Todd Zimmerman

I'm a project manager with a web development background. I've served as a PM for agencies and for large matrixed organizations, working with designers, coders, and executives to take projects through all phases of conception, design, development, testing, deployment, and support. Employers and clients have included Barnes & Noble, Thomson Reuters, Mitchell International Airport, Johnson Controls, Generac, and Kohler. I'm experienced in working remotely with distributed teams, and I take special interest in organizing and streamlining operations through collaboration software. I've used Teamwork.com, Trello, Jira, Confluence, Asana, Slack, Wrike, Basecamp, and ClickUp in a variety of agile, waterfall, and hybrid project formats. As a former web developer, I have handled both technical and creative angles, from copywriting and imagery to HTML to configuring servers and virtual machines. But in a sense I've always been a project manager, whether handling my own efforts or coordinating with coworkers in a non-PM role. I employ tools and techniques to procedurally eliminate as much chaos as possible. What I enjoy most about project management is the opportunity to make processes more calm and orderly, reduce friction and distraction, and let people focus on their roles. I use asynchronous communication tools as much as possible, and I avoid interrupting everyone's flow with meetings unless they are really necessary and beneficial. I respect the need for focus, and don't need people feeling they must be "online and available" all day to prove they are working. I'd rather see value and output: tasks completed, good code checked in, etc. I try not to be that PM always running around with their hair on fire, interrupting, demanding updates, hectoring everyone to work faster and harder because things weren't planned properly, there was no buffer for unknowns, or resources weren't properly allocated. I think what most people want from a PM are clear priorities and adequate resources -- whether it's time, tools, or staff.

Ideal Workplace Values

The ideal workplace values the natural environment and makes efforts to be ecologically responsible, through green facilities, waste management, reduced commuting, etc. It supports employee growth, fosters teamwork, and allows people to work to their strengths. It provides an environment of respect and trust for people of all backgrounds, at all levels. It sees itself having a role and responsibility in society beyond making money for shareholders.