Posted Date: May 4, 2020 by:
Saisha Rayala

Transforming Program Management and IT Governance at a Leading Federal Civilian Agency

Client: A major federal civilian agency overseeing social programs

Overview:

Centennial has been pivotal in supporting the agency’s journey towards efficient program management and robust IT governance. Our multifaceted support encompassed implementing structured investment management and project delivery methodologies, establishing an enterprise Program Management Office (PMO), and facilitating agile practices while bolstering data management and cybersecurity protocols.

Challenges:

The agency has over 60,000 employees across multiple regions, including the CONUS and OCONUS locations. Additionally, the agency has over 1000 vendors supporting various IT initiatives across the Office of Chief Information Office (OCIO). Faced with challenges with disparate IT processes, priorities, and resources, the agency engaged Centennial to assess the current state, develop recommendations based on industry best practices, and support future state implementation.

Solution:

Armed with Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK) standards, Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) processes, Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) principles, and Agile and Scrum frameworks, Centennial performed current state analysis and provided recommendations for PMO processes and methodologies. In Year 2, Centennial enabled the agency to establish a centralized IT PMO.

  • Developed PMO charter and designed the framework to support over 120 major programs.
  • Defined the 42 standard services and support offerings the PMO will provide to projects and project managers (e.g., project governance, methodology guidance, training, resource management, portfolio management.
  • Developed roles and responsibilities for the PMO staff members, liaisons, project leads, and stakeholders.
  • Extended the support to include diverse domains such as requirements management, release management, enterprise architecture (EA) support, and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) activities.
  • Promoted awareness of PMO services, successes, and best practices through regular communication channels, such as newsletters, meetings, and workshops.
  • Established performance metrics and KPIs to measure the effectiveness and impact of the PMO on project delivery and organizational success.
  • Provided oversight for deploying and enhancing 120+ applications and ensured adherence to the agency EA standards.
  • Enhanced and standardized Agile development practices through Scrum and SAFe.
  • Supported release planning and program assurance efforts while ensuring adherence to project stories and sprint cycles.
  • Provided strategic guidance and governance to project teams to ensure adherence to the agency’s security standards, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 800, and Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA).
  • Leveraging CMMI standards, enhanced technical governance plans, participated in Change Control Board (CCB) meetings, and provided recommendations to fortify the OCIO’s governance structure.

Results:

Through our standardized frameworks and methodologies, Centennial worked with the OCIO to complete the foundational work in Year 1 that facilitated the establishment of the PMO in Year 2. This collaborative effort garnered significant traction, leading to adopting standardized program management practices across the agency.

  • Achieved the alignment of 70% of IT projects/programs within the first two years, resulting in 42% Year-over-Year (YoY) savings and an outstanding 9.5 rating in customer satisfaction.
  • Extension of PMO support to diverse domains (enterprise architecture and governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) activities) resulted in a 30% increase in first-time EA and security approvals.
  • Optimized resource utilization and demand management, reduced bottlenecks, and better-aligned resources with strategic objectives.
  • Streamlined project management processes, templates, tools, and best practices guidance, resulting in faster project delivery times and increased productivity.
  • Deployment of centralized project data and reporting enabled timely information for informed decision-making.
  • Establishing clear communication channels and stakeholder engagement throughout the lifecycle fostered trust, transparency, and collaboration, leading to higher satisfaction levels.
  • Introduction of Agile/DevSecOps concepts enabled expedited deployments, significantly enhancing customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Conclusion:

Centennial’s partnership with the federal agency has driven strategic IT enhancement, optimized operational efficiency, and fortified cybersecurity measures. Through collaborative efforts, innovative solutions, and adherence to industry best practices, Centennial has successfully addressed complex PMO challenges and empowered the agency to achieve its IT modernization goals while ensuring regulatory compliance and enhancing customer satisfaction.

About Centennial Technologies:

Centennial Technologies is a trusted provider of tailored solutions for government entities, prioritizing outstanding client service. Our diverse range of comprehensive Financial Management Solutions includes Financial Advisory, Reporting, Performance Management, Business Process Management, Financial Support, Benchmarking, and Risk Management. Our Information Technology (IT) Services offer expertise in Program Management Office (PMO), Application Development and Support, Cloud Solutions, Business Intelligence, Cyber Security, and IT Operations. Renowned for our unwavering commitment to excellence, Centennial Technologies empowers government agencies and commercial clients to fulfill their objectives efficiently and effectively. Contact us directly for more information on how we can support your goals.

Curious to learn more? Contact Us!

Ben Marglin

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Vice President of Business Development

Ben Marglin is Vice President of Business Development at Centennial Technologies, focused on developing and leading the growth strategy for Centennial. With over 25 years of experience in public sector management and technology consulting, Ben’s strengths include building strong client relationships with both existing and prospective clients, and serving as a people leader across the organization, helping to promote a strong and healthy company culture. Ben leads the growth team to identify and capture new opportunities across the business development lifecycle, working to expand Centennial’s business in the Federal and commercial space. 

Before Centennial, Ben was a Senior Vice President at Karsun Solutions, where he led client delivery for a ~$130M portfolio across several Federal civilian agencies and led a team of over 500 folks providing support to Federal clients. He spent 17 years with Booz Allen Hamilton, mainly in Federal Civilian market leadership roles where he had full P&L responsibility for a portfolio of Federal agencies, and he also spent two years in BAH’s Strategic Innovation Group (SIG) helping to lead the Digital Solutions practice area. Earlier, Ben worked for American Management Systems (AMS) providing IT and management solutions to state and local clients, and he spent three years on Capitol Hill working in the U.S. Senate.

Ben’s areas of expertise include digital strategy and transformation, acquisition, change management, and IT program management. He has a master’s degree in public policy from Duke University and a bachelor’s degree from Colby College and has professional certifications in Program Management (PMP), AWS Cloud, Agile (SAFe and ICAgile), Change Management (CMAP), ITIL, and Technology Business Management (TBM). Ben lives in Northern Virginia with his wife, son, and goldendoodle Sophie, and when he’s not doing yard work, he enjoys golf, running and biking, and following his native Boston sports teams. You can connect with him on LinkedIn or Twitter.

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Sunitha Ravi

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Vice President of Operations and Delivery

Sunitha Ravi is the Vice President of Operations and Delivery at Centennial Technologies Inc. In her role, she focuses on building trusted relationships with senior federal clients while driving innovative and customer-centric solutions. Using over 26 years of experience supporting both the public and private sectors, Sunitha aligns technology with strategic business and operational goals while managing operations and technology teams to deliver excellent customer service.

Before Centennial, Sunitha was a Director at VMWare public sector and led various programs for federal clients through agile and scrum practices while meeting growth and profitability goals. Before VMWare, Sunitha held various leadership positions at Verizon, Terramark, and Tetra Tech. She managed the delivery of financial and technology solutions and served as a trusted advisor to executive and management stakeholders. She successfully led teams of over 200 staff and agency portfolios with ~$100M in annual revenue. She supported financial teams and improved the finance function by driving more efficient processes and streamlining financial reporting.

She holds a Master’s degree in environmental engineering and is an Earned Value Practitioner (EVP), Project Management Professional (PMP), and Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) certified. She lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with her husband and two daughters and enjoys traveling, spending time with friends and family, and cooking.

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Saishree Shetty

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Senior Director of Growth and Client Success

Saishree Shetty is the Senior Director of Growth and Client Success at Centennial Technologies. Saishree’s role is to expand our presence within the Civilian Health agencies, foster relationships with clients and potential partners, and enhance our current capabilities. She brings over two decades of experience in IT strategy, program management and delivery and business development in the federal and commercial sectors.

 

Before joining Centennial, Saishree was a Vice President of Business Development at a mid-size company and a woman-owned small business prior to that. She focused on growing accounts, increasing market presence, and capturing new business at various federal agencies. Having held several leadership positions in small and large consulting companies, Saishree brings a wealth of program management and delivery knowledge into her business development role.

 

Saishree has her Executive Leadership from Yale School of Management, Master of Science in Information Systems from Marshall University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering. Outside of work, Saishree’s interests lie in outdoor activities, organizing social events and bringing people together. 

email us your CV at @centennial-tech.com - 17

Brad Marchand

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Executive Director of Client Delivery and Customer Service

Brad Marchand is the Executive Director of Client Delivery and Customer Service at Centennial Technologies Inc. In his role, he focuses on driving excellence in customer service and building lasting partnerships with customers. Using over 30 years of experience delivering solutions in the areas of Digital Modernization, Enterprise Systems Implementation, Business Optimization, Financial Management Transformation, Business/Technology Transformation, and Shared Services.

Before joining Centennial, Brad was a Partner with Grant Thornton’s Public Sector practice where he led the Finance Transformation Service Line and Grant Thornton’s ERP Practice. Before Grant Thornton, Brad was a Principal at SRA, Inc., where he was a leader in Information Technology (IT) Systems Implementations, particularly in Federal Government Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP). He also has over five years of experience in the private sector at JPMorgan Chase as a Vice President specializing in Global Supply Chain implementations.

Brad earned his bachelor’s degree from DePauw University and is Project Management Professional (PMP) certified. He lives in Haymarket, Virginia, with his wife and two children. He coached both of his kids in baseball and basketball and now enjoys golfing and rooting for all sports teams from Chicago.

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Shabiha Yasmin

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Director of Delivery and Customer Support

Shabiha Yasmin serves as the Director of Delivery and Customer Support at Centennial Technologies Inc., leveraging over 20 years of experience in the IT sector. With a process-oriented approach honed through extensive work with federal agencies such as CMS, FDA, EPA, and SSA, Shabiha excels in requirements elaboration, project definition, initialization, planning, and the successful delivery of complex technical projects. Known for her tenacity in securing stakeholder commitment to objectives, she excels in clarifying misaligned initiatives within strategic portfolios and resolving conflicts across cross-functional teams.

 

In her leadership role, Shabiha prioritizes exceeding client expectations by delivering innovative solutions, mentoring leaders, and staying abreast of emerging technologies.

 

Before joining Centennial, Shabiha served as a Program Manager at CareFirst, where she provided subject matter expertise in IT modernization, financial management, and business transformation initiatives. She focused on assembling robust and agile teams to support diverse federal agencies. Shabiha’s professional journey also includes holding leadership positions in technology divisions of esteemed organizations such as Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and CareFirst.

 

Shabiha holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Biochemistry and Botany, complemented by an MBA degree in IT and Marketing. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), SAFE Agilist, and ITIL4 practitioner.

 

Shabiha resides in Clarksburg, Maryland, and is a proud parent of two children aged 20 and 13. Outside of work, she enjoys indulging her passions for rock music, attending concerts, embarking on hikes, exploring new destinations through travel, and engaging in various crafts.

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Prasad Siddabathuni

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Director of Technology

Prasad Siddabathuni is the Director of Technology at Centennial Technologies Inc. He provides invaluable technical and strategic leadership, solutions, and advisory services to our clients, partners, and internal teams.


With 25 years of experience in the technology domain, Prasad has a remarkable track record in delivering technical services and solutions across diverse IT sectors. He specializes in delivering integration, cloud, and data/AI strategies that drive enhanced process improvements and reduce costs. Prasad is adept at building and executing long-term product and service strategies across matrixed organizations, as well as in establishing and directing multinational technical and business teams. His proficiency areas include ownership and innovation, presales, architecture, transformation, delivery, M&A, integration, and field operations.


Prasad resides in Fairfax, Virginia, and enjoys traveling, playing the violin, and supporting local sports teams.

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Matthew Shields

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Director of Delivery and Customer Support

Matthew Shields is the Director of Delivery and Customer Support at Centennial Technologies Inc. He excels in building and leading high-performing teams across multiple concurrent contracts in fast-paced, high-profile environments. With a focus on cultivating professional relationships with clients, Matt brings over 25 years of experience in federal consulting, account management, program management, contract execution, and quality management to his role at Centennial.


Before joining Centennial, Matt served as a Senior Program Manager at Halvik Corp., where he provided expert contract management, budgeting, financial management, and program management services to an Agency-level portfolio. He oversaw the efforts of multiple project managers, prioritizing the achievement of program objectives and the delivery of high-quality results while maintaining disciplined financial management practices. Before his tenure at Halvik, Matt was a Director at Evoke Consulting, where he supported Operations and Business Development, spearheading enterprise-level transformational initiatives across various government agencies.


Matt earned his bachelor’s degree from Washington College and holds certifications as a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) and Project Management Professional (PMP). He is trained in Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI), ISO standards, and Organizational Change Management (OCM).


A lifelong resident of Loudoun County, Virginia, Matt is passionate about adventure travel, hiking, and cycling in his leisure time. He and his wife take pride in being parents to two Eagle Scouts and are actively involved in volunteering with their sons’ troop.

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Ned Blackburn

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Senior Director of Growth and Client Success

Ned Blackburn is the Senior Director of Growth and Client Success at Centennial Technologies Inc. In his role, he focuses on exceeding clients’ expectations through delivering innovative solutions, advising customers, and working with solution partners. Ned brings 25 years of experience in strategic account management, program management, and business development in the federal and commercial sectors to Centennial.

Before Centennial, Ned was a Director at Grant Thornton, providing subject matter expertise on IT modernization, financial management, and business transformation initiatives. He focused on building resilient and agile teams to support various federal agencies. Prior to Grant Thornton, Ned held several leadership positions in small and large businesses where he led business development, capture management, and vendor partnerships. He built and managed large teams specializing in Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Business Intelligence, and Data Warehousing solutions.

Ned earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from Ohio University, is a Project Management Professional (PMP), Certified Scrum Master (CSM), and ITIL4 certified. He lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife and three children. He enjoys coaching little league baseball, playing golf, and cheering for Cleveland sports teams.

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Antonio "Tony" Hylton

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Chief Strategy Officer​

Antonio “Tony” Hylton is Chief Strategy Officer for federal and state sectors at Centennial Technologies Inc. In this role, he develops service offerings, establishes strategic partnerships, and supports acquisitions. Tony brings over 30 years of public and private sector experience with business transformation, organizational change management, and innovative solutions to Centennial.

Before Centennial, Tony held various leadership positions at Verizon and managed over $100 million per quarter in sales. He guided the relationships with the National Association of State CIOs, National Association of State Technology Directors, US Conference of Mayors, and numerous state, local, and public safety agencies. Before Verizon, Tony served as Chief Information Officer (CIO) of Cook County, IL, where he led budget planning and execution, process optimizations, and technology innovation. Before Cook County, Tony held a variety of leadership positions with the Center for Digital Government (CDG), Dell-EMC, AT&T, and MCI.

Tony earned his bachelor’s degree from Northeastern University, is an accomplished Lean Six Sigma Black Belt, and Certified Scrum Master. He loves golf and watersport activities. He is a home chef with a specialty in Asian-Fusion and Japanese Cuisines.

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Mani Allu

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Founder and Chief Executive Officer

Mani Allu is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Centennial Technologies Inc. With over 25 years of experience providing financial and technical solutions, Mani provides overall direction to the corporate growth strategies, differentiated capabilities, and company culture. He works directly with customers, employees, and partners daily and fosters the work environment to develop and deliver highly innovative solutions.

Before founding Centennial, Mani held leadership positions at Verizon, where he led operations and delivery of enterprise services for public and commercial sectors, supporting $240M in revenue. He focused on solutions that drove efficiency and effectiveness, including financial transformation, organizational development, business intelligence, data analytics, application and system modernization, cloud enablement, and cybersecurity. Before Verizon, Mani served as the Vice President at ADS Inc. and supported the telecommunications, financial, retail, and media sectors. He orchestrated the creation and management of service offerings, supervised partnerships, and supported mergers and acquisitions.

He earned his Master’s degree from West Virginia University and lives in Ashburn, Virginia, with his wife and kids. He enjoys tennis and supporting his home sports teams.