Business Analyst

Provides a comprehensive range of I&IT business analysis services for clients with diverse business and technological needs. Interacts with the business stakeholders and subject matter experts in order to understand their requirements through gathering, documenting, and analyzing business needs and requirements. Prepares and advises on business analysis policies, processes, best practices and standards to promote a comprehensive and consistent business analysis practice within the organization. General Skills: Leads and conducts business analysis in order to assess client?s business problems/opportunities and documents the business requirements in such a way that I&IT solutions can be determined Applies re-engineering concepts to promote business improvements through alternative and cost effective service delivery approaches Leads and conducts business analysis at varying levels of detail appropriate to the project and phases of project, aligning with OPS Unified Project Management Methodology, Enterprise Architecture and Gating Process, and OPS Standard Systems Development Methodologies Develops strategies, prepares business cases and cost-benefit analysis, and conducts feasibility studies for business I&IT initiatives Develops sound processes for requirements gathering including but not limited to JAD sessions, interviews, mockups, etc. Conducts business modeling; use case modeling; conceptual and logical data modeling; process and data flow modeling; use case surveys; business rules definition and non-functional requirements definitions for assigned projects Monitors progress, resolves problems and reports regularly to I&IT management and stakeholders Develops performance measures and traceability matrices for business analysis evaluation and conducts follow-up Experience developing strategies, preparing business cases and cost-benefit analysis Experience conducting requirements gathering, developing documentation, including presentations and briefing notes and conducting stakeholder engagement Experience in the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools to document conceptual requirements and scope Awareness of emerging I&IT trends and technologies Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and negotiation skills A team player with a track record for meeting deadlines Desirable Skills: Experience in the use of information retrieval packages Knowledge and understanding of Information Management principles, concepts, policies and practices Ability to translate business and data requirements into specifications sufficient for designing appropriate technology solutions Experience with a wide range of methods, tools and techniques for business analysis such as: business functional modelling, business event modelling, business process mapping Experience in structured, object oriented and agile methodologies for user requirements Experience developing performance measures for business analysis evaluation and subsequent follow-up Knowledge and understanding of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) and related regulations and standards Provides a comprehensive range of I&IT business analysis services for clients with diverse business and technological needs. Interacts with the business stakeholders and subject matter experts in order to understand their requirements through gathering, documenting, and analyzing business needs and requirements. Prepares and advises on business analysis policies, processes, best practices and standards to promote a comprehensive and consistent business analysis practice within the organization. General Skills ? Leads and conducts business analysis in order to assess client?s business problems/opportunities and documents the business requirements in such a way that I&IT solutions can be determined. ? Applies re-engineering concepts to promote business improvements through alternative and cost effective service delivery approaches ? Leads and conducts business analysis at varying levels of detail appropriate to the project and phases of project, aligning with OPS Unified Project Management Methodology, Enterprise Architecture and Gating Process, and OPS Standard Systems Development Methodologies ? Develops strategies, prepares business cases and cost-benefit analysis, and conducts feasibility studies for business I&IT initiatives ? Develops sound processes for requirements gathering including but n o t limited to JAD sessions, interviews, mockups, etc. ? Conducts business modeling; use case modeling; conceptual and logical data modeling; process and data flow modeling; use case surveys; business rules definition and non-functional requirements definitions for assigned projects ? Monitors progress, resolves problems and reports regularly to I&IT management and stakeholders ? Develops performance measures and traceability matrices for business analysis evaluation and conducts follow-up ? Experience developing strategies, preparing business cases and cost-benefit analysis ? Experience conducting requirements gathering, developing documentation, including presentations and briefing notes and conducting stakeholder engagement ? Experience in the use of Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tools to document conceptual requirements and scope ? Awareness of emerging I&IT trends and technologies ? Excellent analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills; verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and negotiation skills ? A team player with a track record for meeting deadlines Desirable Skills ? Experience in the use of information retrieval packages ? Knowledge and understanding of Information Management principles, concepts, policies and practices ? Ability to translate business and data requirements into specifications sufficient for designing appropriate technology solutions ? Experience with a wide range of methods, tools and techniques for business analysis such as: business functional modelling, business event modelling, business process mapping ? Experience in structured, object oriented and agile methodologies for user requirements ? Experience developing performance measures for business analysis evaluation and subsequent follow-up ? Knowledge and understanding of Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA) and related regulations and standards

Skills

Experience and Skill Set Requirements

Technical Knowledge / Skill 30%

Knowledge of and skills in: 

• Demonstrated knowledge of business analysis and requirements definition, business design and business process modeling and process re-engineering
• Demonstrated knowledge of the software development life cycle
• Possess knowledge and experience leveraging both IT solutions and business process development or improvements.
• Understanding of EQAO business environment, (eg: legislation, agreements, plans, service/operational processes, methods, standards, tools, technologies, issues, etc), to assess and comment on the performance of business practices, re-engineer or develop new practices, participate in their implementation with least risk to the business, and ensure compliance (eg: with specific provisions in program-related legislation).
• OPS/Ministry/Branch strategies, plans, administrative policies, directives, best practices and standards and business-related legislation and agreements, to ensure compliance (eg. procurement policies/procedures, accounts payable processes).
• Theory and practice of business process modeling, in order to plan process re-engineering assignments; research, test and implement approved associated tools, methods and standards; and ensure best practices and standards are maintained.
• Understanding of key performance indicators, qualitative and quantitative measurement and risk assessment to develop, apply and evaluate results of metrics that measure process efficiency and effectiveness.
• Knowledge of cost/benefit analysis, risk assessment and quantification methodologies
• Change and project coordination, including planning, resource and budget scheduling, and risk management, to assist with concurrent projects and to introduce new/re-engineered processes and related standards and practices.
• Planning, organizing and coordinating concurrent projects with clients, stakeholders and partners; and expedite progress to support EQAO business needs.
• Experience in facilitating Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions.
• Use Case and Functional Specification documentation
• System Integration Regression and User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
• Computer applications, including word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentations, to prepare reports, conduct analysis and research, and provide information.
• Oral and written communications to manage diverse business contacts, provide written/verbal instructions and information to clients on re-engineering solutions, prepare reports, presentations, provide recommendations to senior management and clients, and provide process documentation which is complete and clear for users who are not specialists in business analysis.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill  20%

• Customer relationship management skills to provide advice, guidance, assistance and education to clients who are usually not experienced in business process analysis.
• Consultation and collaboration skills to obtain understanding of business processes and propose new/re- engineered business processes and related tools and solutions, such as performance measurement indicators.
• Explanatory and presentation skills to deliver knowledge-sharing and skill-building concerning business analysis, trends, standards, methods, and specific solutions.
• Collaboration skills to lead and/or participate on various groups (e.g. project teams, committees, working groups).
• Negotiation skills to influence and impact in order to address issues and/or reach consensus.
• Facilitation skills to deliver knowledge-sharing and skill building sessions pertaining to business analysis, trends, standards, methods and specific solutions to various groups (eg. project teams, committees, working groups, etc).

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill 20%

Analytical and problem-solving skills to: 

• Assist with the assessment of business analysis results and determine key elements to drive process improvement.
• Ensure integrity in the development and testing of performance measuring tools and techniques, identification of valid and reliable performance metrics and standards, and assessment of current processes against best  practices in order to identify gaps and justify areas for improvement in the context of existing and future business needs.
• Assess and revise/develop business analysis tools, methods and practices.
• Ensure business processes and related techniques and tools comply with and are aligned with Ministry and OPS standards (e.g.: QA, risk management, tracking, audit trails, etc).
• Determine how to eliminate the gaps and build on/towards best practices through the development of performance standards, measurement tools, and benchmarking.
• Reconcile and balance competing demands of projects/clients within budgetary and resource limitations.

Decision Making / Responsibility 20%

Responsible for: 

• Providing timely analyses, developing, recommending and implementing approved new/re-engineered business processes, standards and practices to enhance clients’ business efficiency and effectiveness through best practices within available resources.
• Providing EQAO support that reflects individual needs for the agency, resources and understanding of business analysis.
• Defining the main implications of proposed business process/practice changes (e.g.: procedures, roles, responsibilities, skills, etc), and assisting in implementing business process change in the least disruptive way, anticipating and controlling risks.
• Ensuring compliance with Ministry and central agency directives and guidelines. Has latitude to:
• Recommend scope and direction of projects, project budgets and procurement/resourcing strategies. establishes project priorities/directions to ensure integration, alignment and compliance with Branch/Ministry and enterprise standards and requirements.

Decisions are guided by OPS/Ministry/Branch business and administrative directives, policies, standards and frameworks to meet EQAO business requirements, and by specific legislation and/or agreements which have direct bearing on the business area. 

 Project coordination and Stakeholder Management Skills 10%

• Communication skills with experience facilitating and making presentations and reports to senior management
• Ministry/OPS clients (directors, managers and staff) to discuss and clarify business analysis needs; define current and anticipated business needs; explain and share knowledge about the business analysis process, approach, tools etc; provide reports and make recommendations for improvements; participate in the implementation of new/re-engineered process changes in accountabilities, roles and responsibilities identified by
• the new processes, including education for users.
• Multidisciplinary, inter-ministerial project development and implementation teams, advisory groups and steering committees to provide analyses, information, explanations, reports and documentation.
• External service providers to communicate new processes and assist them in ensuring that their processes are compatible.
• Suppliers and business analysis practitioners in the private sector, to review new products and systems, and discuss trends and influences in business analysis.