Business systems, process improvement, and workflow automation

I design and build systems for approvals, assignments, reporting, safety checks, and equipment tracking. My work includes systems deployed in drone operations and applications I built independently.

AI Workspace demoAI Workspace
  1. New noteNote: the client moved the roof survey to Friday.
  2. Suggested updateWaiting for a note.
  3. Your decisionDecide whether it is saved.
Deployed at work

Flight Authorization & Safety

Follow a flight request through manager approval and a pre-flight safety check.

Awaiting your decision · fictional data

Pilot One wants to fly at Example Field C tomorrow at 9 AM. Would you clear this flight?

Run the flight demoFictional request and data.

About me

Curiosity has shaped every chapter of my career.

I grew up in India, built my early career in international aviation in Qatar, and eventually made the United States my home, where I now work as a Drone Operations Coordinator.

Along the way, I have worked across different industries, led teams, learned to fly and discovered how much I enjoy solving complex business problems.

Before moving into operations systems, I spent eight years in commercial airline operations, finishing as a Qatar Airways Cabin Senior leading crews of up to 10.

Outside work, I love a good murder mystery, especially one that keeps me guessing.

Background

  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate
  • Eight years in commercial airline operations across two airlines, finishing as Cabin Senior leading crews of up to 10
  • Led the training function, supervising five Training Development Specialists and overseeing employee onboarding
  • Google AI and Google Prompting Essentials certificates, 2026
Tools
Claude Code, Claude, ChatGPT, Microsoft 365, SharePoint, Power Automate, Microsoft Forms, Excel
Strengths
Business requirements, workflow design, process improvement, vendor negotiation, AI output evaluation

Thank you for visiting

Contact

Harshali Chavan · All demonstrations are independent recreations with fictional data. Personal projects were built on my own time.Back to top ↑
Deployed at work

Pilot Work Register

Managers assign work, pilots submit reports, and remote managers can see what is waiting for review, what has been approved, and the activity history. I designed the flow and built it in SharePoint with six automated flows. Deployed at work, October 2026.

Submit and approve one assignment

Workflow Automation

Assign, report, approve. A missing daily report triggers a reminder.

Independent demo with fictional data
Work requests, milestones3
R-207Roof survey, Example Yard A
With Pilot One
Waiting
Waiting
Waiting
R-206Mapping flight, Example Field C
Done
Done
With operations lead 2d
Waiting
R-205Site inspection, Example Yard B
Done
Done
Approved
Done
R-207
3Requests
1With the pilot
1Awaiting decision
1Approved
2 of 4Reports in today
Activity, roof survey
  • Waiting for the pilot to submit the form.
Second example: the daily report reminder
Daily work report2 of 4 reports in

    The reminder runs on a schedule.

    How I built this
    Who does what
    A manager assigns the work and the pilot is notified. The pilot submits a report. The manager approves it, and the record locks. The workflow sends a reminder when a daily report is missing.
    My contribution
    Designed the flow from assignment to approval: who approves, who is notified, and when.
    Two dates
    July 2026 is when the earlier pilot work request, with approval and notification, went live. October 2026 is when the full register, with daily reports, reminders and reporting, went live.
    Implementation
    I configured the forms, approval logic and six automated flows in Microsoft 365 with AI assistance, tested the approval workflow with the pilot team before launch, and deployed both stages at work.
    Portfolio demonstration
    An independent recreation with fictional data. The original system and company data are not shown.
    • Microsoft Forms
    • Power Automate
    • SharePoint
    • Live July 2026
    • Live October 2026
    Deployed at work

    Flight Authorization & Safety

    I built the workflow pilots and operations managers use to request, approve, check and record drone flights: an advance flight request, manager approval, a pre-flight safety check and a post-flight record in one process, with notifications at each step. In daily use since July 2026.

    Fly one request through it

    1. 1Request
    2. 2Advance approval
    3. 3Pre-flight readiness
    4. 4Grounding gate
    5. 5Post-flight record
    6. 6Records
    Pilot One wants to fly at Example Field C tomorrow at 9 AM.Submit the advance flight request.
    0Requests0Advance approvals0Grounded at pre-flight0Flights recorded
      How I built this
      My contribution
      Rebuilt the existing pilot forms in Microsoft Forms and connected them with Power Automate and SharePoint, adding role-based approval, a safety checklist and the grounding rule.
      Two separate checks
      Advance approval means a manager has agreed the flight can be planned. It is not clearance to fly. Before takeoff, the pre-flight safety check confirms the pilot is fit and the risks are acceptable. A failed answer grounds the flight and alerts the manager, and no one can override it. Once the issue is resolved, only the safety check runs again; the earlier approval stands and no second approval is created.
      How it works
      Requests route to the right manager with status notifications. On the day, the pilot completes the fitness and risk questions. After the flight, the post-flight record closes the job, so request, approval, safety check and record sit in one history.
      Portfolio demonstration
      An independent recreation with fictional data. The original system and company data are not shown.
      • Microsoft Forms
      • Power Automate
      • SharePoint
      • July 2026
      Prototype in development

      Client Request Intake & Tracking

      I built a prototype that asks different questions for different drone services, follows up for files, and tracks each request through review and quotation.

      Send one request to a quote

      Client Request Intake

      Service questions, logged request, files and follow-up, review, quote.

      Interactive recreation · Fictional data · Not an employer system
      1. 1Service questions
      2. 2Request logged
      3. 3Files and follow-up
      4. 4Review
      5. 5Quote
      A client starts a drone request.Pick a service. The form only asks what that service needs.
        0New0Files received0In review0Quoted
        View as

        Operations view: every step, including the internal review and pricing notes.

          How I built this
          My contribution
          Adapted an existing request form so it asks questions based on the selected service. Seven automated flows handle intake, upload links, file receipt, reminders and tracker updates.
          How it works
          A client picks a service and only that service’s questions appear. The request is logged, upload links go out, received files are recorded and reminders follow up on anything missing. Operations then reviews the request and prepares a quote.
          Status
          A prototype in development at work, November 2026.
          Portfolio demonstration
          An independent recreation with fictional data. The original system and company data are not shown.
          • Microsoft Forms
          • Power Automate
          • SharePoint
          • November 2026
          Deployed at work

          Fleet & Equipment Dashboard

          Managers can search every aircraft and piece of equipment and see where it is, whether it is ready, and its maintenance and activity history. I defined the requirements and deployed it as a SharePoint dashboard. Deployed at work, October 2026.

          Try the fleet dashboard

          Fleet Management

          Where everything is, and what state it is in.

          Independent demo with fictional data
          Aircraft and equipmentShowing 9 of 9
          How I built this
          My contribution
          I defined the requirements, directed the AI-assisted build, tested the dashboard and deployed it at work in October 2026.
          Portfolio demonstration
          An independent recreation with fictional data. The original system and company data are not shown.
          • SharePoint
          • Mobile access
          • October 2026
          Delivered at work

          Supplier Sourcing & Negotiation

          I compared quotes from 10 equipment and training providers in the United States and Canada and delivered $20K+ in negotiated commercial value, including price reductions and estimated price protection. Recommendations were prepared for management approval.

          $20K+

          in negotiated commercial value

          How it was done

          1. Step 1Collected quotes10 equipment and training providers
          2. Step 2Compared offersPrice, service inclusions and delivery side by side
          3. Step 3Negotiated termsPrice reductions, added inclusions and price protection
          10providers
          3price locks
          9added inclusions
          No-costtraining

          United States and Canada · Under two months · Delivered at work, 2026

          How I built this
          Business problem
          Equipment and training purchases needed competing quotes and better terms under time pressure.
          My contribution
          Negotiated price reductions, three price locks, nine added inclusions and no-cost training in under two months.
          Independent prototype

          Drone Operations Platform

          I designed a drone operations platform in which one project record follows the job from client intake through delivery and feedback, and directed its AI-assisted build and testing.

          Follow one mission, role by role

          Operations Platform

          One job, one record, every role.

          Shows five of nine roles · Fictional data
          Mission M-104, roof survey1 of 5 roles active
          Client view, stage 1 of 5

          Request received

          Your roof survey request for Example Yard A is logged. We will confirm a date shortly.

          Client
          Client A
          Site
          Example Yard A
          Roles shown
          5 of 9

          A gold dot means that role has work to do at this stage.

          How I built this
          My contribution
          I defined nine roles, what each role needed to see, and when responsibility passed to the next role.
          How it works
          The mission keeps one ID from request to feedback. Operations plans, a manager approves, the pilot flies and uploads, processing delivers and the client gives feedback, each seeing only its part. The original prototype also includes an integrated AI assistant that prepares and explains while people decide.
          Implementation and verification
          I directed the AI-assisted build and testing with Claude Code. The original prototype is verified by 398 automated tests. It runs on demonstration data and is not commercially deployed.
          • Independently conceived
          • Nine role-based views
          • Client intake through delivery
          • 398 automated tests
          • Demonstration data only
          Personal project · In use

          Budget Dashboard

          I built a desktop app for subscriptions, transactions, cards, and purchases. The data stays on my computer, and totals update when the underlying figures change.

          Budget Dashboard

          Change a number. Every total follows.

          In use · Independent demo with fictional data
          $0Total for the month
          $0Subscriptions, monthly
          $0Other spending
          $0Subscriptions, per year
          5 of 5Subscriptions active
          Subscriptions
          Other spendingJun
            Monthly totals
            SubscriptionsOther spending
            How I built this
            My idea and requirements
            One private place for subscriptions, transactions, cards and purchases, with no data leaving my computer.
            Implementation
            Rebuilt from my earlier version as a desktop application with Claude Code, under my direction. I verified calculations against the earlier version with 52 automated tests and 42 on-screen checks.
            Portfolio demonstration
            An independent recreation with fictional data. The original system and company data are not shown.
            • Desktop application
            • Data stays on my computer
            • Rebuilt from an earlier version
            • 52 automated tests
            • 42 on-screen checks
            Personal system · In daily use

            AI Workspace

            I built a workspace with separate records for each project and shared rules for session handoffs and updates. The demo shows how a sample note is checked before it is saved.

            Add a note

            Select a project and run a sample note through the update process.

            Independent demo with fictional data
            Application3 notes

            Drone operations platform prototype

            Where it stands
            Last session summary
            Saved notes
            0
            Shared rulebook

            Tap a number to pick a project.

            Ready

            Project record update
            1. Note received
            2. Checked against the project record
            3. Saved
            How I built this
            My idea and requirements
            I designed the workspace so each project can resume from its last saved state.
            Implementation
            The saved records, the handoff routine and the checked update process, built with Claude Code under my direction. The original workspace is verified by more than 600 automated checks.
            Portfolio demonstration
            A scripted example with fictional data. The original is not shown.
            • One record per project
            • One set of standing instructions
            • Saved state and handoffs between sessions
            • 600+ automated checks in the original

            How I use AI

            21 systems, tools, and workflows that share one rulebook.

            Shared rulebookEvery project follows the same instructions, keeps its own memory and accepts new notes only after a check.

              Applications

              AI advisors

              Automations

              Work systems

              Personal system. Private career and personal projects are not shown.

              Story

              My journey

              From India to Qatar to the United States, from the cabin to the cockpit, and into business systems.

              1. Chapter 1

                India

                Where I grew up and started in aviation

                The experience
                Two years in the cabin as a flight attendant at a domestic airline, where my aviation career began.
                What it taught me
                Safety first, service under pressure and reading a situation quickly.
                How it shows up today
                I design every system around the person who has to use it.
              2. Chapter 2

                Qatar

                Global aviation and leadership

                The experience
                Six years with an international airline, progressing to Cabin Senior and leading cabin crews of up to 10.
                What it taught me
                How to lead diverse, international teams in demanding, highly regulated environments.
                How it shows up today
                I bring the same calm structure to operations, approvals and compliance.
              3. Chapter 3

                United States

                Business systems and AI

                The experience
                Training leadership, workplace operations and professional flight training, then business systems.
                What it taught me
                That a good process is something I can build, test and keep improving.
                How it shows up today
                I negotiate with vendors and use AI-assisted development to build working systems.

              From Cabin to Cockpit

              My aviation journey

              International aviation experience. A new challenge. An FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate.

              2023 to 2025 · Scottsdale, Arizona

              After eight years in airline cabins, I wanted to experience aviation from the pilot's seat. In 2023 I began full-time professional flight training in Scottsdale, Arizona. I earned my FAA Private Pilot Certificate in April 2024, my Instrument Rating in December 2024 and my Commercial Pilot Certificate in June 2025. Flight training sharpened my decision-making, discipline, situational awareness and problem-solving in a safety-critical environment. It reflects something that runs through my career: choosing to learn something hard and building a whole new capability.

              How the journey unfolded

              Start · May 2023Began full-time flight training in Scottsdale, Arizona
              Step 1 · April 2024

              FAA Private Pilot Certificate

              Earned April 2024

              What it took
              What it means
              The first full FAA pilot certificate. It allows a pilot to fly an aircraft and carry passengers, but not for compensation.
              What it takes
              Ground study and flight training with an instructor, including solo flight, a written knowledge test, then an oral exam and flight test with an FAA examiner.
              What it shows at work
              The foundation of everything after it: preparation, checklists and respect for procedure.
              How to become a pilot, at faa.gov
              Step 2 · December 2024

              FAA Instrument Rating

              Earned December 2024

              What it took
              What it means
              Authorizes a pilot to fly in clouds and low visibility, using the instruments alone and following instrument flight rules.
              What it takes
              Dedicated instrument flight training and flight time, a written knowledge test, then an oral exam and flight test with an FAA examiner.
              What it shows at work
              Judgment under pressure, trusting data over instinct, managing heavy workload and following exact procedures with air traffic control.
              The Instrument Flying Handbook, at faa.gov
              Step 3 · June 2025

              FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate

              Earned June 2025

              What it took
              What it means
              The FAA certificate that allows a pilot to fly for compensation, held to tighter standards than a private pilot.
              What it takes
              Hundreds of logged flight hours, ground study, a written knowledge test, then an oral exam and flight test with an FAA examiner. Completed FAA flight training from May 2023 to September 2025, earning Private Pilot, Instrument Rating and Commercial Pilot credentials.
              What it shows at work
              Safety discipline, careful preparation and calm decisions when conditions change.
              How to become a pilot, at faa.gov
              Step 4 · June 2026

              FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate

              Earned June 2026

              What it took
              What it means
              The FAA certificate required to operate small drones for business purposes in the United States.
              What it takes
              Study of airspace, weather, regulations, loading and operating procedures, then passing an FAA knowledge test at an approved testing center.
              What it shows at work
              A working knowledge of the regulations behind drone operations, so the operations systems I build respect them and support sound operational decisions.
              Commercial drone operators, at faa.gov

              The journey

              From the cabin, to the cockpit, to the systems.

              Select a year to view details.

              Systems · Intelligent operations

              Designing and implementing the systems that run drone operations: assignments, approvals, safety checks, reporting and management visibility.

              What drives me

              I believe the best solutions begin with understanding why.

              I naturally look beyond individual tasks to understand the bigger picture. How do the different pieces connect? Why does a process work this way? What is the underlying problem, and what would actually make it better?

              I enjoy connecting perspectives across teams, operations, technology and business needs. That ability helps me identify gaps, question assumptions and turn complicated challenges into practical solutions.

              I learn quickly because I genuinely want to understand how things work. And when something challenges me, my instinct is to figure it out.

              Also passed in 2025: FAA knowledge tests for Fundamentals of Instructing and Advanced Ground Instructor.

              How I work

              I conceive solutions, define requirements, design workflows, guide AI tools such as Claude Code, and test the results.

              1. 01DefineDefine the problem and requirements.
              2. 02MapMap the workflow, roles, and decisions.
              3. 03DirectDirect the AI-assisted implementation.
              4. 04VerifyVerify the result against the requirements.
              5. 05RefineRefine the system based on use.
              Index

              Project index

              15 projects and case studies, at work and on my own time.

              Built at work

              Pilot Work RegisterDeployed

              Designed and built a SharePoint application that takes pilot work from assignment through automated notifications, report submission and management approval, with categorized reporting and an activity history so managers can track progress remotely. Six automated flows handle notifications, reassignments, record locking and daily reminders.

              October 2026 · SharePoint, Power AutomateOpen the Work Register demo
              Advance flight approvalDeployed

              Rebuilt existing pilot forms from an outside tool into a Microsoft Forms and Power Automate workflow that routes advance flight requests for role-based management approval and sends status notifications. The company’s software team adopted my pilot checklist workflow into its mobile app.

              July 2026 · Microsoft Forms, Power Automate, SharePointOpen the flight demo
              Pre-flight risk and post-flight recordsDeployed

              Connected forms and automations for pre-flight fitness and risk checks, a no-override grounding gate that escalates when a check needs review, and post-flight documentation.

              July 2026 · Microsoft Forms, Power Automate, SharePointOpen the flight demo
              Fleet and equipment dashboardDeployed

              Defined requirements, designed, tested and deployed a custom SharePoint application for equipment tracking, showing where every aircraft and piece of equipment is, its state, and its maintenance and activity history.

              October 2026 · Built with AI-assisted developmentOpen the fleet demo
              Client drone work intakePrototype in development

              Adapted an existing form into a branching Microsoft Forms prototype that collects the information each type of service request needs, with intake automation in Power Automate feeding a role-based job pipeline for downstream review.

              November 2026 · Microsoft Forms, Power Automate, SharePointOpen the intake demo
              Operational Work RegisterBuilt

              My own SharePoint work register for capturing, categorizing and reporting operational work, with status tracking and a full history.

              October 2026 · SharePoint
              Workflow specificationsDesigned

              Authored functional requirements, workflow designs and implementation guidance for operational reporting and shipment verification, plus a business travel request process with unique request IDs.

              2026 · SharePoint, Power Apps, Power Automate

              My own applications

              Drone Operations PlatformWorking prototype

              A working prototype in which one record carries a drone project from client intake through technical review, planning, approval, pilot execution, data processing, delivery and feedback. I defined nine roles, what each needed to see and when responsibility passed on, and directed the AI-assisted build, which includes an integrated AI assistant that prepares and explains while people decide.

              Personal project · Original verified by 398 automated testsOpen the platform walkthrough
              Budgeting dashboardIn use

              A desktop application for subscriptions, transactions, cards and purchases, with all data kept on my own computer.

              Personal project · 52 automated tests, 42 on-screen checksOpen the budget demo
              Operations Command CenterIn daily use

              I built an offline app to track projects, tasks, meetings, reports, and deliveries. It opens in a browser and stores data locally.

              • No login and no internet needed, data stays on my computer
              • Tasks, work items and projects that can be edited, hidden and undone in place
              Personal project · One file, opens in any browser

              AI systems and advisors

              AI workspace with memoryIn daily use

              21 systems, tools, and workflows that share one rulebook, remember where each project left off and accept new notes only after a check.

              Personal system · Original verified by 600+ automated checksOpen the AI Workspace demo
              Prompt engineering advisorIn use

              Drafts and tests project instructions using my reference library of prompt techniques and evaluation criteria.

              • One home for prompt techniques, model behavior notes and quality checks
              • Used to design each new project before it is built
              Personal system · Claude, Claude Code, ChatGPT
              Specialist AI advisorsIn use

              A set of AI assistants, each with its own instructions and memory for one subject.

              • Flight study support, and feedback on writing and spoken delivery
              • Pet care records, vehicle purchase comparisons and Apple device troubleshooting
              Personal projects · Each one designed, tested in use and refined
              AI design reviewerIn use

              Reviews my designs, prompts and vendor claims for unsupported assumptions and missing evidence before I build on them.

              • Used before each build
              • Keeps my own read separate from confirmed fact
              Personal project · Review before build

              Commercial

              Supplier sourcing and negotiationDelivered

              Sourced and negotiated equipment and training purchases across the United States and Canada in under two months.

              • Recommendations prepared for management approval
              At work, 2026 · $20K+ in negotiated commercial value, including price reductions and estimated price protectionOpen the sourcing case