Based in Lincoln, Nebraska, Benjamin Woodburn is an experienced design architect and project manager with over 15 years of experience in the software systems industry. He currently works as a project manager at Sandhills Global. Among other projects, Benjamin Woodburn manages the integration of artificial intelligence for serial number and VIN validation, chatbots, and billable and payable matching. He also managed the migration of internal processes workflows for HiBid.com to a separate repository and platform.
Before he moved to Sandhills Global, Benjamin Woodburn held multiple roles at Fiserv, a global leader in financial technology services based in Lincoln, Nebraska. As a software design architect from 2015 to 2017, he directed the design of banking software solutions, incorporating RESTful APIs and coordinating system changes across mainframes, SQL databases, and mobile platforms.
Earlier at Fiserv, Mr. Woodburn worked as a lead client service analyst. He specialized in integrating core banking systems into digital banking platforms. He also led deployment strategies for enterprise clients, coordinated cross-functional teams, and ensured compliance with ITIL standards. His leadership played a key role in supporting over 100 million users.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
In the morning, I take my dogs for a walk and engage in a weightlifting routine. These activities ground me and help me prepare for the upcoming workday. At work, I will organize my day based on the top project priorities as communicated by leadership. With the priorities defined, I line up all the information to provide team resources and communicate that information for resources to complete their next activities. My next priority is to work with the IT team to review any errors that occurred within the software overnight. Once work has been assigned out and critical errors have been resolved, I focus on communication with stakeholders to communicate and solidify requirements and our progress to meet the client and stakeholder needs, while addressing any concerns or objections stakeholders have with the projects in flight. Defining upcoming activities with their requirements while continuing to monitor and evaluate projects in flight will be continuously executed throughout the day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
As a project manager, I meet with stakeholders and management to brainstorm ideas tied to current and future projects to direct my research and analysis. When some research and analysis have been completed, I will begin to work on outlining the project plan of what goal the team is trying to reach or the problem the team is trying to solve, along with a detailed plan. Once a plan has been roughly defined, I will work with the necessary team managers to have resources assigned to begin work on the project. As the project evolves or more details are added or removed, the scope of work can change and evolve as the project iterates. During these iterations, I will continue to track the project to completion, noting completed milestones, and when the project is completed, I will help the team celebrate its success and note what worked well in the project and what can be improved for future projects.
What’s one trend that excites you?
One trend that excites me is the integration of artificial intelligence into more products and projects maximizing return on investment and facilitating faster project turnaround and a tailored fit for a client’s needs. In a recent project at Sandhills Global, I worked with the data analytics team to implement an application that uses artificial intelligence to validate VIN/serial number information against a manufacturer’s model data to ensure the equipment is properly categorized and that the information is accurate for the manufacturer and model. This automated application improved the ROI for these tasks that were previously done manually and reduced the processing time post-auctions from five days using five people to two hours a week for one resource.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
One habit that keeps me productive is short walks throughout the day to physically separate tasks. When all the updates have been entered for a project or notes compiled into a checklist for a resource, I will take a short break and walk around the office or around the building outside to clear my mind and reset for the next activity. These walks frequently engage other coworkers and allow for networking and offer an opportunity to catch up with coworkers while walking together.
What advice would you give your younger self?
One piece of advice I would give to my younger self would be to network and explore contract work alongside or as a replacement for a salaried position to fulfill my need for adventure. It is easy to fall into a rut of doing the same thing repeatedly and lose sight of the fact that life is an adventure. We should always be looking for that next adventure, and while you may not find it where you work, if you network with enough people, it will be easy to find the next adventure that brings you joy and life satisfaction.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I believe true life success is not measured by a job title change or a pay raise you have but by the lives you touch and the coworkers you help develop to create a community of professionals that help each other succeed, grow, and meet their own unique career or personal success. Not all success needs to occur in the office. Participating in civic groups, such as the kennel club, or playing a musical instrument for a wedding can be an avenue to encourage people, develop people within the community, and give back to your community.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Get a dog and spend time developing your relationship with your four-legged friend. As an avid animal lover, words cannot describe that connection you have with your dog if you train together regularly. There are a variety of events you can participate in with your dog, from dock diving to regular trips to the dog parks where you get to meet some of the best people in your community.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I take on high-stress and high-stakes projects because I like to challenge myself. To help me stay focused, I’ll surround myself with positive influences, exercise regularly, and occasionally take a step back from taking on some projects to spend more time outdoors with my dogs and other dog enthusiasts.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
One strategy that has helped me grow professionally is a willingness to take on projects that other people reject because they are not easy or well defined. Continuously challenging myself with difficult projects has led to a more dynamic, active, and engaged career. Many project managers will fall into a rut, and they do not want to branch out into new products or engage with new technologies because what they have works. By taking the leap and being willing to step outside my comfort zone, I’ve been able to advance my career farther and faster than many of my peers.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
One growth opportunity I encountered was working with a client on a large project. The project was large enough that it should have had multiple project management resources assigned to it, however, management wanted me to see what I could do on my own. Eventually, the team failed to meet deadlines, and they were waiting on information from me that I did not have the bandwidth to provide in a timely fashion. What I learned from this experience was to be a better advocate for myself, my team, and my clients to ensure deadlines and timelines were being met by securing additional resources.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
One piece of software that helps me stay product is Jira Service Management. Jira helps me stay productive and up-to-date with all my projects. The workflow automation, real-time incident monitoring, and reporting with analytics all helps me in ensuring I am getting all the latest information to the stakeholders as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Project Management Institute produces a weekly podcast that includes case studies project managers have finished conducting or are in the process of conducting that gives good insight into how to apply project management principles to various challenges in a variety of settings. I’ve found their examples and discussions to be useful templates in my current role, being able to recount their examples and what worked and didn’t work in the case study. Having resources such as this podcast has been helpful when trying to decide how to tackle a current project challenge, and I would recommend it, especially for younger project management professionals.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Lord of the Ring series is a classic series I’ve always enjoyed. LOTR is a story of an ordinary person accomplishing extraordinary things with the support of friends in a way that changes the world for the better. These movies showcase what a group of people can do when they each bring their unique skillsets and accomplish a goal together.
Key learnings
- Establishing a productive daily routine, including exercise, is essential for maintaining focus and energy.
- Adopting a dog and do activities together will significantly enhance mental and physical well-being.
- Bringing ideas to life requires thorough research, effective communication, and strategic execution.
- Building strong relationships and networking are crucial for career growth.
- Learning to speak up for yourself and your team’s needs are vital for long-term success.