Student Background Personal Background & Learning Objectives

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Systems Engineering Program (SYSE)

Integrated Workshop Portfolio

Student Background

Personal Background & Learning

Objectives

Version 1.0

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The following section describes the student’s personal background and learning goals and objectives to include the student’s resume.

TAM NGUYEN

PERSONAL BACKGROUND AND QUALIFICATION SUMMARY

Ms. Nguyen, a Senior Consultant with RGS Associates, has over 9 years of professional experience in government consulting, and 4 years of experience in Enterprise Architecture. She brings experience from across DoD and DHS and has successfully delivered forward-thinking, innovative and well integrated solutions to complex problems. She is a highly motivated, dedicated team member with demonstrated success in all phases of project management. Ms. Nguyen is a results-driven, goal-oriented team player with strong leadership, communication, analysis, people, and project management skills. Technical skills include proficiency in all areas of Enterprise Architecture as well as core competencies in business process analysis/improvement, strategic planning, web development, and financial analysis.

PERSONAL LEARNING OBJECTIVE AND GOALS

Ms. Nguyen’s career path has heavily influenced her decision to seek a Master’s in Systems Engineering. Her personal goals are to establish a solid technical foundation to complement her project management skills and enterprise architecture knowledge. She anticipates utilizing and applying what she learns through formal education at PSU to the work environment. Her desire is to serve the government mission and bring value to her government clients. Her specific learning objectives include learning about the processes, the principles, and the relationships of Systems Engineering to other IT fields, specifically to enterprise architecture. Ms. Nguyen plans to continuing working in enterprise architecture and has long term aspirations of becoming a Chief Architect for the government.

CORE COMPETENCIES

 Leadership

 Project Planning

 Financial Analysis

 Business Process Analysis / Improvement

 Web Development

 Strategic Planning

 Enterprise Architecture

 MS Office XP 2003 and 2007

 Macromedia (Flash 5/MX 2004,

Fireworks MX 2004, Dreamweaver MX 2004)

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3 PROFESSIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE

RGS Associates, Inc. – Arlington, VA 3/2010-Present Senior Consultant, Enterprise Architect

Department of Homeland Security, Office of Applied Technology (OAT) – The DHS OAT is responsible for identifying, implementing and managing Information Technology (IT) products and services that provides the Secretary of Homeland Security with decisional advantage and facilitates the sharing of information to all Homeland Security stakeholders at the right time.  Responsible for establishing and maturing the DHS OAT Enterprise Architecture Program to

include leading segment architecture efforts to support high priority initiatives established by the White House, Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the DHS OCIO

 Serve as a recognized technical authority and expert in the area of Business Architecture by providing advice and guidance to the Chief Architect

 Identify opportunities for interoperability or consolidation with the Homeland Security Information Network (HSIN) across DHS Components and key external partners through the Sensitive But Unclassified (SBU) Portal Interoperability Segment Architecture that is driving OAT towards the President's Management Agenda

 Serve as the lead for HSIN Discovery and Analysis (D&A) Integrated Project Team (IPT) for all portal interoperability and consolidation efforts

 Produce an Communications Plan, “As-Is” Document, Information Analysis and Business Requirements Document, “To-Be” Document, and Transition Plan for the SBU Portal Interoperability Segment Architecture

 Provide EA guidance to IT program/project managers on the use of the EA for IT planning and requirements for EA alignment reviews

 Participate in the development of written analysis, including: white papers, impact statements and recommendations regarding EA policies, processes and structures

Consultant, Enterprise Architecture Lead/Process Improvement Lead 10/2008 – 3/2010

Headquarters, Department of the Army, Deputy Chief of Staff (DCS, G-3/5/7) – Provide direct support to the DCS, G-3/5/7 Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) in its mission to support internal G-3/5/7 operational requirements, as well as information for the warfighter, while implementing IT best practices, policies, strategic IT planning, and sound IT investment strategies.

 Responsible for establishing and maturing the G-3/5/7 Enterprise Architecture Program to include developing a strategic plan, governance board, and portfolio management using an architectural roadmap that is consistent with Federal Enterprise Architecture (FEA)

 Serve as the Enterprise Architecture Lead responsible for defining the G-3/5/7 enterprise architecture to include the development of a High-level Operational Concept Graphic (OV-1) and Overview and Summary Information (AV-1) according to the Department of Defense Architecture Framework (DoDAF) and the Enterprise Architecture Management Maturity Framework (EAMMF)

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[FUNCTIONAL REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT TEMPLATE]

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 Recognized as a subject matter expert on initiatives related to the G-3/5/7 and Army Business Architecture, Information and Data Architecture, and Systems Architecture

 Responsible for documenting, and managing the G-3/5/7’s “As-is” Architecture baseline, developing an EA Transition Plan, and determining the Target “To-Be” Architecture

 Provide EA guidance to IT project managers and system owners on the use of the EA for IT planning and requirements to ensure architectural alignment

 Serve as a liaison to support Army Data, information sharing, and Knowledge Management initiatives and governance

 Develop an EA Communication Plan to establish institutional leadership and stakeholder buy-in

 Provide recommendations for structured EA efforts, the use of an EA repository and tools, improved systems integration

 Assist with establishing business and operational processes for G-3/5/7 information sharing and collaboration

Consultant 3/2007 – 10/2008

OPNAV Director of Management (DNS-3) – Manage $1M projects for DNS-3 to build client relations and rapport by leading business engagements and capitalizing on business opportunities.

 Develop business processes for improvements in the DNS organization through project schedules, cost analysis, defining requirements, and strategic planning

 Collect system requirements for the development of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) web-based management and briefing tool designed to assist action officers and senior leaders with executing CNO intentions

Senior Analyst

OPNAV Director, Navy Staff (DNS) 4– Support and successfully manage OPNAV Web Services Help Desk to build client relations and rapport by supplying detailed information and assistance resource that

 Maintain 20 websites (public and secure) for the Navy for 15,000 users

 Successfully manage the overall process of incident resolution from initial call through resolution

 Assist with the administration of classified and unclassified Lotus Notes Domino Version 6.5 (servers) ensuring availability and connectivity

 Create and establish new user configurations

 Follow Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) to ensure accurate and consistent dissemination of information to application managers and super users

 Ensure Navy databases and servers sustain consistent stability

 Utilize incident tracking system and Customer Relations Management (CRM) tool to establish metrics development and tracking

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5 Information Analyst

Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) – Work with technical management, quality assurance team, programming leads, developers and designers to provide high-level web content publishing support for Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Internet and Intranet sites to ensure timely, accurate and consistent deployments and launches.

 Used development tools such as HTML, XHTML, DHTML, JavaScript, Photoshop CS, Fireworks MX, Visual Web Developer to generate dynamic web content

 Design, develop and manage multiple DHS websites using Interwoven’s TeamSite V5.5/V6.5 Content Management System, Interwoven’s OpenDeploy, and WebGin

 Coordinate with the Application Infrastructure Support (AIS) technology group to implement and test new functionality to instill best practices and standards

 Provide user support to the OCIO, ICE Office of Public Affairs (OPA) and USCIS

 Successfully generate monthly InsideICE and Cornerstone web publications on ICE.gov to approximately 21,000 subscribers via email

 Perform extensive work in redesigning the ICE.gov website ensuring compliance with Section 508 legislation for accessibility to disabled users

 Responsible for delegating responsibilities to content team and marshalling resources required to properly accomplish tasks and meet client expectations

 Maintain quality assurance and control of content to reduce rework and maximize productivity

 Prompted higher ranking of the ICE website  Facilitated use of Linkbot to ensure site integrity

 Replicated the design for the ICE Image Gallery website

 Implemented a data collection application and content for Section 287(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of the ICE.gov web site

Financial Analyst/Subcontracting Administrator 4/2004-6/2005

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ESA III Account – Performed comprehensive financial duties in areas of accounting, financial statement preparation, and journal entries. Served as subcontractor administrator/liaison to ensure compliance with the Contractor Purchasing System

Review (CPSR) team’s audit and accurate reporting. Proactively handled subcontracting business by

tracking new contracts, new launch, and acquisitions to develop strong subcontracting relationships and agreements.

 Performed economic research and studies on areas of financial concern for subject matters such as revenue, expense, liabilities, and capital expenditures

 Conducted monthly comparisons of expenses and revenue for managerial and corporate use  Generated monthly invoices for time and materials (T&M) work and reconciled invoice

details and financial discrepancies

 Attended and participated in weekly managerial meeting

 Developed and maintained yearly, quarterly, and bi-monthly operational budgets  Applied data to a complex financial model using Excel spreadsheets

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 Analyzed numerous financial systems while implementing and evaluating their functionality

 Conducted pricing for government purchases

 Monitored timely and accurate reporting of expenses and payment of invoices

 Followed proper procedures and initiated work on documentation such as the Electronic Filing Cabinet (EFC) and On-line Requisition (OLR) for Purchase Order requirements reviewed by the Procurement Management Office (PMO) and Purchasing office

 Abided by the regulations of the ENCORE contract vehicle to ensure proper implementation of contracts

Business Service Analyst/Deployment Support Field Lead/Technical Writer 2/2003-4/2004

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Account– Conducted frequent travel to various DHS, Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement offices to provide on-site deployment support and end-user training for the proprietary National File Tracking System (NFTS).

 Served as deployment support field lead responsible for monitoring team productivity and the successful execution of deployment support and audit per client expectation

 Served as a liaison between the client and technical solutions/support team in identifying application errors, proper business processes, and product requirements

 Identified business and user needs for the NFTS application and document customer specifications for recommended enhancements

 Appointed as the technical writer responsible for quality assurance and timely delivery of client documentation/deliverables

 Extensive exposure to NFTS application testing necessary the execution for new version releases

 Set up application hardware and obtain inventory on office hardware  Installed MacAfee VirusScan on approximately 30 workstations

 Facilitated classes and meetings to disseminate information and distribute application knowledge to new team members

 Created and updated customer deliverables, lessons learned, deployment site reports, and training material

 Interacted with clients to gain an understanding of the business environment, technical context, and organizational strategic direction

 Proven ability to build client rapport and trust

1 EDUCATION

Portland State University – Portland, OR 3/2008 - Present

2 Masters, Systems Engineering

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3 Bachelor of Science, Information Systems

4 Minor, Economics

5 Certificate, Management Science

6 CERTIFICATIONS/QUALIFICATIONS  ACTIVE DHS SECRET Security Clearance (Cleared: 2010 – Present)  ACTIVE DoD TOP SECRET Security Clearance (Cleared: 2008 – Present)  ACTIVE DoD SECRET Security Clearance (Cleared: 2007 – Present)  ATF Security Clearance (Cleared: 2004 – 2007)

 DHS Public Trust Security Clearance (Cleared 2003 – 2007)

7 HONORS/AWARDS

 EDS Team Recognition Award 2006 – Received Letter of Recognition from Assistant Secretary of ICE, Julie Myers for our team’s dedicated efforts in designing, developing, and successfully implementing a new, redesigned ICE.gov web site, including several new enhancements, implemented on April 14, 2006, just six months after the project’s conception  MassCops Law Enforcement Site of Excellence Badge-Awarded to the ICE.gov Cornerstone

site in August 2005 from the Massachusetts Law Enforcement Network in recognition of the site’s useful law enforcement related resources

 Certificate of Appreciation (October 2006) – Received letter of appreciation for contribution to the implementation of the CPSR

 Certificate of Completion (September 2006) – Successfully completed training in using JAWS as an Accessibility Testing Tool

 Dean’s List

8 LANGUAGES  Fluent in Vietnamese