Job Specification
Position Title:
Sr. Business Analyst
Job Code:
20ASY - Systems Serv (Ama Unit) ASY20
Purpose of Position :
To provide a comprehensive range of business analysis expertise and leadership for a very diverse and concurrent I&IT projects, ranging from medium to large scale, high profile, Cluster-wide information technology initiatives to Ministry-specific systems projects.
Duties / Responsibilities :
Within the branch responsible for developing, implementing, maintaining and supporting highly diverse, complex and specialized information systems, and for managing and participating in various Cluster projects, the position provides the most senior level of business analysis leadership and expertise for concurrent I&IT projects that are typically the most diverse and broad in scope (e.g. projects that are strategic multi-year initiatives involving greatest risk, very diverse client needs, and high-value investments) :
1. Plans, leads and conducts business analysis and systems consulting services at levels of detail appropriate to each project and phase of projects related to I&IT systems development and application maintenance and support, through the analysis of client requirements, business processes, data and work flows.
2. Plans, facilitates and leads in -depth consultations and workshops to elicit, review and confirm business requirements, business process re-engineering, business models, business rules and user interface design.
3. Provides authoritative advice and recommendations for the design, development and implementation of new, enhanced or customized systems, processes and applications; provides ongoing I&IT consulting services to client management on access to technology trends and new business applications which may enhance the effectiveness/efficiency of clients' business delivery; and guides clients with business process re-engineering to assist them in using/sharing technology to better achieve program objectives and to optimize business value.
4. Translates client business requirements into functional and information documentation, identifying alternative business design options and solutions to resolve the most exceptional, complex and unusual/unique business problems; ensures that the solution(s) satisfy all business requirements.
5. Designs and conducts/leads comprehensive feasibility and business case analyses for applications and business process improvements. Prepares and presents project proposals, including financial analysis, cost estimates, RFPs, RFls, RFSs, terms of reference and cost/benefit studies for each option. Prepares/reviews others' preliminary design specifications, and establishes resource and cost requirements for application development and maintenance and support.
6. Provides project planning input, leadership and functional expertise for the development, testing and implementation of business systems; deploys and oversees assigned project resources; provides technical expertise, guidance and solutions; solves project issues; provides recommendations to management.
7. Anticipates and evaluates potential implementation issues, assesses and/or develops options, and provides input and authoritative recommendations to fully address all implementation issues.
8. Conducts/leads research to identify opportunities for improving I&IT systems use and management and add value for clients; identifies and evaluates emerging trends to make authoritative recommendations regarding their cost effectiveness and usefulness in enabling the launching of business improvement opportunities; recommends the use of new and innovative technologies, tools and methods to optimize I&IT systems and services.
9. Provides authoritative technical guidance and mentoring to other business analysis staff to ensure the continuous improvement and compliance with established business analysis methodology and best practices.
10. Develops/reviews comprehensive specialized technical requirements for formal procurement, and participates in the RFI/RFP/RFS process, including evaluating bids, participating in selection and SLA negotiations. Provides technical leadership and direction to contracted service providers to ensure that all contract deliverables are produced on schedule, to the quality level specified.
Knowledge :
Comprehensive expertise and skills in using contemporary principles, tools, techniques, standards and trends in business systems planning and analysis, technology management, network technology, systems infrastructure and support, data base management, application development, quality assurance, and I&IT customer service delivery, to lead consultations: anticipate technical/business impact issues and develop innovative, practical recommendations; assess and provide expert advice to clients on cost-effective and efficient business applications/technology/products that facilitate business delivery; support the development of client business plans; and evaluate emerging trends to identity opportunities for improving IT systems use and management.
Expert knowledge and skills in accepted methods, standards, tools, techniques and best practices for business process analysis and design, to lead and undertake the most complex and/or unique business process analyses, develop new processes and make authoritative recommendations for change.Knowledge of application engineering, development, implementation and maintenance, and enterprise business architecture, information management principles~ including logical and physical data modeling and database design, in order to recommend specific applications/technology to meet highly diverse business needs within Cluster/enterprise standards and requirements, and identify, assess and recommend technical and process solutions to address the business implications of technology change on diverse clients' businesses.
Expert knowledge of the software development lifecycle management, tools and techniques management, architecture management; and of systems analysis and design principles, practices, methods and techniques, especially in an n-tier web enabled IT infrastructure environment, in order to anticipate and define the impacts of technology change on very
different and unrelated businesses at various stages; prepare preliminary design specifications; establish resource and cost requirements for application development, maintenance and support; participate in testing and evaluation; ensure alignment, compliance and best practices in own and others' business consulting work; and provide expert assessments on the practicality/implications of new business consulting trends and tools on systems analysis and design.
Comprehensive knowledge of the Rational Unified Process and associated artifacts, and comprehensive understanding of conventional and leading edge technologies, in order to clearly and concisely document the requirements of very different and unrelated businesses that use the same/similar systems, and to provide authoritative technical guidance to other business analysts and systems personnel. Comprehensive knowledge of Enterprise architecture methodologies and the production of associated artifacts, to provide technical guidance and ensure integrity of business analysis project deliverables.
Thorough knowledge of Cluster I&IT business directions, policies, procedures, directives, guidelines and practices, and of clients' business strategic goals, processes and priorities, including their internal and external clients/stakeholder needs, to link and align I&IT strategies, and propose innovative solutions to clients' unique business needs that are also cost-effective, efficient and compliant with Cluster/corporate I&IT requirements. Relevant legislation and directives governing I&IT, including privacy, security and accessibility, to ensure all recommendations and plans are in compliance with requirements.
Expert knowledge of related industry trends in I&IT, to identify opportunities for improving I&IT systems use and management through innovations in tools, technology and processes. Expert understanding of technology integration to synthesize and integrate data and information from numerous disparate platforms (e.g. Java/Oracle, Lotus Notes, Siebel, GIS, BI using Service Oriented Architecture approaches). Leadership, teamwork, work and project management skills, to plan, estimate resources, prioritize, schedule and lead concurrent large-scale business analysis projects; provide technical guidance to others performing business analysis work; and lead the design and development of optimum business processes for effective services/systems to meet clients' high demands and program needs.
Expert analytical, evaluation and problem-solving skills, to lead and/or undertake needs assessment, feasibility and options development projects; and produce authoritative recommendations for solutions that meet unique and/or problematic client needs and comply with Cluster/corporate requirements. Effective oral and written communication skills, to lead and facilitate individuals and teams; make presentations and report to management with persuasive and authoritative recommendations; work effectively with clients, colleagues, management and external service providers; explain technical principles, emerging information technologies and new business delivery methods and options to clients and less experienced staff in terms they can readily understand; and provide authoritative technical guidance, direction and mentoring for other business analysis staff.
Very strong business relationship, interpersonal and client service skills, to establish and maintain a strong partnership/service environment between the clients and the Cluster; lead consultations; build consensus on competing needs; and obtain commitments to best options. Contract management and negotiation skills, and knowledge of financial administration and procurement procedures, tendering policies and processes to participate in the formal procurement process, manage assigned contractors, and recommend payment of invoices. Proficiency with PC/networked common business software such as: MS Office, MS Project, Visio, Outlook, Access, internet, intranet, etc. plan, lead, track and co-ordinate activities; develop analyses and reports; deliver presentations; and correspond with contacts.
Judgement :
Work is performed under the direction of the Manager, CRM & Solutions, and within the broad framework of enterprise and Cluster I&IT standards, plans and guidelines; strategic plans, policies, procedures and standards of the LRC; clients' diverse business requirements; and policies and procedures governing contract management.
Position exercises judgment in:
Evaluating large quantities of data in order to identify client ministry I&IT requirements and lead feasibility and options development projects.Recommending and justifying I&IT solution/system enhancements and business process changes, frequently in the absence of precedents, to address specific or unique client business requirements, Of relating to new technologies, that influencing Cluster and client management decisions in I&IT investments for business design solutions.
Identifying solution delivery options that properly reflect the needs of the client, including alternate service delivery, and recommending pre-emptive action to mitigate anticipated risks. Facilitating business process re-engineering, including conducting cost-benefit analyses; evaluating both current and future needs; assessing resource requirements; and championing specific opportunities for greater efficiencies that may affect multiple clients. Managing challenges in balancing the alignment between clients' demands and expected results versus I&IT solution providers' abilities to deliver quality solutions.
Identifying and facilitating opportunities for clients with similar business and technology needs to develop partnerships, and link long-range business vision and concepts to immediate tasks/daily work. Ensuring the accurate, clear and concise translation of client requirements into functional and information documentation. Ensuring the integrity of chosen solutions (eg: they favourably reflect time, cost and resource constraints in terms of nonrecurring (one-time) and recurring (operational) expectations, etc). Planning, (re)prioritizing, scheduling, co-ordinating, leading and delegating project activities; monitoring and expediting progress; and resolving technical and administrative issues in the light of the LRC's mandate, client ministries' business plans, and strategic directions.
Evaluating solutions providers' proposals; (participating in) negotiating agreements with service providers, and overseeing and evaluating contracted services for compliance with the SLA. Assessing advancements and make recommendations regarding value and usefulness from different clients' perspectives.
Accountability - Programs :
Providing strategic I&IT business consulting advice to a wide variety of client ministries where the scope of program accountability is broad with direct impacts on their program delivery. Providing business analysis expertise for managerial decision-making and I&IT applications work, including addressing the integration of competing requirements to achieve business/systems integrity, and advocating client-specific business needs to I&IT solution providers. Planning, leading and co-ordinating multiple I&IT business analysis and process improvement projects.
Accountability – Personnel :
Providing technical expertise to assigned project personnel, including assigning work, monitoring performance and providing technical guidance and instruction.
Accountability - Finance and Materials :
Costing project and technical options and making recommendations. Developing resource needs estimates and controlling the deployment of assigned I&IT business consulting project budgets and resources. Developing terms of reference for external contractors, evaluating tenders and negotiating contracts. Managing the services of contracted external contractors, evaluating performance and assessing deliverables, and recommending payment to Manager. Ensuring the confidentiality of sensitive information used in projects and business consulting activities.
Accountability - Impact of Errors :
Errors in business analysis planning and leadership could impact significantly on the delivery of mission-critical business analysis consultations, advice and services, significantly disrupting clients' and their business partners' programs/services of client ministries and their business partners, and leading to excessive I&IT project and operating costs. (e.g. Failure to design and conduct pertinent I&IT feasibility and options projects could result in the I&IT function's inability to add value for clients.)
Failure to provide appropriate business analysis solutions, authoritative recommendations and advice for complex and sometimes unique and/or competing requirements, could result in misguided managerial decision-making regarding major I&IT and related business investments; missed opportunities for cost savings; solution development delays; increases in program operating costs; and I&IT systems and services that fail to meet current and anticipated client business delivery needs efficiently and effectively. Poor planning and management of concurrent business analysis projects could result in significant cost over-runs, delays, resource shortages, and results that lack integrity.
Contact - Internal :
Frequent contact with client managers, program specialists and other staff, to negotiate detailed terms of reference; consult to determine needs; provide advice, explanations, recommendations and expertise on business analysis, I&IT and business process solutions to business needs; facilitate information/solution sharing; and resolve business analysis project issues.
Frequent contact with branch colleagues to discuss the OPS/Cluster I&IT business strategy, directions and policies and assess their implications for specific business analysis projects. Regular contact with I&IT corporate, Cluster staff and counterparts in other clusters, to collaborate on solutions options, share information on similar products and/or services, and participate in joint initiatives. Participates on and contributes to I&IT committees and task groups as a provider of authoritative business consulting expertise.
Contact - External :
Frequent contact with clients' stakeholders to elicit requirements that affect shared systems and solutions. Regular contact with private sector and public sector I&IT solutions providers to negotiate contracts and terms of service, and provide technical oversight and co-ordination of their deliverables. Frequent contact with peers and colleagues in the business analysis/systems community to maintain an awareness of state-of-the-art trends, techniques and innovative technologies, and their application to user needs.