Maryna Smit

In my role as a Senior Project Manager/SAFe Epic Owner at ABSA, I was responsible for leading and mobilizing a tribe of three squads to execute strategic programs within the ABSA voice and service enablement stream. My primary focus was on enhancing colleague experience by implementing various Salesforce components to enable single system sign-on and streamline client queries. Additionally, I spearheaded the implementation of SAFe methodologies across the tribe, identifying and addressing gaps in old processes to improve overall delivery efficiency.

Notable Achievements:

Tribe Mobilization for Strategic Program Delivery: Led a tribe comprising three squads in successfully delivering a strategic program aimed at enhancing colleague experience within the ABSA voice and service enablement stream.
SAFe Implementation and Process Streamlining: Implemented SAFe methodologies across the tribe, significantly improving delivery processes and aligning them with agile principles. Identified and streamlined gaps in old processes, resulting in enhanced efficiency and effectiveness in program delivery.
Cross-functional Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Facilitated cross-functional collaboration within the tribe, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and fostering effective communication across teams. Successfully managed stakeholders at various levels, including executives, business teams, and technical teams, to ensure project goals were in line with organizational objectives.
Quality and Timely Delivery: Ensured high-quality delivery of programs and epics within defined schedule and budget constraints. Implemented robust project management practices, including risk management and resource allocation, to achieve project objectives effectively.
Continuous Improvement and Innovation: Cultivated a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the tribe, driving the adoption of best practices and tools to enhance project delivery. Proactively identified opportunities for process optimization and automation, resulting in improved efficiency and effectiveness in program execution.

Overall, my experience as a Senior Project Manager/SAFe Epic Owner at ABSA has equipped me with valuable skills in project leadership, agile methodologies, stakeholder management, and process improvement, contributing significantly to the success of strategic initiatives within the organization.

• Spearheaded comprehensive project management and business system oversight across multiple product platforms.
• Orchestrated operational support, infrastructure implementation, and procurement management for seamless project execution.
• Collaborated closely with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient project operations from an holistic perspective.
• Managed, analysed, constructed, and implemented system solutions and integrated hardware across product platforms.
• Monitored overall system health using existing tools, responding to deficiencies and helping build, test and maintain new systems.
• Planned and implemented upgrades to system hardware and software.
• Resolved issues and escalated problems with knowledgeable support and quality service.
• Diagnosed and resolved hardware and software issues.
• Researched and recommended new technologies and strategies for improving system performance.

Notable Projects:

• Power Bank Rental Network Expansion : Played a pivotal role in expanding and optimising Power Bank Rental Network, enhancing service accessibility and user experience.
• Access Control System Design, Build and Roll Out: Drove the development and growth of the Access Control system, accommodating evolving needs and bolstering security measures.
• CRM System Design: Design and execute a phased approach for the development and implementation of a CRM system. This initiative aims to empower the team in supporting business operations and facilitating well-informed decision-making.

• Led business system design initiatives, directing critical systems and processes.
• Designed and developed key components, including the Early Childhood Development (ECD) Application, Reporting Portal, and Scaling Strategies for various pilots.
• Conducted interviews with key business users to collect information on business processes and user requirements.
• Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
• Executed analysis of risks and identified risk mitigation strategies.
• Interacted with internal customers to understand business needs and translate into requirements and project scope.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to define project objectives and criteria.
• Created dashboards to monitor and track key performance indicators.
• Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to identify business needs and data sources.

Notable Projects:

• Early Childhood Development (ECD) Application: Guided the entire lifecycle, from initial design to seamless implementation on the FNB platform.
• Collaborated extensively with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with internal and external systems, facilitating efficient business and systems processes.
• Successfully launched Phases 1 and 2 of the ECD App, contributing significantly to its overall triumph.

• Requirement Analysis: Conduct thorough analysis sessions with stakeholders to gather and understand business requirements, translating them into effective Salesforce solutions.
• Customisation and Configuration: Leverage knowledge of Salesforce to customise and configure the platform according to specific business needs, ensuring optimal functionality.
• System Integration: Collaborate with development teams to design and implement seamless integrations between Salesforce and other systems, facilitating a unified and efficient workflow.
• Reporting and Analytics: Create and optimize reports and dashboards within Salesforce, empowering decision-makers with real-time insights into business performance.
• Continuous Improvement: Stay abreast of Salesforce updates, industry trends, and best practices. Proactively identify opportunities for system enhancements and optimisation.

Achievements:

• Successfully assisted the implementation of a Salesforce Lightning Experience, improving user interface and overall user experience for a key client.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design and implement a complex Salesforce solution for a multinational client, meeting project timelines and objectives.

• Spearheaded the design, development, and implementation of a cutting-edge Fund Management System.
• Ensured seamless integration with internal and external systems for optimal business and systems processes.
• Applied honed problem-solving skills to analyze and resolve issues impacting business operations and goal achievement.
• Executed analysis of risks and identified risk mitigation strategies.
• Interacted with internal customers to understand business needs and translate into requirements and project scope.
• Collaborated with stakeholders to define project objectives and criteria.
• Delivered analysis of market, sales and consumer trend impact on long and short-term strategies.
• Performed gap analysis to identify areas of improvement.
• Optimized data access and storage to improve performance of analytics systems.
• Developed and implemented data governance policies and procedures.
• Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.

Notable Projects:

• Fund Management System: Lead role in conceptualizing, developing, and implementing a robust Fund Management System.
• Reporting Portal: Played a pivotal part in the creation of a dynamic Reporting Portal.
• Integration Solutions: Developed and implemented strategic integration solutions for streamlined operations.
• Document Management: Introduced efficient document management protocols, enhancing workflow efficiency.
• Data Analysis Enhancement: Enhanced data analysis processes, contributing to better decision-making.

• Coordinated meetings, managed minute-taking, and facilitated seamless event organization.
• Strategically planned projects, maintained the project calendar, and diligently tracked project progress.
• Developed impactful PowerPoint presentations and performed crucial administrative functions.
• Ensured compliance regulations were rigorously upheld, maintaining up-to-date knowledge.
• Proved successful working within tight deadlines and a fast-paced environment.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Demonstrated strong organizational and time management skills while managing multiple projects.
• Skilled at working independently and collaboratively in a team environment.
• Learned and adapted quickly to new technology and software applications.
• Gained strong leadership skills by managing projects from start to finish.

Achievements:

• Instrumental in implementing the National Credit Amendment Act across diverse Product Houses.
• Contributed significantly to DebiCheck implementation, enhancing operational efficiency across multiple Product Houses.

• Provided pivotal project management assistance, overseeing administrative functions.
• Coordinated meetings, recorded minutes, and arranged venues to facilitate seamless project operations.
• Executed on-time, under-budget project management on complex financial issues for senior leadership.
• Delegated assignments based on plans, project needs, and knowledge of individual team members.
• Handled scheduling of staff to complete projects within required timeframes.
• Monitored project milestones and adjusted scheduling to meet deadlines.

Notable Achievement:

• Played an integral role in the successful implementation of SETA Finance Systems and SAGE X3 System for the National Department of Public Works during my tenure.

Operational Support:

• Served as the primary point of contact for user-reported incidents and queries.
• Conducted 1st line support and efficient troubleshooting on reported incidents.
• Conducted root cause analysis to identify underlying issues and proposed corrective actions.

Testing and Quality Assurance:

• Led all KIT Unit Testing activities, ensuring thorough testing of new code.
• Functioned as the Kindle Testing Coordinator during code releases into production environments.

Change Management and Production Releases:

• Prioritized and managed new development requests and client-raised issues.
• Coordinated and scheduled changes, aligning with Kindle development team and production deployment plans.
• Conducted Post-production release testing for new code or changes before going live.
• Compiled comprehensive Production release notes for client review before deployment.

Training and Knowledge Sharing:

• Created comprehensive training manuals for users during significant system upgrades.
• Delivered in-country training to users when substantial changes in application functionality occurred.
• Conducted in-country training for newly established Business Units in African regions like Botswana and Zambia.

Application Migration and Change Management:

• Played a pivotal role in successfully migrating the client from the existing Exergy system to the KIT Application platform in 2013.
• Gained valuable experience in system migrations and Change Management strategies.

Notable Project:

• Led successful migration of Barclays Africa from Exergy to KIT Application, demonstrating exceptional Change Management skills and ensuring uninterrupted operations across the transition.

• Delivered exceptional customer service by addressing inquiries and resolving concerns promptly.
• Managed internal communications with flexibility and agility, ensuring smooth operations.
• Promoted a positive company image, controlling information dissemination effectively.
• Organized and prioritized tasks for efficient completion, both individually and collaboratively.
• Monitored sales team performance, enhancing morale and motivation for improved results.
• Fostered open communication channels, enhancing team cohesion and functionality.