Cyrus Jovan Chats About Project Management

This month we speak to Cyrus Jovan, Project Manager, about his experience with clients, working for HealthAxis, and utilizing Agile methodology to empower teams to make decisions and facilitate communication internally and cross-departments. 

 Tell us about your team and daily activities. 

The Project Management Office (PMO) is responsible for managing both implementations and HealthAxis scrum teams. Project Managers coordinate internally with our project teams and externally with the client to ensure their projects are successful. In addition, our department also leads our internal scrum meetings, which are meetings teams use to produce products faster by breaking large development projects into smaller pieces. As scrum masters, we act as facilitators to remove impediments and meet sprint goals every week. 

 What does an average day look like for you / your team?   

The Project Managers (PM) and Scrum Masters (SM’s) will both have busy days; however, the PM is mainly on client-facing calls addressing requirements outlined in the Statement of Work (SoW). Each project is unique and encompasses a distinct set of requirements. Different working areas of projects have their own set of meetings with internal and external resources. These meetings determine issues or risks and facilitate progress, allowing us to meet the project’s correlated milestones. Scrum Masters are HealthAxis resources that manage assigned scrums and set expectations on a bi-weekly basis. Scrum masters conduct successful sprints by hosting planning sessions, daily stand-up meetings, and Sprint Retrospectives (lessons learned). They also follow up with resources daily to ensure progress and to assist with impediments. 

 Do you have any exciting upcoming projects?  

As the Cherokee Indian Hospital Authority (CIHA) implementation Project Manager, I am personally looking forward to the 7/1/2021 Go-Live. Monitoring that all items are complete, tested and that a successful transition occurs both internally and externally for the implementation is always an exciting time in the project life cycle. While all projects are unique, this implementation represents the very first Tribal Option (TO) hospital in the country to become a stand-alone health plan sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and will be the first to offer medical services under the TO umbrella for the Cherokee Nation in North Carolina. Therefore, it sets the standard for future Tribal Options in other states for other tribes and their respected state DHHS.  

 What has been your favorite memory so far with HealthAxis?  

My favorite memory at HealthAxis involves the many occasions where our backs have been against the wall and our team worked together to complete the task at hand. Whether it be changing scopes or shifting dates, we always work together to accomplish our end goals. 

 

HealthAxis’ Flexible Work Options are Here to Stay.

For years there have been debates and hesitation for companies to transition to remote and flexible work options. In response to the pandemic, HealthAxis rapidly adopted new behaviors. Our teams quickly pivoted into a hybrid work environment thinking it would be a short-term solution for keeping everyone safe. Now, we have realized this shift has become the future of our workforce. Many experts believe the hybrid model and work-from-home options are becoming the expectation for jobseekers and existing employees. Companies that choose to deviate from this model could be putting themselves at risk for higher turnover.

Pandemic Inadvertently Grew Employment Pool

After assessing the industry trends and as part of our intentional growth strategy, HealthAxis has permanently embraced the flexible, remote-work model. This design offers employees more flexibility and freedom, giving them more control over how they work and where they work. Over 95% of our job openings are now location-agnostic within the United States.

Individuals can choose how they do their work the best— at home, in a corporate office space, a combination of both, or even working in a state outside our core cities. The exact mix of home and office work mode is a decision each employee and their manager will agree to together. This approach allows us to remain competitive and builds an even more talented, diverse workforce as we hire from increasingly different backgrounds and perspectives.

HealthAxis Addresses Work-From-Home Downfalls Head On

We understand some of the biggest challenges to remote work are communication gaps, lack of social interactions, and employee motivation. Addressing these challenges, HealthAxis revamped our new hire orientation and training programs to reflect a remote-first onboarding experience incorporating an expanded library of virtual training. In addition, HealthAxis enlarged the HR team to heighten the remote employee culture and keep our team connected, engaged, and active. The staff is in the process of growing the employee engagement committee, upgrading the wellness program, increasing activities on our Teams channels, and evaluating in-person collaboration and team gatherings.

Furthermore, our new hoteling policy allows employees to work in our offices and have group meetings by simply reserving a space for their needs. The team is still developing and improving upon many HR policies like protocols for hiring and retaining employees living outside our core operating areas and updating payroll and tax guidelines.

HealthAxis Core Values Support Adjustment to Remote Work Environment

Following our Core Value of Intentional Growth, we have embraced this evolution into a hybrid, remote work. “We believe this is an opportunity to redesign the way we work for the betterment of present and future employees as well as the company. We know we may not get it 100% right immediately, but we are committed to maintaining a learning mindset. Our Core Value of Controlled Experimentation and Applied Learning is about staying open to new information and feedback and iterating over time until we do”, said Shilen Patel, CEO. “Our goal is to expand access to the opportunities that a career with HealthAxis represents.”

HealthAxis to Take Part in RISE Special Needs Plan Leadership Summit

HealthAxis is exhibiting and speaking at RISE Special Needs Plan Leadership Summit

Date: June 22-23, 2021

HealthAxis will be showcasing how our team can help overcome the complexities of the Special Needs population with our comprehensive integrated solution, HxOne, comprised of innovative technology, extensive services, and actionable analytics.

Visit us at our booth or join us on Wednesday, June  23rd at 1:30-2:15 pm during the Boosting Clinical Outcomes through the integration of Behavioral Health session.