Karen Palmer, Pmp, Kmp, Cmmi Associate Email & Phone Number

Remote

ATM for CMMI DEV and SVC v3.0 appraisals

In my role as Portfolio Management Office (PMO) Manager at CVP, I supported company Program Managers (PMs) and Corporate Services with process assets, including identifying, creating, and maintaining assets, and training PMs and Corporate Services teams with using the assets and completing internal deliverables. I ensured program success by providing ad hoc support to PMs with ongoing issues and by reviewing and assisting PMs with the development of their annual program self-assessments and CPARS responses. I was a highly interactive member of the PMO, providing assistance and deliverable review support to my team members and members of other Corporate Services, and mentored junior team members on project and process management skills.

Hyattsville, Maryland, United States

As TriTech's QA Manager, I successfully led the company effort to achieve a CMMI v1.3 SVC ML3 appraisal in November 2019. I coordinated with TriTech’s President to align QA and process improvement objectives with business goals, and report findings and recommendations throughout the year. I identified needs for, developed, implemented, trained, deployed, maintained versioning of, and improved the assets of TriTech’s QMS including policy, processes, handbooks, templates, guidelines, checklists, Kanban boards, reuse content, and SharePoint libraries and lists. I employed expert judgement, gap analyses of the CMMI v2.0 model against current assets, QA audit data, user feedback and change requests, project lessons learned, QMS metrics, and research into current industry best practices to identify improvements. I performed QA audits on teams that use the QMS, coordinate noncompliance corrective action with process owners and users, verified resolution, and gathered feedback and lessons learned.As part of TriTech's Kanban efforts, I integrated CMMI and Kanban Method principles into QMS improvements with the goal of “working smarter, not harder.” I managed the Process Improvement service in Jira by marshaling and validating options, balancing and limiting WIP, and ensuring tickets are up-to-date and advance through the workflow according to board policies. I performed the STATIK method to improve the service workflow in Jira, and to define or to assist corporate team members with the definition of new corporate services.During proposals, I assisted the President and BD Coordinator by creating response templates, writing technical and management sections, developing graphics, coordinating inputs and reviews from teaming partners, participating in color team reviews, and editing and formatting files.As corporate Risk Manager, I managed the Risk and Incident service in Jira, and verified that risk owners implement mitigation plans and monitor outcomes through closure.

California, Md

In this role, I Maintained the BAE-internal QMS for the Identification Systems Department (IDS) Program and the customer QMS for the IDS Program’s Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) 4.11.2 contract, both of which are ISO 9001:2015 certified. Tasking for both included updating the Quality Management Plans, coordinating internal audits and tracking nonconformance corrective actions to closure.Additionally, I worked with the NAWCAD 4.11.2 Principal Engineer to identify process improvement goals and initiatives for 2019, and worked with fellow contractors on the NAWCAD 4.11.2 contract to identify improvements for the organization of processes and procedures on the QMS SharePoint site.I was responsible for managing two direct reports – a Senior Quality Assurance Analyst and a Technical Trainer. I also performed peer reviews of work performed by BAE technical editors prior to delivery to the customer.

Washington D.C. Metro Area

As a senior-level Consultant, I prepared multiple concurrent clients for CMMI DEV and SVC ML3 appraisals by performing iterative gap analyses of client artifacts and Practice Implementation Indicator Descriptions (PIIDs) against CMMI requirements. I worked with client contacts to ensure artifacts and presentations were updated prior to appraisals and coached presenters and interviewees on appraisal expectations.As Acme's QA Manager, I successfully led the March 2018 ISO 9001:2015 surveillance audit by maintaining Acme’s QMS sites, processes, and documentation; conducting management reviews; performing internal audits and corrective actions; managing nonconformance issues to closure; coordinating audit logistics with the registrar; and performing process improvements and corrective actions from surveillance audit findings.

Hyattsville, Maryland

As the Quality Assurance Manager, I was responsible for developing, implementing, training, auditing, and improving TriTech processes, preparing teams for CMMI appraisals, and improving corporate management techniques and processes via the Kanban Method, PMBOK, and CMMI best practices.I successfully lead the company's initiative to obtain a CMMI-DEV Maturity Level 3 appraisal in November, 2016.I developed and presented “CMMI Appraisals for Organizations that Use Kanban” session at Lean Kanban North America 2017. I co-developed and co-presented “Discovering CMMI Capability While Using the Kanban Method” session at CMMI Capability Counts 2017.

California, Md

I managed the company's Process Improvement Program (PIP) and was responsible for developing, implementing, evaluating, and improving the company's standard set of processes and associated tools for project management and software development efforts. I managed the company's processes in the Callis process modeling tool, and organized and administered associated assets in the Process Asset Library (PAL) SharePoint 2010 site. I authored quarterly and ad-hoc company newsletter articles to promote the PIP and CMMI to the company employees.I trained project teams on the process set and tools, assisted them with tailoring the processes and expected outcomes to meet contract requirements, mentored them on the process set throughout project lifecycles, and performed process and work product quality assurance audits to ensure project team compliance and identity areas for process set improvement.I reported to the company President/CEO, and led the regional Vice Presidents with identifying and coordinating CMMI appraisal projects and Corporate Operations initiatives. I successfully led the effort for Imagine One to receive its CMMI for Development v1.3 Maturity Level 3 appraisals in December 2011 and November 2014. I was an appraisal team member for the 2014 CMMI appraisal.In addition to managing the PIP, I managed multiple internal and direct labor software development projects, including the projects responsible for obtaining Imagine One's CMMI for Development v1.2 Maturity Level 2 appraisal in January 2011, and CMMI for Development v1.3 Maturity Level 3 appraisal in December 2011.

Lexington Park, Maryland

As a Systems Analyst, I developed synchronous and asynchronous web-based training courses for multiple government software applications. I assisted technical trainers with the instructional design process for courses. I participated in on-system testing and documentation verification to ensure the technical accuracy of courses, and to modify procedures to be easily understood by those with little system experience.As a Technical Writer, I developed paper-based curricula for DoD and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) courses using US Naval Education and Training (NAVEDTRA) 130A instruction. I developed the EMA International Standards Organization (ISO) 9001:2000 Quality Manual under the guidance of the company executives. I wrote and edited documents for direct labor contracts, including training manuals for system administrators and operators, application quick reference guides, system maintenance manuals, test plans, and logistics documents. I coordinated with trainers, testers, subcontractors, and customers. I conducted objective reviews of documents written by subcontractors, and coordinated technical third party reviews performed by testers and trainers. To strengthen the team's ability to produce quality materials, I taught coworkers and supervisors the use of advanced features in Microsoft Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

Waldorf, Maryland

As the Education and Secondary Government Staff Writer, I reported on topics about the Charles County Board of Education, Public Schools, County Commissioners, Planning Commission, and Board of Appeals. I conducted interviews, and authored news and feature articles relating to prominent elected officials, residents, organizations and businesses in Charles County and Southern Maryland. I proofread the copy of other writers to identify grammar, spelling, and informational errors prior to publication.