Who am I?

Personal Details

  • Name: Arjan van den Berg
  • Date of birth: 15 August 1966
  • Nationality: Dutch
  • Address: Vlierbeek 8, 3772SW Barneveld, The Netherlands
  • Phone: +31 (0)6 38 06 77 49
  • Email: arjan@testautomationexpert.nl

Profesional Profile

Senior Test Automation Expert with more than 10 years experience in test automation, especially within the performance testing area. Hands-on experience with performance test simulations, analysis, tuning and monitoring. Design and implementation of fully-automated regression load tests with almost any (performance) test automation tool. Interested in (performance) test automation for any kind of system e.g. web services, web GUI, Oracle Forms, using any tool. Practical experience in Agile and traditional software development methods. Identification of potential performance risks on all levels. Design, development and execution of performance load tests for each identified performance risk.

I have been working in Agile teams for the last 3 years. This consists of collaborating and sharing automated (load) test results with developers, architects, technical application managers and all other stakeholders. The final goal is to share results quickly to help them understand which errors have occurred and what needs to be fixed. Experience also with integrating automated (load) test solutions with continuous integration servers, so that test can be triggered on each and every build. Last but not least, always providing easily understandable test reports that can be understood by anyone.

I am result-driven and I have a pragmatic and flexible attitude. Colleagues describe me as accurate, creative, getting things done, result-orientated, honest and reliable.

My Professional Background

Work Experience

2015 January - Present

Freelance

2015 - Performancetest Expert

Job Description

Independent (performance) test automation expert
I provide independent consultancy (and engineering) on all aspects of performance testing in Agile/DevOps - Teams. Specialties: effective automated performance testing for any system, using any tool. (Loadrunner, Neoload and Silkperformer). Also more then 4 years experience with functional test automation (QTP, HP Business Components, UFT and Selenium).

Experience in several aspects within the performance testing area, including:

  • Gathering performance requirements
  • Creating performance test plan
  • Using cases/click paths, model production usage patterns
  • Load models, designing tests with proper random test data
  • Developing/writing robust performance scripts
  • End-user error detection in case of failure
  • Code load test scripts with reusable components to reduce script maintenance
  • Monitoring all application layers during test
  • Continuous integration - running performance tests during sprints
  • User story test within sprints
  • Root cause performance analysis: application code, memory, database, query, network, firewall, Java script, etc.

  • Test automation and performance tests will be integrated more and more in the near future. I reuse a (subset from the) functional test suite that allows the client to create the performance test. Moreover, rich Ajax-based internet applications often require ’single user‘ performance tests as well, to validate the client end-to-end response time (e.g. browser memory leaks and resource usage on each and every device).

    2014 January - 2015 January

    Rabobank ICT Group

    2014 - 2015 Perfomance Engineer

    Job Description

    Performance Engineer/Specialist
    Worked in the internet portal development group responsible for www.rabobank.nl and mobile banking apps for smart phones. Designed performance tests for Rabobank’s website and applications (based on Wepshere) to test all new features developed during sprints. Main task was to design and implement automated load tests within sprints. Tasks also carried out during sprints:

  • Analysing performance test results and root cause analysis
  • Also load testing within a stub-based environment, to isolate application layers
  • Analysing Java memory usage (and investigating memory leaks)
  • Investigating front-end (Java script) performance and stability (also for mobile devices)
  • Implementing performance regression tests
  • Reporting test results to product owner

  • Carried out performance tests until they met the team’s acceptance criteria; worked together with the team to find performance bottleneck root cause issue. The main goal was delivering good performance quality software faster.

    2013 March            December

    Sogeti

    Test Tool Consultant

    Job Description

    Test Tool Consultant
    Worked in the Test Automation unit at Sogeti, the market leader in Software QA & test services. Worked here as an experienced (performance) test automation professional. Responsibilities:

  • Advising large clients1 about (performance) Test Automation (Tools)
  • Analysing (Business/User/Technical) risks related to load testing and writing risk-based test plans.
  • Working with NEOLOAD and Silkperformer within several performance test projects.
  • Reporting performance test results to several stakeholders (Project Management, Scrum Teams, Program managers, etc.)
  • 1NS(Dutch Railways), the Dutch government, KPMG, EVIDES Waterbedrijf (Water Utility Company), etc.

    The main goal was to test faster and more effectively and to eliminate the test execution time. Advised clients which tool to use to automate both functional and non-functional tests, but also about knowing when NOT to automate tests.

    2012 February - 2013 March

    Cordys

    Agile Test Engineer

    Job Description

    Agile Test Engineer

    Worked in an Agile Development Team as a Test (Automation) Engineer. I worked in a small SCRUM team with talented senior Java developers, collaborating also with other teams in India. I was actually part of an Agile Development Team and process, so I joined all scrum sessions such as daily stand-up, planning and retrospective. Worked closely with developers. Performed a variety of tasks together with all other team members. Responsible for developing and maintaining automated API testing, using SOAPUI.Also tested a transaction management system that offers basic support for JDBC/XA pools, JMS/XA pools and JTA/XA to enable a transaction processes outside of the application server. So, real in-depth API testing and reliable Atomiq transactions with MSMQ and ActiveMQ.

    Also WebGUI-based (also AJAX-based) front-end testing and many other responsibilities. When required, also carried out exploratory testing of test all system ’borders‘. All user stories were tested within the sprints.

    2008 December - 2012 January

    Stater

    Test Automation engineer

    Job Description

    Test Automation Engineer

    Test automation Engineer within a large financial company. I designed an automated regression test suite enabling thorough regression testing of the system with each change. This was a really complex financial mortgage system with more than 100 screens (Web - HTML, AJAX and CSS). All screens where automated within QTP (UFT) as scripted components (together with HP Business Process Testing (BPT)). BPT provides the framework for designing and developing reusable test components and flows, enabling non-technical subject matter experts to build and execute tests quickly. Business Process Tests were defined centrally within the HP Quality Center/ALM. Both manual and automated tests could be run. I also developed a procedure to provide test sets easily with test data (excel export/import).

    Implemented an automated test-mindset within the test department. Focus shift from manual testing to automated testing.

    Senior Engineer for performance testing, assisting other project members with infrastructure and application performance tests. Monitored and analysed (evaluated) overall system capacity during end-to-end load tests. Worked closely with the application development department, the architect and the infrastructure group to solve performance issues found during tests.

    2004 May - 2008 November

    Cordys

    Performance Test Engineer

    Job Description

    Performance Test Engineer

    Worked for a software infrastructure vendor that provides business process management suites (BPMS). A cloud-native BPMS solution that will enable customers to re-engineer key processes as part of their transition to a digital business. I developed a sophisticated performance test approach, which consisted of several tasks, including:

  • Designing and creating test plans, test data, automated test scripts and test scenarios
  • Working collaboratively with technology teams and key stakeholders from all disciplines
  • Executing load and stress tests on all application layers, API and end-to-end tests
  • Understanding the BPMS platform, applications, architecture and underlying components and technologies
  • Ensuring systems perform at acceptable performance and resource utilization levels
  • Installing, configuring and maintaining performance testing solutions and monitoring tools
  • Working directly with Architects and Software Development Engineers to improve performance and reliability
  • Another task was to advise clients which hardware they need, sizing advice and how to deploy their system to attain a certain transaction rate/volume. Also implemented Mercury/HP Load Runner/Performance center within a distributed development environment (India / Netherlands).

    1986 June - 2004 May

    Several (International) Companies

    Test Engineer

    Technical Support Engineer

    System Administrator

    Network Administrator

    Support Engineer

    Job Description

    Test Engineer / Technical Support Engineer

    During this role, I worked within the Research and Development Department of a large IT organisation. Managing software development environments was one of the main tasks. Software Configuration Manager/Build Master. This role consisted of supporting developers in the software configuration management area, e.g. management of artefacts (source code) with a version control system (ClearCase). Also responsible for an isolated acceptance environment, so that (unit) tests ran automatically after each build every night. Here I also gained my first experience in performance-testing, creating test scripts and running tests to check software reliability and robustness. Reported and communicated defects and issues to developers and other stakeholders. By working closely together with a development team, I clearly contributed to improving the software quality. It was already in a type of agile structure, delivering working software every day.

    System Administrator

    During this period, I worked for several companies, fulfilling several roles, which provided me with broad experience in different market branches, IT - Software development companies, government bodies and chemical industries.

    In my first role as a system administrator, or ‘Sysadmin’, I was responsible for the configuration and reliable operation of computer systems, especially multi-user computers, such as Unix and Windows servers. Ensuring the uptime, performance, resources and security of the computers and managing the needs of the (end-)users. As a system administrator, I installed or upgraded computer components and software and provided routine automation; maintained security policies; troubleshooting; problem-solving, frequently under various types of constraints.

    Network Administrator

    As a Network Administrator, I was able to quickly and correctly diagnose what the problem was and how best to fix it. Network administrators are generally mid-level support staff within an organization and do not typically get involved directly with users. Network administrators focus on network components within a company's LAN/WAN infrastructure ensuring integrity. Depending on the company and its size, the network administrator may also design and deploy networks.

    Network Administrators are often involved in proactive work, such as: network monitoring, testing the network for weaknesses, evaluating and implementing network management software and monitoring network traffic and bottlenecks. My service-minded approach meant that I was successfully able to handle all tasks mentioned above, resulting in satisfied clients

    Support Engineer

    During this period, I worked for one of the most innovative software companies as a Technical Support Engineer. I solved specific problems with the first midrange Linux/Unix multi-user computer systems, using Unix/Linux command line skills. Installed and deployed (network) operating systems and did troubleshooting of all types of environment issues. In other words, I really listened to the clients in order to truly understand their problem or question and helped them solve it.

    My Education

    Education

    2010 September - 2012 June

    Open Universiteit Nederland

    Java Training - CPP Certified Java programmer

    Certified Professional Programmer course. This course covered the basic principles of the Java platform and latest version (1.7) of the Java programming language. Learnt to programme with variables, data types, operators and control flow constructs of the language. The course also focussed on object-oriented concepts like class, object, inheritance and polymorphism. Attention was given to error and exception handling in Java and how Java software is packaged was also discussed. The splitting of a Java programme into several subtasks through threads and the synchronization of these threads was also a subject in the course. The course also explained the design, development and deployment of web applications using these core Java technologies, as well as building Servlets. The following topics were also covered: building JavaServer Pages, using MVC Architecture, JSP EL and JSTL. Also covered was the Stripes Java framework, with the goal of making Servlet/JSP-based web development in Java easy.

    1987 September - 2000 June

    Sogeti

    Microsoft

    Novi

    Azlan

    HP

    IBM

    Branch Oriented Training


    Test Management Approch (TMAP), Year 2007
    Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE), Year 2000
    Clearcase fundamentals, Year 1995.
    HP Openview network management, Year 1994.
    Novell Administrator 4.x, Year 1994.
    Novell Administrator 3.x, Year 1992.
    Networking Essentials, Year 1989.
    Ambi module HE1, Elementary IT, Year 1988.
    Ambi module I1, Elementary IT, Year 1987.


    School Education

    MBO-4 Electrical Engineering, Year 1986.
    HAVO , physics,mathematics
    MAVO

    References

    • K G V S Prasad

      Performance Engineer

      "I learned many performance and benchmarking concepts from Arjan. He brought professionalism to the various assignments we do. Some of the benchmark reports are still being referenced by our Cordys customers. He also helped the organization by developing knowledge on third party benchmarking parties like TPC, SPEC."

    • Ganessan Paramanathan

      Solutions Architect

      "I worked with Arjan in different mission critical SOA/BPM/Rule Engine projects with respect to performance, load and stress testing. He has in-depth knowledge of the different testing tools and helped us to increase the performance of our applications tremendously. He analyses the problem from different points of views, quickly identifies the root cause of it and provides a solution for it. He is a great person to work with and because of Arjan we were successful in different types of implementation. Arjan is also a well-organized person and handles the problem in a professional way. If you are looking for a Performance and Benchmark Specialist for critical projects, I would really recommend Arjan for it."

    • Kees Graveland

      Project Manager

      "Arjan is a senior expert in Performance & Benchmarking Engineering. I really appreciated his ability to oversee Performance issues from a multidisciplinary perspective. This makes him a trusted advisor in complex customer environments."

    • Henri Mulder

      Product Manager Rabobank ITN

      “Arjan has broad experience in terms of test-tooling, both functionally and with respect to performance. Besides making findings, he also knows how to carry out additional research into the root cause. I especially value his drive to discover how things can be done better or more efficiently. Furthermore, Arjan is a pleasant person to work with.”

    Special

    Skills & Knowledge

    Mainstream Test Tools

    Loadrunner 90%
    Neoload 80%
    Silkperformer 70%
    Quick Test Professional 85%
    SoapUI 70%
    Selenium 60%

    certificates

    JavaLogo

    Certified Java Developer

    2012 / Open University

    MCSE

    HP Certified Professional (Test Tools)

    2009 / hewlett packard

    Tmap

    TMAP Foundation

    2007 / Sogeti

    MCSE

    Microsoft Certified System Engineer

    2000 / Microsoft


    Language Skills

    English
    Proficient/C1
    Dutch
    Advanced

    Knowledge

    • Performance Requirements
    • Model production Usage / Load models
    • Any loadtest tool
    • Dynatrace
    • Continuous integration
    • Jira / Jenkins
    • Quality Center (ALM)
    • Agile / Scrum
    • Performance Engineering
    • Root cause / Bottleneck Analysis
    • load test scripts with reusable components
    • Performance Monitoring
    • Functional Testautomation
    • Frontend Performance
    • Mobile Performance Testin
    • Data Driven Automated Tests

    Contact

    Get in touch

    I am always open to new opportunities, so if you feel I'd be valuable within your project, please don't hesitate to contact me.


    My Address