Daniel Sandra Ngassa

Dedicated to elevating team performance through rigorous application of Agile principles and Scrum methodologies. Possess proven track record of significantly reducing cycle times and bug rates by optimizing team processes and fostering environment conducive to continuous improvement. Expertise in facilitating time-boxed Scrum ceremonies, enhancing process documentation, and maintaining a well-prioritized product backlog. Skilled in coaching teams to adopt Agile practices, thereby instilling commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect, and adept at shielding teams from disruptions to maximize productivity and project success. Continually seeks to drive strategic decisions and improve team dynamics with clear focus on delivering value and achieving high-quality results.

• SAFe Release Train Engineer, Scaled Agile, Inc
• Certified Scrum Master (CSM), Scrum Alliance
• Registered Scrum Master (RSM), Scrum Inc
• Registered Product Owner (RPO), Scrum Inc
• Certified SAFe 6.0 Scrum Master, Scaled Agile, Inc
• Certified Product Innovation Associate (CPIA), Spark Engine
• Certified DevOps for Innovation, Spark Engine
• Google IT Support Certificate, Google
• Certificate Of Completion for Network Fundamentals, College of the Mainland

• Scrum Master, WESCO, Pittsburgh, PA, 2021-01-01, 2023-04-01, Conduct thorough sprint reviews, lead daily scrums, oversee sprint planning, and manage sprint retrospectives and backlog refinement to maximize team involvement., Mentor teams on Agile practices to nurture supportive and forward-thinking Agile environment., Partner with product owner to cultivate and sustain robust, prioritized backlog., Engage with product owners and team members to develop realistic and ambitious project targets., Achieved substantial reduction in bug rate within single quarter by utilizing team data from JIRA to enhance process efficiency., Responsible for managing 2 – 9-member scrum teams from MVP to subsequent releases, launching multiple brands., Successfully coached teams to reach Agile maturity, effectively embedding five core Scrum values—commitment, courage, focus, openness, and respect—into team's operational ethos., Significantly reduced team's cycle time by streamlining team processes, thereby enhancing team velocity and reducing time to complete features., Temporarily took on Product Owner role for two sprints., Established a supportive team atmosphere that encouraged problem-solving without fear of blame, enhancing team morale and efficiency., Ensured Scrum team's protection from distractions and interferences, maximizing productivity and adherence to Agile methodologies., Consistently led goal-directed and efficiently timed Scrum ceremonies, keeping team focused and on track., Worked in close conjunction with Product Owner to refine backlog effectively, managing updates, and facilitating regular refinement sessions to keep team prepped and informed about upcoming tasks., Utilizing elements of SAFe such as big room planning for quarterly planning, and scrum of scrums for addressing and resolving impediments and inter-team dependencies.
• Scrum Master, UnitedHealth Group, Minnetonka, MN, 2018-01-01, 2021-01-01, Orchestrated Scrum ceremonies with strict adherence to time and objectives., Managed all aspects of project planning, daily stand-ups, reviews, retrospectives, sprint and release planning, and demonstrations., Monitored team dynamics and project progress, reporting on velocity and sprint/release status., Collaborated with Product Owner to refine and maintain project backlog., Updated and managed entries in Agile tracking system to reflect current project and sprint backlogs., Enhanced communication channels within and outside team to promote transparency and effective information dissemination., Guided teams in commitment strategies through strategic story selection and precise task breakdown., Coached novice Product Owner, enhancing capability and confidence to effectively perform in role., Successfully collaborated with senior management and global executives to make strategic decisions impacting high-value, large-scale projects., Refined process documentation, established necessary standards and best practices, and maintained ongoing records., Improved transparency and trust among program managers and stakeholders by consistently updating and communicating project status., Guaranteed successful delivery of sprints/releases within agreed parameters of scope, budget, time, and quality., Facilitated cross-functional collaboration among product owners, team members, and other Scrum Masters to identify and implement effective solutions., Assessed and optimized workload distribution among team members to ensure balanced responsibilities., Insulated Scrum team from external interruptions, securing integrity and efficiency of Agile process., Delivered comprehensive Agile practice training, fostering supportive and knowledgeable team environment.
• Scrum Master, Sears Holding Corporation, Atlanta, GA, 2017-01-01, 2018-01-01, Collaborated effectively with multiple Scrum teams, both internal and offshore., Guided teams in application of Scrum methodologies to enhance efficiency., Championed end-user involvement in testing and issue analysis across server, desktop, and IT infrastructure domains., Provided metrics, project estimates, and timelines to clients, enhancing transparency and project management., Escalated project impediments to senior management to ensure timely resolution and continuity., Partnered with management to eliminate obstacles and implemented new practices that boosted team performance, notably instituting comprehensive testing before deployment to minimize bugs., Orchestrated time-constrained, goal-driven Scrum ceremonies., Facilitated various aspects of Scrum framework, including sprint planning, backlog refinement, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and retrospectives, ensuring robust review and demonstration during sprint closures., Gathered and relayed feedback, fostered problem-solving capabilities within teams, and supported teams in becoming self-sufficient in resolving issues.
• Project Coordinator, Hertz, Atlanta, GA, 2016-01-01, 2017-01-01, Orchestrated logistics for engagements with external entities., Monitored project timelines, adapted processes to keep tasks on track., Oversaw multiple initiatives from initiation to completion by prioritizing requirements and assigning tasks., Distributed essential materials at pivotal stages of each project., Recorded project hours and financial expenditures., Collaborated with leaders and teams to establish ambitious and achievable objectives., Preserved integrity of project schedules through strategic timeline management., Enhanced relationships with key partners, designed promotional events and strategies., Organized detailed presentations for clients to outline project developments and outcomes., Developed diagrams and flowcharts to ensure team adherence to client-specified deadlines., Achieved all deadlines and specifications for production orders without fail., Directed team onboarding and mentoring, orchestrated critical meetings, and compiled project documentation.