Chenda Little

About Chenda Little

PMI certified Program Lead with more than 10+ years of experience managing project management teams in definition, planning, and execution of complex market research projects. Leads project teams to successfully execute projects and ensure that objectives are met on-time and within budget.

Experience

1. Program Lead, Director

   JD Power

   Mar 2018 — Present

   Leads a remote team of project managers who are responsible for managing time, cost, and quality for multiple research projects and client deliverables, including online reporting platforms.• Proactively reviews and audits project materials including resource requirements, network diagrams, schedules, budgets, risk mitigation plans, and prior year closeouts to ensure studies are ready for execution.• Regularly develops communication to executive-level stakeholders for project roadmaps.• Provides high priority issue notifications impacting time, cost or quality with thorough root cause analyses, resolution steps, and recommendations for continuous improvements.• Works with cross-functional operations management to optimize systems, tools, and standards. Regularly audits for process compliance.• Reports on monthly project forecasts and progress against planned budgets to project sponsors.• Works closely with PMO Department Head to improve framework and business guidelines and help strengthen the skills and core competency of project teams.• Helps to identify the training needs for PMO staff and assists in the development of training materials.• Responsible for coaching and development of PMO staff.• Takes a leadership role in employee engagement activities for department staff.

Education

• University of California, Santa Barbara

  Bachelor's Degree, Sociology

  1998 — 2002

• California State University Northridge

  Master's Degree, Sociology

  2002 — 2005