Success Stories
The Client: Leading Learning & Performance Management Software Company
Client Overview:
Employees thrive when they’re inspired to learn and grow. That’s why this software company built the world’s first learning and performance platform, which provides a unique and employee-centric experience for development and productivity, all integrated in a single, easy-to-use, SaaS-based platform.
Business Issue: Not Enough Program Leadership on Staff to Handle Workload
The client’s Technology Program Manager had an overwhelming number of new initiatives to manage with aggressive timelines and not enough bandwidth to handle the workload.
The SVP of Technology and Product Management decided to recruit a temporary Senior Program Manager with experience managing software teams, third-party vendors, and end users to take over their custom development projects while the on-staff Program Manager completed other critical initiatives.
Solution: Program Management Leadership and Expertise for Custom Development
While the client considered many other highly qualified project managers, Maven Project Management was selected to lead this effort based on previous experience working with fast-paced software startup companies. Maven’s vast experience with other project types, such as M&A integrations, was also valuable as the Maven PM was asked to help the company divest from the parent company to further assist their Program Management team.
The Maven PM quickly got up to speed on all in-flight projects. She identified and filled process gaps, improving the custom development team’s ability to provide quality applications, and increased the communication channel between development, its end users, and internal sales and support teams. The Maven PM also worked closely with the team to ensure that they were working on the right tasks at the right time.
Result: Improved Team Efficiency and Process Improvement for Custom Development
Maven Project Management successfully met all client expectations for managing the custom development team. We:
- Managed the development team’s Kanban board for project and issue management in Jira.
- Managed all project dashboards and documentation in Confluence.
- Worked with various teams to develop and document the process for new projects and issue escalation.
- Assisted with new hire onboarding process (training new sales team members on the custom dev process).
- Worked with the internal development team and engaged third-party vendors to provide estimates for custom development clients and develop the statement of work.
- Coordinated all meetings between the end client and development teams for requirements gathering, issue discussions, etc.
- Led all end client project communications, including reporting of project status and escalated issues/risks.
- Held daily stand-up meetings with the internal development team to review status of work items and adjust priorities accordingly.
- Held weekly sync-up meetings with internal management teams to review new projects, discuss project prioritization and review status of other critical items.
- Served as the main point of contact for internal sales, support and customer success teams for any critical issues and projects requiring escalation and prioritization.
Again, Maven Project Management successfully met the project requirements set out by the client. The PM enabled the custom development team and third-party vendors to stay focused on priorities, while documenting a new project workflow and issue escalation processes. The PM also led an additional project to help the company through a divesture from their parent company.
Testimonial:
"We had significant challenges in our custom development division: a lack of process; strained client relationships; poorly managed communication. All of which led to a product experience that was largely reactive and very rough. Veronica Thraen single-handedly implemented clear and effective processes that stabilized and optimized how we manage custom development. She also helped to define healthy communication channels and organized our team to become more proactive and less reactive. Veronica was a life saver, and we are very pleased with the outcome. I look forward to opportunities to work with Veronica and Maven in the future."
- VP of Engineering, Learning & Performance Management Software Company
