Writer, Editor and Quality Assurance Management
Resume:
Yvette Gavin
******@*******.***
Professional Writer, Editor, Speaker, and Life Coach. An Accomplished Information Technology (IT) Management resource with over 20 years of progressive experience. Proven ability in building high-performance IT teams onshore and offshore. Srong competency in writing, editing, planning, and leading IT organizations. A solid cross-functional leader who exceeds expectations through well-defined strategies, quality metrics, and clear communication.
PROFESSIONAL STRENGTHS
Functional Experience
Adult Training Methodology
Technical and Creative Writing
Proposal and Copy Editing
Software Quality Management
Project Management
Business Analysis
Offshore & Onshore Team Building
Strategic Planning
Risk Assessment
Organizational Development
Process Improvement
Needs Analyses
Industry Experience
Media ( TV, Radio, Print & Advertising
Telecommunication
Wireless/Broadband
Cable/ Video
Insurance
Finance
eCommerce
Air Line
Aerospace
Consultant
Non-profit
Environmental
PROFESSIONAL WRITING EXPERIENCE 1983 - Present
Wrote and published two books: What To Do After You Say I Do and ReCalibrate! Navigating the Job Market with Confidence.
Write Career-related articles for LinkedIn and publishes a Career blog.
Wrote feature articles for the Atlanta GoodLife magazine and breaking news stories for the Champion newspaper. Responsibilities include setting up and conducting interviews, writing orginial content, and editing articles within a specific timeframe.
Wrote feature and breaking news articles for The Birmingham News and The Birmingham Times.
Wrote creative and technical copy ranging from newspaper, radio, and television advertisements to promotional brochures, newsletters, flyers, training manuals, and point-of-purchase materials for Rhino Advertising Agency.
Researched news leads, conducted off-camera interviews, edited news copy for CNN Headline News.
News Reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Reported on religious activities and local news. Wrote the weather column for Sunday morning publications and obituaries on prominent Georgians.
Technical Writer for Delta Air Lines, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and CH2M Hill.
Managing Editor at Lockheed-Martin Aeronautical Systems. Performed technical rewrites and edited proposals for clarity, effectiveness, and RFP responsiveness while managing a team of four editors. Developed, wrote, and published the Proposal Writers Guide, the Proposal Resources Operational Procedures, and LASC Proposal Style Manual.
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE
Cox Communications 2012 – Present
Senior Manager – Enterprise Quality Assurance
Manage a team of QA Project Managers, QA Leads and onshore/offshore QA Testers who are responsible for the stability, reliability and customer experience of Cox Communications Video and Media products.
Ensure the test phase for large-scaled video projects are planned and implemented in accordance to the Assured Process using waterfall, iterative, and agile methodologies.
Accountable for business metrics, resource and capacity management, test estimation, and test strategy.
Provide best practice guidance and leadership to staff, act as consultant and technology expert to management in resolving unusually difficult problems.
Direct the testing efforts for major releases, minor releases, and production break fix issues.
Implemented an employee development plan with specific focus on leadership coaching, team building, and Quality Assurance training.
Created the Defect Review Board. Received Cox’s Process Improvement Award for this effort.
AT&T, Atlanta, GA 2010 – 2012
IT Project Lead – Consultant
Directed a team of six QA contractors focused on ensuring quality in newly developed cloud-based applications and services that included eCommerce components.
Developed and implemented a Quality Assurance Process for managing and measuring quality in software applications. Process included SDLC best practice for test estimation, test plans, test cases, defect management, and manual, performance, and automated testing.
Managed and ensured the stability of six environments QA, System Integration, Partner Integration, Performance, Production, and Break fit.
Coached QA resources on implementation of the Quality Assurance Process and provided day-to-day guidance for the team.
Established cross-functional relationships with technical development leads, application partners, and downstream system owners in order to ensure the necessary support for successful test sprints.
Facilitated working sessions, reviews, and scrum meetings with QA and project teams.
CBEYOND, Atlanta, GA 2006 – 2010
IT Director – Business Analysis and Quality Assurance
Directed an IT organization which included three managers, four leads, off shore contractors, and onsite Business Analysts and Quality Assurance employees who focused on a Siebel Client Service application, and eCommerce websites.
Developed a customized Software Testing Process for testing software applications to ensure the design and requirements were satisfied which included the following disciplines: Estimating, Analysis, Planning, Execution, Reporting, and Management.
Established an Enterprise Testing Process that covered all production changes including production conversions, infrastructure changes, call center, IT applications, and third-party vendor changes which resulted in a production defect containment rate of less than 1.5 percent.
Created a Business Analysis Process that contained the templates, process flows, job aids, and management tools to provide employees with a systematic method for gathering and managing Business Requirements.
Deployed a Software Testing Process that contained the templates, process flows, job aids, and management tools to provide employees with an easy to use systematic method for evaluating a system or system components.
Implemented a program that concentrated on People, Process, and Professional growth in order to build a high-performing team through the use of standard processes, procedures, best practices, principles, disciplines, tools, and team building activities.
Managed the implementation of test environments for QA, UAT, and Development which included virtualization and peripheral hardware.
JOHN H. HARLAND, Decatur, GA 2004 - 2006
Manager, Software Quality Assurance
Managed the day-to-day activities of a full-time staff which included on-site and remote employees and contractors.
Ensured that QA process and practices were within SOX compliance.
Spearheaded the implementation of functional automated testing using Quick Test Pro within the SQA department. Conducted QTP feasibility study, secured on-site vendor training, and lead test automation process steering committee.
Coached employees on personal career development and growth.
Led the test automation initiative for websites, applications, and systems testing efforts.
CONNECTURE, Atlanta, GA 2003 - 2004
Lead, Software Quality Assurance - Consultant
Led testing efforts and coordinated the testing activity for four QA analysts for an eCommerce website.
DELTA AIR LINES, Atlanta, GA 1997 - 2001
Technical Writer & Software Quality Assurance Lead
Managed the day-to-day testing activities for six quality assurance analysts from 1999- 2001. Started as a Technical Writer in 1997 where I wrote user’s guides for in-house developed software for customer care representatives.
CARSON and ASSOCIATES, Atlanta, GA 1994 – 1997
Consultant, Technical Writer- Clients: Coca-Cola, Georgia-Pacific Corporation, and CH2M Hill
Wrote and designed training materials for PC applications using information mapping methodology.
LOCKHEED-MARTIN AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS, Marietta, GA 1991 - 1994
Managing Editor
Developed proposal editing procedures and writing standards. Gathered business requirements and wrote various documents to support the submittal of Request for Proposals (RFPs).
MARITZ PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT COMPANY, Louis, MO 1989 -1991
Project Manager
Planned, designed, and executed performance improvement programs for clients such as AT&T and Georgia Pacific.
TECHNICAL SKILLS
Testing Tools: Quick Test Pro/WinRunner, TestDirector/Quality Center, LoadRunner, Grander, JMeter, ClearCase, SourceSafe, iRise, Jira, Soap UI
Software: Niku Clarity PPM, Siebel, Microsoft Project, Word, Excel, SharePoint, Project, PowerPoint, Publisher, PageMaker, NT Windows 95/98/2000/XP
Languages & Databases: C, C++, JAVA, Visual Basic, JavaScript, VBScript, UNIX Script, Oracle 8i/9i/10g, SQL Server 2000, DB2
Web Technologies: HTML, XML, Web Logic, Flex/Flash/ JSP, JAVA Script,
Operating Systems & Servers: Windows NT 95/98/2000/XP, UNIX, Oracle, SQL Server, Solaris, Redhat Linux
SDLC Methodology & Standards: Waterfall, Agile, Scrum, Iterative, Six Sigma, Rational Unified Process (RUP) Total Quality Management, IEEE, Assured, SOX compliance
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Recalibrate! Navigating the Job Market with Confidence ISBN: 10:193976145X
What to Do After Saying I Do ISBN: 10:098*******
EDUCATION
Oral Roberts University, Tulsa, OK – Communication/Organizational Leadership – Bachelor’s 2016
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA – Journalism -1982 – 1985
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING/CERTIFICATIONSs
Board Certified Life Coach – 2012, The International Coaching Association
Executive Coaching Program- 2008, Women In Technology
Certified Workplace and Marriage Facilitator –2006, PREP, Inc.
Project Management: Skills for Success- 2005, Learning Tree International
Performance Load, and Stress Testing - 2004 – Software Quality Engineering
AWARDS & VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES
Cox Communications 2013 Synergy Award- Process Improvement
Leadership Award, 2010 – Georgia National Guard Joint Forces
GA Governor’s Award for Outstanding Leadership
Board member and Program Chair - Cox Communications Women’s Employee Resource
Hands on Atlanta
WIT Career Coach
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Women In Technology (WIT)
Women in Cable Television (WIC)
Technology Association of Georgia (TAG)
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