Sean Sweeney

Summary

Experienced Agile Transformation Leader and Scrum Master with a proven track record of transforming teams, enhancing collaboration, and delivering high-value solutions. Adept at applying Systems Thinking, Theory of Constraints, Lean, and Flow principles to optimize processes and accelerate product delivery. Recognized for catalyzing cultural shifts and enabling sustainable Agile practices across enterprise environments.

Transformation & Coaching Impact
  • Boosted Delivery Predictability: Drove Epic completion rates from 15-40% to consistently over 90% by aligning teams around Sprint and PI goals, reinforcing focus, and improving flow metrics.
  • Enabled Organizational Learning: Trained and coached dozens of leaders, Scrum Masters, Product Owners, and teams, leading to improved role clarity, collaboration, and scaled agility.
  • Shifted Mindsets in Legacy Teams: Guided long-tenured developers from waterfall habits to agile thinking, increasing engagement in inspect-and-adapt activities and achieving 100% Epic delivery.
  • Resolved Systemic Impediments: Established and facilitated ART Syncs and cross-team collaboration forums that accelerated dependency resolution and unblocked delivery pipelines.
  • Strengthened Agile Communities: Founded and facilitated Scrum Master Communities of Practice to embed sustainable coaching, elevate agile maturity, and grow shared ownership of agile culture.
  • Scaled Agile Ways of Working: Led SAFe certifications and launched multiple Agile Release Trains, aligning business priorities with team execution across portfolios.

Professional Experience

Senior Scrum Master
NBC Universal | Sep 2021 - Present
  • Served as Scrum Champion over multiple teams helping the SMs, POs, Managers, and Directors align for the SpinCo initiative.
  • Elevated Epic completion rates from 15-40% to 90-100%+ by fostering goal-driven delivery across teams.
  • Delivered actionable metrics and facilitation to guide continuous improvement and team empowerment.
  • Resolved organizational impediments and initiated ART Syncs to improve cross-team alignment.
  • Shaped and led the Scrum Master Community of Practice to support shared learning and consistency.
  • Delivered SAFe certification courses and coached leaders and practitioners to embed scaled agile practices.
Senior Scrum Master & Agile Coach
Excellus BCBS | Jul 2021 - Sep 2021
  • Supported the setup of the first Agile Release Train and helped define strategic Agile adoption plans.
  • Provided Agile coaching and leadership training during a full-scale transformation initiative.
  • Coached Scrum Masters in Agile delivery and cultural change until transformation paused due to re-org.
Scrum Master
FedEx Logistics | Aug 2018 - Jul 2021
  • Focused multiple teams on delivering Iteration Goals and PI Objectives.
  • Guided seasoned developers to adopt an Agile mindset, raising Epic completion from 25% to 90%.
  • Coached newly formed ART to improve value delivery and reach 100% Epic completion.
  • Helped leadership support team experimentation in safe-to-fail environments.
  • Mentored Scrum Masters and Product Owners on Agile best practices.
IT Consultant
Eureka Logic | Apr 2016 - Jul 2018
  • Designed and implemented a location-based SMS marketing and e-commerce solution.
  • Delivered Agile coaching and technology consulting to local businesses and legal firms.
Service Delivery Manager / Project Manager / Team Lead
Bank of America | May 2008 - Mar 2016
  • Led Agile modernization and delivery across system, application, and infrastructure teams.
  • Acted as Product Owner and Scrum Master to support Agile adoption and cross-functional collaboration.
  • Managed risk audits and supported the formation of one of the bank's first Agile Release Trains.
IT Manager / Senior Developer
WebMedia Services | Nov 2000 - May 2008
  • Delivered custom software and managed infrastructure migrations to early cloud-based hosting.
  • Introduced XP, Scrum, and iterative Agile methods to internal delivery teams.
  • Led technical delivery and managed client services for web-based applications.

Professional Involvement

VP, Business & Technology Services
PMI Buffalo Chapter | Jan 2024 - Dec 2024
  • Oversaw all applications and systems utilized by the Buffalo Chapter of PMI.
  • Created and maintained the Chapter's 3-year Technology Roadmap.
  • Determined annual budget and managed vendor relationships.
  • Led a team supporting technology-driven projects and Chapter infrastructure.
Director of Applications
PMI Buffalo Chapter | Jan 2023 - Dec 2023
  • Provided technical support for all Chapter applications and systems.
  • Conducted research and development of new technologies, systems, and applications.
  • Collaborated on the Chapter's 3-year Technology Roadmap.
  • Ensured documentation of SOPs and coordinated vendor activities.

Projects

  • Agile Field Guide: A layered learning path for Agile thinkers, doers, and storytellers.
  • Agile Mind Patterns: Mental models and mindset patterns for evolving Agile thinking.
  • Agile Mechanics: A catalog of hands-on Agile techniques, tools, and team practices.
  • Agile Laws: A reference site exploring scientific principles that influence Agile delivery.
  • Agile Parables: Short stories and metaphors for Agile mindset and transformation work.