Snr platform manager OCLC Wise
Company: OCLC
Jan 2022 - Mar 2024
https://www.oclc.org/en/wise.html
Abstract:
OCLC Wise Library system needed upscaling while improving processes. Stephan created an additional near-shore team to deliver on the upscaling challenge, while improving processes to deliver the "Single Identity" project, which meant a complete rewrite of the system in the latest technology.
Situation
Wise delivers services to 80% of the Dutch library market, 100% of Flanders (Belgium) and is gaining traction in the US market with more and more libraries joining.
Stephan has led the 4 development teams (28 FTE) in the Eelde office and looking after the EMEA technology delivery, working closely with his US counterpart teams that focus on the US delivery.
Tasks
Immediately after joining he was faced with the challenge of scaling up the organisation with an additional 12 consultants and adding a complete new team to speed up feature delivery. A lack of disciplined planning processes meant inefficient and unpredictable delivery. Furthermore, significant tech debt was having a negative impact on team morale, quality and overall efficiency.
Actions
Stephan hired the required consultants, training the dev leads in interviewing techniques and process and added the new team. Needless to say, this was tricky while morale was already low due to the tech debt.
He raised awareness of several customer commitments to the executive board for funding in order to be able to meet expectations. Stephan used the approved budget to implement Near Shoring at OCLC creating yet another team in Portugal to assist in the delivery of the promised features. Bringing headcount to 40+ FTE.
Results
The quality issues were addressed by implementing ongoing process improvements and freeing up resources to implement Automated Testing across the platform.
The result is a scaled up organisation, delivery is planned better and approved by all stakeholders. Automated testing and tech debt are being addressed as part of promised feature delivery and provides a single vision and goal for all teams. Team morale has therefore significantly improved.