Resume of Diane L. McDonald

Key Roles

Over 28 years of systems/software/hardware engineering, project management, and process improvement experience at consulting, commercial, and defense companies. Extensive hands-on experience using the Software Engineering Institute's (SEI) process improvement models.

Experience

Principal, Software/Systems/Hardware Engineering Process Specialist

April 1999 - present StepUp Solutions®, Inc. Los Gatos, California

As an SEI-certified Instructor, provide training in the SEI’s Introduction to Capability Maturity Model® Integration (CMMI®)-Systems Engineering/Software Engineering courses, under StepUp Solutions’ license as an SEI Partner.

Conduct appraisals using the SEI’s Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPIsm) method, as an SEI-certified Lead Appraiser for SCAMPI A appraisals and Team Lead for SCAMPI B and C appraisals.

Provide consultation in defining, improving, and institutionalizing mature software/systems/hardware engineering and project management processes using the CMMI, SW-CMM, and ISO 9001.  Authored CMMI-consistent processes at various companies, including Level 4-5 processes.

Support proposals (RFPs) requiring the use of the CMMI.

As an SEI-authorized Instructor, provide training in the SEI’s Introduction to Software CMM course, under another company’s license as an SEI Partner.

Conduct assessments using the SEI's CMM Based Appraisal for Internal Process Improvement (CBA IPI) method as an SEI-authorized CBA IPI Lead Assessor.

Conduct tailorable, cost-effective appraisals using the Software CMM.

Engineering Manager and Process Specialist

1987 - March 1999 GTE Government Systems, Electronic Systems Division Mountain View, California - now General Dynamics AIS

As Technical Lead of the Engineering Process Group (EPG), defined and improved the division's (7 geographical sites) standard systems/software processes. Guided projects in the day-to-day use of these processes. Led several efforts which resulted in successfully achieving SEI Level 3+ maturity ratings. Supported proposals and customer evaluations requiring SEI Level 3 processes.

  Supported the definition and improvement of the division's ISO 9001 Quality Management System, which included integrated systems engineering, software engineering, hardware engineering, and program management processes.

Conducted software process assessments across GTE Corporation using the SEI's CBA IPI and earlier Software Process Assessment (SPA) methods.

Established and coordinated the division's formal software training program. Taught the SEI's Introduction to the CMM course, as well as a variety of engineering and project management courses.

Software/Systems Manager

1980 - 1987 GTE Communications Systems Phoenix, Arizona

Managed the development and maintenance of large-scale digital switching systems for domestic and international customers.

Software Technical Lead

1970 - 1980 GTE Automatic Electric Northlake, Illinois

Developed and maintained real-time application software for digital and analog switching systems.

Accreditations:

SEI-authorized instructor of Introduction to CMMI courses

SEI-authorized SCAMPI A, B, and C Lead Appraiser

SEI High Maturity with Statistics course completion

SEI-authorized CBA IPI Lead Assessor

SEI-authorized instructor of the Introduction to Software CMM courses

SEI-authorized CMM course observer for candidate instructors of the SW-CMM course

ISO 9001 internal auditor (prior)

Publications and Patents

"A Tailorable Software Process Mini-Assessment Method," SEI SEPG '99 Conference, Atlanta, GA, March 10, 1999.

"Structured for Success: A Software Engineering Process Group Model," SEI SEPG '96 Conference, Atlanta, GA, March 1996.

U.S. Patent for a software algorithm developed as part of a GTE telecommunications system.

Professional Memberships

Certified with the Women’s Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC)

Active involvement in the Silicon Valley Software Process Improvement Network (SPIN)

Member of the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE)

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