About this role
For this edition, we had the pleasure of interviewing Thati, a Project Lead and Scrum Master at TOPIC. She shares more about her experiences managing complex high-tech projects, the importance of good collaboration, and the skills that are essential for success. What projects are you currently working on? I am currently working on two projects. One is with a farm-out team, where I am Scrum Master for a team that develops software features for a cutting-edge light projection system used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. And I am starting as a Program Manager on a new project for CERN, overseeing the development and production of a specialized board. What does your workweek look like? A typical week involves overseeing both projects, facilitating meetings and discussions with our teams to review sprint progress and project milestones against our timelines, remove impediments, and foster collaboration to identify and mitigate risks, overcome issues and deviations, and ensure alignment with our goals. I also engage with key stakeholders such as the Product Owner and Customer Technical Leader to discuss upcoming objectives, report progress, and address challenges with actionable mitigation plans. This dual role keeps me actively engaged in facilitation and strategic oversight, with my time focused on responsibilities like planning, stakeholder communication, and cross-functional alignment. What skills are essential to have? Understanding embedded systems and their ecosystem, the Scrum methodology and its ceremonies, along with top project management practices, is vital. Effective management, planning, and communication skills are key to clearly conveying goals and strategies to both customers and the team, ensuring alignment and engagement. Since joining TOPIC, I've observed that adhering to best practices and guidelines significantly enhances team engagement and smooth workflow. How do you handle complex projects or si...