Key Responsibilities, Skills & Attributes as a Technical Project Manager and Certified Scrum Master, May 2011
Project Management knowledge and experience
As a Certified Scrum Master I have introduced Scrums principles, practices and benefits to several delivery teams at the BBC and at MTV. I have demonstrated to Senior Management the benefits of the Scrum framework, such as allowing them to monitor the progress of projects and being aware of pertinent project issues. It has also allowed them to make alterations to a project without untimely interference to development.
From 2010 I have been charged with identifying the resource and personnel requirements for a portfolio of projects and operational services. In a changing business environment I’ve managed the assignment of staff on a day-to-day operational level and through to a wider strategic level. Team size typical varies between a six and a dozen individuals in different locations and with a multitude of skillsets.
I proactively manage the implementation of projects throughout their lifecycle. By ensuring the appropriate methodologies are employed I’ve successfully delivered on time, to budget and specification. I have a wealth of experience in identifying and preempting issues and risks. I am able to monitor and control risks and devise effective mitigation if they become an issue.
I have a wealth of experience managing and motivating project teams and supporting collaborative working. This is particularly with teams distributed in many locations across the country and overseas.
Technical knowledge and experience
I have led and been responsible for the technical delivery of many software projects and online products. I work closely with colleagues to ensure solutions and services are fit for purpose, secure, usable, maintainable and scalable.
I have a strong awareness of the technical intricacies of software development, which is a strength when working closely with technical disciplines, such as web developers, software engineers, technical architects and visual designers.
Importantly, I strive to ensure that deliverables integrate with existing software platforms, dependency roadmaps and governance structures.
Recent key projects and achievements
- 2011: Technical Project Manager for BBC’s Things To Do online product: Scrum Master and Technical Lead
- 2010: Portfolio Management at MTV UK: Utilising Scrum to manage a portfolio of projects with complex inter-dependencies
- 2010: MTV UK Paywall: Project Management of the prototyping, research and rollout of the MTV UK On Demand service
- 2010: Delivery of the MTV mobile strategy: Implementation of MTV UK’s mobile strategy to drive revenue and reach
2010: Technical Platform migration at MTV: Managed timescales and resources for introduction of new technology platform for multiple brands
- 2010:Improved reach and revenue on existing MTV services: Managed iterations of improvements to increase ad sales balanced with user experience
- 2009: BBC Comedy Online: Scrum master for the implementation of a strategic change to increase retention and create a stronger brand
- 2009: Electronic Programme Guide rollout for BBC: Technical lead for the development for online and mobile EPGs at the BBC in late 2009
Technical and project management competencies
- Project delivery within a Service Orientated Architecture and existing software platforms.
- Technical competencies include: SEO, web accessibility, all client-side technologies (HTML, CSS, JS, etc), PHP, mySQL, apache, cgi-perl, XSLT, XML, db schema, software engineering best practice methodologies
- Content Management Systems include: WordPress, MoveableType, Drupal and many in-house solutions
- Project Management experience includes: waterfall (where appropriate), XP, Scrum, DSDM and User Stories
Key Courses & Training
- 2009: Certified as a Scrum Master by the Agile Scrum Alliance. Profile: scrumalliance.org/profiles/52878-dean-latchana
- 2007 to 2008: Various professional skills courses in negotiation, fair selection recruitment and providing constructive feedback
- BBC Leadership Training Programme in 2007
- Identify and Confirming User Requirements through the Learning Tree in 2005
Employment History
2011 to present: Technical Project Manager at BBC
I returned to the BBC as a Technical Project Manager to deliver a key component of the organisation’s user participation strategy. In this position I am responsible for technical delivery, where I lead the conceptualisation, definition, development, release and maintenance of the Things To Do product (bbc.co.uk/thingstodo). I am also the Scrum Master and work on tendering external agencies.
2010 to 2011: Development Project Manager at MTV Network Europe
At MTV I introduced Scrum methodologies to the Digital Media team which has achieved significant improvements to project visibility, effectiveness and delivery.
I manage a portfolio of projects in many international territories, ensuring projects are correctly prioritised, resourced and meet strategic need.
2007 to 2010: Technical Project Manager at BBC
At the BBC I played a central role in the management of key projects and services run for the department. I supported the development and launch of new media projects, products and services on a range of delivery platforms. I also facilitated the work of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure high performance in accordance with an overall strategy.
The penultimate project I managed at the BBC was the creation of online EPG (bbc.co.uk/tv/guide). Scrum had allowed us to overcome many challenges such as visual-design, user-experience, technical constraints and resource issues. Scrum’s agility had also helped the team adapt to Senior Management’s change in priorities, yet still expose to Management the issues and costs to rapid changes in directions and resources
“Dean is a dedicated and meticulous Technical Lead with great agile experience, applied with confidence and rigour. Dean joined the project as Scrum Master at a tricky time during the build but he quickly got a handle on the technical priorities and complexities of the project and worked very hard to ensure the team organised themselves to deliver clean code throughout. The BBC’s loss it MTV’s gain!” James Webb, Interactive Lead for BBC Comedy, July 19, 2010
2001 to 2007: Senior Web Developer at BBC
In this role I provided coding and technical guidance for Web Developer team to support interactive production teams. I identified, developed and managed solutions to existing processes and technologies for the Web Developer team. I negotiated and organised team resource allocation. I also became a technical liaison between Web Developer team and our editorial colleagues.
2000 to 2001: Web Developer at Xceed Inc.
Education
BSc in Biology at the University of Sussex – 1994 to 1997
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