Quality Assurance Process Improvement

Soma Barua, MBA

Springfield, VA Phone: 571-***-**** Email: ********@*****.***

KEY STRENGTH

Accomplished Quality Assurance Lead with over 14+ years of expertise in driving excellence and delivering measurable results in quality management. Proven ability to foster a dynamic, collaborative, and energized workplace that inspires teams to exceed expectations. Skilled in motivational goal setting and aligning team objectives with organizational priorities to achieve high-impact outcomes. Proactive communicator adept at engaging stakeholders across all organizational levels while consistently exhibiting positivity, enthusiasm, and professionalism.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

Life Cycle Agile/Scrum and Waterfall Risk Identification & Mitigation Process Improvement

Cross-functional Collaboration Document & Data Management Configuration Management

Effective Problem Solver Team Leadership & Mentoring CMMI v1.3 and v2.0

Project Scope and Plan Relationship Cultivation Detail Oriented

Audit Compliance Reviews Quality Assurance ScrumMaster

Collaboration Written Communication Conflict Resolution

TECHNICAL PROFICIENCIES

JIRA MS Office Suite PowerPoint SharePoint Adobe XD Team Foundation Server Visio Testing Infrastructure Quality Center Bugzilla Test Manager Quick Test Pro and Database Management

SKILLS

Expertise in Risk Management, Quality Assurance, Client Service, and Configuration Management, with hands-on experience in CMMI v2.0 Development.

Proficient in tracking compliance with policies and procedures, resolving issues, or escalating them as needed.

Technical Skills: Working knowledge of HTML and JavaScript, with experience in web-based and client/server application development.

Extensive experience in creating and managing Test Matrices, Test Strategies, Test Requirements, Test Scripts, Test Environment Specifications, and Application Procedure Documents.

Skilled in drafting and executing Test Plans and Test Procedures across all phases of the SDLC for every release.

Comprehensive testing expertise, including Requirement Testing, System Testing, Integration Testing, Functional Testing, Smoke Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), Positive/Negative Testing, Load/Stress Testing, Usability Testing, Installation Testing, and Security Testing, using both manual and automated tools.

Strong knowledge of manual testing techniques and expertise with automated tools like HP Test Director, Quality Center, Quick Test Pro (QTP), Test Manager, TFS, JAZZ, Bugzilla, and JIRA.

Extensive experience in System Testing, Regression Testing, End-to-End Testing, and User Acceptance Testing.

Proficient in Agile/Scrum Methodology, Waterfall Methodology, and Hybrid Models for software development and project management.

Adept at leveraging Quality Center/Test Director to support developers in resolving issues efficiently.

Skilled in managing projects independently or collaborating within teams to deliver high-quality outcomes.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Concept Solutions, LLC

January 2024-September 2024

Senior Quality Assurance Process Improvement Engineer

Adaptable team player with a proven ability to lead and sustain effective change initiatives across projects and organizations.

Managed the CPAR process, identifying non-conformances, conducting root cause analyses, and implementing corrective and preventive actions to improve product quality and ensure compliance with industry standards.

Coordinated the prioritization and execution of quality-driven projects, fostering cross-departmental collaboration.

Led quality improvements across projects/organizations by applying risk-based auditing principles, techniques, and methodologies.

Identified opportunities to enhance and optimize organizational frameworks, ensuring compliance with ISO 9001:2015 and CMMI v1.3 and CMMI v2.0 standards.

Revised and improved existing documentation to address issues, track audit progress, and align with organizational policies and standards.

Supported the rollout of revamped quality training materials and established/documented system parameters and formats.

Extensive expertise in auditing to external quality standards, including ISO 9001 and CMMI-DEV Level 3 standards.

Led internal and external appraisals to validate quality systems and internal processes, identifying deficiencies and providing actionable recommendations for process improvement.

Designed, planned, and executed quality assurance activities to ensure continual process improvement and compliance with external requirements.

Proven ability to manage complex, multi-dimensional projects with cross-departmental influence and significant impact.

Collaborated with managers, programmers, and developers to align project requirements and objectives.

Demonstrated expertise in strategic planning, effective time management, and risk mitigation strategies.

Analyzed and optimized existing systems and procedures to design improvements that enhanced organizational efficiency and performance.

Developed Change Advisory Board (CAB) documentation and facilitated CAB meetings to oversee and approve change management processes.

Performed problem-solving meetings with users, defined business needs, and maintained comprehensive project management documentation.

Developed and monitored Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and metrics for quality improvement initiatives, including statistical analysis and reporting.

Ensured accuracy, detail, and completeness in JIRA to support project tracking and transparency.

Led peer reviews and process audits, ensuring adherence to established standards and protocols.

Designed, planned, and executed a variety of quality assurance activities to ensure compliance with ISO 9001 and other external requirements.

Designed and delivered technical and performance training programs for team members, Leads, and quality assurance teams to optimize productivity and uphold the integrity of Quality Programs and compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).

Planned Systems International (PSI)

November 2023–January 2024

Project Test Analyst

Identified products for assessment during the software review process and defined appropriate test plans, including test data requirements.

Developed comprehensive Test Plans, Test Cases, Test Scenarios, and Requirement Traceability Matrices (RTM) to ensure full coverage of requirements.

Designed and executed System, Functional, Smoke, Interface, Positive, and Negative Testing.

Managed test data by documenting the results of each test cycle to identify and analyze flaws effectively.

Conducted Regression Testing, Integration Testing, and Database Testing to validate end-to-end system functionality.

Executed API Testing and UI Testing, ensuring system components met business and user expectation.

Collaborated with software development teams to address issues and ensure alignment with project goals.

Interacted and coordinated with development and validation teams, facilitating effective communication among stakeholders.

Presented diagnostic and system testing results to relevant stakeholders, providing actionable insights for improvement.

Gained a strong understanding of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) methodologies, processes, and best practices.

Involved in Test Process Management, Test Design, and Test Planning, ensuring adherence to industry standards and protocols.

Continuously improved knowledge of business applications, user needs, and expectations.

Proficient in Test Execution, functional testing, and defect management with a focus on quality assurance.

Demonstrated ability to implement industry standards and protocols to optimize testing processes and outcomes.

Planned Systems International (PSI)

April 2012–September 2023

Quality Assurance Lead

Ensured contract requirements were met by conducting quality assurance reviews, process assessments, gathering, and analyzing metrics, and organizing weekly release activities.

Identified deficits, risks, and process weaknesses, implementing strategies for improvement and performance optimization.

Developed and implemented quality assurance standards and procedures while promoting process improvement, team management, and change management practices.

Managed company-wide Quality Management System (QMS), including document control, updates, and the creation of new process documentation.

Designed, planned, and executed quality assurance activities aligned with ISO 9001 standards and external requirements.

Oversaw risk management procedures, including documentation and mitigation.

Monitored adherence to deliverable schedules and quality standards, ensuring compliance with HIPAA rules.

Coordinated regional compliance training programs, including Quality, Engineering, Metrology, Document Control, and Archives staff.

Conducted internal/external appraisals to validate compliance with CMMI-DEV Level 3, reporting deficiencies and improvement recommendations.

Strong experience with Jazz, VCS, Atlassian JIRA, Team Foundation Server (TFS), Testing Infrastructure (TI), and Confluence environments.

Proficient in Microsoft Applications (PowerPoint, Excel, Visio, SharePoint, Office 365, and Outlook).

Skilled in coordinating technical and editorial inspections of work products such as test plans, reports, user guides, design documents, and progress reports.

Extensive experience with Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and Software Quality Assurance (SQA) in Waterfall and Agile/Scrum environments.

Expertise in change management, configuration management, and compliance monitoring for security-relevant software, hardware, and firmware.

Coached, mentored, and trained team members in a fast-paced environment to enhance performance and ensure engagement.

Facilitated and advised Change Control Boards (CCB) and developed compliance-focused procedures and documentation.

Managed multiple projects effectively under strict deadlines while collaborating with cross-functional teams to achieve goals.

Conducted audits to ensure compliance with traceability practices for large-scale systems and organizations, particularly for Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives.

Provided analytical resolutions to complex technical issues impacting multiple areas or disciplines.

Delivered suggestions for work product changes aligned with ISO 9001 standards based on data-driven analysis and trends.

Supported the Department of Defense (DoD), Defense Healthcare Management Systems (DHMS), and Defense Health Agency (DHA) on large-scale Electronic Healthcare Records (EHR) and technology solutions.

Sr. Software Tester/Quality Assurance

Tracked and reported defect/bug tickets, overseeing user testing and regression testing on integrated system components.

Developed and maintained Test Reports, Test Plans, Test Cases, Test Scenarios, and Requirement Traceability Matrices (RTM) to ensure coverage and traceability.

Executed a range of testing types, including System Testing, Functional Testing, Smoke Testing, Interface Testing, Positive Testing, and Negative Testing.

Proficient in documenting Test Procedures, Test Cases, and Test Plans based on business and technical requirements.

Identified risks, conducted detailed impact analyses, and proposed effective mitigation strategies.

Classified defect severity levels to support prioritized resolutions and efficient defect management.

Conducted testing aligned with the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition life cycle process and relevant guidelines.

Tested and verified applications across handheld devices, including iOS and Android platforms.

Hands-on experience with tools such as Team Foundation Server (TFS), JIRA, Confluence, Oracle, SAP BusinessObjects Business Intelligence Suite, Symantec Ghost Solution Suite, and Jazz.

Expertise in manual testing processes, including Requirements Verification, Functional Testing, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), and Risk-Based Testing.

Strong experience in Front-End Testing (System, Smoke, Integration, Functional, Regression, and Ad-Hoc) for client/server and web-based applications.

Proficient in Back-End Testing and Database Testing, including using proxies with MIRTH Connect and working with various SQL platforms.

Conducted Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) activities, including Regression Testing, Real-Time Testing, Integration Testing, and End-to-End Testing, ensuring compliance with SDLC best practices.

Performed 508 Compliance Testing using JAWS, ensuring accessibility standards were met.

Authored and executed test cases for handheld devices (iOS and Android tablets), ensuring optimal performance and usability.

Configured workstations and handheld devices to meet testing prerequisites and operational requirements.

Recognized for attention to detail, quick adaptability, and the ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously in fast-paced environments.

Delivered thorough and accurate testing for multiple large-scale projects, contributing to high-quality deliverables and client satisfaction.

EDUCATION

Master of Business Administration Concentration in Project Management (MBA)

Bachelor in Database Management

Associate in Computer Science

CERTIFICATIONS/AWARDS

Introduction to CMMI for Development v1.3

CMMI v2.0 Upgrade

Standard Development Process

Security +

Cyber Awareness

Total Quality Management (TQM)

ISO 9001:2015

ScrumMaster

REFERENCES

Furnished upon request

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