
Yajesh Maharaj
Verified Expert in Project Management
Project Manager
Toronto, ON, Canada
Toptal member since March 29, 2022
Yajesh is a seasoned agile project manager with 9+ years of experience in IT and 5+ in project management. He has been leading projects remotely and implementing mobile and web applications, business intelligence, and performance management systems for organizations in the oil and gas, petrochemical, retail, manufacturing, distribution, insurance, and finance industries. Yajesh has an extensive background in successfully implementing projects using Agile, Iterative, Kanban, and Scrum.
Project Highlights
Expertise
- Agile
- Agile Project Management
- Backlog Management
- DevOps
- IT Project Management
- Scrum
- Sprint Ceremonies
- Technical Project Management
Work Experience
Director of Business Intelligence
Intelligent Applications Company Limited
- Implemented organization-wide business intelligence and performance management systems at three major oil and gas companies in Trinidad and Tobago: all the systems were deployed using Azure, Power Apps, and Microsoft Power BI.
- Managed and implemented business intelligence and a performance management system for a large merchant bank in Trinidad and Tobago: the solution was deployed using Microsoft Power BI Report Server and SQL Server on-premise.
- Directed several digital transformation projects for a major upstream operator in Trinidad and Tobago, reducing and removing manual processes for repetitive daily and monthly activities, automating days-weeks into person-hours.
- Led and implemented a digital permit-to-work system. The permit-to-work process was streamlined, improving the request, issuance, and closeout of permits, resulting in time and cost savings.
- Oversaw the implementation of an ordering and scheduling application for a significant petroleum storage and distribution company in Trinidad and Tobago. This application streamlined the ordering and scheduling process for service station dealers.
- Changed the management policy to effectively receive, process, and accept or reject customer change requests on new or ongoing projects, leading to better scope, budget, and customer expectation management.
- Enforced guidelines and processes to conduct requirement-gathering sessions for business intelligence, performance management, and reporting projects.
- Recruited, trained, and mentored a team of data scientists and engineers. The team was designed to work as general specialists and be highly agile and efficient in any scenario.
- Trained and mentored student interns, providing them with working knowledge of data science, data engineering, Agile, and Scrum.
- Led requirements gathering sessions, user stories, backlog creation, and prioritization. Also led sprint planning sessions for a patient management system.
Technical Project Manager
Brightfield Group, LLC
- Designed and implemented project plans and timelines in Asana for custom-brand health dashboard projects, resulting in more transparent, accountable, and delivery-oriented project execution.
- Developed and implemented QA and QC procedures and guidelines, which led to delivering quality products to the customer within specified timelines.
- Assisted the syndicated product team with the technical scoping and project timeline build-out for a new dashboard product. This resulted in a meticulous approach to the project execution from the kick-off and identified issues using QC methods.
- Implemented a structured approach to building out projects in Asana for Market Research and Dashboard projects. This approach was implemented across all custom projects and syndicated product offerings.
Microsoft Azure | Subject Matter Expert
Toptal Client
- Participated with team members on preparation activities for the audit, ensuring we were prepared to answer questions for each business scenario based on the audit checklist.
- Sat on the audit as the Microsoft Azure SME, facilitating and answering questions about implemented solutions, ensuring the auditor was satisfied with the audit checklist item.
- Provided guidance and next-step activities, which led to the modernization of web applications to Azure Advanced Specialization for Toptal.
Project Manager
Intelligent Applications Company Limited
- Implemented a stage-gate approach to various software and business intelligence projects, significantly improving the transition between development lifecycle phases and decreasing misalignment and misunderstandings.
- Added communication plans to all active projects, decreasing communication gaps and enhancing customer relationships.
- Introduced and provided training and guidance on Agile methodologies, such as Scrum and Kanban, which significantly improved customer turnaround time on development cycles and the working code versions.
- Presented and implemented project management tools, such as Redmine, Azure DevOps, and Trello, significantly increasing the management efficiency of project requirements and backlogs.
- Implemented process guidelines for development teams when setting up deployment environments and releasing software or software updates. This led to reduced effort for code releases, minimal merge issues, and an overall smooth code release process.
- Managed and implemented a progress tracking application for Trinidad and Tobago's largest hydrocarbon producer. The launch of this application provided real-time updates of work occurring on off-shore platforms.
- Led the development and implementation of reporting solutions for manufacturing, retail, and distribution companies. These solutions provided operations dashboards to the management and automated manual reports.
- Maintained and enhanced an insurance application that was previously developed and implemented. This continuous process sought to improve and implement new features in the application and resolve any issues or bugs.
- Handled the development and implementation of websites for companies across different sectors. Deployed the solutions to cloud-hosting platforms and developed the websites using DNN, WordPress, and progressive web application (PWA) frameworks.
- Oversaw the company's rebranding on time and within budget. I was tasked with developing the budget, sourcing vendors, requesting proposals from vendors, coordinating all rebranding events, and launching the new brand.
Software Developer | Business Analyst
Intelligent Applications Company Limited
- Developed an account payable system that managed vendors, invoices, payments, and aging reports, automating manual processes and reducing manual data entry and report creation.
- Implemented quality assurance and quality control steps in the software development and review processes, ensuring that the code presented or demonstrated to customers functioned as expected and intended.
- Built a data management processor for a research agency which allowed them to upload excel files with survey data and receive results with validation checks, aggregation, and comparison against their survey targets, enabling proactive planning.
Application Support Specialist
TRINRE Insurance
- Managed a successful cut-over from PeachTree to Microsoft Dynamics and supported the application in the initial go-live phase to ensure success.
- Implemented processes and policies specific to the organization to rescue errors with the processing of invoices and payments, reducing delays with checks and month-end reconciliation efforts.
- Presented a proposal for a help desk system that was approved and then led to the successful implementation of the system in the organization.
Technical Support Officer
TRINRE Insurance
- Ensured that all user support requests were received and resolved in a timely manner based on priority.
- Maintained the backup process for all systems by performing daily, weekly, and monthly backups, digitally and physically, to ensure all systems had roll-back points.
- Performed maintenance and backup activities on all user accounts to facilitate the migration activities to Microsoft Exchange, leading to a successful transition and archived access to historical emails.
Technical Support Officer and Consultant
Kerwin Garcia Law Office
- Provided network support and system administration to users, ensuring 99% system up-time and management and resolution of user issues in a timely manner based on priority.
- Performed repairs and restoration on the computer and server infrastructure on routine maintenance activity schedules.
- Maintained the backup process for all systems by performing daily, weekly, and monthly backups, digitally and physically, to ensure all systems had roll-back points.
Technical Support Officer & Consultant
GCM Air & Maritime Customs Brokerage
- Provided network support and system administration to users, ensuring 99% system up-time and management and resolution of user issues in a timely manner based on priority.
- Designed and provided guidelines for a new server room infrastructure to resolve overheating issues. Implementing these guidelines ensured system up-time at 100%, and there were no further occurrences of server shutdowns due to overheating.
- Repaired and restored the computer and server infrastructure on routine maintenance activity schedules.
Network Auditor and Consultant
Fitzwilliam Stone
- Conducted infrastructure, network analysis, and auditing activities and provided formal documentation on each area.
- Developed a digital network map of the entire building, including three levels, more than ten offices, and open floor space cubicle areas.
- Built a digital hardware map of the whole building, including three levels, more than ten offices, and open floor space cubicle areas.
Project History
Permit to Work Digitization: Transforming a Manual Paper-based Process into a Digitized Workflow
Managed the implementation and delivery of a digital permit-to-work system to live usage in record time, enabling the organization to save thousands of hours during plant maintenance shutdown events.
The digitized permit-to-work system led to faster issuance of work permits, faster close out of work permits, reduced delays between approvals, and streamlined the process while adhering to all risk control manuals in place by the organization. The overall effect of this application gives continued time and cost savings to the customer every day.
One of the major focus points during the application development was keeping the design as straightforward as possible so that any user could log in to the application and immediately see items that require their attention urgently. This was implemented through a series of prototyping events where a dashboard with several tabs for different use cases was designed, requiring the user to click only once before getting to a necessary item for attention.
I owned the project manager and scrum master role on the project. The following were practiced:
Artifacts
• Product and sprint backlog
• Increments
Ceremonies
• Backlog grooming
• Sprint planning
• Sprint review
• Product review
• Sprint retrospective
• Daily scrum or stand-up
Business Intelligence and Performance Management System – Oil and Gas Sector
Implemented a business intelligence and performance management system in 10+ departments, automating 100% of their daily, weekly, and monthly reporting, via digital data capture solutions, data warehouse, and automated reports in Power BI.
I was in charge of creating the team that would implement the solution. The team comprised of six persons developed data capture solutions, databases, data models, ETL procedures, and dashboards.
The solution was implemented using Microsoft Power Apps, Power Platform, Azure SQL, Data Factory, Analysis Services, and Power BI.
I acted as the scrum master in this project, ensuring iterations were successful, the team was not blocked, and refining the backlog with the product owner. I practiced Scrum ceremonies and events to keep the project on track and provide value to the customer at the end of each iteration.
Progress Tracking Application: Transforming a Time-consuming Process into a Digitized Workflow
Managed the implementation of a progress-tracking application used in plant and platform shutdown events, which saved thousands of hours in repetitive tasks and allowed planners to address any delays in real-time.
The application was implemented using Scrum. I was the project manager and scrum master, responsible for managing successful iteration outcomes, ensuring the development team was not blocked, and working with the product owner to refine the backlog.
The project was managed by practicing scrum events and ceremonies, which led to a quick turnaround of working versions of software, and high customer satisfaction.
I was also accountable for releasing the application plan for the first go-live usage event and subsequent updates while the application was in production.
The application, once launched, provided game-changing benefits to the planning and management teams—giving real-time insight into operations and saving time and money.
Business Intelligence and Performance Management System – Banking Sector
Designed and managed the implementation of a merchant bank's business intelligence and performance management system, automating 90% of the management and board reports.
I managed the requirements gathering, development, and iterative process, facilitating feedback and updates to the reports until acceptance.
The system was implemented using Microsoft Power BI Report Server and MS SQL Server. ETLs were developed using SSIS to take data from the source system and model it into a star schema for the data warehouse.
Education
Bachelor's Degree in Computing and Information Systems
University of London - London, United Kingdom
Certifications
PMP Certification Training
SBCS Global Learning Institute
Hydroponics II - Advanced Level - Build, Market, Problem Solve, and Critical Thinking
University of the West Indies
Hydroponics I - Construction, Operation and Management
University of the West Indies
DAT207x: Analyzing and Visualizing Data with Power BI
Microsoft
Skills
Tools
Asana, Atlassian Suite, SQL, Redmine, Trello, Jira, Microsoft Project, Microsoft Power BI, Microsoft Dynamics, Google Analytics, HubSpot, ETL, Project Management & Work Tracking Tools, Microsoft Excel, GitHub, Slack, Figma
Paradigms
Agile, Scrum, DevOps, Agile Project Management, Database Design, Object-oriented Programming (OOP), Azure DevOps, Kanban, Agile Software Development, Servant Leadership, Agile Leadership, Responsive Web Design (RWD), Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Agile Delivery, Requirements Analysis, Organizational Change Management (OCM), Change Management, Agile Product Management, Implementation Project Management, Agile Workflow, Waterfall Delivery, Waterfall Development, Management, Testing
Platforms
Azure, Windows Server, WordPress, DotNetNuke (DNN), Firebase
Industry Expertise
Insurance, Agriculture, Technology, Health
Other
IT Project Management, Technical Project Management, Backlog Management, Sprint Ceremonies, Project Discovery, Cloud, Software Engineering, Software Development, Relational Database Design, Information Systems, eCommerce, Web Technologies, Neural Networks, Graphic Design, Leadership, Coaching, Team Mentoring, IT Systems Architecture, Business Intelligence (BI), Business Intelligence (BI) Platforms, Performance Management, Waterfall Methodology, IT Projects, Project Management, Software Release Management, Software Project Management, Web Development, Android Development, Data Warehousing, Content Management Systems (CMS), C#, C#.NET, VB, VB.NET, Product Management, Mentorship, Scrum Master, Software Development Management, Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC), Finance, Accounting, Infrastructure, IT Helpdesk, IT Support, IT Administration, Technical Support, IT Networking, Networking, Data Science, Data Analysis, Data Modeling, DAX, Data Warehouse Design, Dashboard Design, Dashboard Development, ETL Testing, ETL Development, T24, Project Planning, Project Coordination, Facilitation, Training Workshops, Workshop Facilitation, Discovery Workshops, Feature Backlog Prioritization, Planning, Sprint Planning, Budgeting, HTML, HTML5, CSS, Bootstrap, Responsive Web Apps, Program Management, IT Program Management, Technical Program Management, Web, Progressive Web Applications (PWAs), Blazor, SignalR, JSON, Estimation & Planning, People Management, People Development, Project Estimation, User Stories, User Requirements, Minimum Viable Product (MVP), Project Timelines, Staffing, Business Requirements, Business Reporting, Healthcare IT, Communication Management, Migration, Data Migration, Cloud Migration, Migration Planning, Status Updates, Risk Management, Stakeholder Management, Agile Program Management, Client Delivery Management, Functional Specifications, Requirements & Specifications, Web & Mobile Applications, Mobile Apps, Functional Requirements, Release Management, Quality Control (QC), Quality Assurance (QA), Surveys, Survey Programming, Change Leadership, Organizational Design, Organizational Development, Digital Transformation, Digital Transformation Program Management, Business Transformation, Technical Business Analysis, Reporting, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Communication, Dashboards, Website Migration, Project Delivery, Rebranding, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Discovery Management, Data Visualization, Relational Databases, Cloud Architecture, Estimations, Data Management, Data Analytics, MVP Design, Prototyping, User Experience (UX), Product Owner, Project Scoping, Technical Requirements, Project Leadership, Product Development, Product Strategy, Project Reporting, Product Vision, Web Applications, Cross-functional Team Leadership, Time Management, Websites, Detail-oriented, Digital Project Management, Product Discovery, Discovery, Agile Coaching, Agile Practices, Best Practices, Business Analysis, Process Improvement Project Management, Tracking, Sprint Retrospectives, Sprints, Forecasting, APIs, Management Consulting, IT Management, Consumer Applications, Audits, IT Audits, Governance, IT Governance, Policy, Project Scheduling, Distributed Team Management, Marketplaces, Business Process Modeling, Backlog Grooming, Stakeholder Engagement, Web Project Management, Cost Estimation, System Implementation, Software Implementation, Advisory, Process Flows, Agile Product Delivery, Demo Designs, RFPs, RFQs, ITTs, Responses, Proposals & Quotes, Sales, Tech Sales, Client Presentations, Client Services, Customer Success, Process Design, Cross-functional Collaboration, Big Data, Complex Program Management, Feedback Review, Presentations, User Feedback, Project Tracking, Critical Path Analysis, Critical Thinking, Agile DevOps, Fintech, Process Improvement, Team Management, Data Management Platforms, Meetings, Data Cleansing, Data Cleaning, Data Quality, Reconciliation, Product Ownership, Cross-departmental Collaboration, GAP Analysis, Marketing Strategy, Search Engine Marketing (SEM), SEO Tools, Optimization, Website Audits, Website Redesign, Machine Learning, Product Roadmaps, Agile Transformation, Consulting, Project Management Operations, Vendor Management, Documentation, Requirements, Marketing Research & Analysis, Cost Analysis, Databases, Vendor Selection, Workflow, Training, QA Testing, Implementation, Operational Efficiency Improvement, Notion, Project Budget Management, Project Rescue, Risk Analysis, Scope Management, Mobile Applications, Mobile App Development, Data Products, Operations, Workflow Tools, Business Transformation Program Management, Business Transformation Project Management, Process Optimization, Process Development, Product Launch, Remote Team Leadership, Development, Agile Sprints, Technical Project Monitoring, Team Leadership, Process Documentation, Resource Management, Roadmaps, Web Development Strategy, Branding, Pitch Decks, User Research
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