Kobus De Villiers
I am a Software Programmer with more than four years of experience in
implementing agile solutions using best of breed methodologies and engineering
practices.  I have more that ten years of experience in the software industry
ranging from roles in testing, quality management, programming, and project
management.   I have been a manager; supervising project teams and have worked as
a member of a team on several projects.  My experience in developing,
implementing and executing project plans and analyzing problems enables me to be
a valuable resource in any environment.  My background includes the
implementation of Quality Management Systems and Project Management
methodologies.

Industries
Financial Institution
Assurance
Human Resources
Payroll
E-commerce
Retail

Applications
Software Development
Quality Management
Network Infrastructure
Server Infrastructure

Platforms
Windows XP, Vista
UNIX

Languages
C#, .NET
HTML

Databases
SQL, SyBase, Oracle

Other Software
Subversion
CC Net
nUnit
nHibernate
Spring
JIRA
Microsoft Visual Studio
Microsoft Project
MS Office
SharePoint

Project Experience
Man Investments Chicago: July 2005 – March 2009
As Software Developer, I was working on various agile teams that were
responsible for the design and development of business applications using C#,
agile, and scrum methodologies.  These applications were written using best
practices in software design and adherence to the principles of object oriented
design and development.  As part of these projects, I was responsible for the
following:
Programming new features, software enhancements, and production fixes using C#
in Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional.
Using agreed object oriented design patterns for new software features and
slowly refactoring legacy code to be in line with current engineering practices.
Making extensive use of MVC and MVP patterns to create UI layer using publish
and subscribe messaging framework between UI components and service domain.
Coding client and server components for a high level of reuse where applicable.
Using Test Driven Development as part of the development approach to
implementing new software features and adapting legacy code as feasible given
time and business constraints.
Writing self documenting code to enhance maintainability and readability.
Creating SQL queries and stored procedures to upgrade database for newly
released software packages.
Creating MSI install packages for automated deployment of release candidates to
testing environment.
Maintain application documentation and project information in SharePoint.
Design and maintain SharePoint templates for specific project artifacts.
Run the daily scrum meetings as Scrum Master and train new employees in adapting
to the agile and scrum implementation used internally.
Work with international counterparts to establish guidelines and structure
around agile adaption and provide assistance in using JIRA as part of the scrum
process.
Worked with the QA team to establish guidelines for a complete testing
framework, starting with nUnit unit testing and structured integration and
regression testing using a combination of automated and manual testing.
Managed ongoing changes in scope and responsibility throughout the sprint cycle
and assisted with the business analysis where necessary.
Responsible for maintaining project artifacts and user stories in JIRA.

Ajilon (Man Investments) Chicago: October 2004 – June 2005
As Business Analyst, I was evaluating potential solutions for a Financial
Institution to migrate from a legacy application to a more scalable and robust
set of applications to manage various parts of the core business functions.  As
part of this projects, I was responsible for the following:
Business process analysis and agreement with senior management on the core
features to be implemented in the target application suite.
Working with various users of the current system and future systems to identify
required changes and enhancements to processes and systems.
Reviewed and evaluated systems to determine feasibility to buy or adapt to
requirements.
Made recommendation to senior management regarding the appropriate solution for
the business.
Assisted senior management in the recruitment of the team responsible for
implementing the agreed solution.
Facilitated the integration of a newly established in house development
organization into the existing structure.

RiseTime (Sears) Hoffman Estates: July 2004 - September 2004
As Testing Analyst, I was responsible for the following:
Wrote test cases for an online e-commerce application in accordance with user
requirements and business guidelines.
Was responsible for reviewing written test cases to ensure continued relevance
with changing needs and requirements.
Assisted with the development of data verification and application verification
tools in Microsoft Access to facilitate the testing process.
Wrote queries in Microsoft Access and SQL to use for verification of test
results.
Was responsible for executing tests and logging problems and discrepancies in
order to provide feedback to the development team on areas that needed
enhancements and/or improvements.
Assisted with debugging and testing of production problems.
Was one of the main testers responsible for the testing of the back-end
processes and systems to ensure accuracy in order processing through final
delivery.

Spherion (Harris Bank) Chicago: January 2004 – June 2004
As QA Project Manager, I was responsible for identifying and implementing a
quality assurance methodology that would assist the Bank in adopting software
from the parent company for their intended use.  This project was specifically
geared toward adjusting their current manual testing period that lasted about 3
months to a period of 3 weeks to provide sufficient time to upgrade quarterly as
planned.  As part of the migration project, I was responsible for the following:
Assisted in the creation of the project proposal and initial presentation to the
client to secure the contract.
Conducted interviews with key personnel to identify deficiencies and
restrictions that were severely impacting testing time and restricting the
ability to shorten the overall development cycle.
Reviewed localization procedures and testing cycles using key products to
formalize a strategy to reduce the testing cycle for the core application suite.
Identifying and developed a strategic testing approach that would be able to use
both manual and automated testing tools to significantly simplify the mainframe
testing and loading for the pilot group of applications.
Managed the implementation of Mercury Interactive's Test Director and QuickTest
Professional according to the guidelines established in the Quick Start guide
from Mercury Interactive. 
Assisting the team with creating testing templates and artifacts that could be
delivered and used by the client for the pilot project as well as future
development cycles.
Mentored team and client personnel in the development of testing artifacts as
well as using the test strategy to simplify the testing function.
Managed the daily team activities and feedback to the client to ensure project
progress and timely delivery.

Spherion (CNA) Chicago: July 2003 – November 2003
As Project Manager at an Assurance Institution, I was responsible for the
migration of more than 50 applications from Windows NT operating system to
Windows XP operating system.  As part of the migration project, I was responsible
for the following:
Managed the discovery phase to identify scope of work and was involved in
preparing and delivering the final proposal for project acceptance.
Managed the daily activities of the development, testing, and support staff
working on the project.
Managed the development activities related to software changes in order to be
compatible and certified for use on active directory servers with Windows XP
clients.
Managed the testing activities related to compliance and certification testing
of applications for use on active directory servers with Windows XP clients.
Successfully completed the implementation of more than 50 migrated applications
from a Windows NT operating system to a Windows XP operating system under budget
and within the estimated time.
Provided daily, weekly and monthly project review and status meetings to update
various levels of the different organizations that had an interest in the
project.
Managed ongoing changes in scope and responsibility throughout the life of the
project.
Successfully managed the deployment and distribution schedule for the migrated
applications to more than 30 locations throughout the Northern America region.
Successfully integrated the software distribution with the hardware deployment.
Managed the reporting and resolutions of defects with PVCS Tracker.
Recruiting, staffing and managing of the development, testing, and support
personnel.

Spherion (Washington Mutual) Vernon Hills: October 2001 – June 2003
As Project Manager at a Financial Institution, I was responsible for the
following:
Managed the network integration for the acquisition of another financial
institution.
Managed the investigation into the possibility of a consolidated testing
laboratories to consolidate the various testing environments of the bank managed
software applications.
Managed the upgrade of the network infrastructure for the e-commerce development
group.
Managed the network component for the move of multiple departments from one
building into another.
Used SharePoint as the primary documentation site and setup project teams in
SharePoint for distribution and discussions.
Managed the technical teams responsible for implementation of various
applications considered critical to the daily operation of the bank.  Part of the
activities were related to bank changes to move to an Active Directory
environment with Exchange servers.
Assisted on other projects as needed with notable mention of his help in
completing the testing and Disaster Recovery needs with the implementation of a
new capital venture initiative.
Managed the project deliverables to the business units and Project Management
Office for the various projects and managed the eventual handover of related
documentation form the project team to the steady-state and operational groups.

Spherion (Sears) Hoffman Estates: March 1999 – September 2001
As Testing Analyst at a Retail Company, I was responsible for the following:
Wrote test cases for an online e-commerce application in accordance with user
requirements and business guidelines.
Was responsible for reviewing written test cases to ensure continued relevance
with changing needs and requirements.
Assisted with the development of data verification and application verification
tools in Microsoft Access to facilitate the testing process.
Wrote queries in Microsoft Access and SQL to use for verification of test
results.
Was responsible for executing tests and logging problems and discrepancies in
order to provide feedback to the development team on areas that needed
enhancements and/or improvements.
Assisted with debugging and testing of production problems.
Was one of the main testers responsible for the testing of the back-end
processes and systems to ensure accuracy in order processing through final
delivery.

Prior Work Experience in South Africa: 1994 - 1999
Member of the executive committee responsible for running the operation and
establishing business practices for the local company under guidance from its
international parent.
Project Manager for an International Human Resource and Payroll company managing
the oversight and implementation of HR/Payroll software at various international
locations.
Quality Manager for an International Human Resource and Payroll company to
implement ISO 9000 guidelines and other recognized quality standard including
CMM, and SPICE.
IT Manager was responsible for a team of 3 staff members to oversee
implementation of hardware and network infrastructure as well as daily service
calls to support local and roaming employees.
Product Development Manager for a department of 15 staff members to oversee the
adaption of an international HR and Payroll application to suit local regulatory
and industry requirements.

Education
Bachelor of Engineering (Mechanical), University of Stellenbosch, Stellenbosch,
South Africa
Introduction to C# programming
Scrum Master
Various other business and IT industry related courses in programming and
software quality assurance from both in-house and external training programs.

References available on request.