In today’s dynamic landscape, luxury retail demands a robust project management approach that aligns technical and business teams seamlessly. Soonyong J., a seasoned project manager at we+, has honed this skill through her work in high-stakes environments. Her role demonstrates how strategic methodologies and effective communication can drive successful outcomes. In a recent interview, Soonyong shared insights into her project management approach, methodologies, and strategies for bridging the gap between technical and business stakeholders.

Building a Strong Foundation in Project Management

Soonyong’s Background in E-commerce and Retail

With over a decade of experience across renowned organizations, Soonyong has developed expertise in e-commerce and retail omnichannel project management. At we+, she plays a crucial role in revamping and enhancing order management systems and workflows for retail business clients, translating business requirements into technical capability design. This intermediary position allows her to facilitate smoother project execution towards quality delivery.

Methodologies in Action – From Audit to Deployment

A Two-Pronged Approach to Project Management

Soonyong employs a blend of traditional project management principles and Agile practices, enabling a structured yet flexible approach to each project phase.

• Discovery Phase: In-depth interviews and workshops with business users to clarify project scope and requirements.
• Design Phase: Aligning technical specifications with business needs, leading to a formal sign-off.
• Build Phase: Engaging developers to execute the project, with a focus on communication to avoid misunderstandings.
• Testing and Deployment: System Integration Testing (SIT) and User Acceptance Testing (UAT) ensure quality, followed by the final deployment phase.
• Hypercare: 2-4 weeks period upon deployment to provide immediate fix upon bugs arise.
• Maintenance Phase: provision of a long-term maintenance and enhancement program.

Integrating Agile for Flexibility

For ongoing product enhancements, Soonyong incorporates Agile methodologies, allowing the team to adapt to feedback and rapidly respond to changing needs.

Engaging Stakeholders and Balancing Expectations

Customizing Communication Strategies

Effective stakeholder engagement is essential to project success. Soonyong’s tailored communication strategies cater to the diverse needs of technical teams and senior management alike.

• Daily Stand-ups: Daily quick sync on build and test progress, and key challenges, if any.
• Core Team Meetings: Weekly updates for development and business teams to maintain alignment.
• Leadership Updates: Monthly steering committee meetings provide high-level project insights.
• Broad Stakeholder Communication: Regular email updates ensure wider stakeholders remain informed without being overwhelmed.

The Role of Communication in Change Management

In any new project, change management is key. By prioritizing clear and consistent communication, Soonyong helps stakeholders adapt to operational changes with minimal disruption.

Overcoming Challenges – Lessons Learned

Addressing Team Performance and Technical Constraints

Every project faces challenges. Recently, Soonyong encountered obstacles in platform rollout due to team performance and technical constraints. Her proactive approach, including hands-on guidance and escalation, when necessary, showcases the importance of early issue identification and open communication.

Navigating Global Risks in Project Management

With development teams across different time zones, Soonyong advocates for flexible working hours and clear communication to overcome scheduling challenges, ensuring collaboration across regions.

Why we+ is the Right Partner for Project Management

A Commitment to Structured Methodologies and Excellence

Soonyong’s project management approach reflects we+’s commitment to excellence. By leveraging traditional and Agile methodologies, we+ delivers complex projects efficiently, adapting to evolving client needs and achieving exceptional results. This makes We+ the ideal partner for clients seeking a strategic and reliable consulting firm to drive their projects forward.

Special thanks to Soonyong J., experienced consultant at we+

We would like to warmly thank Soonyong J. for her contribution to this project and this article. With over 13 years’ experience in digital transformation, particularly in the e-commerce and retail sectors, Soonyong has distinguished herself through her expertise in managing complex projects, her leadership, and her strategic approach. She is playing a key role in managing the omnichannel roadmap across the Asia-Pacific region. Her ability to bring together technical and business teams, as well as her commitment to Agile methodology, are testament to her talent for successfully completing ambitious projects while aligning the expectations of the various stakeholders.