LabNet Wi-Fi Deployment Integration Case Study
Scenario
As the project manager at Meta, I identified a critical issue within our LabNet system: the lack of a standardized method for requesting Wi-Fi deployments in existing labs. Users were resorting to various inconsistent methods, such as workplace chat, tasks, or general tickets. This inconsistency was leading to complications in request tracking and customer communication. Additionally, the recent migration of lab network provisioning to the NEXT platform, which excluded Wi-Fi for existing labs, had introduced workflow discrepancies.
LabNet Wi-Fi Deployment Integration Case Study
Scenario
As the project manager at Meta, I identified a critical issue within our LabNet system: the lack of a standardized method for requesting Wi-Fi deployments in existing labs. Users were resorting to various inconsistent methods, such as workplace chat, tasks, or general tickets. This inconsistency was leading to complications in request tracking and customer communication. Additionally, the recent migration of lab network provisioning to the NEXT platform, which excluded Wi-Fi for existing labs, had introduced workflow discrepancies.
Challenges
In my initial project assessment, I identified several key challenges:
Inconsistent request methods leading to tracking difficulties
Poor customer communication due to lack of a centralized system
Missed Wi-Fi provisions due to process misunderstandings
Workflow discrepancies between NEXT platform and Wi-Fi deployments for existing labs
Lack of visibility into metrics for the Network Infrastructure Services (NIS) team
Inefficient onboarding process for new engineers due to fragmented systems
Objective
As the project manager, I set the primary objective to integrate Wi-Fi provisioning for existing labs into LabNet, creating a unified request process. I established the following goals:
Centralize the request processes
Enhance transparency for customers and the NIS team
Optimize deployments
Reduce errors
Accelerate processing of Add Wi-Fi requests
Solution
I led the implementation of a comprehensive solution to address the challenges:
Stakeholder Alignment: I organized cross-functional meetings to ensure all stakeholders understood the project goals and their roles.
LabNet Integration: I coordinated with the engineering team to create a feature allowing users to request "Add Wi-Fi" for an existing lab directly within LabNet.
NEXT Workflow Trigger: I facilitated collaboration between the LabNet and NEXT teams to implement a system triggering a new NEXT workflow upon request submission.
Phased Rollout Strategy: I proposed and implemented a phased approach, initially restricting the feature to type-3 labs, with plans for future expansion to type-1 labs.
User Interface Enhancement: I worked closely with UX designers to add an intuitive "Add Wi-Fi" option to the actions dropdown in the Labs tab within LabNet.
Project Execution:
I oversaw the drafting of a comprehensive System Design document
I facilitated the cross-functional (XFN) sign-off process on the System Design document
I managed the implementation timeline of the Add Wi-Fi feature
I coordinated thorough testing of the feature, ensuring quality and user satisfaction
Latest work
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Impact
My leadership and strategic project management resulted in significant improvements:
Reduced MTTR: The solutions I implemented led to a substantial decrease in resolution times across all request types.
Improved SLA Compliance: The percentage of reviews completed within SLAs increased dramatically under my management.
Enhanced Communication: My implementation of the nudge feature and proactive notifications significantly improved internal communication.
Increased Accountability: The performance dashboard and reporting tools I developed fostered a culture of accountability.
Data-Driven Decision Making: The reporting mechanisms I introduced provided leadership with actionable insights for future improvements.
Improved Customer Satisfaction: The efficiencies I introduced led to enhanced customer satisfaction and retention.
Conclusion
As the project manager, I successfully led the team in addressing a critical infrastructure challenge at Meta. By implementing a user-centric, integrated solution, we significantly improved efficiency, transparency, and scalability in our laboratory Wi-Fi deployment process. This project showcases my ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage complex technical integrations, and deliver substantial business value through strategic project management.
Challenges
In my initial project assessment, I identified several key challenges:
-
Inconsistent request methods leading to tracking difficulties
-
Poor customer communication due to lack of a centralized system
-
Missed Wi-Fi provisions due to process misunderstandings
-
Workflow discrepancies between NEXT platform and Wi-Fi deployments for existing labs
-
Lack of visibility into metrics for the Network Infrastructure Services (NIS) team
-
Inefficient onboarding process for new engineers due to fragmented systems
Objective
As the project manager, I set the primary objective to integrate Wi-Fi provisioning for existing labs into LabNet, creating a unified request process. I established the following goals:
-
Centralize the request processes
-
Enhance transparency for customers and the NIS team
-
Optimize deployments
-
Reduce errors
-
Accelerate processing of Add Wi-Fi requests
Solution
I led the implementation of a comprehensive solution to address the challenges:
-
Stakeholder Alignment: I organized cross-functional meetings to ensure all stakeholders understood the project goals and their roles.
-
LabNet Integration: I coordinated with the engineering team to create a feature allowing users to request "Add Wi-Fi" for an existing lab directly within LabNet.
-
NEXT Workflow Trigger: I facilitated collaboration between the LabNet and NEXT teams to implement a system triggering a new NEXT workflow upon request submission.
-
Phased Rollout Strategy: I proposed and implemented a phased approach, initially restricting the feature to type-3 labs, with plans for future expansion to type-1 labs.
-
User Interface Enhancement: I worked closely with UX designers to add an intuitive "Add Wi-Fi" option to the actions dropdown in the Labs tab within LabNet.
-
Project Execution:
-
I oversaw the drafting of a comprehensive System Design document
-
I facilitated the cross-functional (XFN) sign-off process on the System Design document
-
I managed the implementation timeline of the Add Wi-Fi feature
-
I coordinated thorough testing of the feature, ensuring quality and user satisfaction
-
Impact
Through my project management efforts, the integration of Wi-Fi provisioning for existing labs into LabNet resulted in significant improvements:
-
Streamlined Process: We established a single intake method for Wi-Fi deployment requests, simplifying the process for both customers and the deployment team.
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Increased Efficiency: Under my management, the system now efficiently handles approximately 10 add Wi-Fi requests per month.
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Enhanced Visibility: I ensured the NIS team gained valuable insights into deployment metrics, enabling data-driven decision-making.
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Improved Customer Experience: I championed the implementation of real-time tracking for customers' deployment projects.
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Simplified Workflow: My coordination allowed the NIS deployment team to utilize NEXT for all lab-related deployments, simplifying the onboarding process for new engineers.
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Reduced Errors: Through my emphasis on centralization and automation, we achieved a significant decrease in deployment errors.
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Accelerated Deployments: My focus on integrating Netgram automation through NEXT integration accelerated the overall deployment process.
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Scalability: The new system I helped implement improved the efficiency and scalability of labs by automating workflow tasks.
Conclusion
As the project manager, I successfully led the team in addressing a critical infrastructure challenge at Meta. By implementing a user-centric, integrated solution, we significantly improved efficiency, transparency, and scalability in our laboratory Wi-Fi deployment process. This project showcases my ability to coordinate cross-functional teams, manage complex technical integrations, and deliver substantial business value through strategic project management.