Summary




Team and goal-oriented Senior Business Analyst/IT Systems Coordinator offering extensive experience in all facets of Project development, the development of high-impact product enhancements and new software applications and continuing throughout the software development life cycle. Highly-educated individual with exceptional interpersonal communications, evaluation, analysis, team building and leadership abilities ; drawing on product development and systems experience in the insurance and technology industries. Creative and energetic individual possessing the following skills : Technology and Business Skills
Visual Paradigm 5.0, MS Visio 2003, ConceptDraw V, Rational Unified Process RUP, Microsoft Project, Business Modeling, Risk Assessment, User Interface Design, User Acceptance Testing, Heuristic Evaluation, Impact and Gap Analysis, Product Development and Launch, Process, Procedure and Implementation Development, Quality Assurance and Testing, Use Case Modeling, Internet Research and Development, Intranet/Extranet Development, SharePoint, InfoPath, RoboHelp 5, FrontPage, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, CSS, JavaScript, VBScript, eCommerce solutions, B2B Portal Development, Windows 2000/2003 Workstation and Server Administration, Windows 2003 Clustering, Windows XP Administration, Unix, Macintosh, Linux, SQL Analytical Tools, Informix, DB2, Novell NetWare, Microsoft Office 2000/XP/2003, exposure to programming languages like Websphere web commerce, voice/wireless and portals, J2EE, Visual Basic, Norton Antivirus Administration, Publisher, Hardware Installation, Fiber Optics, Network Hubs


Employment

January, 2008 -  Present

Systems Coordinator lead as a technical expert, delivering on strategy planning and operational issues while working closely with other coordinators across the companies sectors to deliver a top class global IT structure.

Provide equipment and software support to Illinois Soybean Association ISA staff and board members

Train ISA staff and Board Members on software, to support the developmental needs of all staff, keeping staff motivated while learning new concepts. Developing a comprehensive, ongoing and consistent training program and keeping each department profitable. Create or suggest training courses and workshops which would be available to covering many different skills and areas of development
Administer the ISA computer network and various server technologies, like Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Microsoft Exchange 2003 Server and Microsoft SQL Server 2005
Develop and maintain the ilsoy. org website utilizing JavaScript, CSS, PHP 5.0 and MySQL 5.0. Manage secured access to exclusive content for ISA board members and monitor for security issues. Maintain search engine optimization and track usage statistics.

Plans are in place to help redesign and monitor other ISA sites, Soybeanpremiums. org, Worldsoyfoundation. org, etc. Future plans include : Participation in strategy meetings to determine value-added enhancements to the site like email alerts and improved navigation
Technical support lead
Help develop a compelling proposal to potential partnering QSSBs

Develop and distribute periodic traffic reports and status reports to all partnering QSSBs
Develop and administer a Search Engine Optimization plan
Establish web traffic monitoring ILSOY and Soybeanpremiums, using analytical information to provide website updates/redesign suggestions to the Marketing and Communications departments

Develop and maintain Microsoft Access 2003 database applications for management of contacts data, projects, inventory and others, utilizing various back end databases
Create database queries, allowing ISA staff to generate marketing and communication information to customers and clients
Maintaining Software Updates/Licensing for all applications used at ISA

Manage Windows Mobile 6.0 devices. Maintain a consistent and up to date list of shared contacts among ISA staff and provide training and support for device users
Manage disaster recovery solutions, monitor backup log files and ensure integrity/reliability of archived data. Assist staff with restoration of lost or corrupted files
Monitor network security implementations for evidence of unauthorized access or malicious activity. Manage centralized anti-virus solution and assist staff with security related issues

Research and provide recommendations for software/hardware upgrades and additions when prudent. Work with outside consultants to acquire and implement new systems
Distribute various e-newsletters periodically and assist staff with creation of contact lists and labels for postal mailings of targeted marketing pieces

Point of Contact for the integration of fundraising software Raiser s Edge ; a 501c3 nonprofit humanitarian organization, the World Soy Foundation which is involved in feeding, educating and measuring the effects of soy protein in the diets of people in many countries around the world. Provide leadership for policy and procedures which will allow the software and organization to function effectively

January, 2007 -  October, 2007

Lead Business Analyst
Illinois Dept of Transportation IDOT
Springfield, IL

Employed RUP methodologies by establishing following Software Development Life Cycle SDLC establishing an iterative design and development strategy which met the client s needs.

Constructed and monitored a user group Discussion forum on a SharePoint website
Involved in Functional, Unit, Regression, Integration and User Acceptance Testing
Responsible for defect reporting, tracking and closure of software deficiencies
Launched a Beta users group with implementation to internal clients for product trial
Created a Test-User Forum to facilitate issues and receive both peer and expert solutions for problems

Provided internal customer training to Engineers, Managers, Supervisors and Team Leads utilizing the Permit Task Management software application suite

Design instructional materials used in training, product walk-thru, course objectives and course agendas

Developed and used templates, procedures and SDLC documents, Basis of Estimates, Scopes of Work, Project Plans, Design Documents, Software and Hardware Specifications, Test Scripts, Project Summary Reports and Records Retention Requirements, etc.
Revised and developed user guides for Permit Task Management System
Created Visio stencils to assist in the rapid prototyping of UI designs
Conducted peer review sessions to make certain of product stability and consistency between users and development teams champion user centered design principles by incorporating UI prototyping, reviews and client walkthroughs prior to development
Designed UI mockups and UI specifications to ensure the system was developed to design specifications
Conducted end-user interview sessions with the client to understand their needs
Participated in brain storming sessions to understand user processes and generate use case list
Gathered and documented Business and Technical requirements and processes using the Rational Unified Process RUP
Created process guidelines to establish a standardized, repeatable approach to requirements gathering and use case modeling that provided increased communication through out all phases of the project life cycle
Created business models that reflect the workflow processes implemented by the client
Created use case realizations from the business models and business requirements to ensure the system fulfilled the client's expectations

Designed and created an Executive Summary for upper management which included multiple requirement artifacts

January, 2006 -  December, 2006

Business Analyst/Testing Analyst
Country Insurance and Financial Services
Bloomington, IL

Lead testing effort by establishing iterative test cases and matrices that met the clients needs while helping the project to implement on time. Experience of real-time applications in an insurance/financial markets environment.

Created Test Case templates to help consistent test execution and submissions
Responsible for developing Testing Matrix to enhance testing implementation
Executed Test Case and created/executed automation test scripts
Involved in Functional, Unit, Regression, Integration and User Acceptance Testing
Responsible for defect reporting, tracking and closure
Enhanced and developed QA Test Plans and designed test strategies
Interacted with Business Analysts and Developers for information gathering and issue resolution

Modified existing insurance policies which works on the Mainframe technology
Developed and documented Standard Testing Procedures for both manual and automated testing
Assisted with the creation of current Test Environment on the new system

July, 2005 -  January, 2006

Senior Business Analyst
University of Illinois Urbana, IL

Championed RUP methodologies by establishing an iterative design and development strategy that met the clients needs while allowing the team to deliver on time and over 50% under budget.

Created Visio stencils to assist in the rapid prototyping of UI designs
Ensured product consistency across multiple products and development teams through peer review sessions
Championed user centered design principles by incorporating UI prototyping, reviews and client walkthroughs prior to development
Helped to create User Interface UI guidelines to ensure consistency of UI development across multiple projects
Designed UI mockups and UI specifications to ensure the system was developed to design specifications
Lead Joint Analysis and Design JAD sessions with the client to understand their needs
Facilitated brain storming sessions to gather requirements, understand product features and user processes
Establish and implement requirements standards and processes for the all project teams using the Rational Unified Process RUP
Created process guidelines to establish a standardized, repeatable approach to requirements gathering and use case modeling that provided increased communication through out all phases of the project life cycle
Created business models that reflect the workflow processes implemented by the client
Created use case realizations from the business models and business requirements to ensure the system fulfilled the client's expectations
Establish versioning procedures for all requirements artifacts
Facilitated the transition from a knowledge concept to a formalized knowledge asset, by creating a quantifiable process and quality metrics to formalize business rules

January, 2005 -  July, 2005
CGN and Associate

Perform both Project Manager and Business Analyst duties for Fortune 50 company, with responsibilities of translating their global website to various languages. The responsibilities in these jobs are :
Project Manager

Managed Development staff to ensure the maintenance and development of the site, through upkeep of the Project timelines. Work closely with the site s Web/database developer on all technical aspects, the implementation of new services

Managed project budget. Identified project costs, resource needs and technical implications, defining project scope, objectives, deliverables, schedules and tasks monitored project performance cost and schedule and keeps upper management informed of project status

Managed numerous, cross-functional projects ; Communicated frequently with executive leadership to provide feedback, risk analysis, project status and requirements that may impact strategic direction, redefining goals of the project, constraints, assumptions and objectives
Oversaw tracking and prioritization of application Change Requests to ensure timely implementation of necessary application improvements
Managed vendors to ensure successful project completion
Drafted and implemented policies and procedures as needed
Estimated duration and resource requirements
Facilitated development of technical, functional and business requirements
Developed detailed project plans, resource plans
Tracked/managed projects from initiation to successful completion

Lead, controlled and monitored a project team comprised of technical and business team members through all phases of a project, through the creation and maintenance of the work breakdown structure WBS as defined in the Project Charter

Tracked project issues and risks and work with the project team to mitigate such issues and risks
Implemented project management methodologies and system development life cycles and re-examined project control plans by assessments periodically in order to ensure their effectiveness

Business Analyst

Maintained close relationships and collaborated with Corporate Marketing and Corporate Affairs, staying current on their projects and priorities, to ensuring any changes reflected on the site
Monitored content being entered into the Product database through the data-entry process. Ensure that entries follow a consistent editorial style and are catalogued appropriately through the creation of a workflow
Prepare proof-of-performance reports for Corporate Marketing and Corporate Affairs management and Vice Presidents
Backed the purchase of mapping tools to empower developers in the knowledge capture process and enable build knowledge models with interconnected sets of linked concept maps

2001 -  2004
Technical Business Analyst

Provided technical planning, consulting, analysis, design, development, testing, implementation and daily support of State Farm's Call Center infrastructure and systems.

Installed and maintained Incident Management and Change Management products for State Farm enterprise
Involved in implementing a Knowledge Management System for internal or external call centers

Developed strategies between departments/units internally to other End Users in the corporation
Created user interface for web products Statefarm.com, SF Bank
Worked with vendors to maintain relationships for software acquisition and knowledge modeling, Data abstraction, Encapsulation and Inheritance eGain, Avaya, Quintus, CasePoint
Requirement gathering for and from stakeholders and relayed clearly to technology teams for design purposes oversaw development to assure specifics were met
Installed and maintained Computer Telephony products for the State Farm enterprise
Provided technical support and analysis on infrastructure related projects and for the production environment
Converted applications from Fat Windows client to Thin web-based
Developed recommendations or solutions for upgrades, improvements and strategies to ensure State Farm had a stable, available and protected technical infrastructure
Researched and consulted with resources and industry experts to ensure the effectiveness and efficiencies of State Farm's infrastructure
Monitored capacity plan, measured and coordinated acceptance test planning for new products and services being installed on the infrastructure
Created detailed test cases, allowing end users and Test Analysts to complete testing
Assisted in acquiring, licensing and supporting new infrastructure products.
Developed and maintain infrastructure documentation like design specifications, user manuals, technical manuals and methodology documentation related to all environments

Coordinated any activities, tasks or efforts that could impact our technical infrastructure

1998 -  2001

Manger of Software Consulting
Managed and maintained a high-level vision for departmental operations and staff with sales of $.8 million

Trained and supervised sales staff in contract negotiation techniques for K-12 educational accounts and administrative reporting requirements
Directed workflow and coordinated the direction of customer service and administration to serve up to 200 customers

Corporate and staff training, curriculum development and growth

Developed and presented effective sales presentations for new K-12 education accounts
Expanded customer base by 95% in a 2 - year period

Analyzed education market conditions to target customers and penetrate accounts

1997 -  1998

Education

Miscellaneous

Information Technology Manager
Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences
Network Administration
Assigned trustee rights, created users and login scripts, installed operating systems, work stations and print server and administered security rights
Authored technology plan and obtained $210000 in grants for technology
System Troubleshooting
Consulted with Technology Managers to troubleshoot systems departmentally
User Training Computer Applications
Designed and established intranet for 70 clients
Computer Systems and Applications Training
Theater, American History and Speech Education
Walt Disney World Internship