Judith Sol-Dyess Email & Phone Number

I'm a pretty great project manager and problem solver (I know, I know...) and my consulting work spans across multiple industries. I lead product strategy sessions, Design Thinking workshops, and I deliver projects through from inception to launch and support. I am experienced in Agile methodology and rituals and often coach new clients who strive to be. I am a great partner to seasoned product owners, focusing on delivering MVPs. I help teams do their best work, while enjoying it. We… Show more I'm a pretty great project manager and problem solver (I know, I know...) and my consulting work spans across multiple industries. I lead product strategy sessions, Design Thinking workshops, and I deliver projects through from inception to launch and support. I am experienced in Agile methodology and rituals and often coach new clients who strive to be. I am a great partner to seasoned product owners, focusing on delivering MVPs. I help teams do their best work, while enjoying it. We work hard, learn a lot, and have fun - but we deliver. I think UX/UI designers are magical, developers are amazing, and DevOps and QA the (sometimes) unsung heroes.I've worked with organizations large and small - some highly technical and others not at all. From managing internal IT teams in a customer service industry, I know what it's like to have budget and timeline constraints and still need to deliver an amazing solution.What problems can I help you solve? Show less

Chicago, Illinois, United States

I've volunteered, and then worked with, Code Platoon cohorts since their start in 2016. I've helped over 600 students become more comfortable working in projects. The most impactful workshop I run for them now is the Team Projects Kickoff, where students define their product ideas for their final project and work to identify features through ideation, sketching, and AI tools. Then we prioritize them and break them down into user stories. This ensures their final projects go as smoothly as… Show more I've volunteered, and then worked with, Code Platoon cohorts since their start in 2016. I've helped over 600 students become more comfortable working in projects. The most impactful workshop I run for them now is the Team Projects Kickoff, where students define their product ideas for their final project and work to identify features through ideation, sketching, and AI tools. Then we prioritize them and break them down into user stories. This ensures their final projects go as smoothly as possible for teams and instructors alike. Show less

Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain

I help students get through their team projects gracefully, by running kickoff sessions that help them define product ideas for their final projects, and then identify features, prioritize them and break them down into user stories. All great things to know as you graduate from a code academy and join the workforce again. I also run sessions like "Intro to Agile", "Team Agreements", etc.

As a Delivery Manager at TXI, I took over mid-project to lead the completion and launch of the Mapping Suite MVP for Dickson Data, a leader in environmental monitoring. My role involved managing a cross-functional team across the USA, South America, Europe, and Scotland to enhance and finalize a robust application that streamlined thermal mapping processes for both internal teams and customers in highly regulated industries.I ensured the project met stringent compliance standards and… Show more As a Delivery Manager at TXI, I took over mid-project to lead the completion and launch of the Mapping Suite MVP for Dickson Data, a leader in environmental monitoring. My role involved managing a cross-functional team across the USA, South America, Europe, and Scotland to enhance and finalize a robust application that streamlined thermal mapping processes for both internal teams and customers in highly regulated industries.I ensured the project met stringent compliance standards and exceeded client expectations. The Dickson Mapping Suite enables users to efficiently set up and run mapping studies, manage data loggers, and generate comprehensive compliance reports, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and accuracy. Show less

Remote

In my role as project manager for the software team, I worked remotely with Dickson's team in France to manage a SaaS platform that supports wireless solutions for temperature and humidity monitoring. Their customers store things like vaccines, pretty important and precise stuff. We make sure it all functions smoothly for customers who work in regulated environments. My role included process improvement, working with product managers to prioritize and execute the work, and making sure releases… Show more In my role as project manager for the software team, I worked remotely with Dickson's team in France to manage a SaaS platform that supports wireless solutions for temperature and humidity monitoring. Their customers store things like vaccines, pretty important and precise stuff. We make sure it all functions smoothly for customers who work in regulated environments. My role included process improvement, working with product managers to prioritize and execute the work, and making sure releases went smoothly. Also, that level two support is handled quickly. No companies in that kind of regulated environment can afford otherwise! Show less

Chicago, Illinois, United States

After I left full time employment at Table XI (now TXI) to start my own business near Barcelona, I continued to consult there as the project manager for their DEIB Team (which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging).I organized and coordinated efforts related to support their pillars: Racial Justice, Disability Justice, and Environmental Justice. That is a combination of discussions and work we manage in sprints. Specifically, I contributed in these ways:- Manage… Show more After I left full time employment at Table XI (now TXI) to start my own business near Barcelona, I continued to consult there as the project manager for their DEIB Team (which stands for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging).I organized and coordinated efforts related to support their pillars: Racial Justice, Disability Justice, and Environmental Justice. That is a combination of discussions and work we manage in sprints. Specifically, I contributed in these ways:- Manage the delivery of group efforts, such as our first annual DEIB report- Facilitate discussion, sprint planning, and retrospective meetings- Support team members with their own individual work Show less

Remote

As a project management coach at Bendyworks, I provided individualized services to their team in a way that allows folks who are interested in a career change to gain PM experience fast, while on the job, and deal with both the theoretical side of management as well as the practice of it. I coached based on their current skills, future needs, and honestly, all the stuff that comes up in between!

Chicago, Illinois, United States

As part of my consulting practice, I serve as the Chief Delivery Officer for 20spokes. We are a custom software development studio in Chicago. I help take everyone's skills and great ideas and operationalize them, while trying not to take all the credit.This is some of what I do:- Manage delivery performance and risks - Implement consistent methodology and processes across the organization- Lead discovery workshops for new clients- Help existing clients develop their… Show more As part of my consulting practice, I serve as the Chief Delivery Officer for 20spokes. We are a custom software development studio in Chicago. I help take everyone's skills and great ideas and operationalize them, while trying not to take all the credit.This is some of what I do:- Manage delivery performance and risks - Implement consistent methodology and processes across the organization- Lead discovery workshops for new clients- Help existing clients develop their product roadmaps- Recruitment and hiring recommendations- Manage revenue and forecast models Show less

Chicago, Il

TXI (formerly Table XI) believes in "Tech Done Right." They are an Agile software design development consultancy who take pride in doing great work with amazing partners. They work hard, but also have a ton of fun. I loved working with Table XI!As a Project/Product Delivery Lead, I worked with clients, developers, and designers to ensure successful projects. As former lead of the Delivery practice group, I helped Table XI focus on operational excellence. We use the Entrepreneurial… Show more TXI (formerly Table XI) believes in "Tech Done Right." They are an Agile software design development consultancy who take pride in doing great work with amazing partners. They work hard, but also have a ton of fun. I loved working with Table XI!As a Project/Product Delivery Lead, I worked with clients, developers, and designers to ensure successful projects. As former lead of the Delivery practice group, I helped Table XI focus on operational excellence. We use the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to improve functional processes and management practices. Some of my work includes:- Develop the MVP of our internal client delivery dashboard for projects across Table XI. - Improve our iteration and project retrospectives so that lessons learned can be leveraged on all teams.- Improve story writing practices around requirements, acceptance criteria, and technical implementation.- Redesign our project kick-off process to better internalize client needs. I also had the privilege of serving as the Client Principal for several of our fantastic clients, for whom I provided strategic direction when their teams lack dedicated product managers.In my project management work, I leverage Agile practices to:- facilitated 1-2 day product and project inceptions to understand the client's needs- led five day Product Design Sprints based on Google Venture's Sprint model- helped design and facilitate Agile and Design Sprint workshops and dinners for clients and the public- helped clients define their technology roadmap - captured requirements in the form of epics and user stories - modeled scope options to work with the client's priorities and budget- eliminated roadblocks that arise throughout the project cycle- provided visibility into project risks and mitigate issues with the stakeholders- supported and mentored team members Show less

Greater Chicago Area

Black Diamond Charities offers free Project Management Certificate course to veterans. After volunteering as an instructor and project sponsor for several years, I was invited to join the Board of Directors. Most of my work in this capacity is focused on increasing our outreach to veterans through the improved use of technologies such as our website and CRM. I'm also involved in curriculum changes, retrospectives, and strategic planning. Part of my secret mission is to increasingly introduce… Show more Black Diamond Charities offers free Project Management Certificate course to veterans. After volunteering as an instructor and project sponsor for several years, I was invited to join the Board of Directors. Most of my work in this capacity is focused on increasing our outreach to veterans through the improved use of technologies such as our website and CRM. I'm also involved in curriculum changes, retrospectives, and strategic planning. Part of my secret mission is to increasingly introduce Agile to students and instructors alike. It's going to happen. Show less

Greater Chicago Area

I serve as an instructor for 5-week Project Management courses offered (free of charge) to wounded warriors and veterans. These courses are taught with other PMI Chicagoland Chapter volunteers to provide the required 35 contact hours needed to apply for the PMP certification exam. I have also served as a project sponsor for a smaller student team, providing additional professional guidance as the teams work on individual projects between sessions.In the past, I also served as the lead… Show more I serve as an instructor for 5-week Project Management courses offered (free of charge) to wounded warriors and veterans. These courses are taught with other PMI Chicagoland Chapter volunteers to provide the required 35 contact hours needed to apply for the PMP certification exam. I have also served as a project sponsor for a smaller student team, providing additional professional guidance as the teams work on individual projects between sessions.In the past, I also served as the lead for the mentorship program, which organized mentoring activities for the veterans after they completed the 5-week course. Show less

Chicago, Il

For the past 14 years, I have been responsible for the alignment and execution of Information Systems in a $90 million nonprofit with 4,000 employees in over 50 locations offering membership, programs, child care, day camp, resident camping, housing and social services. You could say we provide just about every service possible to thousands of people in communities all over Chicagoland.I’ve accomplished many milestones, and often backwards! I knew how to code before I truly understood… Show more For the past 14 years, I have been responsible for the alignment and execution of Information Systems in a $90 million nonprofit with 4,000 employees in over 50 locations offering membership, programs, child care, day camp, resident camping, housing and social services. You could say we provide just about every service possible to thousands of people in communities all over Chicagoland.I’ve accomplished many milestones, and often backwards! I knew how to code before I truly understood how to gather requirements. I managed projects before I really knew how to work with stakeholders. Sometimes I had the answer before I even asked the question! After years of continuous improvement, I think I’m getting better at it.I have the privilege of working with a great team of professionals and trusted partners. I have worked for some unbelievably smart CIOs, who have helped me tremendously on my way to becoming a leader.Now I manage projects that are critical to the success of the association. Sometimes they’re IT projects and sometimes they’re not. I am known as someone who delivers quality work, most frequently on time and under budget. I believe in executing well and quickly, in piloting, measuring and evaluating, and in adjusting when needed. I’ve been trusted to incubate new capabilities for the association, including a new, centralized Member Services group that provides customer service to thousands… and that speaks to my leadership skills, not my technical prowess. You are welcome to read about specific projects in my profile. If you can name it, I’ve probably researched it, developed it, implemented it, trained on it, documented it, and supported it. Show less

Chicago, Illinois

Implemented Kronos Workforce Central for time and attendance system of 3500 employees and 300 supervisors. Transition from decentralized, paper-based process to integrated biometric time clocks, telephone system and web client. The YMCA was awarded the international 2005 Kronos Best Practices Award for this implementation.Scoped, designed and developed workflow applications through Lotus Notes databases: purchase orders, HR databases for hires, job changes, leaves, bonuses, separations,… Show more Implemented Kronos Workforce Central for time and attendance system of 3500 employees and 300 supervisors. Transition from decentralized, paper-based process to integrated biometric time clocks, telephone system and web client. The YMCA was awarded the international 2005 Kronos Best Practices Award for this implementation.Scoped, designed and developed workflow applications through Lotus Notes databases: purchase orders, HR databases for hires, job changes, leaves, bonuses, separations, equipment tracking, certifications and training, etc. Also developed the security directory for Lotus Notes approval databases.Implemented and administered Crystal Enterprise for automated report scheduling and delivery.Lead developer for Crystal Reports for IT, Benefits, Risk Management and HR.System administrator for HRIS and payroll systems.Responsible for rollout of Notes R6 product (time lines, site visits, remote upgrades, training, documentation, etc.) Show less

Chicago, Illinois

Led conversion from Ceridian to ProBusiness HRIS and payroll systems.Developed new payroll procedures for remote center entry and automatic interfaces.Designed Lotus Notes databases to provide better workflow and communication systems.

Chicago, Illinois

Led conversion from mainframe payroll system to a Windows-based, integrated HRIS and Payroll system (Ceridian Source 500).Monitored and maintained data integrity of HRIS and payroll databases.Supervised HR data entry processes.

Continuing Studies, Photography, Web Design

Certificate, Information Systems Project Management

Bfa, Fine Arts

Education record