ISC service(s) or programs/projects: Internal consulting on business process optimization
Length of time in ISC: Since March 2023
Previous work experience: Technology consulting for Deloitte, market research consulting for Cognitive Consulting, and technology consulting for EPAM
Tell us about a challenge at Penn that made you proud to be part of ISC.
I haven’t been here very long. I was hired as an RPA (Robotic Process Automation) analyst. That's basically building software programs to mimic human activity. In the world of intelligent automation, on the spectrum of smart to simple, it's on the simpler side. We were doing a pilot and we held discovery sessions with different groups on campus. And I guess over time the value of RPA didn't equal what we were paying to use the tool and the vendor services. And technology trends are moving in a different direction, so the pilot was closed. Now I'm doing similar things, but not specifically focused on RPA. I was impressed by ISC’s flexibility and Penn’s ability to adapt to changing conditions. We still have a less expensive and less robust RPA solution in our toolbox for those scenarios where it’s appropriate, but it’s no longer a focus.
What’s an interesting technical or business problem you’ve faced with ISC?
My supervisor and I have been tasked with developing metrics for AIS as a whole. That’s something that hasn’t been defined or tracked since AIS was formed decades ago. It’s not easy, since the group represents so many different disciplines and its portfolio encompasses such a variety of projects and services. So we talked to all the different team leads about what they think defines success for AIS, and what trackable metrics could show that success. Then we compiled our notes and tried to find similarities among the seven teams we talked to, eventually coming up with a few candidate metrics. Now we’re working to capture those in terms of JIRA work, tracking AIS application/integration technology, while at the same time aligning those metrics with AIS’s recently created mission and vision statement. And we have to find a balance so that recording work for the metrics doesn’t cost more time than actually doing the work. It’s a cool challenge—it’s been a very interesting domain in which to research and learn. It’s a work in progress for sure.
What do you like best about working with clients or colleagues across Penn?
Everyone’s super nice and personable, but it’s the depth of knowledge that different clients and different people have within their specific fields that’s really impressive. It’s good to learn from them. I’m more of a generalist, spending time in different groups and areas, but the people we work with are so knowledgeable about what we’re working on. They know the ins and outs of everything and that makes them easy to work with.
What ways do you find to make and/or maintain connections with colleagues in our hybrid work environment?
That’s a tough question. I don’t live too far, so I come in to campus if there are meetings, or the all-hands session and things like that. But on phone calls, even just chatting for a couple of minutes about non work-related stuff is always helpful. Just to see how colleagues are doing, get a sense of what’s going on in their lives—so that it’s not just all work topics and that’s it. I try to find some sort of balance and come into campus when I can.
What do you appreciate most about the time you spend on campus?
Just being able to talk to people in person. It’s always more collaborative in person. I don’t spend as much time wandering around this beautiful campus as I should. But it’s just nice to get out of the house, and it’s also a good break from dog duty.
What are you passionate about in your free time?
I live in Ardmore with my wife and two dogs. Our schedule revolves around the dogs a bit. We love taking them for walks and playing with them. I’m also a big sports fan, all Philly teams—Phillies, Eagles, Sixers, Penn basketball. I went to Penn basketball camp when I was 10 or 11. I don’t play as many sports anymore, but I’ll play golf, slow-pitch softball, throw the football around. I love to cook, love to read, and anything active—swimming, biking, lifting weights.
What would you like people at Penn to know about you?
While I don’t live in Philly proper, I have three brothers that do, so I live in Philly by association. I consider myself technically a local. And I love Guinness. The New Deck is a great spot for a Guinness before a Penn basketball game. So if anyone’s interested in joining me, let me know!