Résumé for Howard Silcock MSc, PhD

Spreadsheet and Documentation Consultant, Mathematician

Career History

Feb 2005–present: Department of Defence (Common Services SOE Program) (Technical Writer)

Responsible for writing and editorial control of documentation relating to the new Defence standard operating environment, managing part of the section’s intranet presence and assisting with administering a Beta testing programme. Currently producing a user guide for a network management tool developed in-house and maintaining editorial control over documentation associated with software releases. The user guide is being written from scratch and has involved working with the developer and running preliminary versions of the tool. It contains a set of detailed procedures for staff with varying skill levels. It uses extensive screen captures and is organised with reusability in mind.

Jan–Dec 2004: Department of Defence (Enterprise Management Systems) (Technical Writer)

Employed in the Enterprise Management Systems program, Information Systems Division with responsiblity for documentation produced for the Tivoli project—writing, editing and quality control—and also employed as required on other documentation areas such as management of the Intranet presence and updating of technical drawings and the Knowledge Base. This position involved work on a large range of different types of document associated with locally produced network management and inventory software, as well as other documents relating to security issues and implementing ITIL (IT Infrastructure Library) processes. Skills involved included documenting complex procedures (eg installation guides) using extensive screen captures, understanding and application of documentation standards, ability to track documentation requirements, proficiency with HTML and ability to use and document in-house software.
 
In addition, worked on a project requiring the use of advanced Excel skills to produce a series of charts used to track problem resolution and efficiency in the Service Desk.

Sept 2002–Dec 2003: Advanced Computation and Modelling Program, Australian National University (Research Fellow)

Appointed to work with a client in the Geography Department to implement predictive modelling techniques developed in the research group. These techniques were developed using sparse grids methods and have been successfully applied in different contexts. The current application involves a geographical dataset and requires knowledge of techniques of numerical analysis as well as providing experience of programming in Python.

May–Aug 2002: Insolvency and Trustee Service Australia (Excel Consultant)

Developed a VBA-based automatic system for generating charts from Excel data, for inclusion in agency publications. This required detailed knowledge of Excel pivot table techniques and an understanding of their manipulation using VBA. These skills were used to generate a set of around 850 pie charts from records for more than 27,000 debtors, and to provide the capability for the process to be carried out automatically in the future with new data.

Apr 2000–Feb 2002: ACT Department of Education and Community Services (Resource Analyst)

Responsible for managing the allocation of funds for school-based management, and developing mathematical models for school funding with extensive use of complex Excel-based techniques. Work included managing a team and producing budgeting information to the Executive. Also implemented, tested and documented an Access-based software system for calculating school allocations and developed a prototype web-based version for the School Management Manual.

1998–2000: Compucat Research Pty Ltd (Technical Writer)

Responsible for producing all types of company documentation, including user manuals, maintenance manuals and marketing materials. Reviewed company’s web site and created prototype web pages, gaining hands-on experience with HTML, frames, CSS, etc.

1996–1998: Contracts in Spreadsheet and Documentation Consultancy for the following organisations:

Mar 98–Jun 98: Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs

Created a Microsoft Access database for managing overseas property, featuring a VBA-driven dialog-box interface.

Mar 98–Apr 98: ACT Department of Education and Training

Provided ad hoc assistance in the development of a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet for overseeing allocation of funds for school-based management.

Oct 97–Jan 98: Insurance and Superannuation Commission

Participated in the implementation of an Excel-based Diskette Lodgement System, allowing insurance companies to submit returns by completing on-line forms, implemented as Excel worksheets, with a VBA user interface. Responsible for implementing the main user interface system.

Aug 97–Oct 97: Australian Geological Survey Organisation

Designed and implemented Excel-based project-costing software, featuring a simple dialog-box interface allowing users to cost a project and output reports.

Nov 96–Jun 97: Office of Government Information Technology

Assisted with evaluating responses to a Request for Proposal for Internet Access and preparing documentation on the evaluation process. This involved analysing complex pricing data, preparing easy-to-read charts using advanced Excel spreadsheet techniques, and creating an on-line buyer’s guide using Visual Basic for Applications to provide a user-controlled interface to spreadsheet data.

Sep 96–Nov 96: Roads and Traffic Authority (NSW)

Developed new section of user guide for Vehicle Survey System software. This involved consultation with programmers, running and testing software, and studying technical documents.

Jul 96: Boral Gas

Wrote and implemented macros to assist with book-keeping spreadsheets in Excel 5 for Windows.

1994–1995: Open Technology (Technical Writer)

Participated in establishing and running a Documentation Unit for this telecommunications software company. This position involved developing standards for company documentation, establishing a uniform company presentation and assisting in the production of documents. This was achieved by creating templates and macros to ensure adherence to house style and track documents’ status. Also produced on-line Windows Help documents and Web pages, and acted as local expert on Word for Windows, drawing software and spreadsheets. During this period, was also seconded to Optus to assist with technical writing and drawing.

1992–1994: Thomson Sintra Pacific (Technical Writer)

Producing manuals and specification documents for projects relating to sonar systems employed on the Collins Class submarines and ANZAC frigates, working on a team to meet stringent deadlines.

1989–1992: Contract technical writer and self-employed science writer

1988–1989: Software Developments International (Technical Writer)

Developed prototypes of promotional brochures for the company’s suite of network management software.

1985–1988:CSIRO (Experimental Scientist and Science Communicator)

Science Communication Officer at the Division of Information Technology. At the Division of Mathematics and Statistics, wrote programs in Pascal, Fortran and C and developed techniques for algebraic manipulation applied in statistical research.