Vidya Ramarathnam

(Senior Software QA Test Engineer)

OBJECTIVE:

I am seeking a full time position in the field of Software Testing and Quality Assurance, where I can have the opportunity to provide strategic QA process improvements to the executive management team and technical insights to the test engineers in the team throughout the implementation of the software product under test and certify the product for quality.

CAREER SUMMARY:

Five years and 2 months of experience in Quality Assurance / Software Testing stream. The areas of expertise includes, leading a team of 25 members across varied geographical locations (onsite-offshore model) , providing an optimized testing approach as a QA process consultant and driving the team towards the successful implementation of the product. Successfully managed time critical projects from the Test Initiation phase until project closure across different testing methodologies right from waterfall model through iterative model until Service Oriented architecture based models and Agile models. Have been the single point of contact for the Manual and Automation teams involving all types of testing, right from Smoke Testing through Functional Testing, Regression Testing, Automation Testing, Security Testing, User Acceptance Testing, Production Testing, Performance Testing, Compatibility Testing, Database testing and End to End Testing .Successfully managed time critical projects from the Test Initiation phase until project closure and have implemented process improvement strategies reducing the human intervention and errors by 25%. Have exhibited seamless audit handling capabilities pertaining to the CMMi level 5 standards and have handled internal and external audit teams (ISO) with zero non conformances. Defined and standardized process improvement templates for Test Estimation, Test Strategy, Test Plan, Test script generation, Defect Analysis Reports, Status Reports and other Test Management reports to give the project stakeholders a better clarity and accurate status of the projects. Demonstrated skills in setting up and completing End to End testing projects by providing a one-stop-shop for testing to the clients. Exhibited continuous innovation in Software Testing by implementing various best practices for the organization.

EDUCATION:

(1) Master of Science in Software Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology (BITS),Rajasthan, India with C.G.P.A = 7.46 (Out of 10.0)

(2) Bachelor of Science in Computer Technology from P.S.G. College of Technology, Coimbatore, India with C.G.P.A = 8.47 (Out of 10.0)

(3) Higher Secondary School from Suburban Higher Secondary School, Coimbatore, India with 91.16%

(4) Secondary school from Ramnagar Suburban Matriculation School, Coimbatore, India with 82.72%

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

(1) Cognizant Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd from June 20, 2005 to August 11, 2010

INDIVIDUAL ACCOLADES RECEIVED:

(1) GEICO - Special Award for Best innovation in the year 2006

(2) GEICO - Gecko of the month in the year 2006

(3) Hartford Insurance - Star of the Quarter in the year 2008

(4) Travelers Insurance - Best Performer in the year 2010

Feedback from the Test manager at Hartford Insurance:

“Vidya is a gem in Hartford onsite account. She understands her responsibility and does what is required. She always goes beyond her duty to help others to complete deliverables in time. Her knowledge level in CDS is so appreciative such that, HIG leads and some BA s are dependent on her in CDS. She is very good at communication and can deal with any kind of people seamlessly. Her offshore coordination is also laudable. In spite of releases and other work she is doing her MS degree in parallel with good CGPA. She is an asset to our team”.

CERTIFICATIONS COMPLETED:

(1) Brainbench certified professional in Project Management, Internet Concepts, Web development concepts, Business Communication, Software Quality Assurance, Managing People in US and Presentation Skills

(2) Cognizant Certified Professional in in Software Testing

(3) Cognizant certified professional in General Insurance

TECHNICAL SKILLS:

Automated Testing Tools - Quick Test Professional, WinRunner

Performance Testing Tools - Load Runner

Project Management Tools - Microsoft Project Plan, MS Office.

Test Management Tools - Test Director , Quality Center

Configuration Management tool - PVCS, Share point

Programming Languages - C, C++, JAVA, VB, SQL

Web Development tools- HTML, XML , ASP.Net

RDBMS - MS-Access 2000, Oracle 8i

Operating systems - Windows XP/2000/Vista

SOA Tools - SOAP UI, Ultra Edit, XML Spy

Insurance Products - Siebel Based Insurance Product(CRM) – Underwriting Tool,Exceed 2.0 (Policy Management System),FISERV’s Billing system, ACORD XMLs, CGI ( Insurance Rate Engine Tools)

TECHNOLOGIES / TOOLS USED & EXPERIENCE:

• Mainframe Applications (JCL), Operating Systems – 62 months

• Test Director 8.0 & Quality Center9.2 – 62 Months

• SOAP UI, Ultra Edit, XML Spy – 24 Months

• HTML, XML, ASP.Net – 24 months

• MS-Access 2000, Oracle 8i – 62 months

• Insurance Rate Engine applications and tools – 48 months

Learning Curve in the past 5 years:

• I believe in a continuous learning curve. Acquiring knowledge in a particular area is the key. But, what makes me feel motivated is the level of innovation that I can bring on that area, that would make the job easier for everyone. At every step of my career with Cognizant, I’ve always tried to learn more and equip myself better to explore and innovate.

• Joined Cognizant as a fresher through campus recruitment as a Programmer Trainee in June 2005 and had come out with rank 1 on the Entree Level Training Program.

• Acquired knowledge on STLC processes and testing methodologies while working as a tester in the first project – ‘GEICO’s Exceed Billing and Testing’. Received ‘Best performer’ award for the contribution and quick grasping of the concepts and methodologies. Was then moved to the role of a module lead in 9 months from the date of joining. Moved up the ladder to the level of a team lead and to a project lead managing a 25 member within a short span of time where I had the opportunity to demonstrate a high level of project management capabilities and a higher degree of innovation and best practices.

STRENGTHS:

• Demonstrated excellent leadership skills by driving a team of 25 members (with varied competencies across different geographical locations) for successful completion of projects with minimal supervisor intervention.

• Ability to motivate and guide the team to innovate and suggest process and product improvements.

• Quick-learner and versatile self-starter.

• Managed crucial projects involving complex applications for different clients in the Client location (USA) and have implemented different strategies including Risk Based Testing approach to complete the task in the given timeline with utmost quality.

• Strong interpersonal and diplomatic communication skills.

• Excellent analytical and problem solving abilities.

• Good communication skills and ability to maintain a good rapport with the entire Project Team.

• Good at time management - Prioritizing the work and completing them on time.

• Preferred choice by all the 5 clients that I’ve worked with.

MANAGEMENT:

• Defined clear roles and responsibilities for every team member in the team.

• Mentored, guided and followed up with the team in terms of technical and non-technical aspects.

• Provided transparent, accurate and timely status reports to the executive team with detailed analysis and recommendations for improvements.

• Have set as an example to the team in terms of involvement and flexibility.

Project Experience Summary:

Client Project Duration Role Team

Size

Travelers Insurance Travelers PITCoE February 2010 to August 2010 Offshore Project Lead 25

Hartford P & C Insurance Commercial Data Services and Commercial Line Expressway November 2007 to January 2010 Onsite Project Lead 10

XL Insurance XL – TRV Testing September 2007 to October 2007 Onsite Project Lead 6

Ameriprise Auto and Home Insurance Policy STAR,FAB and GAP testing November 2006 to August 2007 Onsite coordinator 6

GEICO Insurance GEICO Exceed Billing Testing August 2005 to October 2006 Module Lead 5

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES HANDLED:

• Project Lead - Managing and guiding a team of 25 members.

• Primary point of contact in Audit handling and Audit facing. Exhibited Zero non conformances when audited by internal auditors (For Start up, Delivery and Process) and external auditors (ISO audit).

• Active member of the Innovation group – With the role of an Idea Champion, motivated a team of 100+ to generate ideas which were then analyzed, formalized, reviewed and were developed as the best practices at the organization level.

• QA Process consultant for all projects – Analyzed existing templates and defined new templates and tools resulting in better efficiency and cost effectiveness.

• Quality Assurance trainer – Have conducted presentations and training at the organizational level on QA processes and Insurance methodologies.

• Event manager for the corporate entertainment team.

PERSONAL DETAILS:

Citizenship - India

Current status of Visa - H4 (Valid from 08-Feb-2011 to 07- Mar-2014)

Work Sponsorship Required? - Yes. Require H1 B visa from the employer in order to work in the United States

Email - mdeekr@r.postjobfree.com

Home Phone: (858) 412 - 5543

Contact this candidate