Evan A. Birkby

 

2840 Pontiac Drive, Aurora, IL 60502

Mobile 503-884-2221

Evan_Birkby@hotmail.com

 

 

Skill Summary

Managed QA Teams using various Agile Methodologies including Feature Driven Development .

Successful First Pass Test Certification on multiple Platforms.

Faculty Speaker on testing tools and test management.

Created Test Plans, Detailed Budgets, Staffing Plans, Trending Charts, and visual reports.

DB Administrator on Jira, Bugzilla, TFS, DevTrack, Access, FileMaker, and other databases.

Developed relational databases for tracking bugs, tests, tasks, and inventory.

Very experienced with Excel, Power Point, FileMaker, Source Control Software, and editing tools.

 

Employment

2014.01.13 -

2015.06.17United Health Group (Optum Biometrics IT), Aurora, Illinois

FileMaker Developer in IT supporting the data management system for Biometric Health Screenings. I was responsible for greatly improving the data entry process for thousands of screening records per month. System involves multiple servers, website signups, syncing data to SQL, and data tables with over 3 million records and a billion fields of information.

Used Version 1 for Agile management and task tracking.

 

2010- 2012Experis, Tigard, Oregon

Managed testing of Halo Anniversary Edition for Microsoft Games Studios (MGS) 1^st year. Project passed on first cert attempt, shipped on schedule, and quality exceeded expectations. Testing was done within the original budget even though additional features were added. Features included voice, camera, 3D TV support, Cooperative play and 2 rendering modes. Lead the testing for approximately 15 projects on Windows8, Mobile, and Console during the 2^nd year.

 

2009-2009Cryptic Studios, Los Gatos, California

QA Manager for Massive Multiplayer On-line games: Products in development included: (MMOs) Champions Online, and StarTrek Online. Improved bug tracking priority, and fixed problems with work flow. Balanced the work load with limited resources to assure best coverage for all products.

 

2004-2008Gearbox Software, Plano, Texas

Director of QA and Designer: 5 published games. Built Gearbox’s QA organization. Streamlined workflow and prioritization. Kept the department within budget while meeting the need to deliver outstanding products. Created a liaison program to support each team and department. Worked with multiple publishers and outsource companies.

 

2002-2004Electronic Arts, Los Angeles, California

Director of QA: 4 published titles on multiple platforms and localized in up to 13 languages. Managed test teams in 3 locations and built supportive relationships with test teams in other EA locations. Improved product tracking and metrics.

 

1997-2002Totally Games, San Rafael, California

QA Manager and Designer: 4 published titles. Designed game systems using Python in addition to managing the internal test team and coordinating with external test teams.

 

1992-1997Spectrum HoloByte, Alameda, California

QA Manager: 19 published titles. Trained QA leads and built the company Bug Tracking Database. Coordinated with various internal and external QA teams.

 

 

EducationLaney Community College, Oakland, California.  Programming in C.

Chemeketa Community College, Salem, Oregon.  Programming in C for Engineers.

University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming.  Graduated with a B.S. in Industrial Technology               specializing in Electronics, Manufacturing, Engineering, Management, and Quality Analysis.

 

Evan Birkby

Management Skills

Used various Agile Methodologies on both large and small projects. Some of these included SCRUM, Feature Driven Development, Daily Standups, Burn Down Charts, DSDM, XP, Progress Posters, Story Points, and Sprints. Most projects were larger than ideal for many Agile Methodologies so I invented a Professional Priority System (PPS) that works with Agile Methodologies, but improves upon them. The PPS was used with a number of projects very successfully and resulted in meeting tough deadlines, and delivering high quality products within budget. Created positive work environments, training programs, and effective recruitment and evaluation methods.

 

Application Skills

Charted historical bug activity and trends using combined chart types in Excel, and Invented new ways to track milestone activity. Proficient in creating Power Point presentations. Managed meetings, emails and contacts using Outlook on two networks simultaneously. Used advanced features of Photoshop and Gimp to create and edit art content. Managed hundreds of files using source control software such as, Alien Brain, CVS Source Safe, and Perforce. Managed documentation using One Note, Wiki, and SharePoint.

 

Database Development

Created multiple relational database solutions using FileMaker and supported huge FileMaker systems supporting Biometric Data with millions of records. Databases supported Web Sites with high traffic and synced FileMaker with SQL. Particular areas of development included Business Analysis, and Workflow. Improved interface features led to fewer errors and very positive feedback from those that use the system. Other FileMaker Solutions include:

Test Case management tools with an automated combinatorial generator, a full featured Project Mangement Tool, a Human Resource Recruiting Tool, a Bug Tracking tool, an IT Ticket Tracking and inventory system with a floor plan showing allocation, and a game design database. Performed database administrator duties for Jira, Bugzilla, Microsoft TFS, and Dev Track.

 

Programming Background

C Programming (2 courses), FileMaker Scripting, and Python. I completed the Deitel & Deitel course on Visual Basic and have studied additional Deitel and Deitel books on C++, and C#.

 

Design

I’ve designed missions, game mechanics, content and interfaces. I’ve designed and developed my own board game and created a database tool to make this easier with more professional results. I worked as a designer on a number of shipped computer games in addion to my duties in QA. For military and aviation based games I’ve assisted extensively with historical and technical research. For Star Trek “Bridge Commander” which still has many passionate fans, I was responsible for all the weapon and system attributes for all the starships. For X-Wing Alliance I worked on weapon systems, and added over 500 images using Photoshop. I’ve used game editors to design maps, script events and build content. I’ve been credited for design and art in addition to QA credits.

 

Analysis

By applying Find and Fix rate analysis I was able to anticipate peak open bug counts weeks in advance. Using Excel and QA Engineers I have developed advanced bug count tracking systems and charts that are easy to read. They help provide a much better understanding of how development and QA work through various milestones.

 

References

I can provide reference letters on request.