Alex Gbaguidi
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
Montreal, QC, Canada
Toptal member since June 18, 2021
As a project manager with an Agile mindset, Alex mainly focuses on delivering value to his clients while helping their teams find their mode of operation. Over the last 20 years, he has offered his consulting services in various sectors, including telecommunications, retail, financial services, banking, and aeronautics. Alex has been involved in innovative projects within organizations of different sizes.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Agile
- Agile Coaching
- Azure DevOps
- IT Project Management
- Kanban
- Product Owner
- Scrum
- Scrum Master
Work Experience
Agile Project Manager
Quebec Building Commission (CCQ)
- Reinstated a structured sprint cadence by transitioning the team from forced weekly updates to a three-week sprint cycle, improving delivery focus and reducing operational stress, in collaboration with operations and management stakeholders.
- Facilitated role clarification workshops to align team members' responsibilities and management expectations, significantly reducing misunderstandings and enabling smoother collaboration across functions.
- Revitalized team retrospectives by instituting a structured process to collect, prioritize, and implement improvement ideas, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and enhancing team morale.
- Mentored the product owner in documenting backlog items, writing effective epics, features, and user stories in Azure DevOps, and improving refinement and planning sessions, leading to more actionable and organized work pipelines.
- Reintroduced collaborative sprint planning by replacing top-down task assignment with a team-driven approach where developers self-selected tasks aligned with a clear sprint goal, promoting ownership and accountability.
- Optimized transparency and reporting by leveraging Azure DevOps to provide regular status updates to management, reducing ad-hoc interruptions and enhancing the team’s focus and velocity.
Project Manager | Scrum Master
Pfizer - PGS Operations Insights
- Joined the team as a project manager and scrum master to support three product teams for almost a year before moving on to coach a team going through a crisis.
- Helped find better metrics based on actionable data to track team performance and progress.
- Used my project management skills to help stakeholders gain better visibility on the deliverables and then provide feedback to the team. That helped them deliver value faster.
- Assisted a project manager in using Agile practices like poker planning and backlog refinement for better forecasting of their ability to deliver products during the project. We were able to make better decisions based on data.
Project Manager
Pluralsight
- Created, during a Salesforce migration program, a dashboard to make any impediment transparent and keep the management team informed. We then discussed the backlog of ''blockers'' to focus on the right priority at the right time.
- Facilitated a story mapping session with a product owner and five subject-matter experts (SMEs) to build an initial backlog in less than 1 hour. We used virtual collaboration tools like Mural and Miro to visually align and co-create a list of features.
- Developed and managed detailed end-to-end project plans. Coordinated cross-functional teams and engaged with diverse stakeholders.
Program Manager (Consultant)
PSP Investments
- Worked closely with the team of project managers and scrum masters to install and foster a new culture and ideal best practices in the organization. Facilitated several (10+) workshops with PSP's directors and executives.
- Collaborated with teams to shape the best Agile practices adapted to their context and realities. Used Scrum and Kanban to optimize the service delivery performances of the IT support team.
- Trained product owners and project managers on how to structure and prioritize their product backlog before sharing their clear vision with the developers. Also helped remove any impediment the team was not able to solve on their own.
- Collaborated with the leadership team to identify the best outcome-focused metrics (KPIs and OKRs) adapted to their reality. For example, we used customer satisfaction, NPS scores, or platform usage tracking metrics.
Program Manager (Consultant)
Hydro-Quebec
- Introduced directors and VPs to EBM practices, including KPI and OKR frameworks, to align project outcomes with organizational goals. These metrics enhanced decision-making during a back-end system migration, ensuring data-driven results.
- Trained and onboarded eight new scrum masters and product owners, establishing foundational knowledge in Agile practices and Scrum framework. These efforts supported the launch of a pilot program for innovative projects at HQ.
- Guided two product managers through four PI Planning sessions, enabling them to prioritize their product backlogs effectively and articulate their vision to 100+ team members, ensuring alignment with overarching business objectives.
- Built comprehensive end-to-end project plans to oversee the migration of legacy ERP systems to modern solutions (SAP S4 and Salesforce CRM). Proactively identified and mitigated risks, ensuring project delivery within timelines and budgets.
- Hosted executive-level strategy sessions to resolve roadblocks and ensure alignment with organizational priorities. Provided clear and consistent communication across all levels, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Demonstrated adaptability and coordination across multiple time zones and culturally diverse teams, ensuring seamless delivery of multi-year projects in fully remote environments.
Project Manager | Scrum Master (Consultant)
Metro Richelieu Inc.
- Helped launch the first two scrum teams of the IT division of Metro, one focusing on the Metro.ca eCommerce website and the other working on the internal web platform development.
- Acted as the SME, teaching the Agile methodology to 12 members of the IT leadership team. Taught the Agile mindset, values, and practices using workshops and practical cases. We then started experimenting with Scrum and Kanban in their teams.
- Coached two product owners preparing the PSPO I certification. They both passed on their first attempt. Assisted two team leads in preparing and passing the PSM I certification.
Project Manager | Scrum Master (Consultant)
Pratt & Whitney Canada
- Led four cross-functional teams on an innovative enterprise-wide SAFe program with hundreds of stakeholders. The project goal was to improve the internal development and integration process between P&WC and suppliers.
- Acted as a scrum master on a two-part mobile project building the foundation of mobility at P&WC and also one of the first native mobile apps at Pratt. This app will be available to Pratt clients on Apple and Android devices.
- Served as a scrum master on an analytics project for the sales department. The project goal was to integrate multiple data sources behind one portal accessible to the salesforce.
- Acted as co-lead of the P&WC community of practice focused on spreading the values and principles of Agile among leaders. We hosted weekly activities to discuss and have fun while learning new concepts. Our Agile games were a great success.
Senior Business Analyst | Product Owner (Consultant)
Air Canada (ex AIMIA inc.)
- Built a backlog of requests and changed coming from our business partners of the Aeroplan Program (during the transition to Air Canada). Collaborated with the leadership to build a roadmap with milestones to communicate the timeline of deliveries.
- Collaborated with scrum masters and agile coaches to build a story map and a release plan for the new loyalty program. Maintained a backlog, dashboards, and reports to anticipate commercial developments and partner implementation needs.
- Supported the elaboration of business cases, identified cross-functional synergies, and maintained open and constant communication with business owners and other supporting functions within the Ops team.
- Guided the internal customers throughout the project qualification phase, including the initial planning of the project, participation in the funding authorization exercise, and analysis and engagement of key stakeholders.
- Endorsed and got agreement from commercial units supporting stakeholders on proposed request scope and ensuring it is tied to business objectives within the budget envelope.
- Ensured smooth transition of selected requests to the operational functions and project managers when ready for exploration and execution by discussing staffing needs, objectives and scope, initial timelines, and associated authorized budget.
- Defined KPIs in collaboration with the commercial unit and evaluated overall portfolio performance (business case and business value). Participated in department workforce resource allocation and cost control activities when required.
- Defined key areas of improvement proactively. Developed and implemented enhancements in line with Aeroplan's long-term needs.
Senior Business Analyst | Product Owner
Manulife Canada
- Collaborated with Agile teams during the inception phase and initial backlog prioritization. Led intake activities to follow a project management framework and complete project deliverables in the planning phase.
- Led workshops with VPs and senior leaders to gather high-level business and IT requirements for new projects. Monitored project progress and communicated effectively to a project sponsor and project team in a timely manner.
- Tracked project metrics (progress, resource, and financials) using Manulife PMO (project management office) tools and templates. Established a project plan and managed multiple initiatives with a defined timeline.
- Collaborated closely with project sponsors, subject matter experts, stakeholders, and a solution group to ensure the optimal solution approaches were identified.
- Coordinated initial testing activities with team leaders during our Windows 10 migration project.
Scrum Master
PilotsFriend West Inc.
- Acted as a servant-leader for a team of six collocated developers to deliver value faster during this contract. Worked with the PO to clarify his vision of his new website going from WordPress to Shopify.
- Kept the product owner informed of current changes and prioritized the backlog based on needs. Acted as a servant leader by removing any roadblock for my team's work and progress.
- Helped the team present releases and deliver usable products after every iteration. Helped the product owner build and maintain his backlog in Jira based on customer needs and market reality.
Agile Project Manager (Consultant)
IG Wealth Management
- Designed a Kanban system to help advisors manage their flow of new leads. Trained and provided support to a team of 15 new financial consultants on NaviPlan to build the clients’ financial plans.
- Planned and organized IG events for consultants and division directors of the Calgary South branch.
- Collaborated with consultants to build a program to gather financial details faster during the initial client meetings and close more deals.
Services Advisor and Trainer
Microsoft Canada
- Trained business owners on Office 365 and new features in Windows 10 using Surface Pro tablets. Helped clients discover, enable, and implement high-value Microsoft technology solutions and services across a broad range of devices.
- Used Lean and Kanban principles to manage the flow of customer requests coming into stores. Identified and solved complex issues with store leadership and original equipment manufacturers or other partners as appropriate.
- Maintained an elite level of product knowledge in all Microsoft retail products, devices, and services offerings. Continuously learned through others and by myself, shared specialized knowledge, and expertly presented the newest product and services.
Oracle DBA
CGI
- Assisted database administrators based in Calgary for several sensitive clients. My assignments included Encana, Cenovus, and Saguenay city.
- Installed Oracle Client 11g (32 and 64 bits) and created a database link.
- Performed Oracle database patching in a Unix environment. Did Microsoft SQL Server database patching in Windows 2008 Server.
Project History
Project Manager on the "Know My PT6" Mobile App
Acted as the Agile project manager for the first mobile app developed and published in both app stores for Pratt & Whitney clients.
The app can be downloaded from the following link: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?.id=ca.pwc.knowmypt6&hl=en_CA&gl=US.
Community Lead on AgileAfrica.net
Launched and managed an online community of Agile practitioners based in Africa and around the world.
Hosted a Professional Scrum Virtual Class for Year Up
https://www.yearup.org/I taught an APS (Applying Professional Scrum) live virtual class to 20 young adults to help them kick start their careers in IT, project management, and cybersecurity. A review: https://www.trustpilot.com/reviews/61dc7696e1196e51d75f7c77.
Education
Master's Degree in Business Intelligence
Université de Sherbrooke - Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
Université Cheikh Anta Diop - Dakar, Senegal
Certifications
Professional Scrum Product Owner III (PSPO III)
Scrum.org
Professional Scrum Trainer (PST)
Scrum.org
PMI Authorized Training Partner (ATP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Professional Scrum Master Level III (PSM III)
Scrum.org
Professional Scrum with Kanban (PSK I)
Scrum.org
Disciplined Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Kanban Management Professional (KMP)
Kanban University
SAFe 5 Program Consultant (SPC)
Scaled Agile, Inc.
PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
Skills
Tools
Trello, Jira, Git, Oracle ERP, Confluence, Salesforce, Microsoft Dynamics CRM, GitHub
Paradigms
Agile, Scrum, Agile Project Management, Agile Delivery, Requirements Analysis, Kanban, Lean, Azure DevOps, Agile Product Management, Change Management, Key Performance Metrics, Data-driven Development, XP
Industry Expertise
Telecommunications, Software
Platforms
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
Other
IT Projects, IT Project Management, Scrum Master, Project Management, Agile Coaching, Training, Certified ScrumMaster (CSM), Scrum Coaching, Project Management Professional (PMP), Agile Sprints, Sprints, Sprint Ceremonies, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Sprint Planning, Client Delivery Management, Waterfall Methodology, Backlog Grooming, Planning, Organization, Jira Administration, Business Analysis, Business Intelligence (BI), Data Migration, Scrum Product Owner, Scrumban, Product Owner, Product Management, Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe), IT Program Management, Program Management, Computer Science, Manufacturing Project Management, Digital Project Management, PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP), Technical Project Management, Feature Backlog Prioritization, Product Roadmaps, User Stories, Story Mapping, Sprint Retrospectives, Product Ownership, Product Vision, SaaS, Startups, Project Coordination, Communication, Marketing, Release Management, Delivery Management, eCommerce, Continuous Improvement, Data Analysis, Risk Management, Agile Scaling Frameworks, Agile Product Delivery, Cross-functional Collaboration, Data Management, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Data Transformation, Delivery, Project Delivery, Product Delivery, Resource Management, Technical Program Management, Objectives & Key Results (OKRs), Business Consulting, Discovery Workshops, Stakeholder Management, Process Improvement, Process Mapping, Value Stream Mapping, Certified Project Manager, Documentation, Knowledge Sharing, Knowledge Transfer, Government Contracting, Resource Allocation, Low Code, Scheduling, SAFe 6, SAP ERP, Client Management, Google Drive, ClickUp, Cloud Migration, Commercially Aware, Sales, Agile Program Management, Enterprise Project Management, Website Design, QA Leadership, PI Planning, Back-end, Budgeting, Executive Reporting, Strategic Planning, Project Design, Engineering Program Management (EPM), SAP, Community Management, Manufacturing, Dynamics CRM 365, Data Warehousing, Web Development, Game Development, Mobile Game Development, Jira Align, PSM-3, PSM-2, PSM-1, Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI), Machine Learning
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