This presentation introduces the audience to a new project management concept when organizing projects, namely product manager (or business analyst) alignment.  In particular, we will examine three ways of aligning product managers for a project, the pluses and minuses of each approach, and important factors to consider when deciding on the best alignment.  The focus of our presentation will be on large, multi-team projects that impact the entire organization and have significant IT components.  Throughout our presentation, we will draw heavily on a large project called Wave 1 that we both worked on at Beachbody.

Key Point: Choosing the right way of aligning product managers for a project can ensure the project’s success

Erika Cilengir, Retired

Prior to retiring late last year, Erika Cilengir, CBAP, was a Technical Product Manager at Veterinary Centers of America (VCA), where she helped to define the roadmap for the next Mars Family veterinary practice management system. Prior to her VCA role, Erika was a Senior Manager in the Strategic Initiatives group at Beachbody, a leader in fitness products and nutritional supplements, where she managed large cross-functional programs and projects, with an emphasis on expansion into new markets. Erika also enjoyed a long stint as a lead business analyst at Citigroup, where she was responsible for working with international business partners on Citibank's online banking system. After leaving Citigroup, Erika worked at AXA Equitable, where she was the lead business analyst on a project that rolled out Salesforce to AXA’s salespeople. At the 2015 BBC Conference, Erika co-presented with Yvonne Hull on “Moving onto the Global Stage: A Requirements Framework for International Expansion.” Erika and Yvonne also presented at the 2016 and 2018 Southland Technology Conferences and at several IIBA chapter meetings.

Yvonne Meier-Hull, Director, Product Management
Beachbody, LLC

Yvonne Hull, CBAP, is a Director of Product Management and advocate of sustainable software development practices at Beachbody, the makers of P90X®, INSANITY®, and other in-home fitness programs and supplements. During her 18-year career there, she has helped Beachbody grow from an unknown company of about 25 employees in a single office to an internationally recognized brand with several lines of business. Yvonne has served as a Product Manager or Business Analyst on many projects, including the international expansion of the Team Beachbody multi-level marketing business into France, a 3-year “Lift and Shift” project to modernize the Team Beachbody backend systems, a first generation virtual gym called “Work Out With You”, and the P90X app for the iPhone. When she isn’t working, she enjoys backpacking, travelling, and working out to Beachbody’s various fitness programs.

To register: https://iiba-org.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_B7MgQ2ppTMm6035I2MuPkQ