Meet Project Manager, Erkan Karaman
I am driven by problem-solving
Being a specialist in managing customer expectations is a big part of the daily job as a Project Manager, but under the surface, it gets more complex.
Iterations come in so many forms during a project, and because some of the implementations are fairly complex, the time frame is several months. This means that things can change over the course of months.
Ready, set, plan
Getting off to a good start
“Mornings in my team start with a quick stand-up. This is where we both check in on each other and execute some planning for the day, I will ask the Developers what they did yesterday and what is on their program for today. Right now, we work on several projects concurringly and that means working with different Developers and Solution Architects as well.” Erkan explains.
Project Managers work in the Service and Delivery department, where customers “come in” to get CMS, eCommerce, or PIM customized to their specific needs.
Normally a project team consist of a Solution Architect who help scope and define the project, a Web Developer who build the custom codes and integrations and a Project Manager, who ensure optimal planning, deadlines being held and keep track of the agreed numbers.
“We have deadlines to meet every day and we typically work on several projects at the same time. This means that I every day need to talk to both customers, Developers and Solution Architects to ensure that ends meet and in order to plan this, I need that morning meeting to be a productive“.
Let me crack that
Problem-solving is what drives me
Having to navigate in a changing environment calls for both adaptability and experience.
"One of the things I have learned in my job so far is how to work with developers, who sometimes might be holding back on their thoughts. I do my best to catch any issues early and align expectations with everyone involved, especially the customer, who depends on me to report the progress.”
“Changes come in so many forms during a project, and because some of the implementations are fairly complex, the time frame is several months. This means that things can also change on the course of months. On the customer’s end, they sometimes get a new idea to some feature they would like us to do.” Erkan elaborates.
"It is constantly a need for weighing pro’s and con’s with the customer and giving them as good advise as possible.” Erkan explains.
I had to learn how to be a consultant. In my former job I used to be on the other side of the table. Now, the table has turned I see that there is so much more to it than just planning and leading a project to the final stages. Most important for us as a team is to give our customers the right guidance.
The hidden motivation
The biggest challenges
The complexity is quite high when we work with implementing software. There is constant change both in our software and the surrounding world. This means that there will always be smaller adjustments in the planning.
"The coolest thing is that we start with a problem and that we work together to solve the problem, both together with colleagues and customers and our internal development team. That's what drives me.
What matters, in the end, is delivering a product that the customer is happy about," Erkan explains.
Mastering the art
Still learning how to navigate
Although Erkan has years of experience before coming to DynamicWeb 1,5 years ago, he has progressed tremendously.
“I kind of had to learn how to be the consultant. In my former job, I used to be on the other side of the table, but now the table is turned I see that there is so much more to it than just planning and leading a project to the final stages. Most important for us as a team is to give our customers the right guidance. Since most corporations can’t be bothered with the details of implementing and configuring software, they rely on us to know what is best for them.”
Working with international clients in every kind of industry, require a strong business acumen, simply to offer proper governance meaning the management the finances and change requests.
“We've just been in London to visit a client and it's great to be able to meet the client on their terms to better understand what their business needs are. After all, software is just software, but seeing how it support a business on reaching their goals gives purpose. “
"I've been through quite a steep learning-curve at my relatively short time here. I have a lot to learn still, but feel like I have already developed a very strong foundation as a Project Manager" Erkan admits.
At the end of the day, Erkan goes home to his family in Horsens.
"I come home to my family and explain to my 6-year old that today daddy build more stuff for the internet", Erkan laughs.
Although is itn't the simplest of Project Management jobs, Erkan seem to have found himself in a good position of being sufficiently challenged by the sometimes complex system implementations.
Segment
eCommerce, CMS, PIM
and Marketing
Location
Bjoernholms Allé 30, 8260 Viby J, Denmark
Website
Partners
300+
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