Scrum Master Project Management

Personal Details

Name: George A W Akech

Contact: Phone: 317-***-****, Email: *********@*****.***

Physical Adress: 908 SW Green World ST, Bentonville, AR 72712

Academic Qualification

1.Bachelors:

(i)Computer Science - University of Greenwich, London, UK.

(ii)Mathematics and Education – University of Nairobi, Kenya.

2.Graduate studies:

(i)Applied Statistics, Communication and Natural Sciences – Ball State University, US.

3.Certification and training

(i)Certified Scrum Master from Scrum alliance – 2009.

(ii)PM 101, 201, 301 – 2012-2013

(iii)Dale Carnegie – Communication and Human relation- 2013

(iv)Leadership Immersion – 2014

Project Management Technical Skills and Experience

Summary of Qualifications

I am a certified Scrum master (Scrum Alliance) with experience of accomplished servant-leader capable of delivering large-scale software and Web development projects on time and on budget by effectively collaborating, facilitating, leading, and coaching multiple Scrum teams.

Expert at driving the adoption and enforcement of Scrum rules, removing impediments, and fostering self-management. Capable of bringing overwhelming enthusiasm and awareness to projects, applying expert judgment to the removal of impediments, keeping teams focused and delivering success in rapidly evolving and dynamic environments.

Professional agile project manager with about 12 years of practical experience in leading and driving cross- functional project teams through the full project delivery cycle working collaboratively with Executive Leadership, Legal & Compliance, Business & Academic Teams, IT Teams, and vendors.

Serves as the primary liaison between IT, specific line of business, multiple strategic project team members and acts as a program/project single point of contact for all stakeholders and key functional delivery role. Embraces and maintains focus on continued development of agile delivery and management tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Sharepoint, Clarity, Primavera, and Microsoft Project Management.

Some of key responsibilities I bring on board include:

1.Confidently leading and driving cross-functional project teams through the full project delivery cycle.

2.Serving as Primary liaison among multiple team members and a project point of contact for project controller, solution engineer, application teams, infrastructure, planning, business partners, vendors, and other key functional delivery role.

3.Embracing and maintaining focus on continued development of Agile delivery.

4.Working with cross- discipline leads and project teams to validate assumptions and dependencies.

5.Reviewing plans with senior leadership on a regular basis.

6.Managing and leading the following project processes:

a)Planning and managing project Scope and Changes by:

(i) Defining Scope accurately through product vision, roadmap, and features.

(ii)Managing scope collaboratively and iteratively with project teams and project controllers and other stakeholders.

(iii)Planning for product and feature release, agile sprints, Agile Scrum meeting, Sprint review and retrospective.

(iv)Managing and implementing Changes collaboratively with development team, product owner through iterative processes.

b)Planning and Managing schedule, dependency, and timeline by:

(i)Creating project plan organized in time bound and feature based 4 weeks sprints.

(ii)Employing value-based prioritization, iterative and incremental value-based changes in sprints.

(iii)Delivering value portions on a regular and frequent basis which gives the stakeholders a better idea of the state of the project.

(iv)Using tools such as JIRA that provides transparency on the progress and instantaneous status.

c)Planning and Managing Budget, Financials and Resources by:

(i) Creating and maintaining a rolling-wave forecast based on reassessment of cadence and flexible scope.

(ii)Tracking actual labor charges-based burn rate and non-labor charges for sprints and product.

(iii)Collaborating with sponsors and other project controllers to monitor financials and budget variances.

(iv)Reconciling and articulating budget state and financials based on reassessed cadence and scope.

(v)Articulating budget variances and identifying the agents causing the changes.

d)Planning and Managing Risks and Issues from the start to the end of project by:

(i)Collaborating with teams to proactively identify both actual and potential risks.

(ii)Working collaboratively with the teams to quantify risks, determine the likelihood and impacts on the product delivery.

(iii)Developing risks contingency mitigation plans and strategies.

(iv)Executing the mitigation plans.

(v)Working collaboratively with teams to address and resolve identified issues.

(vi)Communicating to leadership and other key stakeholders the risks status updates on trends, impacts, and mitigation plans.

(vii)Communicating to leadership and other key stakeholders the issue resolution status updates on active issues.

e)Embracing Agile mindset by:

(i)Conducting Efficient and Effective Scrum ceremonies: Sprint planning, Daily Scrum stand up, Sprint reviews and Sprint Retrospectives.

(ii)Ensuring that initial planning at PI level and subsequent sprint planning are completed successfully and in a transparent manner.

(iii)Using agile tools such as JIRA for tracking agile metrics such as velocity, burn down and trends in transparent manner.

(iv)Using agile tools such as confluence and JIRA as information radiators for scrum teams, product owners and project controllers.

f)Using open communication channels with Scrum teams, leadership, and key stakeholders to:

(i)Share project expectations with teams.

(ii)Share and provide project information with delivery partner leaders.

(iii)Swiftly respond to requests from management, and executive teams.

The Skills and Skillset I bring on board include:

1.Scrum Master Soft and Hard Skills

(i)Command good communication, listening, facilitation and organization skills.

(ii)Coach and Mentor cross functional teams to deliver quality products.

(iii)Evangelize Agile Scrum principles to help the team adopt practices.

(iv)Liaise between the scrum teams and business partners for immediate feedback.

(v)Facilitate Release Planning, Sprint Planning, Backlog Grooming, and Retrospective meetings.

(vi)Employ Servant Leadership and remove/manage impediments which may impact team performance.

(vii)Track and communicate team velocity and sprint/release progress.

(viii)Facilitate retrospectives process for team continuous business value delivery.

(ix)Collaborate with Product owners, Business partners to develop and maintain Product Backlogs

(x)Facilitate scrum ceremonies - sprint planning, daily stand-ups, backlog grooming, sprint review, retrospectives.

(xi)Empowered teams to self-organize and grow cross-functionality.

(xii)Ensure that the team meets the sprint goals.

2.Technical Project Management Soft and Hard Skills

(i.)Drive the execution of multiple business plans and projects by identifying customer and operational needs.

(ii.)Provide supervision and development opportunities for staff/associates.

(iii.)Promote and support company policies, procedures, mission, values, and standards of ethics and integrity.

(iv.)Ensure business needs are being met.

(v.)Develop and lead multiple cross-functional projects.

(vi.)Manage current and forecasted projects by developing, prioritizing, and coordinating project work plans, supporting the review and selection of proposed projects.

(vii.)Influence change processes by making data driven recommendations to support multiple projects.

(viii.)Drive informed decision making for large cross-functional projects

(ix.)Enhance project workflow and promote the values of servant leadership qualities

(x.)Embrace Change Digital Transformation & Change

(xi.)Deliver expected business results while putting the customer first and consistently applying an omni-merchant mindset based on proven business models to all plans.

(xii.)Deliver for the customer strategic thinking.

(xiii.)Adopt a holistic perspective that considers data, analytics, customer insights, and different parts of the business/organization when making plans and shaping the team's strategy.

(xiv.) Focus on our associates/staff Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

(xv.) Identify, attract, and retain diverse and inclusive team members; builds a high-performing team.

(xvi.)embrace diversity in all its forms; and actively supports diversity goal programs.

(xvii.)Focus on our associates/staff Collaboration & Influence.

(xviii.)Build strong and trusting relationships with team members and business partners.

(xix.)Work collaboratively and cross-functionally to achieve objectives; and communicates with energy and positivity to motivate, influence, and inspire commitment and action.

(xx.)Focus on associates/staff Talent Management.

(xxi.)Create a discipline and focus around developing talent,

(xxii.)promote an environment allowing everyone to bring their best selves to work,

(xxiii.)empower associates/staff and partners to act in the best interest of the customer and company, and regularly recognizes others' contributions and accomplishments.

(xxiv.)Encourage project managers to work with project sponsor and stakeholders to complete required documentation.

Some of notable Relevant Work Experiences

1. University of Texas at San Antonio – San Antonio, TX : 3/1/2021 – To date

Position: Project Manager for UTSA Libraries and ITC – 3/1/2021 – To date

Responsibilities:

Work with John Peace Library (JPL) leadership on identified strategic projects that aligns with JPL strategic goals for each academic year.

Assist department heads in the management of their individual identified projects that helps them achieve their operational goals aligned to JPL strategic goals.

Create an environment that fosters common understanding of the project processes required for successful project delivery.

Identify and conduct relevant training that ensures the teams understand the rationale for carrying out a work effort as a project.

Plan and develop the project idea. Every project starts as an idea.

Develop and work with different teams to ensure they adhere to project and process management standards when implementing solutions.

Create guidelines on how to accurately gather operational needs for the processes from users and department heads.

Gather operational needs using standard project management/operational analysis methodologies including but not limited to interviews, documented process analysis, group discussion and workflow analysis.

Evaluate information gathered and prepare possible solutions to be presented to leadership council.

Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with Leadership Council (LC) members who are the heads of different operational departments.

Create and maintain project plans for key projects.

Work with Senior Leadership Council (SLC) and stakeholders to complete and obtain approval project proposals.

Work with Leadership Council (LC) and stakeholders to complete and obtain approval project management documentations.

Communicate project status and update to SLC, LC and project team.

Communicate with appropriate internal and external resources to ensure project success.

Develop strong mentoring skills for teamwork and interdepartmental communications.

2.Sam’s Club Home Office. - Bentonville, Arkansas : 1/1/2011 –3/19/2018

Position: Scrum Master – Sam’s Club: 3/1/2014 – 3/19/2018

Responsibilities

Serve and support the Product, Development, and QA Teams software development practices

Guide the team and organization on how to use Agile/Scrum practices and values to achieve

business goals.

Guide the team on self-organizing to fill in the intentional gaps left in the Agile/Scrum frameworks

Assess the Scrum Maturity of the team and organization and coach the team to higher levels of

maturity at a pace that is sustainable and comfortable for the team and organization.

Remove impediments or guide the team to find the right personnel to remove the impediment.

Facilitate discussion, decision making, and conflict resolution.

Facilitate gathering consensus with divergent goals of product expansion, quality, defects and

long-term technology stability.

Limit outside interference and within sprint 'churn'.

Assist with internal and external communication, improving transparency, and radiating.

Information.

Assist with tracking metrics displaying progress within the department.

Assist the Product Owner, especially with respect to refining and managing

the product backlogs.

Monitor and Manage dependencies on other teams and external projects to ensure potential issues are resolved

Manages MVP releases.

3.Wal-Mart Labs

Position: Senior Project Specialist- Wal-Mart Labs – 1/1/2011 – 2/28/2014

Responsibilities

Build Cross-Functional Relationships between teams.

Gather functional and technical requirements using standard project management/business analysis methodologies including but not limited to interviews, document analysis, requirement workshops, use cases, and workflow analysis.

Evaluate information gathered and prepare possible solutions to be presented to business units.

Establish and maintain a strong working relationship with senior leadership and functional managers throughout business areas.

Utilize logic and business acumen to offer options and solutions that will address both technical and functional needs.

Create and maintain project plans for key projects.

Work with project sponsor and stakeholders to complete project charters which outline scope, goals, deliverables, resources, budget, and timing.

Track and report on scope, goals, deliverables, resources, budget, and timing.

Communicate with end user, project team and project sponsors/stake holders of project status.

Prepare and compile project requirements, implementation timelines and budgets.

Communicate with appropriate internal and external resources to ensure project success.

Communicate project milestones and successes.

4.PDS Technical Services – State Farm Corporate South Offices - Bloomington, IL: - 4/1/2005 – 11/30/2009

Position: Project Coordinator.

Responsibilities

Plan the Project

- Develop overall project management plan and individual plan for each t process and knowledge areas.

-Acquire resources (time, budget, equipment, and project members) required to complete the project.

-Perform risk identification and analysis– qualitative and quantitative and develop risk response planning.

Track activities in the project management plan.

-Monitor the progress and adjust as necessary to ensure the successful completion of the project.

-Establish a communication schedule to update stakeholders and other senior managers on the progress of the project.

-Update the plan to reflect the work completed with the team on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the project standards.

Monitor and control the project activities.

-Monitor time, budget, and scope changes against baselines.

-Report schedule and budget actuals and variance to customers and senior management on a weekly basis.

-Prepare and send out project status reports to stakeholders on a weekly basis.

Evaluate the project Progress and provide weekly updates.

-Ensure that the project deliverables are on time, within budget and at the required level of quality.

-Evaluate the outcomes of the project as established during the planning phase.

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