michaela sargent

Responsible for the testing function (team size 7) and test demand for the IT department with additional line management for the test team. Reported directly into the Head of IT Operations.

Responsible for the development and execution of functional automated test scripts using QuickTest Pro, WinRunner and LoadRunner and performance testing for projects, managing team demand, line management of test automation engineers and being the Center of Excellence for the HP Mercury toolset across AXA-UK. Reported directly into the Head of Testing.

Responsible for the overall test function (team size 14), demand and delivery for the entire Portfolio; delivered testing to CMMi Level 3 in a matrix managed environment for multiple high profile, concurrent projects providing Digital solutions within a £4m Portfolio budget. Changes spanned multiple new and existing technologies, included new infrastructure and software build, integration, data mapping, migration and decommissioning activities for both in-house and supplier built solutions. Recruited on/off-shore test resources, performed line management, led strategic and continuous improvement initiatives, provided test consultancy to the Portfolio and directed on all matters relating to test. Reported directly to the Portfolio Head and interacted with up to 40 multi-disciplined IT & Business stakeholders.

Managed and quality assured the entire test lifecycle for the Desktop Transformation programme, adopting an Agile approach to project delivery. Reported directly into the Programme Head and Head of Testing. Changes included implementation of a new thin client solution / infrastructure (sbc, vdi and Citrix), migration of user and network data from the UK to Switzerland with upgrades to Windows 7 and Office 2010. Implementation involved a “Big Bang” rollout to 2,500 users in one week-end across the UK, India and Chicago.

Responsible for the management and delivery of the entire Project Test Lifecycle to CMMi Level 3 with individual project budgets up to £1m. Line and performance management of Test Leads, Analysts and Automation Engineers. Reported directly into the Head of Testing.

Responsible for developing ad-hoc and regular reports and the development of in-house applications using SAS, SAS AF, JCL, SQL, and Business Objects to extract data from Mainframe & Oracle databases. Produced training material for and delivered training on Business Objects and the database to key Business users.

Leading and managing the delivery & implementation of IT system changes to CMMi Level 3 (based on Prince 2) in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with fixed deadlines for mandatory price and benefit reviews, enabling the business to remain competitive.

* Full Test Lifecycle management of a variety of multi-supplier, multi technology projects for a * mix of data, infrastructure and software projects within a fast-paced commercial environment * and tight deadlines, * Project leadership from test phase to project closedown, * Delivery of a large number of projects to a variety of different methods including Agile and * Waterfall, with test-driven development and a significant emphasis on working with Vendors * and Suppliers for a Risk Based ‘Value Add’ delivery On Time and On Budget.