Journey to Delivery Manager at S‑PRO

S-PRO is a software development company that utilizes AI to create innovative digital solutions for their clients to thrive in today's competitive landscape. This software development company primarily offers expert solutions in AI/ML, data management, blockchain, and web, mobile, and cloud services. 

S-PRO’s major clientele are in the finance, renewable energy, and healthcare sectors. Some of the company’s notable projects have been developing a powerful analytics platform for Modo Energy, one of the UK’s leading data analysis companies in the energy market, and transforming TravelPlanBooker into a revolutionary traveling planning tool that employs AI to build detailed personalized trip itineraries.

Meet Sviatoslav Kostiuchenko: Delivery Manager

S-PRO achieves success in its projects through project managers whose top three responsibilities are to:

• Work with stakeholders to define the project objectives and goals.
• Develop and manage the project’s scope, schedules, deliverables, and budget.
• Assign responsibilities and oversee the delivery of all personnel involved in the project.

Sviatoslav Kostiuchenko is a project manager at S-PRO whose journey to this role has been unique and inspiring.

Name One Exciting Fact About Yourself

I love disassembling computers. It’s both a job and a hobby. Having had a computer at home since I was 5, I knew I would go into IT as a career. 

How Has Your Role at S-PRO Evolved Since You Started?

I started as a project manager at S-PRO and then transitioned to a delivery manager. However, when the war began in February 2022, I left the company and joined the military for one and a half years. I was in a military unit from March 1st, and adjusting from civilian to military life was difficult. Within a month, I was in the combat zone, and although I was not on the front lines, I was responsible for managing people, which was not easy. 

Being in the military equipped me to manage stressful situations, know how best to work with people, and learn how to make important decisions quickly. I have now recently returned to the role of project manager at S-PRO.

Share a Favorite Memory from Your Early Days at the S-PRO

I like being around people; even if I don’t interact with them much, I like seeing them. One of my favorite memories from my early days here was working in Zaporizhzhia.

Can You Share a Pivotal Moment or Project That Significantly Impacted Your Career?

One of the earliest pivotal moments in my career was working as a QA tester when I was 17. In this role, I learned how much I loved working with people, and that shaped my idea of the kind of work I wanted to pursue. 

When I became a delivery manager, the role came with many more responsibilities and tasks. As a delivery manager, I got exposure from a different perspective. I began to understand the client’s goals more clearly, which allowed me to shift priorities appropriately and set a different focus to align with the company’s global goals. Being a delivery manager taught me how to work with the big picture in mind.

Looking Back, What Personal Achievement at S-PRO Are You Most Proud Of?

I am most proud of the growth in my career, from starting as a tester at 17 to becoming a delivery manager in just four years, and the responsibilities I have successfully undertaken in my roles. 

Additionally, the knowledge gained has been immense; I now fully understand how an IT company works and the business model that makes it succeed. Thanks to this knowledge, I see things from different perspectives with a clearer vision and can even do things in new ways.

What Skills Have You Developed During Your Time Here?

Working here has helped me develop the following:

• Proficiency in English
• Management and marketing skills
• Better understanding of how revenue is built
• Efficient goal setting
• Effective communication with both colleagues and clients
• Relationship building and team management skills to ensure teamwork

How Do You Relate Your Personal Growth With Your Path At S-PRO?

When I made the personal decision to enroll in the military when the war began, my relationship with S-PRO didn’t end. I was checked in on, received help, and was assured of a place in the company. When I returned, my first role was in a quiet project that allowed me to switch back to civilian life at a comfortable pace.

How Has the Company Supported Your Professional Growth?

The company has been consistently working with me to plan my professional development. Before the war, they took me through the senior PM course. Now that I am back, taking up an Amazon Clyde course is in the works, and it will be extremely beneficial as I can immediately apply it in practice.

What Advice Would You Give to New Employees Joining S-PRO Today?

Joining S-PRO as a beginner, prioritize:

• Learning and perfecting communication in the English language, as this is the language used in most projects
• Gaining additional experience in testing
• Learning technical skills
• Volunteering to train as an assistant to learn on the job and gain experience 
• Learning to work harmoniously with everyone by finding a common language for easy understanding, compromising when necessary, and solving conflict easily. 

If you would like to be a project manager, some of the most valuable qualities you can develop are:

• Readiness to take responsibility. You will be required to take charge of the progress and outcome of an entire project.
• A love for problem-solving. You will need to help, provide alternative solutions, and even identify who can solve the issues you can’t. 
• Effective communication with people comes in handy when developing products. It opens opportunities to receive ideas from the team, understand the client's needs well, and even offer valuable feedback that can influence the processes and changes in the product to guarantee you deliver the best.
• Stress management is important because pressure is part of the job.
• Efficient decision-making. This role will necessitate you to make decisions with a cold mind. The knowledge of psychology will help you deal with anxiety and feelings to enable you to make the right decisions.

How Do You Feel The Company’s Culture Has Changed With Its Growth?

When the war began, the company went through a recession, with clients exiting and projects reducing. Since then, the company has adapted to the new realities. There have been structural changes, reformatting of the old processes, and solving previous problems. Now, the company has many active projects and is not only surviving but thriving in the current reality.

What Are the Most Significant Changes You've Seen in the Company's Approach to Its Projects or Clients?

My first months in the military were filled with uncertainty and the hardship of not talking to loved ones, but with time, I learned to adapt, take instructions, and do my tasks as required. After my dismissal from the military, I psychologically struggled because it is easy to question why you should be resting while others are still fighting. However, not taking time out of the war is even more stressful. Rest is important; if you don’t find time to rest, you will only hurt yourself and those you can help. 

S-PRO: A Catalyst for Career Advancement and Personal Growth

Sviatoslav Kostiuchenko has had a remarkable journey to his current project management role at S-PRO. It is evident that software development company takes a keen interest in its staff and prioritizes supporting them through every stage and change in their lives.

One of the keys to success for any organization is satisfied employees, and this is achievable when the staff know they have the full backing of the company when it comes to personal growth and professional development.