MURIEL D. WARD
Silver Spring
Summary
Experienced information technology professional with over 25 years of experience in Business Development & Systems Engineering. Proven program and project management skills with specialization in data architecture, cyber-security, and content management. Impressive expertise across private and government verticals. Adept at software development portfolio and packaged software applications implementations. Highly experienced managing full custom software development lifecycle (SDLC) for various simultaneous large-scale projects. Skilled leading full packaged applications implementation lifecycle. Possesses exceptional customer-facing skills and successfully manages expectations at all organizational levels. Astute at managing vendor contracts and relationships. Delivers timely reports on all project phases. Excellent interpersonal, presentation, verbal and written skills.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Systems Engineer / Actions Officer
SAIC
06.2023 - Current
- Coordination and Implementation of various actions within and external to a key agency entity.
- Development, facilitation, and coordination of plans, policies, and procedures to support the organization's mission and objectives.
- Utilization of Project Management skills to establish and standardize processes and best practices for various action types and communicate effectively to members of the Agency Staff.
- Prepare reports and presentations for senior leadership, providing insights and recommendations based on data analysis conducted in Excel and Tableau.
- Facilitation of meetings and training session, formal and informal, to provide insight into utilization of the Action Management application.
- Provision of direct support, as requested, to senior managers and directors with specific tasks and strategic initiatives.
Systems Engineer/Project Manager
LEIDOS
06.2023 - 11.2023
- Supported the IC/CIO with planning and implementing enterprise architecture, systems engineering, and integration practices to enable a secure and interoperable IC Information Portfolio.
- Providing subject matter expertise for detailed planning, design, and implementation guidance to ensure successful adoption of enterprise IT systems throughout the Intelligence Community.
- Providing assessments of policies, plans, and requirements and the recommendation of appropriate responses to address any issues surfaced to ensure comprehensive planning across communities of interest.
- Assisting the government client with developing programmatic goals and objectives, schedules, and reports to high-level government managers.
- Reviewing and assessing IC implementation plans to identify issues early in the plans.
- Developing and reviewing presentation materials to communicate enterprise objectives and goals.
- Maintaining project schedules with significant milestones utilizing JIRA and Confluence to enable accurate tracking along critical paths.
- Facilitating and resolving problems within working groups to ensure completion of goals and objectives and communicating progress to executive management.
- Communicating enterprise goals and objectives to high-level committees and working groups.
- Providing meeting coordination and facilitation support to IC workgroups to identify, address and implement solutions to enterprise issues.
Data Engineer
Readi Systems, Inc.
McLean
03.2023 - 06.2023
- Evaluating, formatting and maintaining data from multiple sources.
- Developing and managing data processing workflows in the customer pipeline.
- Evaluating, extracting and processing system and event logs.
- Identifying, classifying and verifying incoming dataset types.
- Building analytic reports in Kibana and Tableau.
- Designed data pipelines to streamline data processing and integration.
- Collaborated with teams to gather requirements for data solutions.
- Developed ETL processes using industry-standard tools and frameworks.
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends and insights for stakeholders.
- Documented technical specifications and processes for future reference.
- Supported data governance initiatives by ensuring compliance with standards.
- Collaborated with data scientists and analysts to understand data needs and implement appropriate data models and structures.
- Implemented data visualization tools like Tableau and Power BI to create dashboards and reports for business stakeholders.
Project Manager/ Scrum Master
FlexWind
09.2022 - 03.2023
- Supported multiple teams within an Agile environment using Lean and SAFe Agile methodologies.
- Facilitation of agile ceremonies (Sprint Planning/Grooming, Scrums, Retrospectives).
- Confirmation of Requirements and Creation/Prioritization of User Stories.
- Engagement with internal/external stakeholders to address impediments.
- Use of JIRA, Confluence, HIVE (Content Management) and Tableau applications to collect/ develop/analyze data and metrics.
- Documented/Refined existing processes and provided updated process/methods to improve efficiencies within the organization.
Senior Systems Integrator/Business Process Consultant
Peraton
01.2021 - 09.2022
- Served as Executive Coordinator to an Office-Level Director leading initiatives to deliver capabilities to the organization.
- Worked with external vendors to conduct research initiatives and evaluate/select solutions/capabilities for the organization and managing the Capabilities Portfolio.
- Served as the Program Manager and established the framework for an agency-wide Innovation Challenge.
- Analyzed/Documented Business Processes for an agency-wide initiative.
- Led solution design workshops to identify/resolve/confirm technical gaps.
- Analyzed Business Requirements and developed configuration and business process solutions.
- Researched/identified methodologies to automate/replace manual business processes.
- Conducted activity and Business Process Modeling activities.
Principal Systems Engineer/Chief of Staff
SAIC
07.2019 - 01.2021
- As the Chief of Staff to a cohort of 14 Executive Leaders, reviewed existing policies and established a framework and supporting procedures to enable them to engage and provide consolidated deliverables to the Directorate’s Front Office in support of Agency initiatives.
Principal Systems Engineer
Perspecta
02.2018 - 06.2019
- Designed/Revised Enterprise Data Model and Metadata standards.
- Division Representative to the Directorate-Level Corporate Architecture Board.
- Implemented Data Governance Board, Process, and policies within the organization.
- Engaged with Data Stewards to document existing Data Quality Initiatives and establish new procedures to improve data quality.
- Facilitated development teams, utilizing the SAFe methodology, to deliver portfolio capabilities.
Program Manager, SCRUM Master
Cisco Systems, Inc.
03.2017 - 01.2018
- Managed multiple, concurrent projects within the Federal Services Organization, supporting three government agencies.
- Conducted Cost Management activities for all projects.
- Spearheaded Software Customization effort to deliver Cisco’s Prime Services Catalog solution to a key government agency.
- Mentored Team Members on Agile Principles.
- Facilitated Daily SCRUM sessions and interacted with Cisco and customer resources to effectively resolve impediments.
- Conducted Sprint Planning and Sprint Retrospective Sessions.
- Worked with the Product Owner and team to Prioritize User Stories based on Mission Impact, Scope, Schedule, and Risk.
Principal Project Manager, Data Architect
CACI, Incorporated
10.2015 - 03.2017
- Participated in the 2-Day Release Planning Events (RPE) for Significant Government initiative utilizing the Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe) utilizing 10-Week Release Cycles.
- Served as SCRUM Master for the Data Integration component of the above-mentioned effort.
- Designed Enterprise Data Model for organization’s usage of the 7-layer PCAP API.
- Documented User Stories.
- Facilitated Agile Ceremonies: (Daily SCRUM Meetings, Sprint Planning, and Sprint Retrospectives).
- Worked with Product Owners in grooming the Product Backlog.
- Removed impediments identified by the team on a daily basis.
- Participated in Weekly SCRUM of SCRUMs (SOS) with other SCRUM Masters working within the initiative.
PRINCIPAL/ PROJECT MANAGER/ BUSINESS PROCESS CONSULTANT
The Agile PM, LLC
03.2015 - 10.2015
- Provided Project Management, Business Process and Requirements Management, and Implementation and Operational support to a significant Systems Migration Effort that integrated systems and data from multiple organizations for migration to a COTS Product.
- Clearly identified project scope, vision, and stakeholders.
- Documented project scope, goals, and deliverables.
- Effectively communicated project expectations to team members and stakeholders.
- Identified and resolved issues and conflicts.
- Planned / Scheduled project timelines and milestones.
- Tracked project milestones and deliverables.
- Defined project success criteria and disseminate to stakeholders.
- Developed / Delivered progress reports requirements documentation, and presentations.
- Researched / Reviewed/ Analyzed existing processes to determine and document strategies for improvement.
- Defined the financial and accounting requirements of existing systems.
- Conducted interviews with Stakeholders to gather and prioritize user requirements.
- Translated conceptual user requirements into functional requirements.
- Worked with COTS vendor and team members to develop and manage a project plan for conversion, testing and implementation.
- Developed and documented business logic, rules, strategies, and workflow.
- Managed and tracked the status of requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
- Monitored and tracked the completeness and accuracy of conversion and testing.
- Defined testing success criteria and disseminated those criteria to team members.
- Developed User Acceptance Test Cases based on Requirements.
- Conducted User Training Sessions on COTS Application.
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Precision Communications Technologies, LLC
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Spearheaded Agile software development projects from conception to beyond implementation.
- Facilitated Agile ceremonies including sprint planning, backlog development, grooming, retrospectives, and daily SCRUM.
- Developed clear and concise user stories in support of providing training and education to stakeholders.
- Managed project scope and responsibilities, and ensured that project deliverables were met within specified timeframes and budgets.
- Proactively managed potentials risks and issues.
PROJECT MANAGER/ SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Department of Defense
01.2008 - 01.2014
- Analyzed, designed, developed and deployed performance management solutions; managed schedules.
- Determined system requirements, designed and developed relational database structures.
- Conducted data analysis, data quality activities and developed data standards.
- Designed user interface according to system requirement, and developed customized codes.
- Coordinated system and user acceptance testing, and organized application deployment activities in accordance with technology standards.
- Government Contractor
TECHNICAL LEAD-BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Enterprising Solutions Consulting Services, LLC
01.2005 - 01.2008
- Managed 23 full time and contract developers.
- Created governance processes to support agency mission requirements.
- Developed and updated charters, directives, instructions and SOPs as per CIO directives.
- Established and maintained document repository of governance artifacts.
PROJECT MANAGER | DATA ARCHITECT
Duer Advanced Technology & Aerospace, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2005
- Partnered with government contractors in implementing enterprise data architecture framework.
- Facilitated data governance review board, fostering cooperation on data, policy and modeling standards.
- Implemented change management process to document and address issues; created escalation process.
- Created data models using relational data modeling techniques to create data standards.
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
AT&T Government Solutions
01.2003 - 01.2004
- Managed major software development release of information assurance program.
- Completed key project management activities in accordance with PMI and AT&T standards.
- Handled risk management, mentored managers on estimating, metrics, project deliverables, and cost.
PROJECT MANAGER
Keane Federal Systems
01.2001 - 01.2003
- Provided oversight of seven subcontracting firms for Defense Logistics Agency’s Integrated Data Environment effort.
- Performed risk identification, analysis, quality planning, assurance, and measurement.
- Prepared and delivered financial reports, managed multiple proposals and received from multiple agencies.
DATA MODELER
Pro Object
01.2004
- Supported design and development of unified data model for signals intelligence community.
- Identified, collected, and managed data for development of Entity Relationship Diagram (ERD).
Education
Master of Science - Management Information Systems
University of TX
DallasBachelor of Science - Industrial/Systems Engineering
University of TN
KnoxvilleSkills
- Business Development
- Program Management
- Systems Engineering
- Data/Enterprise Governance
- Data/Enterprise Architecture
- Project Scope Management
- Budgets & Cost Control
- Communications Management
- Agile Development Methodologies
- Statements of Work (SOW)
- Standard Operating Procedures (SOP)
- Software Development
- Software Applications Implementation
- Vendor / Contracts Management
- C
- C
- ASPNET/Visual Basic
- JQuery
- AJAX
- XML
- Windows
- UNIX
- Solaris
- IOS
- DODAF
- MBSE
- UML
- AWS
- C2S
- Databricks
- SharePoint
- SharePoint Designer
- JIRA
- Confluence
- Tableau
- Oracle
- MySQL
- DB2
- Cassandra
- Python
- Spark
- Regex
- MS Office
- MS Project
- HIVE
Affiliations
- SCRUM Alliance, Member
- International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), Member
- Project Management Institute (PMI), Member
- The Data Warehousing Institute, Member
- Leadership Montgomery – Class of 2004, Member
Certification
- Certified SQL Developer
- Project Management Professional (PMP)
- Agile Project Management (PMI)
- SAFe Certified Scrum Master (SSM)
- Agile Certified Scrum Master (CSM)
Security Clearance
TS/SCI with Full Scope and Lifestyle Polygraph
Timeline
Principal Systems Engineer / Actions Officer
SAIC
06.2023 - Current
Systems Engineer/Project Manager
LEIDOS
06.2023 - 11.2023
Data Engineer
Readi Systems, Inc.
03.2023 - 06.2023
Project Manager/ Scrum Master
FlexWind
09.2022 - 03.2023
Senior Systems Integrator/Business Process Consultant
Peraton
01.2021 - 09.2022
Principal Systems Engineer/Chief of Staff
SAIC
07.2019 - 01.2021
Principal Systems Engineer
Perspecta
02.2018 - 06.2019
Program Manager, SCRUM Master
Cisco Systems, Inc.
03.2017 - 01.2018
Principal Project Manager, Data Architect
CACI, Incorporated
10.2015 - 03.2017
PRINCIPAL/ PROJECT MANAGER/ BUSINESS PROCESS CONSULTANT
The Agile PM, LLC
03.2015 - 10.2015
SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Precision Communications Technologies, LLC
01.2014 - 01.2015
PROJECT MANAGER/ SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Department of Defense
01.2008 - 01.2014
TECHNICAL LEAD-BUSINESS INTELLIGENCE
Enterprising Solutions Consulting Services, LLC
01.2005 - 01.2008
PROJECT MANAGER | DATA ARCHITECT
Duer Advanced Technology & Aerospace, Inc.
01.2004 - 01.2005
DATA MODELER
Pro Object
01.2004
SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER
AT&T Government Solutions
01.2003 - 01.2004
PROJECT MANAGER
Keane Federal Systems
01.2001 - 01.2003
Master of Science - Management Information Systems
University of TX
Bachelor of Science - Industrial/Systems Engineering
University of TN