Kenny Sporck

As an Operations Lead I managed the daily operations of the software test department (25 FTE), I have a comprehensive skill set that spans operational management, human resources, strategic planning, and financial acumen. My key responsibilities include managing personnel, recruitment triage, and fostering personal growth for team members.

Additionally, my role involves handling pre-sales activities related to managed services, contributing to the formulation and protection of the overall strategy for SQS, and taking responsibility for the profit and loss (P&L) aspects of the business.

Key Achievements:

• Colleague Retention: Successfully maintained a colleague retention rate of 88% over the last four years. Through implementing employee engagement and fostering a positive work culture, I prioritize the well-being and development of team members based on each individual's ambition.
• Portfolio Transition: Facilitated the transition of a portfolio of 10 customers to managed services. By leveraging my communication skills and a client-centric approach, I effectively addressed customer needs, exceeded expectations, and strengthened partnerships leading to increased loyalty.
• Exponential Revenue Growth: Achieved an annual revenue growth of 22%, surpassing organisational targets, and solidifying our position in the market. Through strategic planning and innovative solutions, I implemented initiatives that optimized profitability while delivering exceptional value to clients.
• Operations Margin Optimisation: Attained an operations margin of 37% by implementing streamlined processes, optimizing resource allocation, and identifying cost-saving opportunities. Through meticulous analysis and continuous improvement initiatives, I enhanced operational efficiency while maintaining high-quality standards, resulting in sustainable growth and profitability.

As an Operations Lead, I am committed to driving continuous improvement, fostering collaboration, and delivering measurable results that contribute to the overall success and growth of the organization. I thrive in dynamic environments and am passionate about leading teams to achieve excellence and exceed expectations.

Skills:

• Managed services
• Leadership
• Communication & stakeholder management
• Quality assurance management
• Risk management
• Operations management
• Operations process improvement

As a Test Consultant at WPS, I was entrusted with driving quality assurance initiatives and ensuring the delivery of high-quality software solutions to the clients. My role had a wide range of responsibilities from devising test strategies to coordinating testing activities and introducing test automation.

-Test Strategy Development:
Designed and implemented a comprehensive test strategy tailored to meet the specific needs and requirements of our projects.
Collaborated closely with stakeholders to align the test strategy with business objectives, ensuring effective test coverage and risk mitigation.

-Coordination of Testing Activities:
Orchestrated testing activities across multiple teams and projects, ensuring timely and efficient execution of test plans.
Facilitated communication between development, testing, and business teams to foster collaboration and alignment.
Monitored testing progress, identified bottlenecks, and implemented corrective actions to keep projects on track.

Through my time as a Test Consultant at WPS, I was able to significantly enhance the quality of the software products, optimize testing processes, and contribute to the overall success of our projects. My proactive approach to problem-solving, attention to detail, and commitment to excellence were instrumental in achieving these key achievements.

As an Embedded Test Analyst and Coordinator for the second generation of Niko Home Control, I played a pivotal role in ensuring the robustness and functionality of this advanced home automation system. The second generation NHC aimed to build upon the success of its predecessor, introducing enhanced features and capabilities to provide an unparalleled user experience.

Early Involvement in Development:
Contributed as an embedded test analyst in the early stages of the software development cycle for NHC.
Collaborated closely with development teams to define and write acceptance tests, actively participating in the planning and execution of all test stages.

Requirements Analysis and Test Case Design:
Analyzed intricate project requirements for the second generation NHC and reviewed validation documents, translating them into detailed acceptation test cases.
Worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams to align testing efforts with the project's overarching goals.

Coordinated Testing Efforts:
Took on the role of a coordinator, overseeing testing activities and ensuring effective communication between on-shore test team and development teams.
Facilitated collaboration and information exchange to streamline the testing process for optimal efficiency.

Bug Reporting and Follow-Up:
Reported identified bugs and discrepancies, maintaining detailed records of test conditions and results.
Collaborated closely with development teams to track, prioritize, and facilitate the resolution of reported issues.

This embedded testing and coordination experience with the second generation NHC enriched my understanding of cutting-edge technologies, the intricacies of embedded systems, and the critical role of effective coordination in ensuring the success of sophisticated home automation projects.

As a key contributor to the ReTiBo project at De Lijn, I played a crucial role in the validation and implementation of a centralized electronic registration system for buses and trams. This initiative aimed to establish a precise measurement of the capacity within De Lijn's public transport system, aligning with industry standards and solutions from other public transport organisations.

Early Involvement in Software Development:
Participated in the initial stages of the software development cycle, contributing to the writing of acceptance tests and actively engaging in factory acceptance tests.
Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure the effective integration of the electronic registration system.

Requirements Analysis and Test Case Design:
Analyzed project requirements and reviewed validation documents, translating them into comprehensive acceptation test cases.
Worked closely with business stakeholders to identify and understand their needs and expectations, ensuring alignment with project goals.

Blackbox Testing:
Conducted blackbox testing of both the sales and customer care back- and front-end systems.
Executed test scenarios manually under the supervision of a test lead, ensuring thorough evaluation of system functionalities.

Bug Reporting and Follow-Up:
Reported and documented identified bugs, providing clear and detailed information about test conditions and results.
Collaborated with the development team to ensure timely resolution of reported issues.

This experience equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of software testing methodologies, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and the critical role of thorough testing in ensuring the success of complex projects like ReTiBo.

As a QA Consultant with Metrological Rotterdam, I had the privilege of contributing to the quality assurance processes of this dynamic company specializing in innovative TV app solutions. My role was instrumental in ensuring the reliability, performance, and overall quality of Metrological's cutting-edge technologies.

Test Case Design:
Translated functional specifications and requirements into detailed test cases.
Ensured comprehensive coverage of test scenarios for both manual and automated testing.

Manual Test Execution:
Conducted rigorous manual testing of Metrological's TV app solutions, including functional and regression testing.
Executed test cases, meticulously documenting results and ensuring thorough issue reporting.

Collaboration with Development Teams:
Worked closely with development teams to understand product changes and updates.
Provided timely feedback on identified issues and collaborated on resolution efforts.

Client Interaction:
Collaborated with clients to understand specific testing requirements and expectations.
Conducted client-facing testing sessions to demonstrate the effectiveness of the executed tests.

This experience honed my expertise in meticulous test execution, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with development teams, efficient issue reporting, and the implementation of automation to enhance the overall testing process at Metrological Rotterdam.

At Niko, I played a pivotal role in testing the innovative home automation system designed to actively save energy and enhance overall household control. The system includes an eco-display providing real-time insights into home energy consumption, fostering a more economical approach to energy usage. My responsibilities primarily focused on testing both the software and hardware components of the Niko Home Control system.

Execution of Test Scenarios:
• Conducted thorough testing of software components, including mobile apps and configuration software.
• Tested hardware elements such as touchscreens, video-door stations, and Niko Home Control (NHC) modules.

Analysis and Reporting of Issues:
• Identified and meticulously analyzed issues within the home automation system.
• Generated detailed reports to communicate identified issues to the development team for resolution.

Regression Testing:
• Performed regression testing to ensure that previously identified issues were successfully addressed and did not reoccur.
• Ensured the stability and reliability of both software and hardware components through iterative testing.

Agile Environment:
• Operated within an agile environment, adapting testing strategies and priorities to meet dynamic project requirements.
• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, actively participating in agile ceremonies to align testing efforts with development goals.

This experience provided me with a comprehensive understanding of home automation systems, emphasizing the importance of rigorous testing to ensure the functionality, reliability, and energy-saving capabilities of the Niko Home Control solution.

As a Test Engineer with Kabel Deutschland (Vodafone) in Munich, I played a pivotal role in ensuring the seamless functioning of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) through meticulous test cycles. My responsibilities encompassed the end-to-end testing process, requiring a deep understanding of both hardware and software components of CPE devices.

• Executed rigorous testing procedures, covering functional, regression, and integration testing.
• Identified and documented defects in CPE devices, collaborating with development teams for swift resolution.
• Worked collaboratively with cross-functional teams, including developers and product managers, providing feedback for continuous improvement.
• Created detailed documentation for test cases, procedures, and results to ensure traceability.
• Actively participated in retrospectives, contributing insights to enhance testing processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Maintained effective communication with team members, providing regular updates on testing progress and reporting critical issues to management.

As a QA Consultant, I have amassed extensive experience across diverse projects, demonstrating a strong proficiency in quality assurance methodologies, embedded systems testing, agile transformations, and cross-functional collaboration. My expertise spans from cutting-edge home automation systems to public transport registration systems, TV app solutions, and customer premises equipment testing.

Key Responsibilities and Achievements:

• Coordinated Testing Efforts: Acted as a pivotal coordinator across multiple projects, overseeing testing activities, facilitating effective communication between test and development teams, and streamlining testing processes for optimal efficiency.
• Agile Transformation and Methodologies: Spearheaded agile transformations, advocating for SCRUM practices, and coordinating with teams to implement agile methodologies, boosting efficiency, responsiveness, and adaptability.
• Test Analysis and Design: Conducted in-depth analysis of embedded systems, translated project requirements into comprehensive test cases, and ensured comprehensive coverage of test scenarios for both manual and automated testing.
• Bug Reporting and Resolution: Identified, reported, and tracked bugs and discrepancies across projects. Collaborated closely with development teams to prioritize and facilitate timely resolution of reported issues.
• Utilization of Testing Tools: Demonstrated proficiency in utilizing a variety of testing tools such as MQTTfx, SoapUI, JMeter, and MobaXterm to enhance testing capabilities across different projects.
• Cross-functional Collaborations: Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams, including developers, product managers, and business stakeholders, ensuring effective integration, alignment of goals, and understanding of specific testing requirements.
• Client and Stakeholder Interaction: Engaged with clients and stakeholders to understand specific project requirements, expectations, and testing needs. Conducted client-facing testing sessions and provided timely feedback on identified issues.

Projects Overview:

• WPS: Developed and implemented a tailored test strategy that aligned closely with our business objectives. I initiated automation, streamlining testing processes and accelerating our time-to-market. Coordinating testing activities across multiple teams.
• Niko - Niko Home Control: Specialized in embedded test analysis and coordination for the second generation NHC, ensuring robustness, functionality, and energy-saving capabilities of the home automation system. Played a pivotal role in agile transformation, agile ceremonies participation, and rigorous testing of software and hardware components.
• DeLijn - Retibo: Contributed to the validation and implementation of a centralized electronic registration system for buses and trams. Participated in software development, requirements analysis, test case design, blackbox testing, and collaboration with cross-functional teams.
• Metrological: Contributed to quality assurance processes for TV app solutions, focusing on test case design, manual test execution, collaboration with development teams, and client interaction to ensure reliability and performance.
• Kabel Deutschland (Vodafone) - Platform testing: Ensured seamless functioning of Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) through rigorous testing procedures, defect identification and documentation, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and continuous improvement contributions.

Skills:

• Risk assessment
• Embedded systems
• Team Leadership
• Cross-functional Collaborations
• Agile Methodologies
• C, C++, C#
• Test Automation Tools
• Firmware testing
• API testing
• Mobile Testing
• JIRA, Confluence, Testrail, YouTrack, Mantis, TestMo

This comprehensive experience has equipped me with a great understanding of quality assurance, testing methodologies, and the critical role of effective coordination and collaboration in ensuring the success of complex projects across various domains.