Alyssa Harriss

Experience

• 

  NI (National Instruments)

  Jan 2017 - Dec 2023

  Experienced in the timely and safe completion of projects. Led in overseeing all aspects of project management. Navigated projects with confidence, ensuring efficiency by applying different methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid, etc.).Project Management and Communication• Juggled projects with precision, prioritizing tasks to align with goals, resource bandwidth, and client demands. Forged cohesive teams, surpassing customer commitments through seamless communication and coordination.• Provided leadership within teams by establishing crystal-clear communication channels, ensuring flawless collaboration, and timely project completion. Effectively developed measurable and achievable project plans.Risk Mitigation and Performance Optimization• Provided leadership for cross-functional teams, managing project chaos and resolving conflicts. Empowered junior team members with project management experience, boosting skills and improving overall performance.• Championed continuous improvement, implementing cost-saving initiatives that optimized project outcomes.Project Execution and Monitoring• Laser-focused on project metrics, identifying areas for growth and agility, then making proactive adjustments to maintain momentum. Led project meetings, steering discussions towards concise action plans and resolving conflict.• Partnered hand-in-hand with leadership, ensuring project objectives perfectly aligned with goals of the company.Notable Accomplishments• Eliminated 2-month delay between software releases by streamlining process and aligning to cycle-based commitments.• Spearheaded a "Zero Bug" initiative, slashing division-wide bug backlog from 2500 to 100 within a year through bug prioritization training, strategic backlog management coaching, and advocating for prioritization of bug fixes over rapid feature releases, which ensured improved product quality and sustained backlog control. Show less Supported customers over email and by phone for issues related to LabVIEW and NI hardware. This support included but was not limited to licensing, connectivity, proofs of concept, software bug investigation, and pre-sales specification needs.Team Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing• Saved the day for co-workers during peer discussions, group forums, and as a Vision Technical Specialist, tackling tough issues with expertise and grace. Advocated for self-service as a champion of knowledge base development, crafting clear articles and FAQs that helped customers find answers while reducing support ticket volume.Technical Problem-Solving and Optimization• Improved application performance by diagnosing and quickly resolving a wide range of software issues.• Optimized customer experience through expert technical support and insightful troubleshooting, ensuring smooth sailing. Enhanced system functionality by developing custom applications that fit specific needs.• Provided seamless training for end-users, empowering them to adopt new technologies and applications with confidence. Cultivated a culture of continuous learning by mentoring junior engineers in best practices.Troubleshooting and Technical Support• Investigated root causes of system failures and performance issues, implementing effective fixes to prevent future occurrences. Led workshops for internal teams on specific applications engineering techniques and concepts, fostering collaboration and widespread expertise. Show less Supported customers over email and by phone for issues related to LabVIEW and NI hardware. This support included but was not limited to licensing, connectivity, proofs of concept, software bug investigation, and pre-sales specification needs.Team Collaboration and Knowledge Sharing• Saved the day for co-workers during peer discussions, group forums, and as a Vision Technical Specialist, tackling tough issues with expertise and grace. Advocated for self-service as a champion of knowledge base development, crafting clear articles and FAQs that helped customers find answers while reducing support ticket volume.Technical Problem-Solving and Optimization• Improved application performance by diagnosing and quickly resolving a wide range of software issues.• Optimized customer experience through expert technical support and insightful troubleshooting, ensuring smooth sailing. Enhanced system functionality by developing custom applications that fit specific needs.• Provided seamless training for end-users, empowering them to adopt new technologies and applications with confidence. Cultivated a culture of continuous learning by mentoring junior engineers in best practices.Troubleshooting and Technical Support• Investigated root causes of system failures and performance issues, implementing effective fixes to prevent future occurrences. Led workshops for internal teams on specific applications engineering techniques and concepts, fostering collaboration and widespread expertise. Show less

  • Staff Project Manager

    Jan 2021 - Dec 2023

  • Staff Product Support Engineer

    May 2018 - Dec 2020

  • Application Engineer

    Jan 2017 - May 2018