Nishat Ahmed

Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - Name: A.K. Nishat Ahmed Title: Senior Project Manager / Agile Project Manager/ Senior Delivery Manager/ Scrum Master / Product Manager/ Business IT Partner/ Pre-Sales Manager/ IT Account Manager/ Head of PMO Domains: Airline/Aviation/MRO, Telecom (OSS/BSS), Oil & Gas, Defense, eGovernment, Call Center and BPO, Education & Training, Financial Advisory and Banking. Nationality: Indian Languages: English, Urdu, Hindi, Tamil Current location: Dubai, U.A.E Availability: 1 month Preferred Location: Middle East Profile Summary Highly result-driven IT professional with over 24+ years of experience in the information technology industry, which includes 17 plus years as a project manager delivering Strategic, informational, transactional and Digital Transformation projects. A practitioner who is well versed in all aspects of service delivery management, project planning, project cost accounting, project risk management, project quality management and people management, and leadership skills to communicate at all levels. Responsible to manages all aspects of the project lifecycle, and working with team members to oversee all phases of project completion (using hybrid methodologies, Agile/Scrum and SDLC depending on the type of the project; Agile for Mobile apps development and Waterfall for Enterprise Solutions). Currently, Working with Serco ME as Senior IT Project Manager(Contract). Prior to this position, as a Senior Manager Projects with Ministry of Education, Dubai as a Senior Manager Projects reporting to the Director of Digitization department. Prior to this position, as a Senior Manager Projects with Etihad Airways – Technology and Innovation specialized in managing portfolio for Airline Operated Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) related business domain, building sustainable Business-IT relationship management, establishing a need for a system through a business case, ensure the right solution is selected and implemented through corporate PMO and T&I delivery framework, conduct post-implementation ROI and conduct service level reviews with the business executive management team as per the agreed SLA. Has experience in setting up Project Management Office (PMO) to manage all aspects of long-haul project document management and procedures (DCA, AWQAF & Mil498 STD) compliance to collaborate with the customers, the consultants, the suppliers, the vendors and the project teams. Highly process and domain oriented enterprise leader with the ability to build long-term strategic plans and information technology landscape for a line of business (MRO, EAM, Airline(Flight Ops). Believes in continuous learning and keeps abreast with emerging technologies such as big data, cloud computing, geo-context based services (indoor GPS tracking for malls and airports), new online business models, Industrial Internet and so on, And has the ability to apply the latest and greatest technology to the business needs, and to develop a Business-IT adaptation roadmap. Has a deep understanding of Blockchain (Certification: Blockchain Essentials was issued by IBM), Corda, IOT, Big-Data, open source ERP, open source BPM, WMS (Barcode/RFID), open source ECM, AI/ML, GEN AI. Has recently completed Scrum Master fundamental Certification, Product Management, Google - Agile Project Management and PMI-ACP training. Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - Key Skills Key Skills: Digital Transformation, Project Management (PMP Certified), Agile Project Management (SCRUM),Product Management, Portfolio Management, Business Analysis, Business Process Modelling (Using BPMN for modelling Airline MRO operations, Flight Operations, Service Delivery domains), MS – EPM , HP-Openview, Jira, ScrumDesk, Enterprise Solution Architect (TOGAF, Zachman), Technical Pre-Sales and Quality Consultant (CMMI, ISO & Six Sigma). Job Objectives • Engage business managers to develop & conduct annual budget review as per the IT strategy plan to ensure BusinessIT alignment. • Project Manage strategic IT initiatives from feasibility study phase to production go live. • Conduct cost and benefits analysis and recommend IT investment initiatives with highest ROI to the Executive Project Review Board (PRB) to decide group priority and arrive at CAPEX budget. • Hands-on experience in implementing large acquisition and development projects. • Keeping abreast with the latest Information Technology & Standards in the Airlines/Airport Operations Industry domains. • Contribute to organization-level knowledge management system & quality assurance (CMMI) Process Improvements. Qualifications 2005 PMI, USA, PMP Certification 2024 Generative AI for Everyone, DeepLearning.AI 2024 AI Strategy and Governance, University of Pennsylvania 2023 Building Your Leadership Skills - HEC Paris 2023 Retail Digital Supply Chain - Wharton, University of Pennsylvania 2023 Retail Marketing Strategy- Wharton, University of Pennsylvania 2023 Supervised Machine Learning: Regression and Classification – Standford Online 2023 Introduction to Big Data - University of California San Diego 2023 Web3 and Blockchain Transformations in Global Supply Chains, INSEAD 2023 Data-driven Decision Making – PWC 2023 Agile Project Management – Google 2023 Foundations of Cybersecurity – Google 2023 Digital Product Management - University of Virginia Darden School of Business 2022 Scrum Fundamental Certified – ScrumStudy 2019 PMI-ACP, Agile Certified Practitioner Training – Boston Management Consulting 2019 Digital Transformations, University of Virginia Darden School of Business 2019 Certification in Blockchain Essentials was issued by IBM Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - 2017 Blockchain Technology and its Application to Aviation Industry 2016 Program Management – ILX Group, UK (Etihad’s Training Partners) 2013 Certified Agile Project Management- SCRUM, Conscires 1997 University of Madras Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics & Statistics 1995 APTECH Honors Diploma in Information & System Management NCC, U.K. 1994 Diploma in Computer Programming & Application Technical Skills • • • Project Management : MS-Project, Primavera-Teamplay, iplan, Agile PM-SCRUM,EPM, iceflo, Jira, ScrumDesk Development Platforms: Sharepoint, ASP.net, J2EE, VB Dot Net, VB6 Mainframe CICS-COBAL, Assembler, Oracle 6i, DB2, MS-SQL, FoxBASE, FoxPro, Clipper. ERP Platforms: Ultramain, Oracle CMRO, Oracle OTA, SAP (MRO), Compiere Open Source ERP, Open WMS, CRM(IVR),Open Service Desk • Enterprise Mobility: Native, Cross-platform and responsive web mobile applications for iPad, Android and iPhone • ECM Platforms: • • • • BPM Platforms: Intalio, Bonitasoft BPM(BPMN), Activiti BPM, Microsoft Dynamic, EAI/ESB/B2B Platform: Tibco, Drools, jRules,BizTalk,Aeroxchange(eCommerce) Portfolio Management: EAI(Tool under evaluation) Quality Management System/Standards: ISO, Six Sigma, CMMi, Mil-498 STD, SPEC2000(EDI),COBIT • Data Center Knowledge: ITIL V3, Network Architecture, LAN/WAN Management, Help Desk Management, IT Security Certifications and Management, Application Portfolio Management, IT Asset Management, SITA Outstation(Vendor Management) SharePoint (Cabin crew portal), Nuexo (Open Source). Career History Sep ’23 – Present Serco ME Senior IT Project Manager (Fixed Contract) Lead the swift implementation of IBM Maximo & Tririga, integral to the Australian Defence Force's Middle East base operations, achieving optimization in just six months. Orchestrated a seamless transition in the MELABS ICT program, coordinating a cross-functional team spanning Enterprise Architects, Business Analysts, and Infrastructure in India, leveraging Azure Cloud and OpenShift. . These initiatives spotlight my adept management skills in steering impactful IT programs for transformative organizational benefits. Key stakeholders included MELABS Base Operations, Finance, and Soft Services. Maximo, a key Enterprise Asset Management tool, facilitated enhanced operational efficiency, cost reduction, and heightened workforce productivity Projects: Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - • MELABS 3 – IBM Maximo Implementation • MELABS 3 – Tririga • MELABS3 – Nationality Counting System (RFID) Nov ’22 – Aug ‘23 MH Alshaya Group (MHA) Senior IT Project Manager – Digital Business Responsible for delivery of Time to market retail products to enable 80+ Alshaya brands, Lead a team of project managers to enable IBM Sterling Order Management system features in line with Project Management Office guidelines. Responsible to manage all internal and external stakeholders. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed-upon time, cost, and quality parameters and in compliance with the governance framework. Responsible for conducting risk assessment during all phases. Responsible for conducting regular stakeholder analysis and maintaining the stakeholder matrix. Responsible for defining the work streams and project plan on the page as a project management framework and RTL environment guidelines. Projects: • OMS Feature Sprints • Backorder enablement project Jan ’21 – Oct ‘22 Emirates Schools Establishment (ESE) Senior IT Project Manager/PMO Lead – Digital Business Responsible for delivery of Digital Transformation projects and to lead team of project manager to execute the Transformation IT Strategy in line with Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry guidelines. Responsible to manage all internal and external stakeholder’s communications. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters and in compliance with governance framework. Responsible for conducting risk assessment during all phases. Responsible for conducting regular stakeholder analysis and maintaining the stakeholder matrix. Responsible for defining the work streams and project WBS as project management framework. Responsible for PMO setup and continually improving based on dynamic business needs, ensure project health, compliance and benefit realisation. Projects: • Time & Attendance System • New PMO & EPM Tool Setup • IVANTI SM Implementation • ESE Website 1.0 and eService rebranding • Cloud Assessment (AWS, Azure) • CCTV with AI for HQ & Schools(POC) Jun’19 – Dec’ 21 Ministry of Education (MOE) Senior Project Manager/PMO Lead – Digital Transformation Responsible for delivery of Digital Transformation projects and to lead team of project manager to execute the Transformation IT Strategy in line with Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry guidelines. Responsible to manage all internal and external stakeholders. Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters and in compliance with governance framework. Responsible for conducting risk assessment during all phases. Responsible for conducting regular stakeholder analysis and maintaining the stakeholder matrix. Responsible for defining the work streams and project WBS as project management framework. Responsible for PMO setup and continually improving based on dynamic business needs, ensured project health, compliance and benefits realization. Projects: • MOE Mobile Application - Digitization • PMO Setup and EPM Configuration & BI Dashboard (Health of Projects) • Global Seven Star Rating – System • Distance Learning – Remote Class Room (During COVID Pandemic) • eAssessment with Remote Proctoring (During COVID Pandemic) • Integration Services with FedralFinance, Payroll, Happiness Meter, UAE Pass • Integration with e-Dirham payment gateways May’18 – May’19 FAB (First Abu Dhabi Bank) Project Manager – Data Migration Infrastructure Responsible for Data Migration readiness for complete banking system portfolio, manage technical dependencies and prerequisites for each of the cluster applications. Manage E2E provisioning of each of the environment for the staged data migration. Responsible to manage all internal and external stakeholders. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed-upon time, cost, and quality parameters and in compliance with the governance framework. Responsible for conducting risk assessment during all phases. Responsible for conducting regular stakeholder analysis and maintaining the stakeholder matrix. Responsible for defining the work streams and project WBS as a project management framework. Responsible for planning and tracking IT cutover tasks during 3 days in ICEFLO. Projects: • NBAD and FGB(Merger) Integration IT Project for FAB Jul’15 – Apr’18 Etihad Airways Manager Projects Responsible for complete the due diligence to rationalise the two M&E IT systems in the landscape after the ADAT acquisition. Responsible for overall delivery of AMOS an integrated Maintenance Repair and Overhaul solution for Etihad Airways CAMO and MRO. Responsible to engage a matrix teams from cMRO BA, Enterprise Architecture, IT Operations, IT Testing, IT Service transition, Data Migration IT partners and AMOS super users to customise/configure the solution to comply with EY Enterprise standards. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters and in compliance with T&I governance framework. Responsible for conducting corporate Risk Assessment for Engineering Business during the due diligence phase. Responsible for conducting stakeholder analysis and maintaining the stakeholder matrix. Responsible for defining the work streams and project WBS as per Swiss-AS project management framework. Responsible to engage Corporate Procurement team to initiate Managed IT services for resources, CARs and RFS Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - Projects: • AMOS Implementation Programme for MRO and legacy fleet migration • Legacy data migration • Integration with ERP and critical Operational System. • Technical Training Management System • Sharepoint Implementation for Engineering ECM Jan’15 – Jul’15 Etihad Airways Manager Projects Responsible for completing the due diligence for ADAT IT infrastructure transition to Etihad Data centre as per the EY Enterprise IT Standards. Responsible to lead a team of Business Analysts and Solution architects to model the ADAT As-Is IT landscape in the Enterprise Architect tool as per TOGAF standards. Responsible for preparing the Business Case, RFP and contracts for outsourcing this infrastructure project. Responsible for leading a team of BAs for completing the due diligence and selection of Sabre Aircentre for Line maintenance resource management system to manage the current manual shift rostering and aircraft allocation processes. Responsible for engaging Sabre Inc to customise the solution for Etihad Airways Engineering. Responsible for engaging IT Partners for development of HR, Time & Attendance, Flight Information and Maintenance event interfaces. Projects: • EIS- Engineering Resource Management • ADAT-IT Transition Project (Infrastructure) Apr’14 – Dec’14 Etihad Airways IT Project Manager - MRO Responsible for overall delivery of AMOS an integrated Maintenance Repair and Overhaul solution for Etihad Technical to manage the introduction of e-enabled fleet of aircraft as part of Entry into Service (EIS) program. Responsible to engage a matrix teams from Enterprise Architecture, IT Operations, IT Testing, IT Service transition, partners and AMOS super users to configure the solution to comply with EY Enterprise standards. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters. Responsible to Initiate a proof of technology for remote Citrix based printing access for third-party line stations that resulted in revisiting the deployment design, which resulted in a 60% infrastructure cost saving. Projects: • EIS - AMOS Implementation Programme for A380 & B787 July’13 – Mar’14 Etisalat Senior IT Project Manager - PLC Responsible for managing the delivery of Product Life Cycle(PLC) type projects that involve major enhancement to Customer Billing and Customer Management(CBCM) system. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters. Responsible to proactively manages and mitigates issues and risks. Manages organizational resources efficiently - time, people and budget. Projects: • Business Tablet with data plan for Enterprises • Part Time Offers for Etisalat PTE Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - • New Residential IDD plan for fixed line consumer Nov’12 – Jun’ 13 TAVAS Consulting, Senior IT Project Manager Responsible for developing and managing the Enterprise Solutions customer accounts. Responsible to organize sprint planning, facilitate the sprint review and daily offshore team meetings. Identifies key project stakeholders, including vendors, and managing those relationships in support of a comprehensive approach to each project. On the success of the team's process, support the Product Owner, and communicate status and issues to Stakeholders. Engage creative media partners (vendors) for mobile application design, hardware vendors (Motorola, RFID, Epson, Zebra, etc) and responsible to conduct periodic vendor reviews. Responsible to manage scope to ensure commitments are achieved within agreed upon time, cost, and quality parameters. Responsible to proactively manages and mitigates issues and risks. Manages organizational resources efficiently - time, people and budget. Projects: • Enterprise IT Mobility Strategy and Solution for Fujairah Free zone • Enterprise Solutions and Airlines IT Operations Systems for CERT, Abu Dhabi Aug’07 – Nov’12 Emirates Airlines IT, Dubai IT Project Manager Responsible to identify, develop and manage the information technology project portfolio for aircraft maintenance and flight operations line of business. Managed and assisted the MIT to deliver up to 15 projects with an annual budget of approx. USD 5 million. Responsible to organise and conduct monthly service level reviews for both CAPEX and OPEX projects with business executive team as per ITIL service processes. Responsible to develop business cases for new initiatives for approval by the corporate project review board. To collaborate with business managers for developing a strategic vision for aircraft maintenance information services in terms of emerging technology and customer demand. Engage the enterprise architect team for accessing the application and infrastructure impact chart (magic quadrant) and to develop a roadmap accordingly. Responsible to work closely with internal customers such as Engineering, Flight Operations and Service Delivery, phase. To establish business case for a project, agree the same with Project Review Board(PRB), involve P&L team during sourcing and contract sign-off phase, identify and hire right resources, agree project scope, prepare project management plan, review major risks with steering board, organize requirement workshops, review UML models and user requirement specification, engage test manager for test plan, agree solution design with enterprise architect and solution architecture approval group, initiate configuration or construction phase, agree security requirements with group security team, initiate integration testing, initiate system testing and ensure user acceptance as per acceptance criteria, manage change request during the project life-cycle, organize end-user training, agree promotion date with production team, ensure post-go-live handover to support team is smooth, release all pending vendor payments and ensure formal project closure. Manage the delivery of strategic enterprise projects such as resource management system for line maintenance, electronic technical logbook for flight operations and line maintenance and engine maintenance repair operations system for power plant department. Liaise with information technology departments to manage continues operations of aircraft maintenance line of business applications and systems. Maintain a workable relationship with vendors during all phases of the project. Projects: • MIS for Flight Operations • Operational DSS for Flight Ops & Engineering Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - • SME for Flight Crew Management System • Aircraft Spares Warehouse Management • Hub Matrix Project(DSS for Engineering Ops) • Spares Inventory Forecasting System • SME for Flight Crew Training Management • Safety Data Management (Engineering) • Line Maintenance IT Infrastructure • Production Planning & Scheduling System • Aircraft Technical Logbook • Time & Attendance System(ALTARS) • Resource Management System(Operation) • Engine MRO • Aircraft MRO System(Ultramain) Nov’06 – Aug’07 Emirates Computers, Dubai IT Project Manager Responsible to develop and manage the project management office for large turnkey solution integration projects for Dubai government. Managed a programme of up to 3 projects with an annual budget of approx. AED 55 million. Responsible to draft and implement an adaptive project management office policy to comply with the government regulation. Periodically attend steering and working group meetings to evaluate the project risks and to communicate the impact to the stakeholders. Responsible to manage SDLC project phases, agree project plan and schedule with the consultant and the working committee, monitor and control change management process, maintain risk and issue register, conduct team performance reviews, conduct vendor performance reviews, participate in customer site surveys, ensure customer billing and vendor invoice are released on time, escalate unresolved issues and scope creep to steering committee, ensure periodic dissemination of project progress report to all stakeholders. Conduct weekly progress meetings with the project team to understand and address project issues and concerns. Assist the sales and marketing team to develop technical and project management professional services proposals. Projects: • AWQF LAN/WAN, Data Centre Setup&Portal • Dubai Terminal 3 – LAN & WAN Aug’04 – Nov’06 • Dubai Municipality – eService Portal Mercator, Dubai IT Project Manager Responsible for management of business analyst team for flight operations and service delivery line of business to organise requirement elicitation workshops for cabin crew portal and management system (paradise), cabin crew training management system and flight crew training management system. Responsible to draft quality management system for the information technology department and conducted road shows for its adaptation. Responsible to manage all aspects of project phases based on the quality management system, work in close proximity with customer to receive quick feedback and to take corrective action, organize requirement workshops, review UML models and user requirement specification, conduct weekly vendor progress review, engage technical lead to develop solution design, engage UI team to develop interactive and easy to learn user experience and ensure corporate standards are strictly adhered, engage capacity team to agree and block hardware infrastructure resource, engage database team for ER design approval and interface data field mappings, engage tools team for licences for production and development environment, ensure monthly timesheets and customer recharges are accurate, disseminate periodic project status reports, conduct weekly progress meetings with the project team to understand and address project issues and concerns, manage change requests and maintain risk and issue register. Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - Projects: • Flight Crew Training Management • Flight Crew Evaluation(Eligibility & Suitability) • Cabin Crew Management System(Paradise) • MIS for Flight Ops & Service Delivery (BO) • Cabin Crew Training Management • Crew Training Rostering(CRS Optimizer) Nov’97 – Aug’04 Birlasoft Ltd, India IT Project Manager Responsible to setup new Global Development Centre (GDC) in Hyderabad for GE-CIS account and overall in charge for projects delivery. Generated annual revenue of Rs.3 crores and managed a team size of 35 FTE. Conduct requirement elicitation workshops for various call centre and business process outsourcing processes, manage design, construction and deployed of the products, and to ensure that all deliverables from Hyderabad team are fully in complies with the corporate QMS (CMMi 5) and Six Sigma processes. Responsible to manage the delivery of software products and services, engage customer and on-site teams to understand business requirements, prepare and baseline project management plan, involve teams to estimate software size and duration, manage project constraints, monitor & control based on project matrices, regularly update project schedule, risk and issue ratings, engage HR to conduct half yearly team performance reviews, disseminate project progress report to all stakeholders, conduct weekly progress meetings with the project team to understand and address project issues and concerns, work with black-belts to carry out six sigma green belt projects to improve overall development life-cycle and coach team members on software estimation technics such as FPA,project management and quality management process. Assisted the QA Team achieve and rollout CMM, CMM-I, ISO and Six Sigma processes Projects: • Intelligence Knowledge Portal & Data Centre Setup (MI Directorate, Indian Army) • Enterprise Solution for BPO & Call Centres Weapons Procurement System (WE Directorate, Indian Army) • • SA47 & SA39 Y2K(Saudi Armco) • Association Management(TMAR,USA) • Remount & Veterinary Operations System(RV Directorate, Indian Army) • Travel Agent Accounting System • Y2k Fix for Applied Materials Sep’95 – Jun’97 Singhi & Co, India IT Systems Analyst Responsible to conduct requirement elicitation workshops with charted accountants to design, develop and deploy financial accounting package, inventory control and shareholder management systems for Meenakshi India, a leading manufacturers, exporters and retailers of fashion apparels. Responsible to coach new members of the organisation in the product features and best practices. Projects: • Financial Accounting System(AP/AR/GL/TB/PL) • Inventory Control & Warehouse System • Payroll Processing • MIS Dashboards Corporate Training and Courses: • • • Corporate Leadership Development Certification, Emirates Group,2007-12 Corporate Training ITIL V3, Emirates Group,2009 Corporate Training on Business Requirement Analysis, Emirates Group,2008 Page 8 of 8 Senior IT Project / Program / PMO / Portfolio Manager Email:-Mobile: - • • • • • • • Corporate Project Size Estimation Using FPA, QAI, India, 2001 Corporate Training on PM Methodologies, Primavera-Teamplay and MS Project, 2000 Corporate Training on Rational Unified Process(RUP) & Rose, Rational Training,2000 Corporate Training on OOAD & P & UML, NIIT, 1999 Corporate Training on Microsoft Certified & Oracle Certified Course, NIIT, 1999 Training on Mainframe Technologies, DSRC, 1996-97 Agile Project Management- SCRUM, Conscires, 2013 Page 8 of 8