Duane Nicholson, Mba, Spc, Cal-O Email & Phone Number

We are business consultants specializing in the development of high-performance teams and systems that are agile and responsive to market dynamics. Our immersive business coaching programs are designed to enhance predictability and productivity.At NBD Consulting Services, we specialize in addressing the top 5 primary challenges confronting organizations today. • streamlining digital transformations, ensuring a seamless transition. • enhancing and developing software solutions that bolster resilience against cybersecurity threats. • supplemental staffing with top-tier talent to tackle time-sensitive initiatives efficiently. • assisting organizations in tackling DEI initiatives as a certified Minority Business Enterprise Supplier. • aiding organizations in crafting remote and hybrid work models that align with their business objectives.

Jersey City, Nj, Us

🌐 At the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, where I've been contributing as a Consultant Agile Coach since 2022, my journey has been about championing agility and driving excellence in product launches. Here's a deeper dive into my contributions and achievements:🚀 I've been instrumental in enhancing our overall predictability and ensuring the smooth launch of new products by embedding agile practices and methodologies deeply within our culture. My role involves coaching and guiding a robust team of 200 indirect reports, focusing on elevating their performance and achieving superior outcomes.💡 I took the initiative to breathe new life into our agile program, rolling out a comprehensive 9-step delivery process with steadfast commitment. This strategic move was pivotal in securing optimal performance levels and bringing about transformative results across the board.🎯 By setting clear business objectives and conducting thorough assessments with our teams, I've been able to uncover and overcome numerous challenges. Crafting detailed roadmaps has been a key part of my strategy to ensure we're all moving in the right direction.📊 I developed and implemented key performance indicators (KPIs) to meticulously measure our program's progress. My efforts in fostering a culture of agile maturity have been fruitful, with our benchmark score hitting 3.19 (indicating a practicing level) and currently on an upward trajectory towards our target score of 4 (signifying expert level).🤝 Regular interactions with scrum masters under my guidance have been enriching. I provide expert coaching on agile events and offer invaluable advice for continuous improvement, as well as the introduction of new and innovative topics.🌟 Collaborating closely with program and portfolio leadership, I've been quick to identify and address hurdles alongside senior management. This proactive approach ensures we maintain smooth progress and consistently meet our organizational objectives.

Costa Mesa, Ca, Us

🌟 At Experian Business Information Systems, where I worked remotely from 2018 to 2022 as the Director of Agile Execution & Delivery, I was at the forefront of leading change and fostering agile methodologies. Here's a glimpse into my journey:🚀 I proactively led the charge in daily team meetings, ensuring we stayed aligned on our goals, sparked strategic conversations, tackled delivery hurdles head-on, and nurtured a culture of continuous improvement through insightful retrospectives. It was my mission to be the bridge for meaningful technology leadership discussions with our CTO.🤝 Guiding a dynamic team of five Project Managers and Scrum Masters, along with steering the efforts of over 150 indirect reports, I was deeply committed to monitoring their growth and propelling our projects to success. My role involved regular briefings to the CEO on our progress and the adept management of a substantial $24 million budget.🌐 My initiative to organize large-scale agile gatherings paved the way for enhanced sync-up sessions between Product Owners and Scrum Masters, ensuring our tasks and activities were meticulously prioritized for maximum impact.🛠️ As a key player on the Technology Leadership team and a direct report to the Chief Technology Officer (CTO), I embraced the challenge of driving innovation and strategic direction within our tech landscape.💡 My journey also featured remarkable milestones, such as leading a pivotal $24 million project that transitioned us away from legacy mainframes towards a more agile, cloud-based infrastructure.🎯 Initially brought on board to breathe new life into our Business IQ platform, I championed its transformation, accommodating a surge of users and streamlining product delivery to exceed expectations.🏆 My dedication and impact were recognized with a prestigious special contribution award, a testament to my ability to deliver projects on time, within budget, and in perfect alignment with our customers' needs.

Costa Mesa, Ca, Us

🌟 Agile Consultant Specializing in Digital Transformation 🌟From Mainframe to the Cloud, I guide organizations through seamless transitions, ensuring smooth migrations and optimized operations. My expertise lies in:🔹 Ingestion, Validation, and Data Load into Data Fabric: Streamlining data processes and facilitating smooth data transitions.🔹 Enabling Information Products in the Cloud: Leveraging cloud technologies to empower data-driven decision-making and accelerate innovation.Let's connect to discuss how I can help drive your digital transformation journey forward!

Costa Mesa, Ca, Us

🚀 Exciting Opportunity: Former Agile Consultant - Business IQ 2.0 🚀Did you miss the chance to collaborate with an exceptional team to revolutionize Business Intelligence?At our company, we embarked on an ambitious journey to elevate Business IQ to the next level. Leveraging the SAFe Framework and harnessing the talents of our incredible team members from Bangalore, Chile, Costa Mesa, Allen, and Kolkata, we successfully delivered BIQ 2.0 to our esteemed clients at Experian.As a former Agile Consultant, I played a pivotal role in driving this transformative initiative forward. My responsibilities included:✨ Collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement Agile methodologies and best practices.✨ Facilitating Agile ceremonies and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.✨ Partnering with stakeholders to gather requirements and ensure alignment with business objectives.✨ Identifying opportunities for process optimization and driving efficiency gains.✨ Serving as a champion for Agile principles and driving organizational change.If you're passionate about Agile transformation and eager to make a meaningful impact, this role was for you!Though this opportunity has passed, the impact of our work continues to shape the future of Business Intelligence. Join us in celebrating our journey towards Business IQ 2.0 excellence!

Costa Mesa, Ca, Us

🚀 Agile Coach Consultant 🚀Hand-picked by the management team to provide expert assistance and coaching to a mainframe team in the US and two additional teams in the UK, driving Agile practices and ensuring seamless daily standups, backlog refinement, planning sessions, retrospectives, and impactful demos.My role involved managing multiple teams, assessing performance, identifying skill gaps, evaluating training needs, and conducting training sessions to enhance productivity and efficiency. Additionally, I collaborated with various teams in the development of Amazon Cloud Solutions.In the UK, I led two teams, overseeing the product layer and successfully implementing a subscription system for the first team. For the second team, I managed various payment activities to ensure smooth and efficient processes.In the US, I identified and addressed resource deficiencies within the team, developed a prioritization process, and defined SLAs, resulting in improved customer response time.Furthermore, I established a highly effective Scrum of Scrums team in the UK, developed a cadence, and addressed cross-team delivery issues through dedicated forums. These efforts significantly improved program execution and facilitated better throughput in team deliveries. Let's collaborate to drive Agile excellence and propel your teams towards success!

Plano, Tx, Us

At Toyota Financial Services in Torrance, CA, from 2015 to 2016, I took on the role of Consultant Program Manager and Agile Coach, where I led a pivotal technology divestiture initiative. This role was about much more than just overseeing projects; it was about steering transformation and innovation. Here's a look at the key achievements during my tenure:🌟 I was at the helm of the technology divestiture initiative, meticulously managing critical components such as Identity and Access Management, New Interfaces and Decommissioning, the SAP Accounting System, and IT Support & Operations. 🤝 Guiding six diverse teams and their project managers, I demonstrated exceptional leadership and coordination skills. 💡 I actively led development team meetings, driving insightful discussions with team leadership. Providing comprehensive updates to the portfolio layer, engaging with technology experts, and delivering optimal solutions were my daily bread, ensuring we stayed on the cutting edge of technology and strategy.🛠️ Managing the HR Salesforce Platform project was a significant accomplishment, facilitating Toyota's strategic relocation from Torrance, CA, to Plano, TX. I implemented a talent tracking tool that ensured a smooth transition, filled talent gaps, guaranteed accurate bonus payments, and enabled efficient onboarding for the relocated workforce.🚀 I played a critical role in carving out Toyota consumer solutions and creating a new company post-acquisition by Toyota Commercial Finance. This endeavor was not just about technology; it was about shaping the future of the company and its offerings.✅ The successful completion of the divestiture project on time and within budget was a crowning achievement. This effort led to the establishment of a new company, marking a significant milestone in Toyota Financial Services' journey towards innovation and growth.

Irvine, California, Us

🎓 Role Description: Instructor at UCI Extension Program 🎓As an instructor at the UCI Extension program, I played a pivotal role in shaping the future of aspiring Business Analysts and Change Agents. My responsibilities include:1. Development of Curriculum: I design and develop curriculum content aligned with the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) Version 2.0, ensuring that students receive the most relevant and up-to-date education in the field of business analysis.2. Sharing Experience: Drawing from my extensive experience as a Change Agent, I provide real-world insights, practical examples, and valuable lessons learned to enrich the learning experience of my fellow Change Agents. 3. Instruction: I delivered engaging and informative lectures, workshops, and training sessions, utilizing a variety of instructional techniques to accommodate different learning styles and preferences.4. Mentorship: I offered guidance, support, and mentorship to students, helping them navigate the complexities of business analysis and empowering them to succeed in their professional endeavors.5. Continuous Improvement: I continuously evaluate and refine the curriculum, incorporating feedback from students and industry experts to ensure that the program remains relevant, effective, and aligned with current industry standards and best practices.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

As a Consultant Product Owner, I led the development of comprehensive requirements and project management components, including budgeting, scope management, change control, and crisis management for the tech team. I took charge of solicitation meetings and effectively coordinated the rollout process between the tech team and business users. Additionally, I maintained valuable liaison relationships with external vendors.I played a pivotal role in assisting the team with organizing and producing illustrations, utilizing a specialized tool to provide visual representations of how policy payments would generate long-term value for customers.Furthermore, I established a regular meeting cadence with internal and external users, resulting in improved communication and collaboration.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

🌊 At Pacific Life's Life Insurance Division in Aliso Viejo, CA, from 2012 to 2014, I embraced the role of Consultant Product Owner, a journey marked by leadership, innovation, and strategic collaboration. Here's a glimpse into the significant milestones and contributions during my tenure:🚀 I took the lead in developing comprehensive requirements and managing key project components, including budget, scope management, change control, and crisis management for the tech team. My role involved taking charge of solicitation meetings and effectively coordinating the rollout process between the tech team and business users, ensuring seamless integration and deployment of our solutions.🤝 Maintaining valuable liaison relationships with external vendors was a critical aspect of my role. This enabled us to leverage external expertise and solutions, ensuring that our projects benefited from a wide range of insights and technologies.💡 I played a pivotal role in assisting the team with organizing and producing illustrations using a specialized tool. This tool provided a visual representation of how policy payments would generate long-term value for customers, enhancing our ability to communicate complex information in an accessible and engaging manner.📅 Establishing a regular meeting cadence with internal and external users was instrumental in improving communication. This initiative fostered a more collaborative environment, ensuring that all stakeholders were aligned, informed, and engaged throughout the project lifecycle.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

Despite receiving advice against accepting this position, I embraced the challenge and stepped into the role of QA Test Manager. I initiated the design of the Active Directory hierarchy from the ground up. Over time, my responsibilities expanded to encompass defect identification, prioritization, and management of the development effort. Throughout this journey, I experienced rapid growth and fostered valuable relationships, both professional and personal.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

In my role as an Applications Analyst, I was tasked with implementing the Life Division Methodology (LDM), which followed the Plan, Analyze, Design, Build, Test, and Deploy framework. Initially, learning the application requirements under LDM posed a challenge, as it appeared to involve repetitive information compared to the product specifications. However, this experience provided valuable insights into the importance of deliverables and procedural steps. It became evident that assuming various roles was essential to fully grasp the significance of documentation.Drawing from my prior experience with administrative systems, I recognized the potential to leverage this knowledge to ensure alignment between the administrative and illustrations systems. This alignment marked the beginning of numerous initiatives aimed at harmonizing the two systems. Subsequently, these efforts paved the way for benchmarking endeavors within Product Management.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

As the main point of contact for Universal and Variable Universal Life products, I fulfilled the role of Business Systems Analyst. I provided essential support to division resources by identifying system bugs, devising workarounds, and formulating system solutions. Additionally, I collaborated with customer service teams to assess the impact of premiums on compliance guidelines (TAMRA/TEFRA). To enhance my skill set, I acquired proficiency in the scripting language JCL to execute system tests effectively. By assuming this responsibility, I enabled IT resources to focus on addressing higher-priority bug fixes. This experience served as a stepping stone in my journey toward a career in IT.

Newport Beach, Ca, Us

Embarking on my journey in New Business services presented a remarkable opportunity to transition from the retail sector to the insurance industry. This role provided me with invaluable insights into both the front and back ends of the business operations.On the front end, I gained hands-on experience in account management, collaborating closely with regional life offices and sales teams. It was here that I developed a keen understanding of navigating rules versus guidelines, which became instrumental in managing client relationships while upholding ethical standards.Transitioning to the backend of operations introduced me to the concept of internal customers, fostering enduring relationships that continue to benefit me today. These connections have streamlined my workflow, enabling me to navigate tasks efficiently and circumvent bureaucratic hurdles. Additionally, I recognized the importance of visibility for career progression and the significance of managing one's personal brand, albeit in a somewhat reactive manner initially. Nonetheless, I adeptly navigated challenges and consistently rose to the occasion.My dual exposure to front and back-end operations culminated in my becoming a subject matter expert on the administration system, Cyberlife. Leveraging this expertise, I developed a range of training tools and documents, some of which remain in use to date (as of 2013). Furthermore, my training materials were integrated into our organizational assets through OCEAN, our knowledge management system. These formative experiences paved the way for my transition into my first Business Analyst role.

Master Of Business Administration, Geographic Information Systems (Gis)

Bachelor Of Science, Business And Management