IPMA® Level D Certified Project Management Associate

• Successfully participated in the continuing education module Agile Process and Project Manager, including preparation for certification as Professional Scrum Master (PSM) I / Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) I (scrum.org).
• The preparatory seminars were conducted according to the PM concept of CBM Projektmanagement GmbH, developed on the basis of the Scrum Guide and the extended requirements of AZAV for vocational training.
• Seminar contents (187 hours):
• Fundamentals of Agile Project Management: Agile Manifesto, Agile Values & Principles, History & Differences Between Traditional vs. Agile PM, Complexity Models, Basics of Scrum Values, Roles, Artifacts and Events (25h)
• Agile Process Planning and Control: Self-organization in Agile Teams, Sprint Planning, Scrum Board, Kanban, Agile Estimation Techniques (especially Scrum Poker), Velocity & Capacity, Burn-down Charts (25h)
• Agile Team Development: Role of Scrum Master (dimensions and skills), Agile Team Development, Impediments and Impediment Backlog, Agile Organizational Development (20h)
• Agile Creativity and Problem-Solving Approaches, Facilitation Techniques for Brainstorming, Decision-Making and Problem-Solving; Team-Building Methods, Basics of Design Thinking (20h)
• Agile Requirements Management: Role of Product Owner, Product Vision, Product Backlog Management, Writing, Prioritizing and Detailing User Stories, Story Mapping, Use-Case Diagrams, Stakeholder Management, Scaling Scrum (38h)
• Exam preparation for the certification exam as Professional Scrum Master (PSM) I or Professional Scrum Product Owner (PSPO) I (59h).

Appointed as Product Owner for the development team “Dionysos”.

Led the following product developments:

• Development of the KBV-compliant archive and switch interface (AWSST)
• Development of the integration of a supplied prescription software (KBV VOS) including the electronic prescription (ePrescription) and a FHIR server into the practice management system (PVS) DISweb
• Prototype development of a web-based dialysis monitor in collaboration with development partner medVISON AG. The dialysis monitor user-friendly supports the end user in preparing and monitoring dialysis as well as data collection during dialysis. It works closely with DISweb PVS, especially regarding automatic data provision/transfer to simplify usage.

Responsibilities as Product Owner included:

• Requirements engineering together with customer and partner stakeholders as well as internal stakeholders of Knowledgepark GmbH
• Translating gathered requirements into user stories, reviewed and adjusted with the development team in refinement sessions for technical feasibility within a sprint
• Clarifying requirements of the National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Physicians (KBV) with regulatory specialists and translating them into user stories
• Building and maintaining the corresponding product backlogs
• Acceptance of user stories, primarily through review or manual testing of developed features
• Planning and managing the team’s maintenance obligations, especially for the medication and dialysis modules of DISweb PVS
• Attending daily team meetings (dailies) for continuous clarification of user stories and requirements during a sprint
• Managing and planning the above-mentioned projects AWSST, VOS/ePrescription, Dialysis Monitor
• Close coordination with executive and product management (as internal stakeholders)

Possesses in-depth expertise in eHealth and strong technical understanding of relevant standards (e.g., HL7 FHIR). Lacking knowledge was quickly acquired independently or with specialists’ help. Thanks to professional experience, e.g. as a nurse, communicates with all stakeholders on equal footing and with sensitivity. Works independently and reliably with high engagement and repeatedly motivated the development team. Demonstrated composure and professionalism even in critical situations. Quickly caught up on initial lack of experience as an agile Product Owner and performed the role to full satisfaction. Together with the team, created the desired added value for the company, customers and partners. Highly recommendable – in general and especially as a Product Owner.

Contents:

• Origin, motivation and core principles of FHIR®
• REST paradigm
• Aggregation and search
• Operations
• Linking resources
• Terminologies
• Transactions
• Paradigms: documents and messages
• Questionnaires
• FHIR® applications, frameworks and use cases (live demo)
• FHIR® and HL7® V2/IHE/CDA
• Creating profiles, value sets and extensions
• Conformance resources
• Introduction to various tools
• Summary/discussion

Practical exercises:

• Modeling demographic patient data
• REST paradigm
• Aggregation and search
• Operations
• Linking resources
• Terminologies Lecturer: Simone Heckmann.

Acted as project manager for vitabook GmbH in the project “Integration of UKSH with vitabook GmbH’s eGA” at University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH). Role: independently advise and support UKSH as Single Point of Contact from the client’s perspective (vitabook GmbH). Tasks included:

• Coordinating and scheduling subprojects: rollout, data protection, internal and external communication
• Aligning planning and approach with UKSH project team
• Creating a concept and inventory of functionalities already implemented in UKSH’s MIS in cooperation with UKSH
• Collecting and forwarding UKSH’s individual requirements
• Identifying additional implementation options for transfer management and transplantation management

Collaboration with UKSH was always positive; Mr. Merckens was highly valued for his commitment and friendliness. In discussions and negotiations, he demonstrated loyalty to his client, assertiveness and flexibility, consistently achieving sound compromises in UKSH’s interest. His expertise and technical understanding enabled highly constructive work with UKSH’s project team. He always worked independently and confidently, making him a reliable contact person. His strong dedication contributed greatly to joint success.

Meets the requirements for the role of Data Protection Officer - Basic. Completed CeLS assessment successfully and fulfilled the requirements set by ask Datenschutz for this role. Certificate valid for one year.

Served at client T-Systems in the GEMATIK project as project manager. Provided independent consulting and specialist support as Consultant Expert in T-Systems’ GEMATIK project. Tasks included:

• Coordinating and scheduling subproject rollout
• Aligning rollout planning and approach with hospital management of selected hospitals
• Creating a high-level concept and inventory at selected hospitals (5×)
• Managing the MIS vendor
• Determining training needs per hospital and conducting trainings
• Rollout and production support

Mr. Merckens’ collaboration with the client was always positive. He was highly appreciated by clients and partners for his dedication and friendliness. In discussions and negotiations, he demonstrated assertiveness and flexibility, achieving effective client-focused compromises. His high expertise and technical understanding enabled very constructive work in project teams. He always worked independently and confidently, being a reliable contact. His strong commitment contributed greatly to joint success.

Foundation certification as stated in the APMG International Swirl Management System. Certificate Number: 00607142.

Served as Sales Representative / Sales Executive for the Northern region at the Hamburg branch. (Interim reference issued on 20 June 2006)

Primary responsibilities:

• Sales of rental and leasing solutions in the IT environment, consulting and maintenance services
• Building a network of client contacts and potential multipliers, such as system integrators of:
• ADA-das SystemHaus GmbH
• ComputaCenter AG & Co. oHG
• CABUS GmbH
• BIVG Hannover Büromaschinen Import und Vertriebs-GmbH
• MCS Moorbek Computer Systeme GmbH
• Acquisition of new clients, e.g.:
• Signal Iduna AG
• Volkswagen AG
• Klinikum Region Hannover
• EDEKA AG
• Managing existing clients, e.g.:
• Dussmann AG
• RTA Steuerberatungsgesellschaft GmbH
• KAEFER Isoliertechnik GmbH & Co.KG
• Flughafen Berlin-Schönefeld GmbH

Skills and qualities:

• Strong analytical skills and professional experience
• Quickly and purposefully familiarized with tasks and responsibilities with great commitment
• Undertook tasks and responsibilities with high initiative and responsibility, always to full satisfaction
• Resilient employee capable of handling extensive and changing workload, delivering high and error-free work quality even under deadline pressure
• Outgoing and quickly integrated into responsibilities
• Valued for expertise, strong work ethic and confident, open manner
• Always correct, friendly and cooperative behavior towards supervisors, colleagues and clients.

Seminar contents:

• Basics of Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)
• Connection setup with wvdial, PPP daemon
• ISDN fundamentals
• ISDN routers
• DNS; NFS; NIS; DHCP
• FTP
• Proxy servers
• Apache

Seminar contents:

• Overview of web languages
• The Active Server Page model
• Creating ASP pages
• Adding script commands and statements
• Built-in ASP objects
• Database integration
• PHP model
• Language basics
• Operators; variables; loops; arrays
• Database connection (MySQL)

Served as Senior Technical Sales Engineer at Cable & Wireless Deutschland GmbH (formerly Digital Island) in the Hamburg sales branch. Reported directly to the Sales Director Enterprise Markets. Role as technical contact in major account sales. Responsibilities:

• Technical contact for all hosting and CDN (including streaming) projects primarily for clients like:
• SAP
• Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
• Nokia Finland
• ABN AMRO
• Bertelsmann AG companies
• Kirch New Media
• Designing hosting solutions tailored to client requirements
• Project management
• Needs analysis with clients
• Workflow analysis
• Responsible for steering the installation process
• Supporting sales
• Presales activities
• Liaison between the corporate headquarters (Digital Island) in San Francisco and the German branch regarding realization of new client requirements

Skills and qualities:

• Quickly mastered diverse tasks thanks to strong prior knowledge and experience, achieving good results from the start
• Due to quick comprehension, always executed tasks to fullest satisfaction
• Exhibited high independence, flexibility and commitment
• Strong conceptual and analytical thinking, high social competence and customer- and team-oriented behavior made him a competent and valued partner for clients, colleagues and supervisors
• Always impeccable demeanor meeting expectations in all respects
• Recommended by Pekka Kuitinlahti (IT Architect at a client, Cap Gemini Ernst & Young Finland): Worked with Stephan from summer 2001 to summer 2003. Capable of cooperation, direct and constructive. Tirelessly sought appropriate solutions and patiently answered endless questions. Even after sales phase remained the go-to for information and support. Worked smoothly under stress and diligently pursued solutions. Highly recommended for technical positions with client-facing responsibilities, efficient and pleasant collaboration.

Successfully participated. Topics:

• Linux installation
• User and group management
• Process management and system monitoring
• System start and shutdown
• Peripheral device management, software installation
• Connecting to an existing network

Successfully completed the course.

Successfully completed the 4-day Powersoft seminar. Topics included:

• What is PowerBuilder
• PowerBuilder objects
• Writing scripts
• Database administration
• Creating result sets for DataWindow objects
• Extending DataWindow object UI
• Database connections
• Object orientation in PowerBuilder
• Introduction to MDI applications
• Opening sheets
• Advanced instantiation
• Declaring and using custom functions and events
• Data manipulation
• Deploying a complete application

Initially hired for a project to introduce a new ERP system (WWS). Soon after, took over department leadership for internal IT (Central Information Systems). Responsibilities and achievements:

• Built an efficient team within weeks, significantly boosting internal data processing productivity through software changes and new network technologies
• Achieved over 99.5% availability of company value-added services (ISP)

Comprehensive responsibilities:

• Introducing a new ERP system in all 12 branches and subsidiaries (Unicorn Communications GmbH, MacVonk GmbH)
• Administration, support and customization of Omnis 7–based ERP system
• Developing a data warehouse module for ERP to consolidate branch data at headquarters using Claris Emailer and AppleScripts
• Optimizing the LAN using switchable hubs
• Overseeing company intranet
• Administering proprietary mailbox system “MagicVillage” on FirstClass Internet Server
• Maintaining readiness to support all value-added services (FirstClass, Internet) (modem and ISDN access including Portmaster, various Internet, FirstClass, ARA and mail servers, etc.)
• Assisting branches with heterogeneous networks, especially Windows NT servers in Apple Macintosh environments
• Planning and configuring Windows NT servers for clients (e.g. as file servers)
• Planning and configuring WinFrame servers (including client projects)
• Personnel management
• Second-level support for network and server integration issues
• Quark Publishing System (QPS) support
• Controlling (including budget responsibility) of all communication systems and company-wide hardware and software

Skills and qualities:

• Persuaded colleagues and clients through competent and cooperative manner
• Polite and collegial, completed all tasks punctually and to fullest satisfaction
• Initiative and engagement enabled rapid learning in new IT areas
• Ability to analyze problems precisely, propose solutions and implement them with team
• Researched and explained new technologies to clients and staff, strengthening company’s reputation as a competence partner.

Attended nursing school and passed final exam as a registered nurse. The theoretical training (1442h) covered professional studies, anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, pathology (internal medicine, surgery, neurology, etc.), general and specialized nursing. Practical training included assignments in various clinics (internal medicine, surgery, psychiatry, neurology, ENT, orthopedics, urology, neurosurgery).

Passed the final exam in the continuing Master’s distance-learning program Management of Healthcare and Social Institutions with grade: Good (1.8). Master’s thesis: “Electronic Health Card, vitabook, Life Time – a comparison with special focus on data protection and data security.” Modules included:

• MGS0100: Fundamentals of Management
• MGS0200: Human Resources
• MGS0300: Corporate Communication
• MGS0400: Quality Management
• MGS0500: Managing Change Processes (Case Study: “Project evaluation of an MIS introduction – assessing achieved quality and goals using Clinixx at Specialist Clinic Hamburg”)
• MGS0600: Communication and Leadership
• Specialization in hospital, specialized clinic and multidisciplinary center management
• MGS0700a: Networking and Innovation
• MGS0800a: Result Orientation
• MGS0900a: Financial Management

Degree program in Business Informatics. Passed the diploma exam. Average grade in exams: Satisfactory (2.8). Diploma thesis: Good (2.0). Topic: Mapping optimized business processes of a small medium-sized enterprise to a relational database. Examiner: Prof. Dr. Dirk Hauschildt. Colloquium: Good (1.7). Overall grade: Good (2.4). Completed courses included:

• Basic studies: Business taxation I, Business administration I, Data processing I, Accounting, Statistics, Economics, Business law
• Advanced studies: Business informatics I, II, III, Case study I, II.