Contract Test Project Manager - South Dublin-Ireland

CLIENT:

Our client a leading multinational Insurance company requires Contract Test Project Manager for 6 month contract in South Dublin.

ROLE:

The Test Project Manager is responsible for ensuring a quality test process throughout the life cycle of the project. As indicated by the job title, this is not a hands-on' test management role - each of the main test phases (Unit, System and UAT) is delivered by external test teams, each with its own test manager. The TPM co-ordinates delivery from all test and delivery managers and is the point of contact for all testing issues on the project. The TPM verifies adherence to entry and exit criteria for all test phases and provides recommendation to senior stakeholders on sign-off.

The resource will be a self starter, able to take the initiative and manage the testing effort through to completion. An ability to work independently with a proactive approach to testing and issue resolution is absolutely crucial for this role. The TPM will be required to ensure quality is built into all aspects of the testing from well written documentation, clearly written test scripts & defects, applying quality gates, evidencing testing, promoting the correct use of HP Quality Centre and producing clear statistics and reports. A proven track record of test management across multiple test phases is required - this includes co-ordination of on-shore, offshore and business resources, as well as gaining sign off from business and project stakeholders.

The TPM will be responsible for the production of the Master Test Plan (Test Strategy), review and approval of off-shore test plans, review and approval of off-shore test estimates and resource requirements. They must ensure test coverage is sufficient and test scripts and scenarios have been reviewed and approved by correct stakeholders. The TPM is responsible for the effective triage of all incidents and ensuring they are communicated to the correct teams for resolution. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

MANAGEMENT AND PLANNING

- Develop and maintain healthy relationships with key partners such as Business Stakeholders, Analysts, Project Managers and Software Engineers
- Develop Master Test Plan detailing all test efforts and all dependencies throughout the project life cycle
- Swift identification and immediate notification to stakeholders of risks and issues
- Analyse project documentation to ensure a thorough understanding of the business and technical requirements.
- Review test schedules with off-shore/external test managers
- Review and approve test estimates and resource requirements
- Manage the day to day test activities, including offshore test resource and business users
- Liaise with analysts to verify review and approval of test scripts written by the offshore resource/business users
- Produce effective progress reports during and on completion of testing 
- Support all business activities supported by Regional IT in Europe

TEST EXECUTION

- Co-ordinate delivery of test environments with infrastructure, off-shore and external teams. 
- Ongoing liaison with infrastructure and test teams to ensure integrity of the environment during execution 
- Ensure execution of agreed test cases/scripts in line with the test plan and project schedule. 
- Ensure delivery of clear and accurate test progress reports from off-shore/external test managers. 
- Own and manage the Defect Life cycle. Manage delivery of bug fixes across environments and teams to ensure adherence to schedule. 
- Ensure test teams follow clearly defined bug classification and management process.
- Ensure data accuracy in HPQC across all test teams

TEST QUALITY

- Deliver all test related SDLC artefacts on behalf of the project
- Ensure all off-shore/external test teams deliver quality testing to the project
- Ensure all artefacts meet quality standards
- Work with project and off-shore Quality Managers to ensure adherence to standards
- Promote Testing Best Practice

REQUIREMENTS

SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE

- Strong test management skills
- Excellent working knowledge of the SDLC
- Excellent hands-on experience of HP Quality Centre 
- Strong commercial experience in the software testing domain with strong understanding of the tools, techniques and process involved
- ISEB foundation in Software testing
- Experience in both waterfall and agile development environments
- Strong knowledge of the insurance domain

ABILITIES & CHARACTERISTICS

- Proactive and supportive team player
- Able to use initiative and work to tight deadlines under pressure
- Dynamic, clear and flexible thinker
- Good level of impact and influence
- Diligent with a focus on detail and accuracy
- Good diplomacy, communication and interpersonal skills 
- Ability to understand and communicate complex issues
- Passion for Software Testing and Quality Assurance

CONTACT:

For further information please contact Michéal at Software Placements or email.