Karthik Balachandran

• Led testing efforts for Tamigo's cloud-based workforce management platform, ensuring smooth releases and a high-quality user experience across various industries.
• Established an automation testing framework that significantly reduced manual efforts and accelerated release cycles by 40%.
• Integrated security testing using OWASP ZAP into the workflow, proactively identifying vulnerabilities, and enhancing product security.
• Introduced risk-based testing strategies to catch critical issues early in development, improving system stability, and customer satisfaction.
• Drove agile testing adoption, embedding testing within continuous delivery pipelines to speed up releases, and improve team efficiency.
• Worked closely with product, development, and DevOps teams to ensure testing aligned with business objectives and technical requirements.
• Mentored junior team members, fostering growth in test automation, cloud-based testing, and security best practices.

• Designed and developed the comprehensive Test Strategy for IPMS (Intellectual Property Management System) products and IP Platform applications, ensuring effective management of patents and trademarks.
• Led the implementation of the Test Pyramid Model across Agile teams, enhancing the robustness and coverage of the Automation Test suite.
• Defined and implemented a CI/CD strategy that integrated various tests into the pipeline, significantly reducing the feedback loop and enabling faster issue resolution.
• Recommended the early incorporation of non-functional testing (Accessibility, Security, and Performance) in the Agile process, reducing post-implementation testing costs by 50% and improving user experience.
• Effectively guided and supported Quality Engineers in meeting their objectives while concurrently handling recruitment, training, and monitoring the testing budget.

Client: IKEA; Project: eCommerce - New Web Platform and Sales Order Fulfillment.

• Led and managed a globally distributed 20-member test team, ensuring alignment and collaboration across regions to meet tight deadlines for the platform's global rollouts.
• Created and implemented holistic test plans for intricate non-functional aspects such as Accessibility, Usability, Security, SEO, Localization and Operational Readiness for various devices and platforms.
• Delivered consistent daily and weekly testing reports to senior leadership, increasing clarity of project status.
• Evaluated test results and obtained quality gate approvals by collaborating with non-functional requirement owners.
• Test efficiency was improved by automating regression suites, resulting in reduced post-implementation testing efforts.
• Mentored and led QA engineers to implement effective testing techniques, resulting in early defect detection and higher product quality.

Client: AT&T; Project: Enterprise Service System (Oracle Application e-Business suite) CRM product

• Led testing efforts for AT&T's ERP application, managing test planning, execution, and defect tracking to ensure smooth integration and functionality.
• Conducted functional, regression, and end-to-end testing, identifying critical defects early and ensuring timely resolution to meet project deadlines.

• Developed and maintained Java-based applications for clients, including British Telecom and Rio Tinto.
• Contributed to the development of key features and bug fixes, adhering to best practices in coding, testing, and documentation.