Resume of Diane L. McDonald

Key Roles

Principal of StepUp Solutions, Inc., a CMMI Institute (ISACA) Partner. Over 25 years of systems/software/hardware engineering, project management, and process improvement experience at commercial and defense companies. Extensive practical experience using the CMMI Institute's process improvement models, as well as other industry best practices, to drive productivity and ultimately help companies achieve high performance.

Experience

Principal, Software/Systems/Hardware Engineering Process Specialist

April 1999 - present StepUp Solutions®, Inc. Los Gatos and El Dorado Hills, California

Guide organizations in implementing effective change management strategies and adopting industry best practices, such as the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), ISO, Six Sigma, Agile, SPICE, and ITIL.

As a CMMI Institute-certified Instructor, provide training in their Introduction to CMMI for Development courses. Provide customer-tailored courses in product development, project management, organizational process improvement, and support functions (e.g., quality assurance, configuration management).

Provide consultation in defining, improving, and institutionalizing cost-effective processes, such as: product development, organizational improvement (e.g., SEPG), project management, and support functions (e.g., quality assurance, configuration management).  Authored CMMI-consistent processes at various companies, including high maturity (Levels 4-5) processes.

As a CMMI Institute Lead Appraiser, conduct appraisals using their Standard CMMI Appraisal Method for Process Improvement (SCAMPI) method, e.g., SCAMPI A, B, and C. This includes conducting appraisals in classified environments requiring special clearances.

Conduct less formal, cost-effective gap analyses using the CMMI and other models (e.g., ISO, SPICE, Automotive SPICE).

Support organizations and programs in successfully preparing for appraisals, e.g., Practice Implementation Indicator Description (PIID) guidance, use of appraisal tools (e.g., Appraisal Wizard).

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.

Conduct training and assessments in the SEI's previous process improvement model (Software CMM) and appraisal method, CMM Based Appraisal for Internal Process Improvement (CBA IPI).

**Security Clearances**

Access to programs requiring a Single Scope Background Investigation (SSBI) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) with polygraph. Inactive, but recent.

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 ratings.

  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.

Other experience:

Software/Systems Manager

GTE Communications Systems Phoenix, Arizona

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

Software Technical Lead

Other: GTE Automatic Electric Northlake, Illinois

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

Accreditations:

CMMI Institute-certified instructor of the Introduction to CMMI-DEV course

CMMI Institute-certified SCAMPI A, B, and C Lead Appraiser

SEI High Maturity with Statistics course

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 Conference, Atlanta, GA.

"Structured for Success: A Software Engineering Process Group Model," SEI SEPG Conference, Atlanta.

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

Professional Memberships and Awards

CMMI (SEI) Partner Recognition Award - 10 years

Certified Woman Owned Small Business (WOSB) with the Small Business Admistratios (SBA)

Active involvement in various SPIN groups

Member of the International Council of Systems Engineering (INCOSE), American Society for Quality (ASQ), and Silicon Valley Agile Leadership Network

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