Technology & Turnaround

Orchestrating Transformation with Systems Thinking.

Hi, I’m Harshitha Rajashekara. An agile-certified delivery leader with 16+ years of ICT experience. I bridge the gap between deep software engineering foundations and human-centric design to drive high-impact infrastructure, digital programs, and community-scale innovation.

GovHack Board Chair AusTTA Chapter President Distinguished Toastmaster

Systems Design

Formulating operational framework strategies, managing tech-stacks, and scaling high-assurance solutions.

Pillars of Competence & Impact

Driving complexity to execution requires balancing technical foundations with empathetic governance.

Strategic & Systems Thinking

Applying curiosity and deep systems thinking to untangle complex problems. I model dependencies, analyze historical metrics, and formulate structured roadmaps that align organizational strategy with technology delivery.

Project Planning & Scope Management

Technical Roots

With a Bachelor of Engineering (EEE) and early career roots as a Software Engineer (Java, C++, SQL, TIBCO) at HCL Technologies, I speak the language of development teams and resolve technical bottlenecks quickly.

Technical Resolution & QA

Human-Centric Design

Passionate about user-centric design (HCD). I conduct customer research, map user journeys, run discovery workshops, and design interfaces that minimize cognitive friction—proven in our COVID-19 QR app click-reduction audits.

Discovery & User Research

Governance & Leadership

Orchestrated multiple complex projects simultaneously, managing $9M budgets, leading cross-functional teams, and working with top-tier vendors. I set up strong data governance, establish business continuity plans, and guide teams through major structural transitions.

Agile Coaching & PMO Best Practices

Interactive Career Journey

A history of delivering high-assurance systems across utilities, state government, transport, and consulting.

2022 - PRESENT

Technology Project Manager (Consultant)

South Australia Water / DXC

Critical Infrastructure

Directing technical planning and cross-functional teams to deliver critical infrastructure, computing systems, and knowledge architectures.

Key Initiatives:

Starlink Deployment, CCTV Security Upgrades, PowerBI & Collibra integration, High-Performance Computing (HPC) upgrades.

Core Deliverables:

Engineered comprehensive project plans, mapped budgets/resource metrics, resolved inter-team conflicts, and minimized integration risks.

2020 - 2022

Project Manager (Digital & Infrastructure)

Department of the Premier and Cabinet SA

Digital & Security

Managed the delivery of state-wide digital solutions and network infrastructures under strict timelines and governance schemes, coordinating between 20+ agencies and major carriers.

Statewide Public Safety:

Spearheaded the development of the COVID QR Code Application, facilitating real-time safety data ingestion for SAPolice/SAHealth. Optimized UX to reduce user clicks within 2 weeks.

Procurement & Networks:

Completed $9M project budget oversight. Executed procurement for entry into the Federal Data Centre (CDC) in a record 2.5 months; managed StateNet Core and SD-WAN upgrades.

2020

Project Manager (e-Planning Reform)

Department of Planning, Transportation & Infrastructure

Testing & PMO

Led end-to-end testing audits and QA reviews for the state planning platform. Mentored and coached junior PMs to promote strict adherence to PMO policies and cost control, resolving urgent P1 issues within 30 minutes.

2020

PMO Project Manager (Salesforce)

Department of Human Services

Cloud & BCP

Structured customer data collection frameworks and governance protocols in Salesforce for the disability sector. Authored the department-wide Business Continuity Plan (BCP) at the onset of COVID-19, stabilizing remote work transitions.

2017 - 2020

Scrum Master & Project Manager

ServiceNSW / Transport for NSW / Disruptor's Handbook

Agile Delivery

Guided high-velocity product teams using Scrum methodologies. Implemented human-centric design thinking schemas to upgrade citizen digital channels and coordinate transport customer experience frameworks.

ServiceNSW Integration:

Transformed frontline BAU activities to product-oriented backlogs. Managed external onboarding relationships with Sydney Light Rail and trained communications staff on product rollouts.

UX & Innovation Labs:

Collaborated with user researchers to redesign NSW student experiences. Mentored schoolteachers on Design Thinking and organized collaborative hackathons for NSW Education.

2015 - 2017

Consultant & Project Manager

University of Technology Sydney

Higher Education

Managed project documentation, scoped industry engagements, and engineered business engagement models. Designed branding strategies for UTS Alumni, coached student cohorts on careers, and verified product test cases.

2009 - 2015

Software Engineer / Analyst Roots

HCL Technologies / Tax Consulting

Software Engineering

Developed, tested, and resolved complex issues for enterprise applications, building a strong technical foundation.

Development & Automation:

Programmed dynamic web pages using Java (JSP). Engineered automated test scripts using Java, Selenium, and SOAP UI. Swiftly resolved P1 incidents in under 30 minutes.

Business Support:

Conducted data entry, managed executive schedules, drafted administrative records, and delivered local IT support in tax consulting.

PUBLIC SPEAKING & ADVOCACY

"Delivering complex digital transformations in the government sector requires more than technical compliance—it mandates community alignment, open communication, and public trust."

Podcast Speaker
Projects in Government Sector, Adelaide

Community Advocacy & Leadership

Beyond organizational walls, I advocate for transparency, innovation, and public engagement through key leadership positions.

GovHack Australia | Board Chair (2023 - 2024)

Deputy Director (2021 - 2022)

Led the governance, planning, and execution of the largest open-data hackathon in the Southern Hemisphere. We coordinate thousands of developers, researchers, and government data sponsors annually to turn public data into community prototypes.

AusTTA | VIC, SA & TAS Chapter President (2020 - 2024)

Australian Transformation and Turnaround Association

Pioneered structural transformation and turnaround strategy workshops for industries facing technological disruption. Leading regional executives through strategic frameworks to secure adaptation.

Toastmasters International | Distinguished Toastmaster (DTM)

Global Speech Marathon Team Leader & Triple Crown Winner

Awarded the highest educational recognition (DTM) for communication and leadership skills. Served as Area Director, coordinated international marathon speech grids, and won regional humorous speech contests.

The Professional Toolkit

A comprehensive map of systems, programming frameworks, and management toolkits.

Methodologies

  • Scrum (Agile)
  • SAFe (Scaled Agile)
  • Waterfall (PMBOK)
  • PRINCE2
  • ITIL Service Management
  • Design Thinking (HCD)

Engineering Tools

  • Java, JSP
  • C, C++
  • SQL Database querying
  • Selenium (Automation)
  • SOAP UI & Web Services
  • Tibco BusinessWorks / BE

Management

  • JIRA Software
  • MS Project
  • Saviom (Workforce)
  • Trello / MS Tasks
  • SharePoint
  • Salesforce CRM

HCD & Outreach

  • Miro, Mural
  • Butter (Facilitation)
  • Mailchimp, SendGrid
  • Typeform, Basware
  • SAP, basware
  • Objective, TRIM records

Academic Credentials

Master of Business Administration

2016

Project & Program Management

University of Technology Sydney, Australia. Advanced training in PMBOK, ITIL, Waterfall methodology, Design Thinking, and PRINCE2 frameworks.

Bachelor of Engineering

2011

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Visvesvaraya Technological University, India. Engineering research and foundation courses in system architectures, software design, and digital circuits.

Professional Certifications

Professional Scrum Master I & II

Scrum.org

Certified Agile Professional

ICAgile

Venture Catalyst Space Accelerator

ICC Australia

Deming Quality Management

Geelong Council

Let's Collaborate

Looking for a consultant to direct digital transformations, manage technology migrations, or coach agile teams? Reach out and discuss how we can work together.