Freelance Software Tester - Pat Walsh IT Services

Pat Walsh IT Services

My name is Pat Walsh, I’m a freelance software tester and I can work with you on projects of all sizes. I’ve worked both in Agile projects as an Agile tester and in the more traditional waterfall methodology, as software tester.
Completed projects have included working with Storythings on digital production projects, where I have performed a mix of iOS App Testing, Android App Testing and also website testing. In one project, they partnered with Pulse Films to produce the digital side of the Days To Live project for Diesel Timeframes. Another project involved Storythings producing the American Interior app, part of Gruff Rhys’ multi-platform project.
App testing projects often include testing both the iOS app and the Android app, such as for the VPAR golf scoring app. And in some cases, a test project can include every platform, such as for the Composed music streaming service, which included testing the website, iOS app, Android app and Sonos app.
In addition to ongoing testing projects, I also provide one-off tests for companies, such as Ecommerce websites. This has included working with Home Furniture Range, to thoroughly test their retail website and also with EC Group, to test one of their client’s websites, again an Ecommerce site.
I work on a regular basis with developers including Storythings, PurpleDecks and Click, to provide an independent Testing and QA Service, for apps and websites.
I also work on a regular basis with testing agencies, including WebDepend and Test Partners, as a Test Consultant, on both App Testing and Website Testing projects.
As an advocate of Rapid Software Testing, I’ve twice completed the Rapid Software Testing Applied online course/experience by James Bach. Its a mixture of training in some Rapid Software Testing elements and then putting them into practice on a real-life test, which could be a website or an application. This training has really helped add to my Exploratory Testing skills, where the emphasis on simultaneous learning, exploration and testing enables the tester to learn about and enquire upon the system under test, as well as finding bugs as they explore. I also completed the Rapid Software Testing Explored online course with Michael Bolton, in 2020, which was another great way of enhancing my testing skillset.

Freelance Services

Some example Projects

Composed Music Streaming

Composed music streaming

This project involved performing Agile QA for a classical music streaming service, across multiple platforms – Web, iOS App, Android App and Sonos App.
This project involved working in an Agile team, using Scrum methods – including daily standups, sprint planning sessions and sprint retrospectives.
Testing was across a range of iOS and Android devices, and across the main browsers
Testing included acceptance testing for new features, regression testing and smoke testing, across all the different platforms.
Types of testing performed included Exploratory Testing, End-to-End Testing, Functional Testing, System Testing, plus checking for UX/Usability issues.
Pivotal Tracker was used to keep track of user stories, features, issues and QA work across the different projects.
Slack was used for team comms.

Days To Live

On this project, I performed iOS App Testing for the Days To Live iOS App working with the Developers, Designers and Project Manager.
Testing included Smoke Testing, Functional Testing, Exploratory Testing and testing the Social Media integration of the App, which directly posts to Facebook and Twitter.
This involved creating and constantly updating Test Plans and Test Results documentation.
TestFlight was used for App distribution.
I also performed Website Testing on the graphically stunning HTML5 Days To Live questionnaire website
This project involved working online and also onsite at Pulse Films offices in Shoreditch.

Wicked Lasers

This project involves Website Testing, to ensure the website is working after system changes and updates, making sure customers can still order products from the website and that the website displays and functions correctly.
Testing performed on Windows, Mac OSX, iPad, iPhone and Android devices, using Chrome, IE, Firefox and Safari browsers.
Testing types include End-to-End Testing, Cross-Browser Testing, Exploratory Testing, Mobile Commerce Testing and Functional Testing.
Google Analytics used to check website analytics and prioritise testing on the different platforms and browsers.
Basecamp used for Project Management and communications.

The Noise

Website testing of an HTML5 web app of a digital reading experience
The play under test was called The Noise
Testing focussed on the reading experience – areas such as lighting effects, scenes, sound effects
Tablets were the main target devices, so testing was done on iOS and Android tablets
Testing also across main browsers on desktop (Windows and Mac OSX)
Functional Testing, End-to-End Testing
Checking for UX/Usability issues
Test Plan and Test Results in Excel

See the full list of Projects

Some of the clients I’ve worked with

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I'm a freelance software tester

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More Info

Freelance IT & Testing Specialist

I’m a freelance IT & Testing Specialist, specialising in iOS App Testing, Android App Testing and Website Testing. I can work with you on projects of all types and sizes.

ISEB/ISTQB Certified Tester

I’m an ISEB/ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level (CTFL) and I’m currently studying for the Advanced Level Certification, part of the ISTQB Certification Path.

Online Testing with uTest.com & others

I have performed many tests via the online testing platform uTest.com and this has included iOS App Testing, Android App Testing, Website Testing and Software Testing. This has been across a wide-range of hardware platforms and devices, including Windows 7/8, Mac OSX, iOS – iPhone & iPad, plus Android devices. View my uTest Profile. I also work online with the BugFinders.com and PassBrains.com testing platforms.

WordPress Website Creator

I relaunched this website in January 2013 using a new theme called Avada, an excellent, highly-configurable theme for WordPress. I also create websites for small enterprises, sole traders and social concerns. I provide a WordPress Website All In One Package with prices from £499.

Blog Contents

In my blog, I cover a wide range of IT topics, including various testing areas, new technology, development, Mac OSX issues, iOS, Apps, Software, various books, useful websites, events, Android, Java, ISEB/ISTQB, Windows, Python, Selenium and much more.

My Website

My website is powered by WordPress and hosted on one.com, both of which I can highly recommend. It’s now using the excellent Avada theme.

Pat is an excellent one-stop-shop for testing Apps and Websites. He is a self-starter who just knows what needs to be done and gets on with it, and is responsive to requests for any specific testing requirements. He provides test plans and reports as a matter of course and was a pleasure to work with. I will definitely be working with Pat again if the opportunity arises.

Andrew Birley, PM, Storythings

Pat came to Composed to respond to our (increasingly urgent) need of QA on mobile and web and I can testify he more than fulfilled the task. On the Android side, his very structured approach (first exploratory testing, then focus on defining test plans for a variety of scopes) and his clear knowledge of the latest mobile technologies have quickly paid off. He was involved directly with the developers (including myself) and this very dynamic relationship enabled us to annihilate bugs swiftly and efficiently.

David Ferrand, Android Developer, Composed

We’ve worked with Pat Walsh on a number of very different projects, from interactive video projects to mobile apps. His work is very thorough and has quickly become an essential and important phase of all the production work we do at Storythings. He’s thorough, diligent, and a pleasure to work with.

Matt Locke, Director, Storythings

Couldn’t recommend Pat highly enough. He goes beyond what you’d expect of a QA tester, commenting more broadly on user experience and even design. He’s quick, efficient and thorough – couldn’t ask for any more.

Rob Calvert, Director, Click

Pat Walsh fixed my site within hours of my contacting him – his WordPress website fix service clearly works!

Douglas Green, Douglas Software

We hired Pat to help with QA of a music streaming app. We needed someone with that magic “6th sense” of where the bugs are lurking; the ones which developers tend to miss. Pat more than fulfilled this need, with highly methodical approach and a great eye for detail.

Subsequently Pat has provided QA services for a personal app project of mine, finding a significant issue which had been lurking for some time.

Pat is a real asset to any team – highly competent technically but also easy going and a great guy to work with. Highly recommended!

Andrew Ebling, Head of App Development, Composed

Pat has been absolutely incredible at testing each of our projects he works on. He’s very professional, organised and diligent. I look forward to using him again in the future.

Oliver Thurtle, Director of Technology, Drum

Pat performs comprehensive website testing for us, across all the main browsers and platforms, including mobile devices. His flexible approach to testing and clear feedback enable us to have confidence that the business end of our website is still working smoothly after system updates and changes.

Steve Liu, Manager, Wicked Lasers

Pat Walsh provided Kingston Valdes with a professional and personable service that was excellent value. The site was built and tested quickly, we are delighted with the results, and we have already had positive feedback from some of our clients. If you’re thinking of building a new site or adapting an existing one, I’d certainly recommend speaking with Pat about it.

Kathy Valdes, Kingston Valdes