Building and Deploying a World Class Scala Team for a Global Media and Telecoms Company
The Challenge
Arrows Group was approached by the Global Media & Telecoms client, who needed help with a critical requirement. The client needed to deliver a GDPR compliant solution for personalised recommendations for all of the their customers in the UK, Germany and Italy – in order for them to meet new EU regulations.
An internal team had already begun the work but were badly behind schedule – putting the client at risk of failing to comply with the upcoming GDPR regulations.
The solution, to be developed in Scala, needed to mask user ID’s during real-time data processing to ensure complete anonymity for the client’s customers.
Arrows Group were asked to manage the team build process with no involvement from the client. They were tasked with building and deploying a team that would seamlessly transition into the business and deliver the required solution.
The Solution
Arrows Group introduced a dedicated Client Partner onsite who would take ownership of the project delivery and ensure a singular point of contact.
The Client Partner worked with the Head of Technology, Delivery Manager, Product Owner and the existing Scala team to define the exact requirements and expectations of the new solution, subsequently creating a resource plan and skills matrix for a team of 7, as well as agreeing new team deliverables.
Arrows Group utilised an extensive network and the innovative OneDay model to rigorously screen 18 Scala consultants over a 3- day period. All individuals underwent a tough coding test and face-to-face interviews, the successful consultants were then shortlisted for final selection.
Following the completion of the OneDay’s Arrows Group then assessed each shortlisted consultant against the detailed skills matrix, selecting the final team of 7 to be deployed onsite.
The Results
The 7-strong Scala team was deployed onsite at the client within 30 days of initial project engagement. The Client Partner ensured a quick onboarding process, and the team were rearchitecting the solution in their first week.
The GDPR-compliant ID masking solution was delivered one week ahead of schedule and the solution is now being used department- wide.
However, coming in with a heightened focus and speed, the new team had a cultural impact on the existing teams. As a result of excellent stakeholder feedback and continued successful delivery, the client moved the team onto new business critical projects with more responsibility and further extended every individual.
Testimonials
Head of Technology - Global Media & Telecoms CompanyWhen I contacted Arrows with this idea of a “popup team” to help when delivery gets rough I was very pleased they were so receptive to it. At that stage, it was pure exploration. And a couple of weeks later, I realised I had one key GDPR project in serious troubles. Or so I thought – but that was before Arrows materialised a brand new team in the department in less than 3 weeks. That was our first popup team. Since then we have extended that team and asked Arrows for a second one a few months later. And to be honest, at first I wasn’t even sure I would like the idea. We are very picky on team fit and technical proficiency. Giving up control and relying entirely on third-party for such a core and sensitive function is anything but obvious. Yet Arrows had already proven they “understood” us: our culture, our demanding standards. And that their network has what it takes to meet that. I am still a bit confused about what looks like a miracle, but a repeated one which leaves only one interpretation: it’s impressive know-how.
