ANNA PALANIVELU
Sanford,FL
Summary
Experienced Agile Coach with 16+ years of expertise in leading enterprise-wide Agile transformations. Proficient in coaching teams and executives, developing training programs, and enhancing organizational agility. Adept at facilitating cross-functional collaboration and driving continuous improvement through effective methodologies and tools.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
10
10
Certification
Work History
Enterprise Agile Coach
The Walt Disney and Company
Orlando, FL
03.2024 - 11.2024
- Led enterprise-wide Agile transformation, coaching senior leaders and teams, and aligning strategies with Agile methodologies for improved efficiency and collaboration.
- Developed customized Agile training programs, enhancing team literacy and adoption across the organization.
- Streamlined Agile processes and integrated best practices, significantly increasing delivery speed and team collaboration.
- Managed and coached Agile teams through Scrum and ServiceNow Agile 2.0 frameworks, including facilitating Scrum ceremonies and assessing team Agile maturity to drive continuous improvement
- Facilitated team collaboration to overcome obstacles.
- Implemented strategies that boosted efficiency leveraging analyzed metrics.
- Developed and implemented Agile governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with organizational standards while tailoring approaches to meet team-specific needs
- Adapted strategies to align with organizational structure and project complexity.
- Encouraged adoption of Agile tools and practices, enhancing operational excellence.
- Facilitated Big Room Planning logistics, managed discussions, and resolved conflicts to ensure effective alignment and collaboration among diverse stakeholders.
- Facilitated Agile ceremonies such as Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Retrospectives and Reviews.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to define user stories and prioritize backlogs.
- Coached teams in Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban.
- Created strategies for transitioning from traditional project management approaches to agile practices.
- Led workshops on Agile principles and best practices.
- Provided guidance on the use of tools like JIRA to track progress, manage tasks, and identify areas of improvement.
- Assisted teams in identifying blockers or impediments that were preventing them from achieving their goals.
- Monitored team performance metrics such as velocity, throughput, cycle time.
- Analyzed process data to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.
- Developed training materials to educate stakeholders about agile processes.
- Advised teams on how to optimize their workflow using techniques like pair programming, continuous integration, and test-driven development.
- Mentored junior members of the team on the agile methodology.
- Communicated sprint objectives clearly to ensure everyone was aligned with the goal.
- Encouraged collaboration between developers and other stakeholders by facilitating open communication channels.
- Suggested improvements based on feedback gathered from team retrospectives.
- Conducted regular reviews of team performance against defined KPIs and metrics.
- Supported teams in resolving conflicts or disputes that arose during sprints or planning meetings.
Independant Consultant/Agile Coach
Shriyaz LLC
Sanford, FL
01.2023 - 02.2024
- Developed outcome-focused presentations for ICP-Agile courses. Agile Fundamentals (ICP) is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates an understanding of the agile mindset, values, principles, and foundational concepts.
- Developed presentations for IC Agile Coaching (ICP-ACC) to facilitate adoption of core competencies and start enabling transformational outcomes within the organization.
- Developed presentations for IC Agile Coaching (ICP-BAF) to demonstrate an ability to articulate agile practices and methodologies that support business agility.
- Analyzed data from multiple sources to develop actionable solutions for clients.
- Facilitated workshops with senior management teams to discuss organizational objectives and goals for their transformation journey.
- Advised clients on best practices related to business processes, technology implementations, and operations management using agile.
- Researched industry trends in order to provide competitive intelligence that could be used by clients.
- Developed outcome-focused presentations for ICP-Agile courses.
Enterprise Agile Coach
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Dearborn, MI
11.2020 - 05.2022
- Led Agile transformation, transitioning organization to Product-Driven approach.
- Coached a team of Agile coaches, fostering strong relationships with strategic partners.
- Mentored executives and influencers across multiple departments on Agile initiatives.
- Supported Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and team members in improving performance.
- Enhanced value delivery through effective OKR implementation.
- Set metrics, conducted current state assessments, and identified key performance indicators.
- Maintained healthy backlogs through coaching and guidance.
- Demonstrated progress fostering better business outcomes.
- Refocused organizational attention from outputs to outcomes.
- Implemented best practices for Agile metrics.
- Facilitated Agile Release Train processes fostering integration across teams.
- Coached Product Owners, Product Managers, and Scrum Masters.
- Implemented engaging methods like games to enhance learning experience.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to define user stories and prioritize backlogs.
- Coached teams in Agile methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban.
- Facilitated Agile ceremonies such as Sprint Planning, Daily Standups, Retrospectives and Reviews.
Release Train Engineer
ZF GROUP
Livonia, MI
10.2018 - 10.2019
- Implemented Agile training to initiate adoption among new teams.
- Guided leadership and teams in Agile methodologies, SAFe principles, and new workflows.
- Encouraged Communities of Practice.
- Collaborated with Product Owners for backlog enrichment and story mapping.
- Created and updated information radiators for clear progress communication.
- Worked with digital champions and Agile leaders to enhance the community of Agile Coaches at ZF.
- Utilized expertise in story mapping to maintain effective product backlogs.
- Created best practices to enhance program value and ensure successful results.
- Facilitated Lego Scrum workshops for better teamwork.
- Trained teams on Agile/Scrum/SAFe best practices.
- Facilitated improved Agile process participation through effective education of Product Owners.
- Facilitated discussions and decision-making for team collaboration.
- Coached teams in Agile routines and ceremonies such as Sprint Planning and Retrospectives.
- Enhanced transparency within organization.
- Created comprehensive training resources for Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and user story development.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to enhance processes and provided guidance for CI/CD pipeline development.
- Guided teams to incorporate Agile values and principles.
- Supported ZF’s global Agile transformation by driving leadership, mindset, skillset, and toolset changes, and fostering an Agile cultural shift focused on delivering value
- Implemented multiple innovation projects for globally distributed teams, contributing to successful outcomes and advancements
- Created and delivered training materials and playbooks for team and coach onboarding, ensuring effective integration and continuous development
Program Manager/ Release Train Engineer
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
Detroit, MI
04.2017 - 07.2018
- Led PI Planning, backlog grooming, sprint planning, daily scrums, and retrospectives for better team collaboration.
- Organized a platform for Scrum Masters to share insights.
- Guided teams in adopting Agile frameworks.
- Worked with Product Owners to refine backlogs and publish prioritized tasks in Jira.
- Guided Product Owners, Scrum Masters, and Delivery Managers to improve customer satisfaction.
- Integrated new exercises to boost daily standup efficiency.
- Ensured alignment by supporting Product Owners in backlog activities.
- Evaluated adherence to Agile methodologies to enhance team productivity.
- Facilitated Agile routines and ceremonies like Sprint Planning, Scrum, Backlog Refinement, Sprint Demos, and Retrospectives.
- Facilitated internal and external communication for better transparency.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
- Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
Agile Coach/ Release Train Engineer
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
Southfield, MI
10.2016 - 03.2017
- Led essential Agile ceremonies like Release Planning and Sprint Planning.
- Implemented new retrospective techniques.
- Set up continuous integration and build systems.
- Facilitated Agile workshops for effective team engagement.
- Oversaw near-shore development team with 8 members.
- Coached team members in quality assurance and lean principles.
- Guided Program Increment (PI) planning sessions.
- Co-led and synchronized SAFe Agile Release Train (ART) efforts.
- Conducted analysis and prioritized improvements in Agile processes.
- Led PI Planning, Product Owner Syncs and Scrum of Scrums.
- Compiled Program Increment Objectives and ensured transparency.
- Leveraged Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) to support Portfolio and Program processes.
- Developed staffing approaches to enhance SAFe efficiency at various levels.
- Set standards that guaranteed consistent program value.
- Served as Release Train Engineer coordinating critical Agile routines.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to define user stories and prioritize backlogs.
Agile Coach
24G
Clawson, MI
01.2016 - 10.2016
- Developed digital solutions for top brands including Volkswagen, Chevy, Nissan, GM, and Chrysler.
- Recommended executive and program-level staffing plans using thorough observations.
- Guided Program Managers in implementing Agile best practices.
- Guided efforts to design, implement, monitor, and maintain the quality management system.
- Guided Product Owners, business managers, and Program Managers on Agile methodologies.
- Coordinated IT application implementations and product upgrades.
- Configured JIRA to enhance project management efficiency.
- Collaborated with Product Owners to define user stories and prioritize backlogs.
Agile Solution Consultant
Tyler Technologies
Troy, MI
02.2013 - 01.2016
- Led PI Planning, Product Owner Syncs, and Scrum of Scrums.
- Consolidated team Program Increment objectives into program-level goals.
- Directed the assessment and oversight of program risks.
- Guided Business Managers, Program Managers, and Delivery Managers on Agile methodologies.
- Coordinated IT application implementations and product enhancements with business stakeholders.
- Organized initial project meetings with detailed implementation plans.
- Monitored budget and performance against project baselines.
- Evaluated progress through project plans and conducted regular status meetings.
- Conducted training sessions on Agile methodologies for better understanding of the development lifecycle.
- Led cross-functional teams to achieve business objectives.
- Developed and implemented customized strategies to meet client needs.
Agile Program Manager/ Scrum Master
WAYNE RESA
Wayne, MI
10.2012 - 01.2013
- Contributed to the creation of project documentation, including the Project Charter, specifications, project plans, budgets, and risk mitigation strategies
- Created detailed project plans defining goals, strategy, staffing, and schedules.
- Acted as a communication bridge between various groups to maintain transparency.
- Developed project plans, identified risks, set objectives and monitored progress towards completion.
- Managed program budgets and timelines, ensuring projects stayed on track and within allocated resources.
Project Manager
ASTRAZENECA
Dallas, Tx
03.2007 - 09.2012
- Engineered websites for AstraZeneca with ASP, ASP.NET, C#, and SQL.
- Generated daily and weekly reports for management.
- Facilitated resolution of technical impediments.
- Enhanced transparency to improve understanding of project details.
- Conducted regular status meetings with internal teams and external partners to track progress against established milestones.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures throughout the life cycle of each project.
Team Lead
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS
Chennai, INDIA
06.2004 - 02.2007
- Managed development of processes for project planning and tracking.
- Deep understanding of software development life cycle (SDLC) and IT best practices.
- Offered training and support to keep team members motivated and working toward objectives.
Education
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Computer Science Engineering
Bharathidasan University
Tiruchirappalli, India06-2004
Skills
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- ICP-Agile Instructor
- Facilitation
- Program Management
- Agile Coaching
- Active Listening
- Agile
- Enterprise Scrum Adoption
- Kanban
- Digital Transformation
- Lean Change Management
- Design Thinking
- Planning
- Agile Metrics Analysis
- Estimation
- Strategic Planning
- Empathy Mapping
- Business Agility
- Agility Health
- Release Forecasting
- Organizational Change Management
- Continuous Improvement
- Enterprise Scrum adoption
- Release Train Engineer
- Agile 20
- ServiceNow
- Digital Transformation
- Value Stream mapping
- ART
- SAFE Enterprise
- Rally
- DevOps
- PI Planning
- Story Mapping
- Affinity Sizing
- Retrospectives
- Negotiation
- Conflict Resolution
- OKR
- KPI
- Jira
- Jira Align
- PowerBI
- Tableau
- VersionOne
- Metrics
- Value stream mapping
- Sprint Planning
- Course Development
- Team facilitation
- Lesson Planning
- Presentations and demonstrations
Certification
- SPC 5.0
- ICP-Agile Instructor
- CAL
- ICP-ACC
- ICP-BAF
- ICP-ENT
- CSM
- CSPO
- PRINCE 2
Timeline
Enterprise Agile Coach
The Walt Disney and Company
03.2024 - 11.2024
Independant Consultant/Agile Coach
Shriyaz LLC
01.2023 - 02.2024
Enterprise Agile Coach
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
11.2020 - 05.2022
Release Train Engineer
ZF GROUP
10.2018 - 10.2019
Program Manager/ Release Train Engineer
BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD
04.2017 - 07.2018
Agile Coach/ Release Train Engineer
UNITEDHEALTH GROUP
10.2016 - 03.2017
Agile Coach
24G
01.2016 - 10.2016
Agile Solution Consultant
Tyler Technologies
02.2013 - 01.2016
Agile Program Manager/ Scrum Master
WAYNE RESA
10.2012 - 01.2013
Project Manager
ASTRAZENECA
03.2007 - 09.2012
Team Lead
INTEGRITY SOLUTIONS
06.2004 - 02.2007
BACHELOR'S DEGREE - Computer Science Engineering
Bharathidasan University