BQ – Firmware Delivery
Project Overview
BQ was a leading technology company manufacturing mobile phones and tablets for global markets. My role as Firmware Project Manager and Agile Coach was to coordinate the complex process of adapting Android and developing new features for the full device portfolio, while making sure reliable, bug-free software reached millions of users on time.
The Challenge
The core difficulty was managing periodic firmware releases across 13 different phone and tablet models simultaneously, each with its own hardware constraints and release windows. Coordinating multiple technical teams against tight deadlines, absorbing the complexity of launches in a diverse portfolio, and preserving quality standards required a workflow that could scale without losing focus. On top of that, Android adaptation and OEM partner coordination added a further layer of technical governance.
My Role & the Solution
I led both the strategic planning of the releases and the agile coaching of the team. Solution based on:
- End-to-end release cycle management. I built project calendars, validation plans, and quality gates, and kept 13 devices moving through 10 major firmware versions without slippage.
- Agile implementation & coaching. I introduced Scrum across the firmware teams, trained engineers and leads in Agile practices, and standardised Jira as the backbone for transparency, capacity planning, and cross-team visibility.
- Strategic partner coordination. I acted as the technical liaison with Qualcomm and Google, keeping the platform compliant, stable, and aligned with new Android capabilities as they landed.
Results
- 4M+ devices successfully updated
- 10 major firmware releases delivered on schedule
- 13 products maintained across the portfolio
- Measurable gains in team productivity and delivery transparency after the Scrum rollout