Projects
AllState
Product Manager
Project Objectives:
- Build and deploy a Kubernetes cloud infrastructure and its on-premise counterpart, Rancher, to modernize the organization’s technological capabilities.
- Streamline onboarding, monitoring, and support processes to ensure scalability and operational efficiency.
Project Description:
- Managed the development of 49 clusters, including 29 in production, ensuring smooth project execution and adherence to deadlines.
- Delivered weekly updates to senior leadership and technical teams, providing clarity on progress and addressing potential bottlenecks.
- Created a standardized framework for monitoring (DataDog), documentation (Confluence playbooks), and support processes.
- Leveraged Docker insights to enhance Kubernetes implementation, driving alignment across the technical landscape.
Lessons Learned:
- Regular communication and progress updates are vital for maintaining alignment and momentum.
- Transitioning from one platform (Docker) to another (Kubernetes) requires robust training and documentation.
- Building scalable monitoring and support systems reduces the impact of incidents on production.
- Flexibility and adaptability are key in handling large-scale, multi-cluster environments.
Project Wins:
- Delivered a scalable Kubernetes platform on track for full deployment by EOY.
- Enhanced operational efficiency through standardized processes and automation.
- Aligned technical teams and leadership through clear roadmaps and updates.
- Transferred best practices from Docker, reducing the learning curve and improving Kubernetes adoption.
Fiserv - Director of Program Management
Banking Implementation
Project Objectives:
- Ensure successful implementation of 20+ cloud-hosted applications within set timelines.
- Address client delays and improve on-time delivery through enhanced project management and communication strategies.
Project Description:
- Managed cloud-hosted client implementations averaging 12 months per project.
- Instituted penalty-enforced contracts to mitigate delays and drive timely delivery.
- Introduced Docker and Apigee to streamline integrations and enable AWS and Azure compatibility.
- Established bi-weekly escalation calls with stakeholders to resolve issues and align priorities.
Lessons Learned:
- Penalty clauses can motivate timely delivery but must be paired with clear, enforceable contracts.
- Frequent stakeholder engagement minimizes escalations and builds trust.
- Adopting new technologies requires technical acumen and team buy-in.
- A hands-on approach ensures smoother transitions during high-pressure projects.
Project Wins:
- Delivered multiple implementations on time, restoring client confidence.
- Strengthened stakeholder relationships through structured communication.
- Enabled multi-cloud compatibility with AWS and Azure.
- Became a trusted advisor for sales and technical teams during complex engagements.
Fiserv - Sales Operations Manager
PEP+ Sales Operations Manager
Project Objectives:
- Streamline pricing and sales processes to improve operational efficiency and revenue generation.
- Develop and launch the Payment Hub to address evolving industry demands.
Project Description:
- Standardized pricing and contract processes, creating term sheets and templates to reduce negotiation time.
- Surpassed sales quotas through upselling, cross-selling, and tailored client solutions.
- Launched Payment Hub, integrating Fedwire, SWIFT, ACH, and Instant Payment, closing 8 deals by Year 3.
- Worked closely with legal to finalize contracts, increasing readiness to 85% before formal negotiations.
Lessons Learned:
- Standardized tools and processes reduce complexity and enhance efficiency.
- Understanding client needs drives revenue growth and strengthens relationships.
- Collaborative efforts with legal teams accelerate contract closure.
- Launching new products requires detailed planning, team alignment, and early identification of risks.
Project Wins:
- Improved operational efficiency by 45% and reduced contract review times by 30%.
- Exceeded sales quotas in 3 of 4 years, achieving 75% over target in Year 3.
- Successfully launched Payment Hub, driving significant revenue growth.
- Closed deals faster by streamlining pricing and contract workflows.
Fiserv - Senior Consulting Project Manager
Mainframe and Systems Alignment
Project Objectives:
- Optimize data center operations to reduce costs and improve resource utilization.
- Streamline implementation processes to enhance efficiency and profitability.
Project Description:
- Reduced data center expenses by $3M annually through server decommissioning and resource optimization.
- Improved project implementation timelines by 45 days, saving costs and increasing client satisfaction.
- Achieved a 10% annual expense reduction while increasing platform capacity by 75%.
- Addressed mainframe inefficiencies, avoiding 200% annual costs.
- Standardized firewall processes, reducing planning phase timelines by 60 days.
Lessons Learned:
- Regular audits uncover inefficiencies and opportunities for cost savings.
- Clear timelines and adherence to them drive profitability and client satisfaction.
- Standardized processes and playbooks ensure continuity and minimize disruption during changes.
- Cost allocation must align with actual utilization to prevent budget overruns.
Project Wins:
- Achieved $3M in annual savings through infrastructure optimization.
- Improved implementation timelines, enabling faster project delivery.
- Reduced annual expenses by 10% and increased platform capacity by 75%.
- Avoided significant costs through mainframe analysis and optimization.
- Enhanced project throughput by standardizing firewall workflows, reducing planning time by 60 days.
J-Neely - Business Process Architect
Cost Optimization Initiative
Project Objectives:
- Consolidate four disparate platforms into a unified system to streamline sales and service processes.
- Align sales and service teams on a single platform to improve collaboration and operational efficiency.
- Deliver measurable cost savings for the business owner by reducing redundancies and optimizing technology use, enabling reinvestment into growth initiatives.
Project Description:
- Analyzed and mapped existing processes across four platforms to identify inefficiencies and integration opportunities.
- Designed and implemented a single, unified platform to align sales and service functions, improving data flow and team collaboration.
- Conducted stakeholder workshops to gather requirements and ensure the platform met the business needs.
- Delivered a comprehensive training program for seamless adoption of the new system by both sales and service teams.
- Achieved a 32% monthly cost reduction, saving the business owner $54,432 annually, and scaling the savings to nearly $700,000 over the lifecycle of the implementation.
- Enabled the business owner to reinvest the savings into strategic initiatives, which directly contributed to winning a large client contract, further boosting revenue and profitability.
Lessons Learned:
- Identifying and addressing redundancies can unlock significant resources for reinvestment in growth initiatives.
- Aligning system implementation with long-term business objectives increases the overall impact of cost-saving measures.
- Proactive collaboration with stakeholders ensures the platform design meets both operational and strategic needs.
- Leveraging savings for competitive advantages, such as client acquisition, amplifies the ROI of transformation projects.
Project Wins:
- Consolidated four platforms into one, significantly reducing operational complexity.
- Achieved a 32% monthly cost savings, resulting in $54,432 saved annually and close to $700,000 in total savings.
- Improved team productivity and customer satisfaction by unifying sales and service processes on a single platform.
- Directly enabled the acquisition of a large client, driving further revenue growth and positioning the business for continued success.
Teklinks - Vice President of Operations
Audit Finding Exposed
Project Objectives:
- Resolve a $3 million discrepancy identified during an audit of Microsoft licensing, ensuring accurate financial reporting and compliance.
- Optimize licensing processes and controls to prevent future discrepancies and improve operational efficiency.
- Strengthen collaboration between Deloitte auditors, internal teams, and licensing stakeholders to align goals and solutions.
Project Description:
- Audit Findings: Deloitte Consulting’s external audit uncovered a $3 million discrepancy in Microsoft licensing records, signaling potential financial risks and compliance issues.
- Root Cause Analysis: Conducted a detailed review of licensing data and financial records, identifying double-entry errors as the primary cause of the discrepancy.
- Data Reconciliation: Worked closely with Deloitte auditors, internal finance teams, and IT stakeholders to reconcile Microsoft licensing records. Utilized advanced data analysis tools to align entries, eliminate redundancies, and restore accuracy.
- Process Optimization: Developed and implemented stricter review protocols, automated reconciliation processes, and enhanced reporting tools to improve the management of Microsoft licensing.
- Stakeholder Communication: Delivered regular updates to leadership and technical teams, providing clarity on progress and addressing potential risks or bottlenecks.
Lessons Learned:
- Detailed Reviews are Critical: Audits of licensing agreements, particularly with complex vendors like Microsoft, require a meticulous approach to uncover and resolve discrepancies.
- Automation Reduces Errors: Automated reconciliation tools can significantly minimize manual errors, such as double entries, in licensing and financial systems.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration Drives Success: Aligning IT, finance, and external auditors ensures a comprehensive and effective approach to resolving licensing issues.
- Proactive Monitoring Prevents Future Issues: Implementing scalable monitoring and reporting frameworks reduces the risk of discrepancies in future audits.
Project Wins:
- Discrepancy Resolved: Reduced the $3 million licensing discrepancy to zero, restoring compliance and financial accuracy.
- Process Improvements: Implemented controls and automated tools that enhance the accuracy and efficiency of Microsoft licensing processes.
- Stakeholder Confidence Restored: Demonstrated effective issue resolution, strengthening relationships with Microsoft, Deloitte, and internal teams.
- Scalable Framework Created: Developed repeatable processes for managing and auditing licensing agreements, improving long-term operational resilience.
Sungard - Vice President of Customer Service
Client’s Value Improvement
Project Objectives:
- Maximize the utilization of clients’ existing Sungard installations to ensure they achieve full value from the platform.
- Enhance customer satisfaction by addressing gaps in platform usage and tailoring solutions to meet client needs.
- Drive customer retention by improving the alignment of platform capabilities with business objectives.
Project Description:
- Utilization Gap Analysis: Conducted a detailed assessment of client installations to identify underutilized features and areas for improvement.
- Client-Centric Engagement: Partnered closely with clients to understand their business goals, pain points, and operational needs.
- Customized Enablement Plans: Developed and executed tailored strategies, including targeted training sessions, feature-specific workshops, and comprehensive user guides to enhance client proficiency.
- Feedback Mechanisms: Implemented regular client check-ins to gather feedback, measure progress, and adjust strategies for continuous improvement.
Lessons Learned:
- Engagement Drives Impact: Frequent and meaningful engagement with clients ensures solutions are tailored to their specific needs.
- Education is Key: Focused training and enablement initiatives empower clients to derive maximum value from the platform.
- Retention Through Value: Helping clients fully utilize their installations strengthens their trust and loyalty to the organization.
- Continuous Feedback Ensures Success: Establishing a feedback loop allows for iterative improvements and sustained value delivery.
Project Wins:
- Enhanced Platform Utilization: Successfully enabled clients to maximize the use of their Sungard solutions, increasing ROI for customers.
- Improved Customer Satisfaction: Elevated client satisfaction scores through proactive engagement and tailored enablement strategies.
- Increased Retention Rates: Strengthened client relationships and reduced churn by aligning the platform’s functionality with client business objectives.
- Optimized Support Processes: Standardized the approach for identifying and addressing underutilization, creating a scalable framework for future customer success initiatives.