PRASANTH AYYAPPAN NAIR
Canton,MI
Summary
Results-driven Agile Delivery Leader with 24+ years in IT and Product Engineering, including 15+ years driving Agile adoption and 12+ years leading enterprise-scale transformations. Proven success in delivering complex programs across global teams by combining Agile coaching, Lean-Agile transformation, and strong program execution. Expertise in value stream optimization, product delivery, and change leadership, with a focus on improving flow, predictability, and business outcomes.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Agile Coach
Ford Motor Company
Dearborn, MI, USA
09.2023 - Current
- Led enterprise Agile transformation across Ford CVS, improved delivery predictability by 30% across global teams.
- Piloted Agile Maturity Framework and facilitated Agile assessments to identify gaps in Maturity
- Integrated AI-driven coaching (Agentic AI, Rovo, LLMs) to generate actionable insights; increased decision speed by 40% and accelerated bottleneck detection by 50%.
- Established KPI-driven Agile adoption model; drove continuous improvement across 5 global organizations aligned to business outcomes.
- Launched and scaled Communities of Practice (CoP) and helped establish LACE; strengthened governance and transformation sustainability.
- Coached value streams using Scaled Scrum and Kanban; improved flow efficiency and cross-team collaboration.
- Influenced senior leadership to adopt Agile and growth mindset; increased cross-functional collaboration by 30% .
- Optimized value delivery using Jira Align and Kanban systems; enhanced visibility, flow metrics, and decision-making.
- Coached and mentored Agile teams, Product Owners, and Scrum Masters; delivered targeted workshops to accelerate Agile maturity.
- Role: SAFe Transformation Coach/SAFe Trainer
Agile Coach
Ford Motor Company of Canada
Kanata, Ontario, Canada
10.2021 - 08.2023
- Led Agile transformation across Ford Model E, coaching teams and portfolios delivering next-gen network, EV, and autonomous vehicle technologies.
- Designed and executed SAFe transformation and training strategy; enabled 2,200+ team members enterprise-wide.
- Delivered SAFe certification trainings to 750+ professionals with 4.5+/5 satisfaction across multiple courses.
- Tailored and scaled Agile practices for various organ, improving delivery consistency and team effectiveness.
- Delivered global Agile training (US, Canada, Europe, APAC); created 15+ enablement assets driving enterprise-wide adoption.
- Established office hours model resolving 100+ weekly Agile queries, improving team alignment and remote collaboration.
- Optimized flow of value using Jira Portfolio, dashboards, and Kanban systems; enabled data-driven decision-making for program teams.
- Served as Product Owner for IVI&C tools; launched next-gen CAN simulation tool supporting SYNC 4.0+ validation (CAN, CAN-FD, Automotive Ethernet).
- Defined product vision and roadmap; translated into actionable epics and user stories using Lean Product Management principles.
- Partnered with vendor teams; coached POs and Scrum Masters, driving adoption of Agile practices and improving effectiveness metrics.
- Facilitated workshops and continuous improvement initiatives, enabling self-organizing, high-performing teams.
- Role: SAFe Transformation Coach/SAFe Trainer
Project Manager
UST Global
Kansas City, MO, USA
02.2016 - 10.2016
- Managed cross-functional teams in executing software and data migration projects to facilitate H&R Block Learning Platform upgrade from Saba to Cornerstone OnDemand (CSOD).
- Facilitated daily scrum meetings with vendors and offshore development team to enhance collaboration and project alignment.
- Role: Project Manager
- Designation: Project Manager
- Organization: UST Global, Kansas City, MO (For H&R Block Client)
Project Manager
UST Global
Bentonville, AR, USA
06.2015 - 01.2016
- Led and coordinated 7 Scrum teams within an Agile Release Train (ART) ; facilitated Scrum of Scrums, PI Planning, and key ART events to ensure alignment and execution.
- Orchestrated Agile ceremonies across teams (stand-ups, sprint planning, reviews, retrospectives, system demos); improved cross-team synchronization and delivery predictability.
- Championed engineering excellence (CI/CD, TDD, Kanban); improved quality, reduced defects, and increased deployment reliability across teams.
- Coached Scrum Masters and teams on SAFe and Agile best practices; enhanced team maturity, self-organization, and ART performance.
- Enabled continuous improvement through retrospectives and flow-based practices; reduced bottlenecks and improved delivery consistency.
- Role: Sr. Scrum Master
- Designation: Project Manager
- Organization: UST Global, Bentonville, AR, USA (Walmart Client)
Project Manager
UST Global
Thiruvananthapuram, India
11.2013 - 06.2015
- Managed a $12 M revenue-generating business portfolio client account for UST Global and was responsible for Delivery Management, Operations Management, and Financial Management.
- Led the agile transformation for value streams at offshore locations to support the delivery of strategic products and services for the Fortune 10 client with a gradual transition of delivery responsibilities from onsite to offshore.
- Championed the adoption of the SAFe (Scaled Agile) across the teams. Driven the adoption of key engineering practices like Continuous Integration and Test-Driven Development to improve the quality and reliability of the team's deliverables using the Scaled Agile framework.
- Guided scrum process and coached the team; facilitated transparency, inspection, and adaption.
- Lead daily scrum, sprint review, and planning meetings to ensure entire team engagement for 10+ scrum teams. Managed interdependencies between agile teams.
- Staffing of the engagement, including selection process, training and development, workforce planning, external recruitment, and talent promotion.
- Role: Portfolio Manager–Delivery
- Designation: Project Manager
- Organization: UST Global, Thiruvananthapuram, India (Walmart Client)
Scrum Master/Sr.Project Manager
UST Global
Thiruvananthapuram, India
12.2009 - 10.2013
- Lead daily scrum, sprint review, and planning meetings to ensure entire team engagement for 6 scrum teams working for Walmart Transportation & logistics vertical. Managed interdependencies between agile teams.
- Collaborated with the Client Product Owner to support short and long-term release planning and to keep the work backlog healthy and prepared for execution.
- Planned and addressed potential or actual impediments to team delivery (cultural barriers, logistic challenges).
- Build a trusting and safe environment where problems may be raised without fear of reprisal.
- Role: Scrum Master/Sr.Project Manager
- Organization: UST Global, Thiruvananthapuram, India (Walmart Client)
Project Manager
Wipro Technologies
Bengaluru, India
05.2008 - 11.2009
- Coordinated the project management activities like costing, budgeting, resource augmentation, and managing overall program(s) milestones for a $1.2 M fixed bid engagement with client - Xerox.
- Role & Designation: Project Manager
- Organization: Wipro Technologies, Bengaluru (Bangalore), India (Client: Xerox & Seagate)
Project Manager
Wipro Technologies
Bengaluru, India
01.2007 - 04.2008
- Played a key role in the development, maintenance & support of enterprise-wide s/w solutions for Supply chain (Channel Management- systems) for a major mobile manufacturer. Played a significant role in aligning the project's standards with the Organizational quality (SEI CMMi v1.2) norms.
- Implementing IT Service Management (ITSM) solutions focusing on Service Level Management (SLM), Change & Configuration Management, Capacity & Performance Management, Problem & Incident Management, and Availability Management.
- Role: Project Manager
- Organization: Wipro Technologies, Bengaluru, India (Client: Nokia)
Member (Technical Staff)
Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
Bengaluru, India
11.1999 - 12.2006
- Successfully led multiple phases of software projects, viz., architecting, business requirement analysis, design
- Oct'00-Dec'06 Member (Technical Staff)
- Nov 99- Oct'00 Full-Time Consultant
- Clients: Central Power Research Institute-CPRI, Various Central & State Govt dept, Geographical Indications Registry
Education
M.S. - Software Systems
Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS)
Pilani, India01-2003
Bachelor of Technology - Electronics Engineering
College of Engineering, Chengannur
India01-1998
Skills
- Agile transformation leadership
- Value stream optimization
- OKR & KPI Implementation
- Work Management Tools (Jira, Jira Align, Confluence, Miro)
- Technical Program Management
- SAFe framework proficiency
- Servant leadership
- Lead Product & Portfolio Management
- Data-driven Analysis (Flow metrics)
- Strategic problem solving
- Curriculum design
- Engaging storytelling
Affiliations
- Scaled Agile (www.scaledagile.org)
- Agile Alliance (www.agilealliance.org)
- Scrum Alliance (www.scrumalliance.org)
Certification
- SAFe Program/Practice Consultant (SPC 6.0) Certification – (Scaled Agile)
- SAFe RTE Certification – (Scaled Agile)
- SAFe Agile Product Management -APM (Scaled Agile)
- CEAC – certified Enterprise Agility Coach (Chicago State University)
- ICP-ACC Certified Professional: Agile Coaching (IC Agile)
- ICP-CAT Certified Professional: Coaching Agile Transitions (IC Agile)
- Certified Scrum Master – CSM (Scrum Alliance)
- Certified Project Management Professional (PMP), PMI Member ID: 618361(2006 - 2021)
Timeline
Senior Agile Coach
Ford Motor Company
09.2023 - Current
Agile Coach
Ford Motor Company of Canada
10.2021 - 08.2023
Project Manager
UST Global
02.2016 - 10.2016
Project Manager
UST Global
06.2015 - 01.2016
Project Manager
UST Global
11.2013 - 06.2015
Scrum Master/Sr.Project Manager
UST Global
12.2009 - 10.2013
Project Manager
Wipro Technologies
05.2008 - 11.2009
Project Manager
Wipro Technologies
01.2007 - 04.2008
Member (Technical Staff)
Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
11.1999 - 12.2006
Bachelor of Technology - Electronics Engineering
College of Engineering, Chengannur
M.S. - Software Systems
Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS)
Work Authorization
Approved H1B Visa (valid till Nov 2025). Approved 1140