Senior Methodology Strategist

Background:

This position is for a Senior Methodology Strategist. The role will assist the Senior Director of Business Offerings and Administration to identify, develop, implement and support software development and project management methodologies, related initiatives and processes in support of the organization and program. The Sr. Consultant will perform the following responsibilities.

Tasks:

(See below.  Its anticipated that the roadmap for methodologies, and the first phase focused on implemenation of a waterfall approach SDLC and PMLC, will run in parallel.)

 

• Methodology Roadmap Creation and Monitoring (20%)
  
  
• Understand existing software development and project management methodologies within SBPASC.  The Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) and Project Management Lifecycle (PMLC) methodologies are used to develop application software that support the enrollment and claims adjudication of health insurance contracts and its affiliated Plans.  Applications range from high volume number crunching traditional mainframe based batch applications to online web applications.  They tend to be transactioin based, but may include some business information applications.  A variety of technologies and platforms are used and maintained.
  
  
• Bring to bear deep knowledge of industry best practices, market sources and own experience in development, implementation and improvement of software development and project management methodologies and enabling tools used on  multiple technology platforms for multiple application types and different types of technology development efforts.
  
  
• Create a gap analysis between methodologies and practices and industry best practices for a traditional waterfall development approach, as well as other approaches.  Include an assessment of tools available that would facilitate methodology demands and ease monitoring and compliance.  The main focus will be to introduce a waterfall based approach initially, for a one methodology fits all applications and platforms, but, also, if applicable, describe the progression to additional approaches in the future.
  
  
• Create, socialize, affirm, and plan the rollout and communication of a roadmap to implement a best in class waterfall based software development life cycle methodology and project management life cycle methodology, and, if applicable, a progression towards additional approaches in the future.
  
  
• Develop, socialize and affirm the business case for components of the roadmap, as well as an overall business case that supports implementation of the entire roadmap.  For each component, full analysis must be done as part of the business case to describe culture, tool, organization, people, systems and process changes in order to support implementation of that component.  The business case must aslo include the metrics that will be used to measure success of the implementation of the first phase, focused on the waterfall approach.
  
  
• Describe supporting functions, disciplines and processes that impact software development, but are not directly governed by SDLC and PMLC methodologies.  Identify mechanisms and processes that govern the interaction between those support functions and the methodologies.  Identify gaps and make recommendations to optimize those interactions.
  
  
• Gather input from the discipline areas; coordinate, analyze and make recommendations for overall improvements to the SDLC and PMLC.
  
  
• Monitor progression and report on progression of the roadmap.
  
  
• Methodology Development and Implementation (70%)
  
  
• The first component of the roadmap will be to shore up the waterfall approach of the existing SDLC and PMLC structures and implement, based on a thorough gap analysis the processes, procedures, templates, tools, training and governance structures required to bring consistency in the interpretation and execution of the SDLC and PMLC methdodologies.  This contract will require an indepth hands on leadership role in implementing this phase including:
  
  
• Completing a detail gap analysis of the current PMLC / SDLC at an artifact, procedure, tool, controls, and skill level.  This includes enabling technology that facilitates consistent execution of methdology deliverables, e.g., traceability matrices, which would otherwise be tedious and resource intensive in a manual environment, and monitoring for controls and compliance.
  
  
• Work with the discipline areas to gain consensus on how to address the gaps in the methodologies; and where consensus is not achievable, to make recommendations to senior management and how to proceed;  and to identify the end deliverables for the first phase that need to be completed.
  
  
• Work with the project manager, PMO and discipline areas to sequence the development and implementation of artifacts, procedures, tools, controls, and skill development plans.  Take an active role in defining who should create those deliverables and also take on creation of certain deliverables, as well as integrating appropriate work product from the discipline areas into the SDLC / PMLC methodology.
  
  
• Work with the training area to identify the skill and knowledge requirements, appropriate instructional programs, the population to be instructed, and creating a training strategy and approach that will be  sustainable ongoing within the organization, as members change, with the goal of ensuring consistent interpretation and execution of the methodologies over time.
  
  
• Monitor the execution of the first phase tasks; act in support of the sponsor to course correct and escalate items that require senior management attention in order to ensure alignment with the original business case and goals.  .
  
  
• Methodology Monitoring Program Design and Implementation (10%)
  
  
• Work with the Quality Assurance and Quality Control group to define the monitoring structure for compliance, including the specific controls; KPIs and KRIs; governance and reporting structures to ensure consistency in interpretation and execution of the methodologies.
  
  
• Bring industry best practices to bear in making recommendations to senior management on the overall governance structure in oversight and execution of the SDLC / PMLC, including recommendations on skill set requirements, organization structure, tools, processes, reporting and systems support.
  
  

Skills / Competencies:

*  #1 Must have:  8+ years Management Consulting experience required; Big Five experience desired

*  #1 Must have:   Strong full life cycle development and project management (planning, execution, tracking) experience, including past accountability for various phases and disciplines within application software development in transaction batch processing and web based environments.

*  Broad management consulting competence and experience, including: process management and reengineering; continuous process improvement; organizational development; change management; culture change; education and communications,

*  Experience in developing, implementing, refining and monitoring the effectiveness of software develoment and project management methodologies.

*  Experience in bringing software products to market, from inception to retirement

*  Strong communication skills: ability to develop and deliver client and executive reports and presentation

*  Ability to sell a concept to all levels of the organization

*  Excellent knowledge of MS Office 2007 and/or 2010 tool set MS Word, MS PowerPoint, MS Excel, MS Visio

 
Best Fit / Qualitative

*  Strong perspective, influence and proven ability to drive change even in the event that consensus was unsuccessful

*  Listening and empathic ability

*  Self-starter with ability to work independently and flexibly, and collaboratively across all levels of associates. Excellent listening and empathy skills, with strong ability to develop consensus and buy-in to change programs

*  Ability to provide creative thinking, problem solving, leadership, and structure in an unstructured and rapidly changing environment

*  Highly motivated, positive attitude with ability to work under pressure and balance multiple priorities

Preferred

• Big Five experience desired
  
  
• Established credential(s)  in industry recognized methodologies and tandard bodies of knowledge such as PMBOK with demonstrated experincee having implemented those in live environment
  
  
• Health Care Industry experience will be a plus.
  
  

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Country: USA, State: Dist of Columbia, City: Washington, Company: Randstad Technologies.