Project Goals:
- Automate daily processes by utilizing available data.
- Obtain better internal metrics breaking down each analysts’ workload, based on client needs.
- Recreate daily workflow to be driven by an exceptions-based model.
- Improve external metrics to be more customizable for client needs, and have better accessibility.
Workflow and Process:
- Blend of Waterfall and Agile methodologies.
- Broke down the project into phases (MVP, Phase 1, Phase 2,…) with each phase having a requirements written out before beginning development.
- Once full requirements documentation was written out, the development phase pivoted to be agile allowing for flexibility when we ran into hurdles, risks, and setbacks.
Focuses as Project Manager:
- Writing and maintaining requirements documentation.
- Sourcing data and ensuring timely + accurate delivery of data files.
- Creating, updating and tracking ongoing tasks, using Jira.
- Leading daily Stand-ups.
- Maintaining transparency and communication for internal stakeholders, external clients, and internal users.
- Maintaining the Product backlog.
- Conducting UAT and product training sessions with internal users.
What I Learned:
- Brevity is king, as long as the messaging is clearly relayed (both verbal and written).
- For data-backed projects, the best way to kickstart is to create a vision far enough out to ensure what datapoints you will require, or potentially don’t have access to. The less you need to adjust your raw data files moving forward the better.
- Communication is 98% of the production process. It is okay to take the extra time to ensure everyone is on the same page or understanding of the message (clarifying on terminology, understanding expectations, gathering feedback from testers, etc.).
- I came into this project comfortable with my prioritization skills, but feel as if I vastly improved them due to the complexity of the data and number of dependencies involved.
- Continued to improve my presentation skills, especially in front of large audiences (200+ people).