Lead Business Analyst

Description

Summary

To provide both hands-on delivery and leadership in the delivery of Software Solutions by the efficient and accurate translation of business need into requirements consumable by the technical delivery teams, in-line with agreed practices and under the direction of the Head of Analysis.

To help complete AQA’s ongoing transition to a single, consistent set of cloud-based technologies (technology re-platform) and move to an agile delivery model in line with current software development best practices (Scrum/Kanban; continuous delivery) – and to continually improve and enhance that technology for new and changing business needs, once that transition is complete.

To provide hands-on support and mentoring to advance the skills of other software solution analysts, promoting the sharing of business and technical knowledge and adoption of analysis practices through mentoring, team meetings/lunch and learns, etc as well as formal written documentation.Key AccountabilitiesProvide leadership on analysis best practice and delivery for software solutions that are portable and can be supported, easily maintained and onwardly developed.
Mentor and coach other team members on business and technical analysis driving personal and professional development to facilitate cross skilling in the team, identify ways to continually improve team processes and ways of working and support the Head of Analysis in the creation of a centre of excellence for Analysis in AQA.
Work with the business and technical teams to deliver the translation of requirements into statements of work, user stories, feature sets, use cases, identifying business benefits, high level designs, proposed solutions and prototypes in line with business priorities agreed as part of sprint planning & product backlog management.
Ensure all deliverables/documents, requirements catalogues, system, data and business process models – are comprehensive, consistent and accessible and are appropriate in order for the intended operational benefits to be achieved.
Work with the delivery teams (developers, testers, devops, architects, etc) to translate business needs into viable detailed specifications, architectural designs, data and information requirements and acceptance criteria, ensuring alignment with AQA’s Technology and Information strategies, standards and architecture (including non-functional requirements).
Work with business stakeholders to map “as is” and “to be” processes, to clarify requirements, features, improvements and potential solutions and to understand and describe the impact of change to the business and systems.
To support business in design and delivery of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) aligned to BSG’s overall Testing Approach and Strategy:
supporting the business in coordinating and designing the testing approach.
supporting the business in defining the acceptance criteria
working with user communities to identify business scenarios.
supporting user communities to write scripts against which to test to ensure that the changes being made meet the customers’ needs.
supporting the production of test outputs/reports and the resolution of issues.

Work with business, other technical teams and external partners (third parties) to design, plan and deliver software solutions and software solution integrations.
To build and foster strong working relationships with colleagues and key business stakeholders and throughout AQA.
Undertake appropriate mitigation and avoidance actions as assigned, in accordance with identified Issues and Risks. Facilitate product backlog management and iteration planning by providing estimates and advising on development approaches and options in the context of delivery cost and risk.
Keep systems of record (Azure DevOps, Sharepoint etc) up to date to maintain a clear audit trail of software solutions work undertaken – and in turn produce and facilitate clear and accurate reporting and metrics on software solution activities.
Play a key role during the estimation phase, including the translation of requirements into statements of work, high level designs, proposed solutions and prototypes where appropriate. Keep abreast of current state-of-the-art software solution analysis practices by undertaking reading and attending external events, and share learnings within the Software Solutions group to ensure practices remain appropriate and up to date.
Support software solutions through the delivery of exam series, especially during the critical Summer exam period.
Deputise for workstream delivery leads as required.

General Accountabilities
To comply with all AQA’s policies and other legislative requirements, including but not limited to HSE, Equal Opportunities and ISMS.
Where business needs change, to undertake other responsibilities which are of a commensurate level outside the terms of this role profile.

Person Profile
I/P - A broad understanding of business in either a commercial or an educational environment
A/I/P - An expert knowledge of analysis techniques and the ability to analyse and produce accurate artefacts consumable by business stakeholders and technical delivery teams
A/I/P - A strong understanding of financial management in a project environment including supporting the creation of robust business cases
A/I/P - Understanding of at least one Systems Development Life Cycle methodology (eg Agile, Waterfall, Iterative)
A/I/P - Knowledge of data modelling techniques (eg Entity Relationship Modelling, Class Modelling, etc)
A/I/P - Sound knowledge of database tools and techniques used in the development of IT applications (querying databases, understanding models, creation and query of test databases)

Qualification
A - Degree level qualification in Software Engineering or a scientific discipline, or equivalent professional experience

Skills
A/I/P - Expertise in using a variety of tools and techniques to analyse business processes and recommend process improvements, including the use of requirements management, user stories and modelling tools/techniques when appropriate.
I/P - Proven aural, oral and written communication skills to explain issues to technical and non-technical staff.
A/I/P - Proven analytical skills to identify business objectives and potential solutions, with ability to analyse and document highly complex requirements and produce specifications.
I/P - Proven ability to provide suitable test support for unit, system and User Acceptance purposes
I/P - A proven ability to manage issues, risks and problems from identification through to resolution
I/P - Strong interviewing skills to identify and capture core business goals and requirements
P - Demonstrable ability to produce and maintain high quality documentation
I/P - Demonstrates excellent facilitation skills (eg running workshops) to produce desired outcomes
I/P - Demonstrates excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of situations
I/P - Demonstrates resilience and calmness under pressure to meet tight deadlines in complex contexts
I/P - Receive feedback and learn from mistakes for continuous self-development
I/P - Ability to influence people at all levels, across the organisation and outside, including negotiating and successfully facilitating joint decision making
I/P - A proven ability to adapt to new IT methods, tools and procedures
I/P - Demonstrates proactive collaborative working across functional areas to deliver shared goals

Leadership Skills
I/P - Ability to take ownership of both software solution delivery and continuous improvement activities, delivering through self and others
I/P - Ability to coach and mentor individuals to support individual development and wider departmental continuous improvement
I/P - Ability to lead by example to develop and maintain effective working relationships with a range of partners and stakeholders

Experience
A/I/P - Significant experience as a successful Analyst, with evidence of delivering tasks at a high level of quality, at all stages of the project lifecycle, from requirements gathering and clarification through to successful implementation
A/I - Experienced in conducting investigative interviews, requirements gathering and running associated workshops
A/I/P - Experience of the use of Prototyping tools and techniques to clarify user requirements
A/I - Experience of successfully redesigning processes and delivering benefits from business cases across complex multi-functional and multi-site businesses
A/I/P - Experience using Application Lifecycle Management tooling, eg ADO, JIRA etc

AQA’s Behaviour Framework which is assessed through the selection/probation process

Assessment key (criteria to be assessed at the selection stage)
A – application (it is essential to provide evidence on application for shortlisting purposes)
I - interview
T – test (or work sample)
P – probation

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