* Banking and finance sector
 +
* AML/CFT Solutions
 +
* Online Auction Platforms
 +
* Vehicle Leasing systems
 +
* Platform Engineering
 +
* Staff Mentoring & Induction
 +
|
 +
* Agile Squad Master
 +
* Micro-services architecture
 +
* Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
 +
* Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
 +
* Electrical & Electronic Engineering
 +
* Dinghy Sailing
 +
|}
  
 
== Work Experience ==  
 
== Work Experience ==  
−
===Senior Software Test Analyst – Trade Me (Dec 2014 - Aug 2016)===
+
At the moment 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.
−
:Part of small squad (cross functional agile team) testing software changes to the iconic NZ Trade Me website (Motors Group) covering
+
 
−
:* DB, UI, API, and architecture changes
+
=== [[Water Services Reform, Dept of Internal Affairs (NZ Govt) - Senior Test Automation Engineer]] (Nov-2023 - Jan-2024) ===
−
:* deployment
+
: 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
−
:* agile methods and squad mastering
+
 
−
:* new staff induction and junior staff support
+
=== [[Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer]] (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023) ===
−
:* test automation for API (Ready!API/SoapUI) and UI changes (tractor/protractor)
+
: Served as a roving Automation Quality Engineer, addressing testing and automation needs across multiple teams. Conducted testing and automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and developed a React web app for visualizing test environments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).
−
:* test planning and test reviews
+
 
−
:* test guild contributor
+
=== [[FirstAML - Test Analyst]] (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021) ===
−
:Whilst at Trade Me I continued to attend many WeTest MeetUps and have developed a well connected network of professionals in the Auckland as well as New Zealand test community.  
+
: 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.
−
:Attended
+
 
−
:*WeTest 2015 annual conference
+
=== [[Weather Radar NZ limited - Weather Radar Systems Engineer]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
−
:*Rapid Software Testing by James Bach (was awarded the coveted James Bach star) (3 day course)
+
: 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.
−
:*Critical Thinking by Michael Bolton (1 day course)
+
 
−
:*Visual Modelling by Adam Howard (Trade Me internal training)
+
=== [[Grappler- Agile Quality Analyst]] (Jun-2020 - Oct-2020) ===
−
:Presented
+
: Contracting 1 day/week. Developed a small solution to run a Postman collection in Google Cloud Platform and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports.
−
:*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
+
=== [[Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer]] (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020) ===
 +
: Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation, using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript (Postman, Node.js, Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created the Postman Testrunner Framework (PTF) 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) ===
 +
: 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]]
  
−
===Software Tester – LeasePlan NZ (Apr 2013 - Dec 2014)===
+
== Related wiki pages ==
−
:Full time testing contractor to the IS department, testing a variety of bespoke applications primarily for internal use.
+
=== [[References_-_Full_List|References]] ===
−
:*Complex quotation app for car leasing built in MS-Access
+
:[[References_-_Full_List#Dept. of Internal Affairs (TTC)| TTC]], [[References_-_Full_List#Westpac| Westpac ]], [[References_-_Full_List#Fiserv| Fiserv ]], [[References_-_Full_List#| Trade Me Motors]]
−
:*Online driver FBT data collection portal (UI, web security, data flows from web to and from LPNZ, emailing)
 
−
:*Character based legacy (AS-400) system testing
 
−
:*Developed a test automation framework for above character based system.
 
−
:At LPNZ I was introduced to testing as a proper profession by my friend Christina Linwood. I attended the NZ Tester Magazine conference, and went to a full day workshop on Risk Based Testing by Matt Mansell. It was exhilarating to be with people passionate about testing.
 
  
−
===Primary Caregiver (Sep-2009 - Mar-2013) ===
+
=== [[Volunteering]] ===
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:* Eastern Suburbs AFC –Junior Girls Co-ordinator (2011-2014)
+
: Laingholm & Districts Community Association, [[Ministry of Testing - Auckland Branch|Ministry of Testing]], Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School
−
:* Glendowie Boating Club - Arrow Class Convenor  (2011-2015)
 
−
:* MOTAT Tramways Volunteer Conductor (2012-2014)
 
−
:* Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School - PTA (2011-2012)
 
  
−
===Research Assistant – University of Auckland (part time Aug 2011 - May 2012)===
+
=== [[Professional Development]] ===
−
:Set up large database (MS Access) of historic Auckland traffic flows for research into a cyclist's exposure to air pollution when commuting to and from work.
+
: Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.
  
−
===Logistics Manager - Monitor Business Machines NZ Ltd (Aug-2005 - Aug 2009)===
+
=== [[Education]] ===
−
:Total management of all aspects of production and delivery of all electronic hardware sold by the company.
+
: University of Auckland: ME(Elec)
  
−
===BTech Lab Coordinator & Physics Tutor University of Auckland (part time Feb 2004 – Dec 2005)===
+
=== [[Presentations, Posts, and blogs]] ===
−
:*Managed the lab for approximately 20 students doing their final year projects in BTech(Opto-electronics)
 
−
:*Primary academic supervisor for several students
 
−
:*Physics tutor for Dept of Maori & Pacific Health
 
  
−
===Bluetooth Software Engineer UoA Bioengineering Institute (Sep-2002 – Aug 2003)===
+
----
−
:Developed a Bluetooth protocol stack for the telemetry of data from devices implanted in rabbits used for medical research into kidney function.
+
----
−
:*Bluetooth HCI commands
 
−
:*Protocol stack implemented in extremely low resource PIC micro controler
 
−
:*Code base written mainly in C and shared across multiple device types, and different compilers.
 
−
:*LabView integration
 
  
−
===Physics Tutor University of Auckland===
+
==What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024==
−
Jul-2002 – Sep2002
+
=== 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 agency
 +
** Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world
 +
** 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
 +
** Toby Martin, QA Practice Lead @ Pushpay: Stop automating, start investigating: a guide to slowing down to speed up
 +
** Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester
 +
:''== Watch this space for conference notes ==''
  
−
===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".''
  
−
xxx
+
===My '''[[Observability Project]]'''===
 +
* [https://expressjs.com/en/starter/hello-world.html Express.js basic hello world] and my [https://github.com/VincentDirks/node.js-in-the-cloud node.js-in-the-cloud] repo
 +
* [https://www.atlassian.com/microservices/microservices-architecture/kubernetes-vs-docker Kubernetes vs. Docker] by Josh Campbell at Atlassian <br>
 +
:I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my [[Observability Project]]
  
−
test -
+
* Setting up Docker Desktop at home to run the [https://github.com/Splunk/docker-Splunk Docker Splunk Image]
  
−
===Short Term Contracts===
+
===[[Archive What I'm Reading, Watching, Listing, Learning, and Trying Out|Archive]]===
−
- Cerebos Greggs – Production Planner & documentation
+
:Old pre-2024 entries
−
- Auckland City Council – Ph PABX maintenance & support 1996 – 1997
 
−
===Production Scheduler – Charter Holt Harvey – Tissue Group===
 
  
−
sales forecasting, product specifications, Continuous improvement projects 1994 – 1996
+
----
 +
----
  
−
== Education ==
+
[[#Intro Vincent Dirks - Software Quality Engineer|Back to Top]], Send [http://dirksonline.net/cvwiki/index.php?title=Talk:Curriculum_Vitae_-_Vincent_Dirks <u>feedback</u>]
−
1993 ME (Elec) University of Auckland<br />
 
−
1991 BE (Elec) Hons. University of Auckland<br />
 
−
1989 Secondary School Dux Literarum. Rutherford High School
 

Latest revision as of 01:18, 9 May 2024

Name Vincent Dirks
e-mail vincent@dirksonline.net
Mob 021-0269-6216
LinkedIn nz.linkedin.com
Location Beautiful Parau, West Auckland

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

  • 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

Javascript Java Other
  • Node.js, npm
  • Express.js
  • React
  • Jest
  • Cypress.io
  • Webdriver.io
  • mermaid.js
  • Cucumber (BDD)
  • Maven
  • Tidal. Wave UI automation library
  • Selenium
  • REST-assured
  • JUnit, TestNG
  • LeJOS (Lego mindstorm) Robotics
  • Appium
  • XCUITest
  • C#: Specflow (BDD)
  • SQL & SSMS
  • GraphQL
  • C++: Arduino, ESP32

Tools

  • Splunk (log aggregation & analysis)
  • Postman, Newman
  • VS Code, IntelliJ, Visual Studio
  • Github, Bitbucket
  • Docker, Linux
  • Fiddler, Charles Proxy
  • Jenkins, Azure Devops (TFS), Google Cloud Platform
  • Bash & Powershell scripting
  • Atlassian, Confluence
  • SoapUI, ReadyAPI

General

  • Banking and finance sector
  • AML/CFT Solutions
  • Online Auction Platforms
  • Vehicle Leasing systems
  • Platform Engineering
  • Staff Mentoring & Induction
  • Agile Squad Master
  • Micro-services architecture
  • Manufacturing Resource Planning - Logistics Manager
  • Physics - Weather Radar Systems, Lasers, Fibre-optics
  • Electrical & Electronic Engineering
  • Dinghy Sailing

Work Experience

At the moment 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 TTC Global. Part of the Test Automation team for the Three Waters Project, developing a UI Automation suite in Java using the Tidal. wave Selenium automation library

Westpac NZ - Senior Automation Quality Engineer (Apr-2021 - Nov-2023)

Served as a roving Automation Quality Engineer, addressing testing and automation needs across multiple teams. Conducted testing and automation for mobile apps (Appium & XCUITest), a D365 web UI (Java, Selenium, POM's), and various APIs (Java, REST Assured). Also contributed as a platform engineer supporting Splunk, and developed a React web app for visualizing test environments (Node.js, React, mermaid.js).

FirstAML - Test Analyst (Oct-2020 - Mar-2021)

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 small solution to run a Postman collection in Google Cloud Platform and a simple Web UI (Node.js, Express.js) to trigger test runs and display HTML test reports.

Fiserv Auckland - Intermediate Software Test Engineer (Jan-2017 - Apr-2020)

Native Mobile App functional and accessibility testing. API testing and automation, using Postman/Newman, Specflow with C#, Javascript (Postman, Node.js, Express.js), Splunk for dashboards, TFS & Powershell for System deployment automation. Created the Postman Testrunner Framework (PTF) 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)

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

Logistics Manager, Caregiver, Software Engineer, Development & Support Engineer, Production Scheduler, Physics Tutor

Related wiki pages

References

TTC, Westpac , Fiserv , Trade Me Motors

Volunteering

Laingholm & Districts Community Association, Ministry of Testing, Eastern Suburbs AFC, Glendowie Boating Club, MOTAT, Eastern Suburbs Montessori Primary School

Professional Development

Conferences, workshops, meetups etc.

Education

University of Auckland: ME(Elec)

Presentations, Posts, and blogs

What I'm reading, watching, listening, learning, and trying out in 2024

Test Community Events

  • Registered to go to the 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 agency
    • Nevetha Mani, Product Human @ Hectre: Off the beaten path: rethinking quality in the startup world
    • 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
    • Toby Martin, QA Practice Lead @ Pushpay: Stop automating, start investigating: a guide to slowing down to speed up
    • Ryan Bevens, QA Community Manager @ Potentia: Diary of a reluctant recruiter: your value as a tester
== Watch this space for conference notes ==

Interesting Reads

Quote: "dynamically evaluating context and selecting, designing, or adjusting our actions to solve the problems that we encounter."
Interesting alternative to the "Test Automation Pyramid".
Quote: There are testing problems to consider at every level, "Quality above requires quality below".

My Observability Project

I want to learn the difference between these technologies to see how it might apply to my Observability Project

Archive

Old pre-2024 entries

Back to Top, Send feedback

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