Volker Haase-IT-Professional

Creation of workflows for generating the data basis for the article import of a web shop: combining data from several sources, analyzing the requirements, designing the process with Jupyter Notebooks and Knime. Also creating code for automation in Python using Polars and Pandas.

Processing the source data, filtering and merging the source files and creating the needed intermediate products, creating the upload files, plausibility checks, quality checks.

Technologies used: PyCharm, Python, Jupyter Notebooks, SQL, Knime. Pandas, Polars

The checkout software for Aldi Süd is built by Gebit. For the platform middleware, I worked in the engineering team as Platform Owner/Business Analyst/Requirements Engineer. My tasks included gathering requirements with different methods, organizing, running, and moderating workshops. Creating epics/stories in Jira, as well as communication with all stakeholders.

The requirements from internal clients were turned into task packages that could be handled within a story. This also included defining acceptance criteria and working on different aspects of the needed tests as well as carrying out acceptance tests. Regular communication and alignment with stakeholders and business departments was also part of my role.

Independent evaluation of the backlog and planning of the sprints as well as all administrative tasks related to the sprints were also part of my role. Maintenance and organization of various Confluence spaces.

I also supported the introduction of storytelling and helped improve processes as a Jira project administrator. JQL queries to support sprint meetings were also part of my tasks.

Technologies used: Scrum, UML, User Story Mapping, Jira, Confluence, creating and receiving ServiceNow requests

Automatic reading of defined data websites to keep the customer's existing data collections up to date.

Technologies used: Python, BeautifulSoup, GitHub

Task:

• Responsible in the Advanced Analytics area for automating the update process of the central marketing database.

Content:

• The master table had a size of about 110,000 attributes and several million observations. In a heterogeneous landscape of different database systems, data from 26 data sources had to be retrieved, cleaned, and aggregated through ETL pipelines. The data sources were various data lakes from which the respective tables had to be created and stored in a landing bucket. The desired tables were to be stored from the data sources via Airflow (DAG) in buckets in Google Cloud Platform. Further DAGs were to handle the different preparation steps.

Implementation:

• For this solution, I analyzed the current situation, agreed on a solution proposal with the tech lead, and then started implementing the solution. The basis for the project was 26 R scripts that had to be translated to Python. During the analysis and development process, the use of Chat GPT was tested. The implementation was done with Python and Polars. As part of the project, I was able to gain first experience with CI/CD and virtualization.

Result:

• Due to the budget situation at the client, the project was stopped and I only migrated some scripts and programmed the rules for preparing and cleansing the raw data in Python. I also adapted some Airflow DAGs and fixed bugs.

Technologies used: R, RStudio, Python, PyCharm, Jupyter Notebooks, SharePoint, Confluence, Jira, GitLab, ChatGPT, Polars, GCP, BigQuery, SQL, automated software tests, Scrum.

Task: Development of a tool for annual financial budget planning

Implementation:

• A new planning tool was needed for each of 7 companies for annual budget planning. In addition, a consolidated overall plan was to be developed for the planning. To use the tools, separate menu items were to be created in the ribbon.
• Analysis of the existing solution and gathering of requirements. Development of a solution proposal and then implementation in Excel VBA. An object-oriented solution was implemented, among other things to ensure easy extension of the functionality. The client's planning algorithms were implemented. Training of employees in using the tool.

Technologies used: Excel VBA

Task:

• Creation of a new data model, new reports, and troubleshooting existing PowerBI reports for the Finance department.

Implementation:

• Creation of the data model and step-by-step optimization of the calculations in coordination with the Finance team Development of solution approaches for the forecasting tool with the Logistics department.

Result:

• I designed a new data model that served as the basis for new analyses and allowed more complex and more accurate analyses than the data model used before.

Technologies used: PowerBI (-Desktop, -Service, -Gateways), Azure Storage Queues (async queries)

Task: Support of test management in a project in the field of autonomous driving.

Implementation:

• For the development of a central reporting tool, I carried out the business analysis as well as the business concept for implementing the overall solution. I presented the solution proposal and then implemented it.
• To automate my customer's central reporting to the end customer (BMW), I developed a VBA solution with several thousand lines of code. Extracts from numerous systems were created via PowerShell scripts, which were collected and processed by the reporting tool. The solution was implemented in an object-oriented way. With the help of the tool, the BMW report templates were filled in the correct format with the test data aggregated and analyzed by the tool. In addition, some graphics were created as part of the report. Some of the classes I developed became part of my customer's standard libraries and were used in other projects. The tool I developed was in use until 2022. I also programmed smaller tools in Python to calculate special KPIs.

Technologies used: Office365, Excel 2013, SQL, VBA, PowerPivot, PowerQuery, SharePoint, PTC-Integrity/Windchill, PowerShell ISE, Python, automated tests (Testbench)

Task: Support with projects for responding to RfQs in the customer's Go-To-Market organization.

Implementation:

• Import of requirements from PDF documents into Jira. These were automatically analyzed with a VBA tool I developed and prepared for import into Jira. The VBA tool also reconstructed the document structure by correctly recognizing chapters and subchapters in the documents. I also supported the planning of resource needs for the development teams and tracking of tasks. For this, I created various VBA tools. The master tool for planning showed the resource needs both graphically in a chart and in table form in a kind of Gantt chart, with ramp-up and ramp-down phases for periods of up to 10 years.
• Wrote a central VBA tool for performing data analyses of the data maintained in Jira to assess the data quality of the requirements. The tool gave the responsible employees concrete information about faulty and implausible data as well as concrete instructions for correction.
• I was also responsible for large parts of the reporting. My tasks included the regular creation of various reports for internal purposes, but also, for example, weekly reports for exchange with customers and project partners. These reports were created entirely in VBA, with the design for form and content mostly developed by me.
• Import and export of all data to and from Jira and Confluence was handled by Python tools I wrote. This also included, for example, reconstructing the chapter structure of the RfQ documents for R4J.
• In many cases, my expertise was also used to create ad hoc analyses based on Jira data, usually created with PowerQuery and PowerPivot. If needed, the analyses were visualized with PowerBI.
• In the teams I supported, I had the role of Jira Power User. That means, on the one hand, I had administrator rights for almost all areas of Jira, I independently designed and implemented processes in Jira, and I was involved by the admin team in decision-making processes about the use of Jira. Of course, I also created numerous JQL queries.

Technologies used: VBA (including ADO, SQL), Python, GitLab, automated software tests, Eclipse (PyDev), jira-python-library, Jira, R4J, Jira REST API, Confluence, Doors 9.6, Office365, R/R-Studio, MS Power Query, MS Power BI, Scrum

PMO support for the customer in its global roaming hub for the management of the roaming hub. In Contract Management, contracts with several hundred mobile operators worldwide were managed there. The work included creating presentations for the customer's management meetings, planning and organizing meetings including taking minutes, and tracking due dates for tasks in the lists of open points. The goal was to clarify outstanding claims in the double-digit million range that could not be allocated.

In addition to the classic PMO tasks, I also created reports and analyses (in Excel VBA or with the help of MS Access) based on data in the Clarity business platform, from which tasks for individual stakeholders at the customer could be derived.

I also had a PMO role in the customer's technical team during the onboarding of new network operators from the Pacific region. The tasks included creating project plans for each of the customer's projects. I also defined the processes and schedules in coordination with the stakeholders on both sides. Likewise, I organized and led status meetings with the stakeholders on both sides. As a result, tracking progress and, if necessary, defining and implementing corrective measures were also part of my tasks. I was also responsible for any escalation management that might be needed. I supported several onboarding projects in parallel.

Another part of the project was documenting the existing processes and interfaces in the area of service delivery. The goal was to map the existing process steps into the process blocks of the target architecture from the ITIL structure. I created proposals to improve the process flows, as well as proposals to prepare the operational rollout of the new processes. I presented the results to senior management.

An important part of all project areas was stakeholder management in sales, controlling, marketing, and operations.

Technologies/techniques used: Excel VBA, MS Access, Clarity, BPMN, RACI

Various companies in consulting, telecommunications, and IT

Positions: various (senior) sales positions with leading manufacturers and service providers in telecommunications as well as IT service providers.

From 2001 to 2003, partner and co-owner of the top management consultancy Dr. Schwarz-Schilling & Partner GmbH. Consulting at C-level on issues related to the telecommunications market in Germany.

In 2005/2006, I was responsible at Alcatel-Lucent for introducing a call center solution at DB Personal. For a system with more than 1,000 users, I took over parts of the functional concept. I independently planned and implemented the entire training concept.