10 Principles of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

10 Principles of Scaled Agile Framework (SAFe)

Agile: It’s Not a Race

Agile: It’s Not a Race

Mark Whitfield is a Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester, UK, with over 31 years of experience in the IT industry specializing in both Agile and Waterfall methodologies. He holds SC clearance (valid until 2031) and has a strong technical background in banking and digital project delivery, including experience as a developer in software development lifecycles (SDLC).

Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester
Mark Whitfield is a highly experienced Senior IT Project Manager based in Manchester

Professional Biography

After graduating in Computing in 1990, Mark began his career as a programmer specializing in Electronic Banking software on Tandem Mainframe Computers (HPE NonStop). He spent five years coding in COBOL85 and NonStop SQL for banking clients before transitioning into project management.

Mark has operated as a Senior IT Project Manager for over two decades, delivering complex projects for major blue-chip clients, including Jaguar Landrover, Heathrow, Royal Mail Group, and various financial institutions. He currently provides project management templates based on his extensive experience via his website, PROject Templates.

Example POaP Plan On a Page templates by Mark Whitfield

Key Skills & Expertise

  • Methodologies: Agile SCRUM, Waterfall, PRINCE2 Practitioner.
  • Technologies: HP NonStop (BASE24, TAL, C, C++, SQL), Java, .NET, Mobile (iOS, Android, Windows).
  • Areas: ATM software delivery, Gambling/Casinos, Public Sector/LRG, Payment Systems, Digital Transformation.
  • Clearance: SC Cleared until 2031.
Capgemini Engagement Manager, 2016 thru 2025
Capgemini Engagement Manager, 2016 thru 2025

Professional Career & Projects

Capgemini UK (Jan 2016 – Present)

  • Role: Client-facing SC Cleared Engagement Manager.
  • Projects: Delivered Waterfall and Agile digital projects for automotive, local regional government (LRG), postal services, and aerospace & defence sectors.
C&CA UK’s Communications & Engagement Award Winner 2022

Betfred (Late 2014 – Jan 2016)

  • Role: Senior IT Project Manager.
  • Projects: Managed mobile and online gambling/casino projects, including payment gateways, sportsbook, and virtual gaming using Agile SCRUM.

Wincor Nixdorf (Sept 2013 – Late 2014)

  • Role: Agile IT PM, Professional Services – Banking Division.
  • Projects: Managed ATM software delivery (Wincor Nixdorf work stream >£5M) for Lloyds Banking Group/Halifax.

Insider Technologies Limited (Aug 1995 – Sept 2013)

  • Role: Project Manager – Strategic Technical Initiatives.
  • Projects: Technical pre-sales, product management, and installation for HPE NonStop banking products (Reflex 80:20, RTLX).
HP NonStop TAL Programming Course
1995, HP NonStop TAL Programming Course

The Software Partnership / Deluxe Data (1990 – 1995)

  • Role: Programmer.
  • Projects: Developed code for sp/ARCHITECT-BANK on Tandem Computers for banks like TSB, Bank of Scotland, and Rabobank.

Professional Training & Certification

Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner (May 2011, ILX)
Registered PRINCE2 Practitioner (May 2011, ILX)
1990, BTEC HND in Computer Studies from Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE
1990, BTEC HND in Computer Studies from Bolton Institute of Higher Education, BIHE

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Mark Whitfield provides a variety of Plan On a Page (POaP) templates designed to simplify complex project schedules into a single, high-level visual. These templates are typically available through his official website as part of a larger project management toolkit that includes over 200 editable documents.

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates
PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Mark Whitfield’s POaP Template Formats

Whitfield’s templates are available across multiple platforms to suit different project needs:

PowerPoint POaP Templates

Includes over 35+ slide examples showing different ways to visualise a Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) plan. These are ideal for client presentations where high-level detail is needed.

Excel POaP & Tracker Templates

Features Gantt views, resource costing grids, and Agile Sprint views. Some Excel versions allow you to align the POaP with resource availability and overall phase costs, useful for project bids.

MS Project (MPP) Templates

Detailed PRINCE2 and Waterfall templates that can be condensed into a “timeline” view to serve as a POaP. These are annotated for tasks like Agile Scrum ceremonies or specific PRINCE2 7th Edition stages.

Key Features of the POaP Templates

  • Adaptability: Templates are designed to be tailored for Waterfall (PRINCE2) or Agile (Scrum/Sprints) methodologies.
  • Integrated Tracking: Often bundled with RAID logs (Risk, Action, Issue, Dependency) and RACI trackers to provide a complete overview beyond just the schedule.
  • Visual Dashboards: Many versions include self-populating charts and summary dashboards for at-a-glance status reporting.
  • Availability: Templates can be purchased individually or as a bulk pack on Mark Whitfield’s Website or through platforms like Etsy and Eloquens.

PowerPoint Plan On a Page (POaP) templates

Service Delivery Lead, SDL / Manager, SDM Role

Service Delivery Lead, SDL / Manager, SDM Role
Service Delivery Lead, SDL / Manager, SDM Role

A Service Delivery Manager (SDM) acts as the primary liaison between an organization and its clients, ensuring services are delivered efficiently, meeting contractual obligations (SLAs), and maintaining high client satisfaction. They oversee daily operations, manage client relationships, and drive continuous service improvements.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:

  • Client Relationship Management: Acting as the central point of contact for service-related issues, leading service review meetings, and ensuring client satisfaction.
  • SLA & Performance Monitoring: Monitoring key performance indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
  • Operational Excellence: Implementing best practices, identifying areas for improvement, and managing continuous service improvement plans.
  • Incident Management: Managing escalated service issues, leading root cause analysis (RCA), and ensuring swift resolution to restore service.
  • Team Leadership: Providing guidance, mentoring, and support to technical or support teams to meet performance goals.
  • Financial Management: Overseeing budgets, managing service credits, and identifying opportunities for cost savings or added value.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

  • Experience: Proven track record in service delivery, customer success, or project management.
  • Framework Knowledge: Strong understanding of ITIL frameworks is often required.
  • Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for building rapport with clients and stakeholders.
  • Analytical Thinking: Ability to analyze service performance data and make data-driven decisions.
  • Leadership: Strong leadership skills to drive improvements and resolve conflict.

Common Industries:

  • Information Technology (IT) & Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
  • Logistics & Transportation
  • Consulting & Support Services

Understanding Agile Scrum, A Framework for Delivering Value, Iteratively

Understanding Agile Scrum, A Framework for Delivering Value, Iteratively

Agile Scrum Metrics that Drive Team Improvement

Agile Scrum Metrics that Drive Team Improvement
Agile Scrum Metrics that Drive Team Improvement

Project Management Office (PMO) Overview

A Project Management Office (PMO) is a centralized department or group that defines, maintains, and ensures project management standards across an organization. It serves as the “command center” that aligns project execution with broader business strategy to improve success rates and ROI.

Core PMO Models

The level of control a PMO exerts depends on its specific operational model:

  • Supportive PMO: Provides a consultative role by supplying templates, best practices, and training. It has low control, acting primarily as a project repository.
  • Controlling PMO: Enforces governance and requires compliance through specific frameworks and tools. It maintains a moderate degree of control.
  • Directive PMO: Directly manages projects by assigning project managers who report to the PMO. This model offers the highest degree of control and accountability.

Key Responsibilities

A PMO’s daily functions bridge the gap between high-level strategy and ground-level execution:

Common PMO Roles:

Common PMO Roles
Common PMO Roles

Staffing varies by organization size, but typical roles include:

  • PMO Director/Manager: Oversees the entire office, ensuring processes are followed and goals are met.
  • PMO Analyst: Collects and analyzes project data to support decision-making and reporting.
  • Project/Portfolio Managers: Lead individual projects or entire portfolios to completion.
  • PMO Specialist: Focuses on implementing methodologies and providing expert advice on project management.

Organizational Levels

PMOs can operate at different tiers within a company:

  • Project PMO: Focused on a single, large-scale project.
  • Program/Department PMO: Oversees a group of related projects within a specific department (e.g., IT or Marketing).
  • Enterprise PMO (EPMO): Operates at the executive level, ensuring all projects across the entire organization align with strategic corporate goals.

Project Management Office (PMO) Overview