Rakesh Ram Palakodati
Scrum Master I/Release Train Engineer
Bengaluru
Summary
- Certified SAFe 6.0 Release Train Engineer and Agile Scrum Master with 12+ years of project management and software development experience.
- Highly skilled in Agile methodologies, orchestrating 13 PI planning events and delivering 23 high-quality releases at Philips Personal Health.
- Led cross-functional teams, including 2 agile teams, throughout the software development lifecycle.
- Successfully launched the Daily Care App/C2ME to Google Beta and Apple's App Store across 97 countries and 37 supported languages, managing 23 releases while prioritizing customer satisfaction.
- Proficient in implementing and managing Scrum ceremonies using tools like JIRA, VersionOne, and HPE Agile Manager. Demonstrated expertise in managing dependencies, risks, and conflict resolution to foster a collaborative and high-performing team environment.
- Experienced in Agile coaching and mentoring, guiding teams to embrace Agile values, principles, and best practices. Proven track record of driving continuous improvement initiatives through inspect and adapt workshops to promote a culture of learning and optimization.
- Strong understanding of software development methodologies (SDLC, Kanban) and expertise in managing vendors and stakeholders.
- Additional certifications: Advanced Certified Scrum Master (A-CSM), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and SAFe 5.0 Agilist (SA).
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
3
3
years of post-secondary education
5
5
Certifications
6
6
Languages
Work History
Senior Scrum Master/Release Train Engineer I
Philips India Pvt Limited
08.2021 - Current
- Company Overview: Philips - Daily Care, C2ME (Common Consumer Mobile Experience)
- Leveraged SAFe and Kanban methodologies to manage the development and release of the Daily Care and C2ME mobile applications, ensuring alignment with Agile principles and best practices
- Facilitated cross-functional collaboration between development, testing, and business teams, fostering a cohesive and efficient working environment
- Drove continuous improvement by implementing and refining Agile processes, resulting in optimized workflows and enhanced product delivery
- Successfully lead the launch of the Daily Care Application by Philips revolutionizes grooming with expert advice, how-to videos, AR beard styling, and personalized blade advice, making it the ultimate app for Philips device users
- Since its launch on March 28, 2022, the app has reached version 2.2.1, supporting 97 countries and 37 languages, available on Apple and Android stores
- Spearheaded the successful delivery of 15+ releases of the Daily Care/C2ME application, ensuring adherence to timelines, budget constraints, and high-quality standards
- Led agile teams in the development and launch of the Daily Care mobile application for Philips shaver devices, targeting iOS and Android platforms
- Facilitated 9 successful Program Increment (PI) releases of the Philips Shaver application (Daily Care/C2ME), reaching users in over 60 countries
- Provided guidance and support through Agile coaching and mentoring, empowering teams to embrace Agile principles and achieve sprint goals
- Collaborated closely with Product Owners, Business stakeholders, and Leadership to ensure strategic alignment and efficient execution of features
- Managed dependencies, addressed risks and conflicts, and proactively escalated impediments to minimize roadblocks and ensure on-time delivery
- Championed continuous improvement initiatives, leading inspect and adapt workshops to optimize team performance and product development processes
- Successfully launched the Daily Care App/C2ME to Google Beta and Apple's App Store, showcasing expertise in mobile application delivery
- Delivered 9 Program Increment (PI) releases of the Philips Shaver application, demonstrating successful management of complex, large-scale projects
- Philips - Daily Care, C2ME (Common Consumer Mobile Experience)
- Awarded with Take Ownership to deliver faster for exhibiting one of the Philips Behaviors for on-time Project Delivery
Scrum Master
Mphasis Limited
09.2018 - 07.2021
- Proactively resolved conflicts and addressed impediments, dependencies, risks, and issues to ensure on-time delivery and smooth workflow across multiple teams
- Cultivated a high-performing team environment, fostering collaboration, continuous flow, and a commitment to relentless improvement
- Facilitated team discussions and challenged existing norms to enhance team performance in areas such as quality, communication, predictability, and velocity
- Successfully implemented Kanban methodologies within FedEx Supply Chain, leading to increased team throughput and improved efficiency
- Effectively managed a large vendor network (900+) as Scrum Master for CDAS+, ensuring smooth operations and timely payments
- Organized and facilitated all Scrum ceremonies, including Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-ups, Sprint Reviews, Sprint Demos, and Backlog Refinement, using tools like JIRA, VersionOne, and HPE Agile Manager
- Implemented Kanban methodologies for a team within FedEx Supply Chain's Critical Inventory Logistics, successfully maximizing team throughput
- Led multiple teams in adopting SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), fostering a Lean-Agile mindset and guiding them to effectively apply SAFe principles and practices
- Proactively identified, documented, and escalated risks and issues to relevant stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution and minimal impact on sprint deliverables
- Served as Scrum Master for CDAS+, effectively managing over 900 vendors in the India region, ensuring timely payments and seamless workflow
- Awarded with Summit Award September 2020 @Mphasis for proactively leading the team as Scrum Master
- Awarded with Summit Award May 2019 @Mphasis for leading the team as a Scrum Master Cum Business Analyst
Consultant
Jumbotail Technologies Pvt Limited
11.2017 - 06.2018
- Proactively involved in conflict resolution, resolving impediments/dependencies, risks, and issues on delivery commitments among multiple teams and team members to ensure smooth deliverables on time
- Fostering an environment for high-performing team dynamics, continuous flow, and relentless improvement along with improving team performance by facilitating and challenging norms in areas of quality, communication, predictability, flow, and velocity
National Project Coordinator and Logistics Scheduling Specialist
Coca-Cola Amatil
05.2015 - 02.2017
- Directed and coordinated comprehensive logistical and reverse logistical functions for product life cycles, including acquisition, distribution, internal allocation, delivery, recycling, reuse & final disposal of resources
- Front-led routing and scheduling process for the most complex areas of Sydney Central Business District and busiest regional areas such as Canberra and Wollongong
- Created and updated all specific policies, procedures, and tools compliance documents of Chain of Responsibility in line with Australian Compliance Standard (AS 3806-2006)
- Optimized supply chain processes with the application of lean principles throughout the value stream through synchronized demand with supply capabilities and collaboration with strategic customers & suppliers
- Coordinated comprehensive logistical and reverse logistical operations for product lifecycles, from acquisition and distribution to recycling and final disposal
- Managed routing and scheduling processes, optimizing delivery routes for Sydney's Central Business District and high-volume regional areas like Canberra and Wollongong
- Developed and implemented Chain of Responsibility compliance policies, procedures, and documentation, ensuring adherence to Australian Compliance Standard (AS 3806-2006)
- Leveraged lean principles to streamline supply chain processes, synchronizing demand with supply capabilities and fostering collaboration with strategic customers and suppliers
- Awarded with 'Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) - INNOV 8 Award' in the 'Safety and Heavy Vehicle Safety' category for better engagement of clients with Coca-Cola Amatil, Sydney, Australia in 2015
Technology Consultant
Hewlett-Packard
04.2010 - 01.2013
- Delivered a major server migration project for Telstra valued at over AUD 900,000, involving comprehensive documentation review and execution.
- Developed, modified, and implemented billing applications for Telstra customers, ensuring seamless system functionality and user experience.
- Identified and implemented process and system improvements to enhance stability and team productivity.
Reduced customer support chat waiting times from 300 to 120 chats, significantly improving response time and customer satisfaction. - Decreased average call handling times by 3 minutes, optimizing call center efficiency and customer service delivery.
Education
MBA - Supply Chain Management
Sydney Business School
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 01.2014 - 12.2014
M.S. - International Business
Sydney Business School
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 01.2013 - 12.2013
B.E. - Computer Science
Visvesvaraya Technological University
Bengaluru, India 01.2009 - 12.2009
Skills
Effective Communication
Team Leadership
Cross-Functional Team Engagement
Effective Issue Resolution
Proficient in Conflict Management
Quickly Adjusting to Change
Prioritization and Scheduling
Mentorship Development
Strategic Negotiation Skills
Data-Driven Decision-Making
Agile Project Management
Scrum Framework Expertise
SAFe Methodology Expertise
Kanban Workflow Management
JIRA Proficiency
VersionOne Project Management
HPE Agile Implementation
SDLC Methodology Expertise
Project Oversight
TFS Project Management
Agile Team Leadership
Collaborative Leadership
Timely Delivery Oversight
Analytical Problem Solving
Effective Communication with Stakeholders
Certification
SAFe 6 Release Train Engineer (RTE), ScaledAgile, 2024
Accomplishments
- Awarded 'Take Ownership to deliver faster' for exhibiting on-time project delivery, a key Philips Behavior.
- Received Summit Award (September 2020 & May 2019) at Mphasis for proactive leadership and contributions as Scrum Master and Scrum Master Cum Business Analyst.
- Recognized with the Coca-Cola Amatil INNOV8 Award in 'Safety and Heavy Vehicle Safety' for enhancing client engagement in Sydney, Australia (2015).
- Received accolades from FedEx Supply Chain VPs for fostering team engagement and collaboration.
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 10/16/87
Timeline
Senior Scrum Master/Release Train Engineer I
Philips India Pvt Limited
08.2021 - Current
Scrum Master
Mphasis Limited
09.2018 - 07.2021
Consultant
Jumbotail Technologies Pvt Limited
11.2017 - 06.2018
National Project Coordinator and Logistics Scheduling Specialist
Coca-Cola Amatil
05.2015 - 02.2017
MBA - Supply Chain Management
Sydney Business School
01.2014 - 12.2014
M.S. - International Business
Sydney Business School
01.2013 - 12.2013
Technology Consultant
Hewlett-Packard
04.2010 - 01.2013
B.E. - Computer Science
Visvesvaraya Technological University
01.2009 - 12.2009