Eric Thomson

Cell Phone: (952) 454-7186Email: [email protected]

Eric ThomsonSr. Quality Analyst

Summary

Researching new techniques, applications, and methodologies for continuous process

improvement; Agile Scrum and Kanban, Conditions of Acceptance, Behavior Driven

Design, and Test Automation (regression, data setup, build tests, and TDD)

Mentoring and leading teams to improve performance.

Quality Assurance through agile practices and test processes.

Technical Skills

Selenium test automation with RSpec test framework and Ruby programming language. Quality Center, VersionOne, Git, Eclipse IDE, MS Developer IDE, Dreamweaver,

TestWise IDE, Cloud9 IDE SQL, Oracle Application Designer, MS SQL Server Windows, Linux, AIX, Solaris HP QuickTest Professional 9.2, Soap UI, JMeter, PeopleSoft Test Framework Perl, Visual Basic, C++, Ruby, Korn Shell, and JavaScript programming languages HTML, XML, CSS, XPath, PHP, FTP, WordPress web tools

Experience

Sr. Quality Analyst December 2003 – PresentCapella Education Company, Minneapolis, MN

Evaluating the use of Selenium-webdriver with Ruby test framework. Currently creating

a library of PageObjects to use for tests and test data conversion.

Configuring VersionOne tool to support regression and integration testing across

products.

Promoting best practices for Agile methodology as a very active member of the Agile

Community of Practice.


Evaluated and wrote a blog on Toolbox.com about the first version of PeopleSoft Test

Framework for automation. Currently waiting for PeopleTools upgrade to continue

evaluation and adoption.

Evaluated over 40 test automation tools, coordinated demonstrations, and two proof of

concept projects using offshore vendors. Communicated findings and made

recommendations to management.

Documented more than one hundred processes and procedures for testers to reference.

Configured HP Quality Center, developed templates and reports/charts. Trained testers,

BA’s, developers, and project managers to use it per documented process and

methodology.

Hired and managed four interns for a six month term. Mentored them, arranged external

training, delegated tasks to them and required status. Two went on to successful careers.

Lead the QA Community of Practice group to share lessons learned and best practices,

since 2006 to present.

Used Microsoft SQL and later Oracle DB for Integration testing between CRM and

Campus applications. Later the conversion from Interwoven to PeopleSoft systems.

Used SoapUI to test WebServices between the Courseroom application and PeopleSoft.

Used JMeter to test performance of web user interface integrated with PeopleSoft and

Oracle database.

Tested student campus website migrated from Cold Fusion to Visual Basic to PeopleSoft

portal. Security testing, Single Sign On, LDAP and Account creation process.

Tested conversion of course application from Lotus Notes to Vista/Blackboard. Also

tested move from Windows servers to Solaris SPARC, and now private cloud.

Used HP Quick Test Pro to test the Survey Typing Tool to identify the four most

successful types of student so that marketing can target them and entire business model

can cater to them. Required hundreds of answer patterns, used pairwise algorithm to limit

test combinations as much as possible.

Software Tester Consultant 2003

Wells Fargo, Minneapolis, MN

Tested the Mortgage Factory XML interface between remote mainframe computers.

Collaborated remotely with developers, using Quality Center to track testing and defects.


Computer Analyst October 1996 - April 2003

The Boeing Company, Renton, WA

Release coordinator for the CATIA Engineering CAD system support group.

Reviewed developer’s code, install notes, and unit tests. Installed and tested code in a lab

environment. Wrote scripts in Korn shell for the AIX operating system.

Reported defects and made recommendations to improve testing and resolve conflicts

with other packages to be included in the same launch.

Managed the test environment, testers, defects, and status communication during UAT.

Completed final release packages and delivered to the Configuration Management group

for deployment in production. Managed issues during the release process.

Managed 3rd tier support for production tickets using ClearCase.

Managed the Magellen Spaceball peripheral for 3D design. Tested new software versions

for the manufacturer, documented defects. They didn’t release gold copy until it passed

testing at Boeing. Educated engineers in its use and conducted user testing in an

observation lab with stress sensors on their hand and forearm.

Owned several processes which required annual review and continuous process

improvement. We achieved CMM level 3 in two years.

Wrote two programs in Perl/CGI: Defect Tracker for our team; Decision Tracker for the

early concept of the 787.

Structural Designer September 1985 - October 1996

The Boeing Company, Everett and Seattle, WA

Designed aircraft wings, doors, and floors for the 767 and 747, including the air-stairs for

Airforce-One. Awards for weight savings.

Early adopter of new CAD systems and subject matter expert of the CATIA solid

modeling system.

Developed part of the machine to calibrate the model for the 777 in the Seattle wind

tunnel. Designed part of the floor system for the prototype of the 777 using graphite

beams (new at the time).


Education and Training

Capella University

BS, IT General, 2007 - 2010

Graduated with honors

Covered Software Development Life Cycle, Project Management, Web Development, Networks,

Security, Java Apps, Ethics, and some business courses.

International Institute for Software Testing

CSTP, Software Test Professional, 2006 - 2009

Seattle Pacific University, 2001 – 2003

Took C++ Programming, Data Structures, and Object Oriented Programming.

University of Washington

Certificate, Visual Basic Programming Certificate, 2000 - 2001

Certificate, Software Quality Assurance and Testing, 1999 – 2000

Certificate, Perl Programming Certificate, 1998 – 1999

IBM Training

Perl and Korn Shell programming

Object Oriented Programming and Unified Modeling Language

Linux, UX, and AIX system administration

Networking and Security courses

Windows application packaging tools

Twin Cities Quality Assurance Association

Selenium Test Automation 2014

Quick Test Pro 9.2 Certificate 2010


Blog Author and Volunteer

Toolbox.com, PeopleSoft Test Framework, June 2012 – August 2012

http://it.toolbox.com/blogs/peoplesoft-test-framework/1-introduction-to-ptf-51611

Behavior Driven Development and Test Automation, July 2014 – Present

https://www.linkedin.com/today/posts/ericthomson

Minnesota Dahlia Society, Director at Large and Webmaster, 2013 - Present

mndahlia.org

WordPress Website Designer, 2013 - Present

Created and maintain websites for four small businesses and one non-profit organization.

Documents

Eric Thomson