UCLA’s Business Transformation Office (BTO) was formed in late 2017. Under the leadership of Executive Director, Omar Noorzai, the team has grown from a few people to over 200, and went from working out of a small office at the Wilshire Center to now occupying a 30,000 sq. ft. office space in the Oppenheimer Tower. And the team continues to grow!
What’s the secret behind the BTO’s significant growth?
Omar Noorzai: I’m fortunate to work with a team of very talented individuals who bring a wide array of skillsets ranging from project management to critical technical and change management expertise. They truly embrace change every day by adapting and adjusting to the continuously evolving projects we lead. And they have remained focused and dedicated to get the work done even in the middle of major building renovations!
The BTO team currently has multiple initiatives underway:
- Ascend (financial systems replacement)
- Student Information Systems (financial aid system replacement)
- Slate (cloud-based solution for new and transfer student outreach, and the application review process)
- Opus (faculty information system)
- Learning Management System (technology for instructional purposes)
I’m confident that my team has both the skills and the drive to deliver on all fronts. Ultimately, I believe it’s about creating a positive atmosphere, having a ‘glass half full’ mindset geared toward seeing opportunities (rather than obstacles), and finding solutions to challenges as they arise. I also actively encourage my staff to take on new roles and responsibilities to help them grow.
How do you keep your team engaged?
Omar Noorzai: I share the latest updates from all BTO-led initiatives with my staff as part of our weekly BTO meeting. It’s a valuable opportunity for me to connect with the team, share lessons learned, and recognize great performance. I believe it’s critical to keep everyone informed about how they fit into the bigger picture and vision of the BTO. We also regularly try to weave in fun activities, such as pizza parties, to celebrate reaching key milestones, or the recent photo contest asking Ascend team members to take a picture with at least one of the project leads. Out of dozens of photos submitted, a few team members got particularly creative in their interpretation of the task:
Our team is looking forward to making a real difference at UCLA – and to having some fun along the way!
