iwow supported a construction data company improve its global tech delivery by bringing teams together, modernizing platforms, connecting legacy systems, and introducing AI‑driven development practices.
The client was transitioning their technology delivery to a Spotify-inspired tribe structure, consolidating regional teams into a global development organization. This specific tribe was tasked with managing and developing the company’s central data pipelines.
The client needed a leader with a combination of technical expertise in AI and automation, and the leadership experience to stabilize ongoing projects, establish the new organization, and evaluate the structural design.
As Engineering Director, the 12-month assignment was structured in two main phases to manage the transition effectively. Responsibilities included stakeholder management, coordinating employees and consultants, and guiding the technical and organizational transition.
Phase 1: Stabilization & Governance (Months 1–6)
- Portfolio & Financial Structuring: Assumed responsibility for 23 concurrent projects to ensure delivery stability. Introduced a standardized project coding system that enabled structured tracking of deliverables and allowed vendor invoices to be mapped directly to specific projects, improving financial oversight.
- Reporting & Governance: Established reporting frameworks to provide management with a clear, objective overview of ongoing initiatives prior to the organizational restructure.
Phase 2: Organizational Setup & Agile Work Methods (Months 7–12)
- Organizational Consolidation: Onboarded regional employees, identified competence gaps, and managed recruitment, establishing a unified global tribe of 40 members.
- Agile Implementation: Harmonized varying work methods (ranging from basic Kanban to advanced agile) by introducing a shared framework and standardized Sprint Planning across the teams.
Over the 12-month period, the project portfolio was stabilized, and the new global tribe organization was established with a headcount of 40 members.
The operational experience and data gathered during this consolidation phase provided valuable insights that the client subsequently used to further adjust and refine the organizational design.
Operationally, the introduction of structured reporting and project tracking in the first half, combined with unified Sprint Planning in the second half, improved clarity and provided teams with more focused development time. By integrating these structured work methods with applied AI-supported development practices, a solid foundation was established for the continued development of the company’s core data pipelines.