Agile Project Management Expert & Software Development Lead

Project Summary: RMVgo, RMVsmart, MobilityInside, and AVV ZVP

Company: Cubic Transportation Systems
Role: IT Project Manager
Duration: April 2021 - Present
Location: Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, Germany (Remote)

Overview:
In my role at Cubic Transportation Systems, I contribute to critical modernization projects for public transportation systems such as RMVgo, RMVsmart, MobilityInside, and AVV's backend systems. I am committed to supporting the German "Verkehrswende" by developing innovative mobile and backend solutions that integrate with Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platforms, enhancing both user experience and accessibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Agile Leadership: Plan and Apply Scrum and Kanban methodologies to help streamline development processes and improve team efficiency.
• Project Management: Oversee app and backend teams, ensuring productive collaboration with Cubic RMV product owners and providing leadership during key project phases.
• Stakeholder Communication: Foster strong communication channels that support transparent and effective exchanges between all project stakeholders.

Technological Achievements:

• Development: Led the collaborative efforts to create native iOS and Android applications, working alongside industry partners such as Hacon and FairtiQ.
• System Integration: Integrated MaaS services like PAYG and Nextbike, maintaining strict adherence to accessibility (a11y) guidelines.

Project Milestones:

• User Engagement: Improved the app’s user rating from 1.6 to 4 stars by enhancing features and actively engaging with user feedback.
• Regulatory Compliance: Integrated the Deutschland-Ticket, expanding app functionality and customer base, while meeting regulatory requirements.
• Feedback Implementation: Enhanced customer satisfaction and operational response by refining feedback processes.

Team Composition: Collaboratively managed a diverse team of approximately 20 professionals from various firms, encompassing UX/UI design, app development, and payment systems integration.

Impact:

• Revenue & ROI: Contributed to projects that generated €4.5 million in revenue with a 39% return on cost over two years.
• Customer & Stakeholder Satisfaction: Helped achieve high levels of satisfaction among stakeholders and users, enhancing customer retention and receiving positive feedback.

Challenges Overcome:

• Regulatory Adaptation: Adapted quickly to evolving regulatory requirements, including the integration of the "Deutschland-Ticket."
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Ensured smooth project execution by effectively coordinating among multiple departments and external service providers.

Conclusion: My involvement in Cubic Transportation Systems leverages my skills in agile project management and strategic planning, aiming to drive technological innovations that meet complex project requirements in collaborative environments. My efforts support enhanced transportation solutions that align with contemporary needs and compliance standards.

Core Banking System Development for Startup Bank

Company: Velvon Bank
Role: Product Manager
Duration: April 2019 - April 2020
Location: Munich Area, Germany (Hybrid)

Overview:
At Velvon Bank, a startup poised to redefine banking with digital-first solutions, I assisted in the development of a pioneering core banking system built entirely in the cloud. This innovative project aimed to integrate customer insights and merchant needs directly into the banking experience, focusing on fast onboarding, consumer loans, and merchant accounts with an integrated shopping feature.

Key Responsibilities:

• Agile Product Development: Implemented agile methodologies to drive rapid iteration and human-centric design, ensuring that the product prototype continuously evolved to meet user needs and business goals.
• Stakeholder Communication: Engaged dynamically with stakeholders to gather comprehensive feedback and align development goals with market expectations and user requirements.
• Technical Coordination: Led a collaborative effort with technical teams to execute a cloud-based strategy, utilizing modern tools and platforms for seamless development and deployment.

Technological Achievements:

• Cloud-Based Innovation: Developed one of Germany’s first cloud-based core banking systems, setting a benchmark in the industry for flexibility and scalability.
• Integrated Merchant Solutions: Pioneered the integration of merchant accounts that allowed businesses to seamlessly connect their services within the banking app, enhancing the financial ecosystem for business users.

Project Milestones:

• Fast Onboarding Processes: Designed and implemented processes that significantly reduced onboarding times for new customers and merchants, enhancing user experience and satisfaction.
• Human-Centric Design: Applied human-centric design principles to create an intuitive and accessible banking interface, prioritizing user comfort and engagement.

Challenges Overcome:

• Regulatory Navigation: Navigated the complex landscape of financial regulations to ensure that all product features were compliant yet innovative.
• Startup Dynamics: Adapted to the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of a startup, balancing rapid development cycles with the need for meticulous attention to detail and security.

Impact:

• Strategic Innovation: Contributed significantly to the startup’s mission by delivering a cloud-based core banking system that was ready to scale and adapt to changing business needs and technological advancements.
• Market Readiness: Prepared the bank for a competitive launch with a robust, user-friendly platform that integrated essential services for both individual consumers and business clients.

Conclusion: This role at Velvon Bank was instrumental in showcasing my abilities in leading-edge product management, particularly in the areas of agile development, cloud technology, and stakeholder engagement. The project not only set the stage for a new era in banking but also emphasized my capability to drive significant technological innovations under challenging conditions.

Agile Transformation at Oddspedia
Location: Sofia, Bulgaria (Hybrid)


Overview:
As the Agile Coach and interim Product Owner at Oddspedia, I spearheaded the Agile transformation of the online affiliate marketing and product management teams across Germany and Bulgaria. The initiative aimed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of operations through strategic implementation of Scrum and Kanban methodologies.

Responsibilities:

• Agile Implementation: Led the introduction and training of Scrum and Kanban, elevating team capabilities in agile practices.
• Team Development: Coached teams to significantly improve speed, efficiency, and collaborative dynamics.
• Stakeholder Management: Developed and maintained a robust interface between stakeholders and development teams to streamline project deliverables and enhance value creation.

Key Achievements:

• Enhanced Operational Speed: Achieved remarkable increases in team velocity and reduced time-to-market for project deliverables.
• Improved Decision-Making: Boosted project transparency and reporting mechanisms, enabling better stakeholder decisions based on accurate and timely information.

Challenges Overcome:

• Cultural and Remote Work Dynamics: Successfully navigated cultural differences and the challenges of remote team management to maintain project alignment and momentum.
• Market Adaptability: Demonstrated flexibility and quick adaptation to rapidly changing market conditions in the competitive field of affiliate marketing.

This project underscored my capability to drive significant business transformations through Agile coaching and robust project management, establishing optimized workflows that align closely with strategic business objectives. My role not only enhanced team performance but also solidified stakeholder relationships, ensuring the sustained success of business operations.