K.L.Narasimha Rao

K.L. NARASIMHA RAO Location: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY Dynamic Quality Assurance Professional and Talent Acquisition Specialist with 22+ years of progressive experience spanning software testing, quality management, process excellence, and full-cycle recruitment. Currently serving dual roles at B4B Solutions Pvt Ltd, Hyderabad (July 2022 - Present, 2.5+ years) as both Recruitment Specialist/Talent Acquisition and Software Test Engineer/Project Manager, successfully delivering international UNDP projects in Laos and Indonesia while recruiting specialized technical talent. Previously served at L&T Infotech Ltd, Chennai for 10 years (May 2008 - April 2018) in escalating quality leadership roles from Senior Quality Assurance Specialist to Process Specialist, driving CMMI Level 5 and ISO compliance initiatives. Earlier career includes 5+ years (March 2003 - September 2008) at Freescale Engagement as Project Leader managing maintenance and support operations. Core expertise includes CMMI Level 5 implementation, ISO standards (9001, 20000, 27001), Agile methodologies, technical recruitment, software testing (Manual, Functional, Regression, UAT), and stakeholder management across diverse industries including technology, finance, and international development. CORE COMPETENCIES Quality & Process Management: CMMI Level 5, ISO 9001/20000/27001, ITIL V3, Quality Audits, Process Excellence, QMS Implementation, Root Cause Analysis, Risk Management Software Testing: Manual Testing, Functional Testing, Regression Testing, UAT, Defect Management, Test Planning, SDLC, STLC Talent Acquisition: Full-Cycle Recruitment, Technical Recruiting, Sourcing, Screening, Candidate Assessment, Onboarding, LinkedIn Recruiting, Job Portals, Campus Hiring Project Management: Agile, Scrum, Sprint Planning, Project Planning, Stakeholder Management, Team Leadership, Risk Mitigation, Resource Allocation Tools & Technologies: WordPress, SQL, Minitab, Python, JIRA, Microsoft Office Suite, ZOHO Recruit, ATS Tool, Google Workspace, LinkedIn Recruit AI Tools: Prompt Engineering, ChatGPT, Claude.ai, Grok.com, Gamma.app, Napkin.ai, Merlin-Ask-AI, Julius.ai CERTIFICATIONS • ITIL V3 Foundation • IPMA Level D (Project Management) • Six Sigma Green Belt • Six Sigma Black Belt • ISO Internal Auditor (ISO 9001, ISO 20000, ISO 27001) • CMMI Appraisal Team Member (CMMI-DEV V1.3 Level 5, CMMI-SVC V1.3 Level 5) PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE B4B Solutions Pvt Ltd | Hyderabad, Telangana Recruitment Specialist / Talent Acquisition | July 2022 - Present (2.5+ years) • Successfully recruited specialized talent for international UNDP projects in Laos and Indonesia, including bilingual Business Analysts, WordPress Developers, and local Project Coordinators • Managed end-to-end recruitment lifecycle: job posting, sourcing, screening, interviewing, offer negotiation, and onboarding for technical roles • Leveraged LinkedIn, Indeed, and professional networks to identify and attract qualified candidates across diverse technical specializations • Conducted initial screening interviews to assess technical competencies, cultural fit, and alignment with project requirements • Coordinated interview schedules between candidates and hiring managers, ensuring seamless communication and positive candidate experience • Negotiated employment terms including salary and benefits to secure top talent while maintaining budget compliance • Maintained comprehensive candidate database and talent pipeline, tracking all interactions and recruitment metrics B4B Solutions Pvt Ltd | Hyderabad, Telangana Software Test Engineer / Project Manager / Coordinator | July 2022 - Present (2.5+ years) Projects: APTAMED, UNDP Laos Video Conference Software, UNDP Indonesia Listening Software, TRIHMS Website • Collaborated with business leaders and C-DAC Silchar to achieve project delivery targets for E-HRMIS system • Managed WordPress website maintenance including content updates, notices, tenders, departmental additions, and menu modifications • Conducted comprehensive software testing and communicated issues promptly to development team for resolution • Served as primary liaison between clients and development team, facilitating clear communication in all project meetings • Tracked project deliverables to ensure timely completion and adherence to project timelines UNDP Laos Project: Digital Learning Classroom Upgrade Led the upgrade and development of a digital learning classroom platform to deliver a holistic digital teaching and learning experience across 5 schools in Vientiane Capital and remote provinces of Laos. Key Achievements: • Provided ICT equipment to schools, teachers, and students to facilitate access to digital learning platforms • Developed comprehensive project documentation including Functional Requirements Specification (FRS), System Requirements Specification (SRS), and Technical Assessment Reports • Created and managed project timelines, change management plans, and inception reports to ensure smooth project execution • Authored operational documents such as Infrastructure Requirement documents, Implementation Plans, and Project Implementation Reports • Designed training manuals (video and document formats) and produced notes on software usage • Drafted Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions for the digital learning app and software • Compiled project closure documents including Completion Reports, Final Feedback Status, Server Requirement Documents, and Operations and Maintenance Manuals • Enabled students and educators in underserved areas to adopt digital learning, improving education quality and inclusion in rural Laos UNDP Indonesia Project: STRIVE - AI Driven Rural Development Platform AI-based platform to analyze village development challenges, policy impacts, and grassroots implementation across Indonesian communities. Key Responsibilities: • Tested multi-language platform (English and Bahasa Indonesia) supporting inclusive access for diverse stakeholders and rural communities • Verified implementation of data visualization using Keyword Density analysis, Biterm Topic Modeling, Bigram Graphs, and Trigram Graphs • Tested functionality of third-party APIs including Kobo Toolbox and Superset for enhanced functionality • Validated AI chatbot interface to facilitate user engagement and provide intelligent assistance for platform navigation and insights L&T Infotech Ltd | Chennai, Tamil Nadu Senior Process Specialist | April 2018 - May 2022 (4 years) • Led CMMI Level 5 and ISO compliance initiatives across the organization • Served as Process Owner for Support Life Cycle and Supplier Management processes • Conducted routine analysis of causals, risks, tailoring, and lessons learned at defined intervals • Released quality artifacts in QMS and provided process consultancy to delivery and practice units • Participated in yearly external audits and triennial assessments for ISO and CMMI compliance • Conducted role-based training on CMMI Awareness, Causal Analysis and Resolution, Organization Performance Management, Reviews, and Defect Prevention L&T Infotech Ltd | Chennai, Tamil Nadu Process Specialist | May 2013 - April 2018 (5 years) Organization Performance Management (OPM) • Served as Process Owner for Organization Performance Management initiatives • Analyzed and selected OPM Process Initiatives aligned with organizational business objectives • Led pilot and deployment of OPM Process Initiatives across the organization • Reviewed and finalized Process Initiative reports and conducted knowledge sharing sessions • Maintained OPM Process Initiative repository for organizational learning Subject Matter Expert (SME) • Reviewed and released CMMI Awareness training materials, posters, and assessment questionnaires • Developed Functional Area Representative mock interview questionnaires for various roles • Reviewed final appraisal presentations, CMMI to QMS mapping, and Practice Implementation Indicator documents L&T Infotech Ltd | Chennai, Tamil Nadu Account Quality Manager / Quality Leader / Senior Quality Assurance Specialist | October 2008 - April 2013 (4.5 years) Clients: Ingram, PROS, Apple, Microsoft, Caterpillar, International Rectifiers • Defined quality objectives and project scope ensuring alignment with SQA standards and business goals • Tracked and communicated quality metrics, test coverage, and defect trends to stakeholders throughout SDLC • Collaborated with Product Owner on backlog grooming, ensuring testability and well-defined acceptance criteria • Identified quality risks, developed mitigation strategies, and monitored risks throughout STLC • Defined and enforced software quality standards, implementing continuous integration and test automation • Conducted quality audits, test reviews, and compliance checks to maintain software reliability • Analyzed software quality performance using KPIs including defect density, escape rate, and test pass percentage • Led post-release reviews and retrospectives to identify lessons learned and continuous improvement opportunities • Managed Software Quality Management Systems in compliance with ISO 9001, ISO 20000, ISO 27001, and CMMI Level 5 • Established quality benchmarks and compliance metrics, training teams for internal and external audits • Conducted internal process audits, work product reviews, and configuration audits • Led CMMI appraisals and process maturity assessments using data-driven quality baselining with Minitab • Performed software risk analysis engaging with senior management to proactively mitigate quality, process, and security risks Freescale Engagement - Maintenance & Support | Chennai, Tamil Nadu Project Leader | March 2003 - September 2008 (5.5 years) • Ensured continuous service improvement by monitoring project activities and maintaining zero non-compliance in audits • Defined project scope, objectives, and deliverables aligned with business and stakeholder expectations • Developed comprehensive project plans including timelines, milestones, resource allocation, and risk assessments • Assembled and led high-performing project teams with clearly defined roles and responsibilities • Facilitated Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives • Tracked and communicated project progress, sprint status, and key metrics to senior management • Collaborated with Product Owner on backlog grooming, prioritization, and acceptance criteria definition • Optimized resource allocation ensuring efficient utilization while balancing workloads • Proactively identified project risks and implemented mitigation strategies and contingency plans • Led client operational review meetings ensuring adherence to stringent SLAs • Introduced IQL initiative enhancing process efficiency and effectiveness • Managed development and maintenance support for Finance (Accounts Receivable) applications • Conducted knowledge transfer sessions and provided ongoing technical support AWARDS & RECOGNITION • Certificate of Appreciation for ATM role during CMMI-DEV V1.2 Appraisal • Team Performance Award for CMMI Appraisal • Best Managed Project Award (Eagle Award) • GLOBAL LO Project Eagle Award - 1st Prize PROFESSIONAL TRAINING • Introduction to CMMI-DEV V1.2 (QAI) • Internal Auditor Training on ITSM as per ISO/IEC 20000:2005 (DNV) • Various CMMI and Quality Management workshops and seminars