Grant Schuleman
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Toptal member since March 24, 2021
Grant is a seasoned technical project manager and Certified Project Management Professional with over 30 years in IT and 20 years in project management. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and is proficient in Scrum, Kanban, PMBOK, and Prince. With a robust software development background, Grant bridges technical intricacies and project management. His experience ensures effective project execution aligned with organizational goals.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Agile
- Agile Project Management
- Business Analysis
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
- Product Management
- Project Management
- Scrum Master
- Technical Project Management
Work Experience
Senior Project Manager
SecuritEase
- Managed a project to migrate a 1 billion USD trading book from a UK-based custodian to a SA-based custodian.
- Delivered a new trading, clearing, and settlement solution for an international financial institution to allow their clients to invest in retirement products.
- Managed the delivery of a margin collateral and lending system for international clients.
- Created project management processes and tools that are used across the organization to ensure a consistent and predictable approach to project delivery is used for all licensee projects.
Technical Project Manager
A Prestigious University in the USA
- Joined a Managed Delivery team to finalize a university research study system. Facilitated the discovery phase, created a comprehensive and prioritized product backlog, and developed a roadmap to ensure the successful delivery of the final product.
- Delivered the final product within budget, meeting client expectations. Managed delivery using Scrum with a team comprising four developers, two QA engineers, one business analyst, and one designer.
- Utilized Jira, Google Sheets, Google Docs, and PowerPoint throughout this project. Facilitated all Scrum ceremonies, including sprints, planning sessions, backlog grooming, retrospectives, and demonstrations.
Project Manager
InPerSuit Inc.
- Joined a Toptal team to deliver a web application for a new legal industry startup. Led the discovery phase, managed Agile project delivery, and ensured completion within the established timeline and budget.
- Handled product ownership during the product design and development phases. Identified key product features required to be implemented and worked with the leadership team to prioritize delivery aligned with the organization's strategy.
- Set up operational business processes for client onboarding and support. Configured Zoho applications (CRM, Books, Campaigns, and Forms) to enhance marketing efforts, lead conversion, and revenue growth.
- Automated Zoho workflows to enhance organizational scalability and reduce operational costs.
- Utilized toolsets such as Jira, Google Drive, Slack, and Zoho Projects, adhering to an agile and collaborative approach.
Technical Project Manager
AI Avatar/Interviewer
- Joined a Toptal team to run a discovery phase for a client to define and plan an AI solution to submit grant applications for funding.
- Conducted research into AI applications, elderly adult issues that could be solved using AI, and grant application opportunities.
- Used a combination of tools such as Google Docs/Sheets, Jira, and Miro to manage this project.
Project Manager
AI Trading (via Toptal)
- Joined a Toptal team to run a discovery phase for a client to define and plan the development of an AI chatbot for various industries.
- Facilitated discovery workshops, compiled a prioritized product backlog with estimates, defined a product roadmap, and planned resource requirements.
- Put together discovery summary and project kick-off presentations. Used Google Docs to create a project management log comprised of risks, actions, issues, decisions, and scope.
Agile Project Manager
An eCommerce Canadian Company
- Joined a team to deliver an eCommerce marketplace trading platform for precious metals. Duties included product visioning, business analysis, systems design, story writing, prioritization, backlog grooming, and MVP delivery.
- Participated in and facilitated the completion of UX and UI designs and workflows to ensure the system look and feel were consistent with the existing web interface.
- Served as the business analyst/product owner and facilitated business prioritization sessions to ensure product features were analyzed, documented, and prioritized before proceeding with development.
- Managed the testing of the newly built trading feature, which included conducting functional and integration testing, facilitating user acceptance testing, and coordinating beta testing activities.
- Provided coaching to the development team on agile user story-writing techniques.
Project Manager
Digital Agency
- Joined a Toptal team to deliver a new website for a client in the HR software space.
- Led project discovery workshops and performed key responsibilities such as business analysis, story writing, prioritization, backlog grooming, and MVP delivery.
- Used tools such as Jira, Figma, Google Docs, Google Drive, and WordPress.
Project Manager
Pharmaceutical Client (via Toptal)
- Joined a newly formed PMO team to implement an ERP solution. Oversaw setting up documentation repositories and relevant processes to engage with stakeholders for the cloud integration tool implementation.
- Managed the deliverables for the migration of the finance functionality and data, including identifying the as-is business processes, documenting them in Visio, and ensuring alignment with other workstreams.
- Documented the systems and data flow for the Finance division to identify system touchpoints and data inconsistencies.
- Conducted analysis of invoice data produced on system reports vs. data stored in the source database. Provided root cause analysis and proposed solutions for resolving data discrepancies. Used Power BI and SQL.
Senior Project Manager
Paycode
- Implemented an offline, biometric-enabled payments system for Zambian farmers with smart-card technology.
- Delivered a project to a client in Ghana that has transformed the general use of a bank card, allowing different applications to run on the same bank card.
- Handled the implementation of a social-grants project for the underprivileged citizens of Mozambique using offline technology.
- Carried out a smart-card solution catering for biometrics enabled via the Mastercard Community Pass/InclusiveID technology.
Senior Agile Project Manager
Legaltech Company (via Toptal)
- Joined a software development team as a consultant to analyze people, processes, and technology to improve software delivery and quality. This then evolved to coaching team members on best practices.
- Provided Agile coaching to the product owner on product visioning, backlog creation, backlog grooming, and user story writing to ensure the delivery of business value to the organization.
- Provided coaching to the scrum master on agile ceremonies such as sprints, sprint planning, daily scrums, sprint reviews, and retrospectives.
- Coached the scrum team on agile delivery, focusing on minimizing work-in-progress and maximizing throughput.
- Implemented an Excel-based scrum-reporting tool due to the limitation of the software (Wrike) already being used. This reporting included sprint burndown and burnup charts, velocity charts, and cumulative flow diagrams.
Freelance Developer
Freelance Clients
- Developed a hotel management booking system for a new motel used by three reception desks. Development was completed in VB.NET with a MySQL database.
- Created a fully automated Excel application (VBA) that integrated with SharePoint and Sage One via APIs (.NET) for a manufacturing company. The sales team used the application for quotes and the manufacturing team for production.
- Developed a healthcare management system to manage doctor's/clinic's submissions to medical insurance companies. The system was written in Delphi using an Oracle database.
- Built an application suite used for electronic signboards. The application suite was written in a combination of Delphi and C++, integrating via COM ports and TCP/IP connections to electronic signboards.
- Created a pet grooming parlor management system that was deployed at five parlors. The system was highly configurable and mostly self-managed. This application was written in VB.NET and could use both MS Access and MySQL databases.
PMO Lead
EOH Holdings
- Implemented a project management framework to cater to projects to be delivered following Waterfall, Agile or hybrid methodologies.
- Implemented a project-management tool (PPO) to assist with project tracking and reporting.
- Coached and mentored six project managers to use the Agile methodology when delivering projects for clients.
- Completed the full IT services transition from another ICT company to EOH within three months without any system downtime.
Senior Project Manager
JSE
- Delivered ten sub-projects as part of a multi-year systems replacement program.
- Implemented a new company-wide brand and website with multiple third-party suppliers.
- Completed the implementation of an electronic-procurement solution, resulting in huge operational efficiencies and reduced costs.
Project Manager
Barclays Capital
- Managed projects relating to the ongoing maintenance of the surveillance system for trading and compliance monitoring.
- Managed the delivery of the sizeable holdings-system project for regulatory reporting purposes.
- Integrated the operational processes between different IT teams to ensure efficient hand-offs between departments.
Project Manager
Investec Group
- Implemented the credit mitigation project for the Basel II program.
- Delivered a credit risk-management project for Investec entities in South Africa, the UK, Mauritius, Ireland, Australia, and Switzerland.
- Completed the business analysis for the Basel II program, focusing on the credit workstream.
Project History
ERP Implementation
Managed the finance workstream deliverables for the migration from Salesforce to Oracle ERP.
My role as a business analyst/project manager included completing the deliverables for the migration of the finance functionality and data, as well as identifying the as-is business processes, documenting them in Visio, and ensuring alignment with other workstreams. I documented the systems and data flow for the finance division to identify system touchpoints and data inconsistencies.
I also conducted an in-depth analysis of data produced on system reports vs. data stored in the source database. I then performed root cause analysis and proposed solutions for resolving data discrepancies. I used PowerBI and SQL.
Legal Web Application
https://www.inpersuit.com/Led the delivery of a website and web application for a legal services startup.
The implementation of an MVP solution was approved, and I set up a Jira project to manage the delivery using a Scrum framework. During project execution, I facilitated the daily stand-ups, sprint planning, sprint reviews, demos, and retros. UX design and functional delivery were managed on a sprint-by-sprint basis, where I ensured available capacity vs. effort/time required to complete tasks in each sprint were manageable.
The website and MVP web application were delivered within the timelines and budget. The client was extremely pleased with the delivery and is now using the website to attract clients.
Integrated Trading and Clearing Program
https://www.jse.co.za/learn-how-to-invest/learn-how-invest/itacDelivered 10 sub-projects as part of this 2-year systems replacement program for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).
Each sub-project was successfully delivered and was a critical piece of the overall program of work. The delivery of the program resulted in improved trading volumes, improved operational efficiencies, and increased revenue for the organization.
Project Jaya
https://www.fanews.co.za/article/investments/8/general/1133/jse-s-new-equity-trading-platform-in-sa-after-decade-in-london/12145The equity market trading and information solution was being run out of London using the LSE's system. I was responsible for implementing the new system locally in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Clinical Research Study Application
Managed the delivery of a web application used for clinical research studies.
Using the Scrum framework, I directed the project's execution, facilitating all Scrum ceremonies such as sprint planning, daily stand-ups, sprint reviews, and retrospectives. This approach ensured the timely delivery of high-priority features. The project was completed successfully within eight months.
Following development, I oversaw a thorough handover process, ensuring the web application was fully documented and that the client's internal IT team was prepared for ongoing management and maintenance. The detailed documentation included system specifications, user guides, and operational procedures, providing a solid foundation for future support.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science
University of South Africa - Pretoria, South Africa
Diploma in Datametrics: Information Systems
University of South Africa - Pretoria, South Africa
Certifications
Manager of Managers Executive Program
Wits Business School
Agile Fundamentals
PM.Ideas
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Project Management Institute (PMI)
ITIL Foundation Certification
Examination Institute for Information Science
IT Project Management
Rand Afrikaans University
Skills
Tools
Microsoft Project, Jira, Turbo Pascal, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Microsoft Excel, SQL, Atlassian Suite, Trello, Wrike, Office 365, Figma, Excel 365, Financial Data, Microsoft Access, GitHub, Git, Slack, Microsoft Visio, Basecamp, Confluence, Bitbucket, GitLab, Salesforce, Oracle ERP, Miro, Zoom, Asana
Paradigms
PMBOK, Agile Project Management, Agile, Scrum, Requirements Analysis, Change Management, Waterfall Delivery, Implementation Project Management, Agile Leadership, Microservices Architecture, Microservices, Testing, Agile Delivery, Agile Software Development, Kanban, Agile Product Management, PRINCE2, Continuous Deployment, DevOps, Marketplace Platforms, UX Design
Platforms
ProductPlan, Linux, Windows, Zoho CRM, Oracle, SharePoint, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), WordPress, Monday.com
Industry Expertise
Software, Banking & Finance, Healthcare, Sports
Other
Microsoft 365, Software Development, Project Management, IT Project Management, People Management, Program Management, Team Leadership, Business Analysis, Waterfall Methodology, Scrum Master, Discovery, Estimation & Planning, Technical Project Management, Project Delivery, Hybrid Project Management, Certified Project Manager, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Equities, Equity Derivatives, Trading Systems, PMO, APIs, Agile Sprints, Feature Backlog Prioritization, Project Planning, Financial Software, IT Projects, Scrum Coaching, Backlog Grooming, Sprint Planning, Sprint Retrospectives, Analysis, Design, IT Support, Project Reporting, Project Timelines, Stakeholder Management, Release Management, User Stories, Feature Prioritization, Product Roadmaps, Requirements, Dashboards, Databases, Elicitation, Process Improvement, Process Improvement Project Management, Requirements & Specifications, Planning, Project Scoping, Stakeholder Engagement, Time Management, Timelines, Projects, Web App Development, Project Rescue, Integration, Agile DevOps, Budgeting, User Interface (UI), Web Design, Delivery Management, Estimations, Staffing, System Requirements, Technical Requirements, User Requirements, Project Management Professional (PMP), Web Applications, Cost Estimation, IT Operations Management (ITOM), Process Optimization, Investments, Programming, Delphi, Delphi XE, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), Excel VBA, Macros, Excel Macros, MySQL, Project Scheduling, Freelancing, Software Implementation, System Implementation, Agile Program Management, PMO Development, Project Management Office (PMO), Coaching, Command-line Interface (CLI), Project Coordination, Meetings, Status Updates, Data Analysis, Best Practices, Google Apps, Software Project Management, Workflow Tools, Remote Team Leadership, Technical Project Monitoring, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Process Documentation, Executive Presentations, Resource Management, Roadmaps, Reporting, Web & Mobile Applications, Scheduling, Project Tracking, MVP Design, Financials, Data Privacy, System Integration, Process Mapping, Progress Reporting, Reports, Communication, Detail-oriented, Mentorship & Coaching, Trading, Backlog Management, Customer Discovery, Product Discovery, Project Management & Delivery, Proof of Concept (POC), Derivatives, Workflow Automation, Workshop Facilitation, Zoho, Ticketing, Operational Efficiency Improvement, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Migration, Business Requirements, Business Analytics, Acceptance Criteria, Team Management, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Process Flows, Process Design, C, C++, Agile Scaling Frameworks, Agile Coaching, People Development, Enterprise Project Management, Leadership, Strategy, IT Strategy, IT Systems Architecture, Technical Analysis, Systems Analysis, IT Service Management (ITSM), Card Payments, Fintech, Web, Product Management, Project Discovery, Discovery Workshops, Finance, GDPR, Product Strategy, User Experience (UX), Workflow, Business Continuity, Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery (BCDR), Risk Management, Teams, VB, VB.NET, Visual Basic .NET (VB.NET), Web Project Management, Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Frameworks, Lean Startups, New Product Development, FTP, SSH, SFTP, Smartsheet, Product Owner, Website Redesign, Applications, UX Flows, Prototyping, Know Your Customer (KYC), Vendor Selection, Web Platforms, Biometrics, Websites, Identity, Data Migration, Technical Product Management, Strategic Planning & Execution, Mind Mapping, Digital Transformation, Legal Technology (Legaltech), Business Process Automation, Legal, Supply Chain, Zoho Projects, ERP Implementation, Zoho Books, Pitch Decks, RPG, COBOL, Assembly, Network Design, ITIL V3 Foundation Certified, Business, Business Administration, ITIL, Mobile Apps, eCommerce, Basel, Product Vision, Mobile eCommerce, Marketplaces, Product Requirements Documentation (PRD), Startups, Integration Tools, Operational Assessments, .NET, Financial Statements, Financial Systems, Sage, Regex, AS/400, AS400, Product Development, Online Banking, International Finance, International Data Privacy Regulations, Mobile App Development, SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), Lucidchart, Seed Fundraising, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Chatbots, Media, SAP, SAP R/3
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