Collections Department
My name is Wendy and I’m a Test Consultant in our Information Communication and Technology (ICT) directorate. I work in a team called Technical Services, which provides expertise in system architecture, oversees system changes, promotes standard software development techniques and manages processes across all of ICT Systems Development.
I started with SLC in January 2003 as a System Tester, having previously worked with a city-based software company specializing in content and process management systems.
Initially, I tested a number of different areas of the CLASS system before joining the Scottish Graduate Endowment project, concentrating on testing our financial systems; after the project completed, I successfully applied for the Senior Tester role in the Core Finance team.
At the end of 2005, I took maternity leave and like all new mothers, I was torn between continuing my career and wishing to spend as much time as possible looking after my little baby girl. Luckily SLC’s HR policies have enabled me to vary my working week; I work a seven hour day, four days a week, from Monday to Thursday. This flexibility has made a real positive impact on my work/life balance – as, indeed, has being able to work in the city centre.
During my time with Core Finance, I was involved in a number of projects where test strategies had to be developed for the combined CLASS and emerging web based systems and also for external interface and partner testing and it was probably this expansion in my role which led me to taking a wider view of the testing function and ultimately to apply for my current role.
I’m now one of two Test Consultants in Technical Services responsible for defining and maintaining test standards, procedures and best practice, for all products and services with ICT. A large part of the work is to provide strategies for project level testing phases as well as planning and designing all performance and load testing.
No modern test function is without its use of automated tools, and in the last two years we have formalized the use of the HP QualityCentre test management tool and the HP LoadRunner performance testing tool as well as introducing the first steps in automated regression testing using HP QuickTestPro. As well as these tools, we both evaluate and recommend appropriate emerging tools and industry standard testing tools that may be beneficial to testing.
In addition, we are responsible for providing direction, mentoring and coaching to testers within ICT, which includes a wide range of activities; from recommending training courses (e.g. ISEB Foundation in Software Testing) to facilitating tester workshops. We also provide assistance and support to the recruitment process for system testers.
People interested in system testing in our department should have a proven track record in testing software developments and testing best practice. They should certainly understand the full development lifecycle and have experience of a variety of testing tools.
In terms of personal attributes, having good communication skills, being approachable, a good listener, a decision maker are all essentials because you’re there for advice.
ICT is a really dynamic area of the business yet the work environment is very relaxed and I’m lucky that I get the opportunity to work alongside a lot of very professional, skilful and forward looking people.
To learn more about the different departments, teams, systems and the technology we use click here.
I started with SLC in January 2003 as a System Tester, having previously worked with a city-based software company specializing in content and process management systems.
Initially, I tested a number of different areas of the CLASS system before joining the Scottish Graduate Endowment project, concentrating on testing our financial systems; after the project completed, I successfully applied for the Senior Tester role in the Core Finance team.
At the end of 2005, I took maternity leave and like all new mothers, I was torn between continuing my career and wishing to spend as much time as possible looking after my little baby girl. Luckily SLC’s HR policies have enabled me to vary my working week; I work a seven hour day, four days a week, from Monday to Thursday. This flexibility has made a real positive impact on my work/life balance – as, indeed, has being able to work in the city centre.
During my time with Core Finance, I was involved in a number of projects where test strategies had to be developed for the combined CLASS and emerging web based systems and also for external interface and partner testing and it was probably this expansion in my role which led me to taking a wider view of the testing function and ultimately to apply for my current role.
I’m now one of two Test Consultants in Technical Services responsible for defining and maintaining test standards, procedures and best practice, for all products and services with ICT. A large part of the work is to provide strategies for project level testing phases as well as planning and designing all performance and load testing.
No modern test function is without its use of automated tools, and in the last two years we have formalized the use of the HP QualityCentre test management tool and the HP LoadRunner performance testing tool as well as introducing the first steps in automated regression testing using HP QuickTestPro. As well as these tools, we both evaluate and recommend appropriate emerging tools and industry standard testing tools that may be beneficial to testing.
In addition, we are responsible for providing direction, mentoring and coaching to testers within ICT, which includes a wide range of activities; from recommending training courses (e.g. ISEB Foundation in Software Testing) to facilitating tester workshops. We also provide assistance and support to the recruitment process for system testers.
People interested in system testing in our department should have a proven track record in testing software developments and testing best practice. They should certainly understand the full development lifecycle and have experience of a variety of testing tools.
In terms of personal attributes, having good communication skills, being approachable, a good listener, a decision maker are all essentials because you’re there for advice.
ICT is a really dynamic area of the business yet the work environment is very relaxed and I’m lucky that I get the opportunity to work alongside a lot of very professional, skilful and forward looking people.
To learn more about the different departments, teams, systems and the technology we use click here.