Pranesh Gopalakrishna

Results-driven Project Management Specialist with 24 years of experience in IT and project management. Proven ability to oversee projects from inception to completion, coordinating cross-functional teams to streamline processes and enhance efficiency. Recognized for consistently delivering projects on time and within budget while maintaining high-quality standards. Committed to leveraging innovative solutions to address complex challenges and improve operational workflows.

• Avaya certified specialist (ACS) in IP telephony Implement.
• Avaya certified associate (ACA) in IP telephony Implement/maintenance.
• ITIL V4 Certification
• Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
• AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner

Project management skills

• Project Planning and Scheduling: Have the ability to create detailed project plans, define scope, set timelines, allocate resources, and ensure adherence to schedules using tools like Microsoft Project or Smartsheet
• Risk Management: Identifying potential risks, creating mitigation strategies, and handling unforeseen project issues effectively
• Budget Management: Managing project budgets, estimating costs, controlling expenditure, and ensuring projects are delivered within budget
• Scope Management: Defining project deliverables, managing changes to scope, and ensuring that the project stays on track
• Agile and Scrum methodologies: Experience working with Agile, Scrum, or other project management frameworks for iterative development, particularly in software or digital transformation projects

 Technical skills

• Understanding of IT Systems and Architecture: A solid grasp of enterprise systems, cloud technologies, networking, databases, and enterprise application development is crucial to ensure effective communication with technical teams
• Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC): Familiarity with all stages of the software development lifecycle, including requirements gathering, design, development, testing, deployment, and maintenance
• Cloud Computing: Knowledge of cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud) for cloud-based application development and deployment
• DevSecOps Practices: Knowledge of DevSecOps tools and practices for automating and improving the efficiency of software development and deployment
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Basic understanding of IT security principles to ensure the delivery of secure, compliant systems
• Hands-on experience working on Avaya products
• Handled Avaya and Cisco network data center projects

Leadership & Team Management Skills

• Team leadership and motivation: Ability to lead cross-functional teams, motivate team members, and ensure high morale, involve the team in decision-making, and encourage collaboration
• Stakeholder Management: Ability to engage and communicate effectively with key stakeholders, including clients, senior management, and team members, to ensure expectations are met
• Resource allocation: Efficiently allocate resources (human, financial, and technical) across various aspects of the project to meet goals
• Conflict Resolution: Ability to manage conflicts within teams or with stakeholders, ensuring that issues are addressed in a professional and timely manner

Communication and Interpersonal Skills

• Effective communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills to convey technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders This includes writing reports, creating presentations, and leading meetings
• Negotiation Skills: Ability to negotiate resources, timelines, and priorities with clients, vendors, and internal teams to achieve win-win solutions
• Client Management: Ability to manage client expectations, provide regular updates, and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle
• Collaboration: Ability to collaborate with diverse teams, including technical staff, product managers, business analysts, and quality assurance teams, to ensure project success

Analytical and problem-solving skills

• Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze problems, consider various solutions, and decide the best course of action for the project's success
• Data-Driven Decision Making: Ability to use data and metrics to make informed decisions, and report on project progress
• Issue Resolution: Effective problem-solving skills to identify and resolve project-related challenges, whether technical, logistical, or interpersonal

Methodology Expertise

• Agile / Scrum: I have good experience managing projects in Agile or Scrum environments, ensuring fast-paced and iterative delivery of software or digital projects
• Waterfall: I have good experience in traditional Waterfall methodologies, where strict structure and documentation are required
• Hybrid methodologies: I have good experience with hybrid project management methodologies that combine aspects of Agile and Waterfall approaches, especially for larger or more complex projects

 Business and financial acumen

• Budgeting and Cost Control: Strong ability to manage project finances, including tracking costs, ensuring projects stay within budget, and delivering value within the agreed-upon financial constraints
• Business Analysis: Ability to understand business requirements and translate them into technical solutions, understanding the strategic business goals behind the project
• Vendor Management: Experience in managing third-party vendors and outsourcing partners, ensuring SLAs (Service Level Agreements) are met, and contracts are managed effectively

Quality Management

• Quality Assurance (QA): Knowledge of quality standards, including functional and non-functional testing, collaborating with QA teams to ensure that the project meets quality expectations and user requirements
• Continuous Improvement: Identifying opportunities to improve project processes, methodologies, and tools to increase efficiency, and deliver better outcomes

Tools and Software Proficiency

• Project Management Tools: Experience with tools like Microsoft Project, SNOW, NetSRM, or similar for tracking tasks, progress, and team collaboration
• Collaboration tools: Proficiency in tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, and SharePoint for communication and collaboration
• Version Control Systems: Familiarity with version control tools like Git and Bitbucket for managing project documentation, source code, and deployment