Project Manager
Resume:
Ariel Parales Casala
Last Held Positi*n – Business Development Executive
Filipino, Singapore Permanent Resident
********@*****.*** / +65 97114192
Profile
Ariel is able to empower clients by providing technically sound, efficient and innovative solutions in the area of banking and financial software application systems, specifically in Consumer Banking, Corporate Banking, Wholesale Banking, Private Banking and Insurance. With his vast experience, he developed and executed operational strategies that promoted organizational growth and optimal utilization of available technologies from the ground up. His core competencies include:
Project Management
People Management
Quality Management
Strategic Initiatives
Change Mgmt.
Test Management
Vendor Management
Incident Mgmt.
Portfolio Mgmt.
Relationship Mgmt.
Problem Mgmt.
Defect Management
"Ariel is an asset to any organization he joins and I wholeheartedly recommend him as a smart, analytical, highly capable, loyal, hardworking, individual with strong IT project management coupled with his high EQ and other softskills
- Sami Aziz
Citibank Private Banking IT Head
Scope of Intervention
Quality Assurance
Functional & Technical testing
Business and Functional Analysis
Portfolio Analytics and MIS reporting
Programming and prototyping
User Support and Production Support
Industries & Specialties
Banking & Financial Software Systems
Insurance Software Applications
Education & Training
1992 Bachelor of Science in Computer Science-AMA Computer University, Makati City, Philippines
Received certification for AGILE training from ISS (Institute of Systems Science), National University of Singapore (NUS)
Received the following certifications - Project Management, Information Security, Global Risk and Compliance Process, ITIL - Problem and Change Management, Analytics from IBM Singapore
Undergone training and received certification for LAN Design and LAN Administration from I/ACT (Institute of Advanced Computer Technology) in Makati City, Philippines
Undergone training and received certification for CICS Overview and Programming from BPI-ISI (Information Systems Institute) in Makati City, Philippines
Undergone training and certified in System and Acceptance Testing from Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, Singapore
Undergone training and received certification in Project Management and Leading Teams from Citibank, Singapore
Received training and certification in Six Thinking Hats from Edward de Bono in Singapore
Received training and certification in Assertive Communication Skills from Singapore Institute of Management
Undergone training and received certification for Managing Organization Politics - Influences and Alliances from American Management Association in Singapore
Certified COBOL II programming from Tekmetrics in Singapore
Languages
Tagalog (Native), English (Fluent),
Professional Recognitions
Member of Citi Alumni
Certified COBOL II programmer from Tekmetrics in Singapore
Countries of Work Experience
Singapore, Philippines, India (offshore), Vietnam (offshore), Indonesia (offshore), China (offshore), United Kingdom (offshore)
Project Experience Highlights
2017
Validata Group
Business Development Executive
Singapore
2016
Triple ‘A Plus/One Aston
Head, Testing Services
Singapore
2016
Project Consulting
Sr Mgmt. Consultant
Singapore
2016
Singapore Chanson Water Pte. Ltd.
Business Partner
Singapore
2011 2010
CICSPlex/ IBM
Deployment Manager, Test Mgr
Singapore
2010 2009
PI R2/ IBM
Delivery Manager
Singapore
2009 2009
Tuition Fee Loan Project/ IBM
Delivery Manager
Singapore
2009 2008
Avantrade Project/ Firium
Project Director, Project Manager
Singapore
2008 2000
Visionplus Project/ Citibank
Systems Manager
Singapore
2000
1998
COSMOS Project/ Cap Gemini Ernst & Young
Senior Consultant
Singapore
1998 1997
COSMOS Project/ Citibank
System Analyst
Singapore
1997 1994
Systematics Project/ RCBC
Sr System Analyst
Philippines
1994
1993
EIS Project/ Far East Bank
System Analyst
Philippines
1993 1992
AMAPS, DICS Project/ Vision 8
Sr Analyst Programmer
Philippines
2017
Validata ATS, Validata 360
Singapore
Client
Validata Group.
Position Held
Business Development Executive
The Opportunity
Validata 360, Validata ATS is the leading automation testing suite for ALM products (Asset & Liability Management) and in collaboratively works with TEMENOS to support its leading private banking software platform T24 and Triple ‘A Plus™
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible to structure deals with major local and global financial institutions to utilize the best ALM testing suite in the Asia market.
Manage and oversee the Singapore rep office of Validata
Technical Environment / Keywords
System runs on Windows, .NET, C#, Sybase (Database)
Use Validata ATS, Validata 360, Excel-VB for customization, MS Powerpoint
Duration
On-going
2016
Triple ‘A Plus- GUI/WUI
Singapore
Client
One Aston Pte. Ltd.
Position Held
Testing Services Head
The Opportunity
Triple ‘A Plus™ by TEMENOS is the leading Private Banking Platform. It incorporates the best practices adopted by the leading international financial institutions that specialize in wealth management solutions for high net worth and ultra high net worth individual clients. Triple’A Plus’s efficiently support discretionary portfolio management, investment advisory and execution-only service models. Triple'A Plus™ helps portfolio managers and relationship managers to increase assets under management, improve customer service and generate higher investment performance.
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible for the development of Testing Strategy, Test Plans and Test documents for execution of tests
Responsible for the development of IT Testing and QA strategy and roadmap of the company’s Testing Services
Responsible for verifying overall project software quality
Provide leadership for the project test organization and establish a quality culture
Identify, mitigate, escalate and provide solution to testing risks
Gain an adequate level of understanding of project business process, goals and requirements
Manage all testing resources (including users for UAT)
Manage test team logistics
Ensure that good data are defined and setup in the test environments prior to the start of all test phases
Overall management of Defect Management process
Prepare Test Progress Reports and Test Summary Reports for the entire project, except Unit Test
Manage overall planning, preparation and execution of all test phases, except Unit Test
Technical Environment / Keywords
System runs on Windows, JAVA, Sybase (Database)
Use HP Quality Center for Defect Management, Excel-VB for customization, MS Powerpoint
Duration
3 months
2016
Project Consulting
Singapore
Client
Independent sub-consulting
Position Held
Senior Management Consultant – IT Process Re-engineering
The Opportunity
Project consulting basis for a regional bank in the area of end-to-end CRM proposition solutioning.
Actions / Responsibilities
Proposed and created IT Business Model, framework and structure to senior executives of a regional bank for a Transformation and Transition Project
Advisory role on best practices, roadmap and bank system initiatives to be undertaken from the ground up
Technical Environment / Keywords
MS Powerpoint, Excel
Duration
4 months
2016
Retail Lifestyle Products
Singapore
Client
Singapore Chanson Water Pte. Ltd.
Position Held
Business Partner
The Opportunity
Joined along with some partners to start the company to be the country distributor of water ionizer and filtration products in Singapore.
Actions / Responsibilities
Handles social media and website development of the company
Relationship engagement with industry partners
Pre-sales and contract negotiation with supplier and retailers
Technical Environment / Keywords
MS Powerpoint, Excel, social media
Duration
On-going
2015
2011
Global eBanking (GEB) for Wholesale and Retail Channels (Trade Finance and Cash Management)
Singapore
Client
United Overseas Bank
Position Held
Vice President, Quality Assurance and Test Management
The Opportunity
Global eBanking is a web-based application suite bought from Misys and customized for the bank by integrating Trade Finance system and Cash Management System. The objective of the project is to steamline, fastrack and ease of usage of corporate customers and users. It was piloted in Singapore and has been rolled-out successfully in the region like Indonesia, Malaysia and China
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible for the development of Testing Strategy, Test Plans and Test documents for execution of tests
Ensure that project adheres to organization Test Framework and coach test team (including business users) in test processes, protocols and test tools
Responsible for verifying overall project software quality
Provide leadership for the project test organization and establish a quality culture
Identify, mitigate and escalate testing risks (act as the escalation point for all testing issues)
Conduct test planning and test efforts estimates with project stakeholders
Manage overall test schedule and test execution plan
Manage the acquisition of external testing services and approve related SOW
Gain an adequate level of understanding of project business process, goals and requirements
Manage all testing resources (including users for UAT)
Manage test team logistics (desks, equipments etc.)
Monitor the organization and scheduling of test environments (including the interfacing environments)
Ensure that good data are defined and setup in the test environments prior to the start of all test phases
Ensure that the entry/exit criteria of each test phases are met
Overall management of Defect Management process
Prepare Test Progress Reports and Test Summary Reports for the entire project, except Unit Test
Ensure timely approval of test artefacts
Coordinate interfacing systems and teams for integration test activities
Coordinate with Development Team Lead / Release Manager to schedule releases
Manage overall planning, preparation and execution of all test phases, except Unit Test
Coordinate business and operations groups for SIT & UAT execution
Technical Environment / Keywords
System runs on Windows and Mac environment, JAVA, Oracle (Database)
Use HP Quality Center for Defect Management, Excel-VB for customization, Misys Salesforce Defect Tracking, MS Project, MS Powerpoint, QTP, Selenium
Duration
4 years
2011
2010
CICSplex Resiliency Project – Core banking and Channels
Singapore
Client
IBM Singapore for DBS Bank
Position Held
Test Manager, Deployment Manager
The Opportunity
The project was a Monetary Authority of Singapore directive to comply system availability of ATMs and other echannels (mobile, web) on a 24x7 basis accessible by customers and users
Actions / Responsibilities
Ensure that project adheres to organization Test Framework and coach test team (including business users) in test
processes and test tools
Responsible for verifying overall project software quality
Provide leadership for the project test organization and establish a quality culture
Identify, mitigate and escalate testing risks (act as the escalation point for all testing issues)
Conduct test planning and test efforts estimates with project stakeholders
Produce Test Strategy and/or Test Plan
Create and maintain overall test schedule and test execution plan
Manage the acquisition of external testing services and approve related SOW
Gain an adequate level of understanding of project business process, goals and requirements
Manage all testing resources (including users for UAT)
Manage test team logistics (desks, equipments etc.)
Monitor the organization and scheduling of test environments (including the interfacing environments)
Ensure that good data are defined and setup in the test environments prior to the start of all test phases
Ensure that the entry/exit criteria of each test phases are met
Overall management of Defect Management process
Prepare Test Progress Reports and Test Summary Reports for the entire project, except Unit Test
Ensure timely approval of test artefacts
Coordinate interfacing systems and teams for integration test activities
Coordinate with Development Team Lead / Release Manager to schedule releases
Manage overall planning, preparation and execution of all test phases, except Unit Test
Coordinate business and operations groups for UAT & ORT design and execution
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS-ESA Mainframe, CICS programming, MS Project, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, HP Quality Center for Defect Management
Duration
7 months
2016
Project Consulting
Singapore
Client
Independent sub-consulting
Position Held
Senior Management Consultant – IT Process Re-engineering
The Opportunity
Project consulting basis for a regional bank in the area of end-to-end CRM proposition solutioning.
Actions / Responsibilities
Proposed and created IT Business Model, framework and structure to senior executives of a regional bank for a Transformation and Transition Project
Advisory role on best practices, roadmap and bank system initiatives to be undertaken from the ground up
Technical Environment / Keywords
MS Powerpoint, Excel
Duration
4 months
2016
Retail Lifestyle Products
Singapore
Client
Singapore Chanson Water Pte. Ltd.
Position Held
Business Partner
The Opportunity
Joined along with some partners to start the company to be the country distributor of water ionizer and filtration products in Singapore.
Actions / Responsibilities
Handles social media and website development of the company
Relationship engagement with industry partners
Pre-sales and contract negotiation with supplier and retailers
Technical Environment / Keywords
MS Powerpoint, Excel, social media
Duration
On-going
2015
2011
Global eBanking (GEB) for Wholesale and Retail Channels (Trade Finance and Cash Management)
Singapore
Client
United Overseas Bank
Position Held
Vice President, Quality Assurance and Test Management
The Opportunity
Global eBanking is a web-based application suite bought from Misys and customized for the bank by integrating Trade Finance system and Cash Management System. The objective of the project is to steamline, fastrack and ease of usage of corporate customers and users. It was piloted in Singapore and has been rolled-out successfully in the region like Indonesia, Malaysia and China
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible for the development of Testing Strategy, Test Plans and Test documents for execution of tests
Ensure that project adheres to organization Test Framework and coach test team (including business users) in test processes, protocols and test tools
Responsible for verifying overall project software quality
Provide leadership for the project test organization and establish a quality culture
Identify, mitigate and escalate testing risks (act as the escalation point for all testing issues)
Conduct test planning and test efforts estimates with project stakeholders
Manage overall test schedule and test execution plan
Manage the acquisition of external testing services and approve related SOW
Gain an adequate level of understanding of project business process, goals and requirements
Manage all testing resources (including users for UAT)
Manage test team logistics (desks, equipments etc.)
Monitor the organization and scheduling of test environments (including the interfacing environments)
Ensure that good data are defined and setup in the test environments prior to the start of all test phases
Ensure that the entry/exit criteria of each test phases are met
Overall management of Defect Management process
Prepare Test Progress Reports and Test Summary Reports for the entire project, except Unit Test
Ensure timely approval of test artefacts
Coordinate interfacing systems and teams for integration test activities
Coordinate with Development Team Lead / Release Manager to schedule releases
Manage overall planning, preparation and execution of all test phases, except Unit Test
Coordinate business and operations groups for SIT & UAT execution
Technical Environment / Keywords
System runs on Windows and Mac environment, JAVA, Oracle (Database)
Use HP Quality Center for Defect Management, Excel-VB for customization, Misys Salesforce Defect Tracking, MS Project, MS Powerpoint, QTP, Selenium
Duration
4 years
2011
2010
CICSplex Resiliency Project – Core banking and Channels
Singapore
Client
IBM Singapore for DBS Bank
Position Held
Test Manager, Deployment Manager
The Opportunity
The project was a Monetary Authority of Singapore directive to comply system availability of ATMs and other echannels (mobile, web) on a 24x7 basis accessible by customers and users
Actions / Responsibilities
Ensure that project adheres to organization Test Framework and coach test team (including business users) in test
processes and test tools
Responsible for verifying overall project software quality
Provide leadership for the project test organization and establish a quality culture
Identify, mitigate and escalate testing risks (act as the escalation point for all testing issues)
Conduct test planning and test efforts estimates with project stakeholders
Produce Test Strategy and/or Test Plan
Create and maintain overall test schedule and test execution plan
Manage the acquisition of external testing services and approve related SOW
Gain an adequate level of understanding of project business process, goals and requirements
Manage all testing resources (including users for UAT)
Manage test team logistics (desks, equipments etc.)
Monitor the organization and scheduling of test environments (including the interfacing environments)
Ensure that good data are defined and setup in the test environments prior to the start of all test phases
Ensure that the entry/exit criteria of each test phases are met
Overall management of Defect Management process
Prepare Test Progress Reports and Test Summary Reports for the entire project, except Unit Test
Ensure timely approval of test artefacts
Coordinate interfacing systems and teams for integration test activities
Coordinate with Development Team Lead / Release Manager to schedule releases
Manage overall planning, preparation and execution of all test phases, except Unit Test
Coordinate business and operations groups for UAT & ORT design and execution
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS-ESA Mainframe, CICS programming, MS Project, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, HP Quality Center for Defect Management
Duration
7 months
2010 2009
Project PI R2 – Core banking Systems (CASA, FCCA)
Singapore
Client
IBM Singapore for DBS Bank
Position Held
Delivery Manager
The Opportunity
This project is a major system overhaul to improve bank servicing to customers of Cash Management system in core banking for Savings Account, Current Account and Foreign Currency Current Account
Actions / Responsibilities
Managed offshore development in IBM Shenzhen and IBM India for task assignments, resource allocation and
system coordination.
Attend to regular conference calls, internal and external meetings with Senior Management and stakeholders
regarding project status updates, issues and constraints that affect project timeline and delivery
Review Design Specifications and coordinate clarification sessions and conference calls on query log raised by the
onshore/offshore development team
Prepare work plans, activity status and progress report for Management review
Review and create review logs for program specification documents, unit test plan documents by the development
team
Prepare Traceability Matrix document to track all business requirements are covered from the Design up to
Program Specification document
Coordinate with Test Manager on issues raised and ensure development team investigate and provide necessary
resolution and action to close any reported problems
Prepare estimation worksheets for projects and enhancements and send to counterpart PMO and business unit for
review and approval
Participate in formulating application development objectives and goals that are consistent with long-term business
strategy.
Work closely with other Delivery Managers and Support Team which interface with the core system for project
development, together with online and batch testings.
Participate in solution formulation on best practice approach
Handle and coordinated core applications load and performance testing in Production Simulated environment for
online and batch.
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS ESA Mainframe, Visual Basic programming, COBOL, CICS, MS Project, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint, HP Quality Center for Defect Management
Duration
9 months
2010 2009
Retail Loans – Tuition Fee Loan Upgrade Project
Singapore
Client
IBM Singapore for DBS Bank
Position Held
Delivery Manager
The Opportunity
Enhancements to cater for new business requirements on TFL system
Actions / Responsibilities
Assigned to project managed Tuition Fee Loan legacy upgrade and automation.
Prepare requirement scoping document that details work breakdown structure and high level estimation summary
Discuss with business users on project requirement and scope
Prepare presentation slides to showcase the automated process flow and GUI screens
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS ESA, COBOL, JCL, Easytrieve, MS Project, MS Excel, MS Powerpoint
Duration
3 months
2009 2008
Avantrade – Wealth Management System (WMS)
Singapore
Client
Firium Solutions Ltd. Singapore
Position Held
Project Director, Project Manager
The Opportunity
Avantrade WMS provide online investment services in mutual and trust funds transactions for the customers by simplifying and enhancing customer experience in fund management, portfolio management, subscription and redemption process of investments. It also covers financial planning, private banking, insurance point of sales, order management, unit trust, bancassurance and pension fund.
Actions / Responsibilities
Helped established and managed offshore development center in Manila, Philippines until proper handover and local management team was setup.
As Head of Product Development reporting to the Country Director, pioneered and established the team responsible for developing the next generation of wealth management system for product presentation and roadshows to existing and prospective clients
Involved in Pre-Sales – Product Presentation for clients in Singapore and Manila
Prepare monthly P & L reporting and project health check tracking for Project Operations Meeting with the CEO along with other senior management team
Prepare status reports and slides and present them during the weekly and monthly steering committee meetings highlighting development progress, issues, risks and constraints
Monitor and assess project timeline deliveries, highlight risks and deviations, identify project delivery milestones, prepare RFI/RFP documents for clients
Technical Environment / Keywords
Java, Oracle, Adobe CS3, HTML, Javascript, CVS, Bugzilla (Defect Management), MS Excel, MS Word, MS Project, MS Powerpoint
Duration
1 year 3 months
2008
2000
VisionPlus Rollout & Migration Project
Singapore
Client
Citibank Singapore
Position Held
Systems Manager
The Opportunity
This is a global project (excluding North America) to rollout a new card application suite that offers more flexibility, faster time to market and ease of upgrade.
Actions / Responsibilities
Involved in country convergence/migration projects and BAU support of the existing credit card system running in VisionPlus mainframe platform in Western Europe (Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Sweden and UK), Latin America (Mexico, Venezuela, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Dom. Republic, Puerto Rico, Panama, Argentina and Uruguay, Brazil) and Asia Pacific (China & Australia).
Responsibilities include but not limited to technical analysis, business requirement analysis, project planning and estimation, governance of development and product customization, code review, SIT/UAT testing and implementation of Credit Management System application – VisionPlus.
Technical Project Manager handling BAU country support for Germany, Italy Bankcards and Italy Diners business for CMS.
Managed the global application support for Card Issuance, Activation, EMV technology and alert interface system.
Ensure effective liaising and communication with Franchise Development-Business Analysts and Relationship Managers on feasibility of business requirements from analysis thru implementation phase
Lead and manage a technical team in the delivery and implementation of system enhancement and new releases for supported countries
Ensure developments and enhancements are properly documented for publishing and updating the manuals and recovery documents
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS ESA Mainframe, COBOL, CICS, DB2, JCL, Easytrieve, MS Project, MS Excel, ChangeMan, Infoman,
Duration
7 years 9 months
2000 1998
COSMOS (Consolidated Online Modular System)
Singapore
Client
Cap Gemini Ernst & Young for Citibank
Position Held
Senior Consultant
The Opportunity
Continuous enhancement and maintenance of Citibank Corporate and Private bank COSMOS system that integrates the following major bank modules: CASA Deposit, Fund Transfer, FX, Money Market, Securities, Trade (Bills & LC), Liquidity Management, Loans, Credit Risk Management, MIS and General Ledger.
Actions / Responsibilities
Specific responsibilities include work estimations, prepare functional specifications, project mandays proposal, system integration documentation, test plans for SIT and UAT, work request proposals, forecasting, people management, system customization, quality review, staff mentoring and production support.
Directly involved in the enhancements and maintenance of existing and new programs for all supported countries (Korea, Taiwan, Brunei, Thailand, Vietnam, Philippines, Indonesia, HongKong, Australia/New Zealand and Singapore) utilizing this system.
Involved in the Millennium year-end simulation and Disaster Recovery Contingency support for the client which ensured no major disruptions to the system on YR2000
Awarded a 1999 Service Excellence Award, Excellent Team Award and Model Employee of the Month Award (July 1999).
Responsible for the successful implementation of COSMOS System for Citibank Labuan. Duties performed were conversion of programs to COBOL II/MVS-COBOL to be Yr2000 compliant, conversion of on-line programs from CICS 2 to CICS 4.1, prepared functional and program specifications, test plans, test data and production support.
Handled the successful implementation of Citibank Malaysia- COSMOS/CRMS (Credit Risk Management System) Interface. Primary duties performed were coding of batch programs for the interface, prepare functional and program specifications.
Technical Auditor for the Application Management hand-over of Citibank Malaysia’s COSMOS System. Duties performed were analysis of system flow, conduct system audit investigation and interview, audit of existing hardware and software system of the bank, prepare system documentation and feasibility reports. The audit was conducted using Cap Gemini’s audit methodologies.
Involved in the Yr2000 enhancements and quality compliance reviews of COSMOS programs used by the client. Duties performed were system and program modifications, prepare functional and program specifications, test plans and test data.
Responsible in the successful cutover of PRIME System Migration to COSMOS System for Citibank Thailand. Responsibilities involved the analysis of system flow and programs, system and data conversion, prepare program specifications, unit testing and enhancements.
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS ESA, COBOL, CICS, Easytrieve, JCL, MS Excel
Duration
1 year 11 months
1998
1997
COSMOS (Consolidated Online Modular System)
Singapore
Client
A-IT Software Services for Citibank Singapore
Position Held
System Analyst
The Opportunity
Continuous enhancement and maintenance of Citibank Corporate and Private bank COSMOS system that integrates the following major bank modules: CASA Deposit, Fund Transfer, FX, Money Market, Securities, Trade (Bills & LC), Liquidity Management, Loans, Credit Risk Management, MIS and General Ledger.
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible in the maintenance and enhancements of Citibank-Global Corporate Banking’s major mainframe system, COSMOS (Consolidated Online Modular System) used by regional countries within Asia Pacific.
Specific responsibilities include preparation of functional specifications, system integration, documentation, test plans for SIT and UAT, Batch jobs fine-tuning, quality review, user support and production support.
Technical Environment / Keywords
MVS ESA, COBOL, CICS, Easytrieve, JCL, MS Excel
Duration
1 year 6 months
1997
1994
SYSTEMATICS Project
Philippines
Client
Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation
Position Held
Senior System Analyst
The Opportunity
Migration to Systematics Banking system
Actions / Responsibilities
Responsible in the maintenance and development of the banks’ SYSTEMATICS System: Integrated Monetary Processing and Control System (IMPACS) and Savings Time Deposit System (S/T). Duties involved were analysis of system flow and existing programs, and system modifications
Contributions made to the system were coding and modifications of batch programs, system testing, provide technical and functional documentation and user support
Responsible in the development and implementation of IMPST (IMPACS/ST
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