SUMMARY

• 8+ years of professional experience as Business Analyst in Finance and Insurance domains
• Experience working in all phases of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), and using industry standard methodologies like Rational Unified Process (RUP) and Agile.
• Experience in conducting Gap Analysis, in depth knowledge of the AS - IS and TO-BE business processes
• Proficient in Prototyping application User Interfaces using wireframes and mock-ups with focused attention to detail in enriching User Experience and User Interaction
• Excellent documentation of Business Requirements gathered using Interviews, Brainstorming Sessions, Surveys and Questionnaires; Evaluating Data Sources, Translating Requirements into Specifications and Application Design
• Design, documentation and review of business documents like Business Requirement Document (BRD), Functional Requirement Document (FRD) and System Requirement Specifications (SRS)
• Experience in facilitating Joint Requirement Planning (JRP) sessions with Business User Groups, conducting Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions with IT Groups, SMEs and other project stakeholders
• Competent in creating Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams for Business Process Modeling like Use Case Diagrams (UCD), Activity Diagrams (AD), Sequence Diagrams (SD), Data Flow Diagrams (DFD), Flow Charts (FC) and Wireframe Prototypes
• Good Knowledge in Object Oriented Analysis and Design (OOAD) concepts like Generalization, Polymorphism, Encapsulation and Inheritance
• Highly proficient in the use of SQL and Relational Databases for querying and reporting purposes
• Facilitated Change Management and Conflict Resolution at various stages of the project life cycle by streamlining communication among the project stakeholders and interacting with Change Control Board
• Expert in Tracking and Managing the requirements using Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) that links and controls numerous artifacts produced by several teams across the deliverables of the project
• Assisted QA team in generating test plans, test scenarios, test cases, and managed complete defect tracking life cycle using various defect tracking tools
• Expertise in Functional Testing to ensure a quality product and rich experience in conducting User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to guarantee all the business requirements have been fulfilled by the application
• Involved in Pre Production activities to make sure Go/No Go call is smoothly taken as a critical metric of stability of the system before Production
• Participated in Post-Production Validation (PPV) and worked with the Production support team for issues reported by the user group in the production environment
• Strong ability in thoroughly documenting User Manuals after subsequent releases and conducting User Training Workshops to familiarize the users to the application changes
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills; listening, oral, and written communication/presentation skills with strong ability to influence people at all levels and in various functions

TECHNICAL SKILLS

Requirements Management Tools: PowerDesigner, Rational Rose, Rational DOORS, Requisite Pro

Methodologies: Waterfall, RUP, Agile, Scrum

Languages: SQL, UML, XML, HTML, Java, C

Business Modeling Tools: Smart Draw, MS Visio, Prototyper Just in Mind, UML 2.0

Project Management Tools: MS Project, MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access)

Defect Management Tools: Bugzilla, SILK Central, Jira, HP Quality Center, Load Runner

Databases: IBM DB2, SQL Server 2000, MS Access, Oracle

Operating Systems: Windows 8, Windows 7, Vista, XP, Windows 95/2000 and MS-DOS

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Confidential, NY

Business Analyst

Responsibilities:

• Extensively worked in Agile frame work throughout all the phases of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
• Performed requirement gathering using both formal and informal sessions through interviews, NetMeeting, questionnaire, video conferencing, JAD sessions and conference calls.
• Performed requirement analysis by gathering both functional and nonfunctional requirements based on interactions with the Users.
• Helped to create and translate User Stories to define the functions the system must provide, and to facilitate requirements management.
• Assessed and documented the flaws in the existing AS-IS system and made clear recommendations of Business Process Automation and incorporated them in the future TO-BE system design to perform Gap Analysis
• Made Screen Mockup, Wireframes and screenshots for the application to easily communicate it to the users, developers, and testers.
• Developed various UML Diagrams such as Timing diagrams, business flow diagrams, Activity diagrams and Sequence diagrams using MS Visio so that developers and other stakeholders can understand the business process.
• Used MS Project and assisted project manager in making Project Plan with necessary modifications.
• Conducted stand-up meetings to provide a status update to the team members.
• Actively participated in, group and individual based, problem solving and decision making throughout the different phases of Agile. Authored progress and completion reports, which were then submitted to project management on a weekly basis.
• Wrote SQL statements to extract data from the tables to validate data flow
• Gained expertise on Change Management by performing Impact Analysis for Change Requests obtained during Scope creep.
• Used Quality Center for automated testing. Coordinated with the test team to check the weekly status and report the same to the project manager.
• Worked closely with the QA team in defining defects and planning necessary test cases for resolving the defects within the given time box.
• Conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to ensure all the business requirements have been fulfilled by the application.
• Worked with the Production support team for issues reported by the user group in the production environment.
• Conduct a smoke testing after each build and Post Production Validation after each release.
• Prepared user manuals and conducted training sessions.

Environment: Power Designer, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Quality Center, Windows 2000/2003, Java, Oracle 10g, PL/SQL.

Confidential, Mettawa, IL

Business Analyst

Responsibilities:

• Functioned as the liaison between the business line, operations, and the technical areas throughout the project life cycle.
• Interfaced with the client as part of requirements gathering and elicitation to finalize the project scope.
• Conducted JRP sessions with SME and manager to understand business processes, functionality detail.
• Developed business process models in Scrum environment.
• Helped to create and translate user stories to define the functions the system must provide, and to facilitate requirements management.
• Assisted scrum master to facilitate the scrum and helped to act as a buffer between development team and non-development distractions.
• Assisted to conduct daily scrum to summarize what has been done, plan what needs to be done, and recognize impediments.
• Helped to create burn down charts to show remaining work in the sprint backlog.
• Identified “As is” process and “To be” process as parts of gap analysis for new functionality requirements, as well as prioritizing them based on actual business needs so as to align them with the project roadmap.
• Created Unified Modeling Language (UML) diagrams for Business Process Modeling like Activity Diagrams, Sequence Diagrams, Data Flow Diagrams, and Flow Charts.
• Created Mock-up forms in Just in Mind for better visualization and understanding of the GUI
• Assisted the Project Manager to develop both high-level and detailed application architecture to meet user requests and business needs.
• Assisted the PM in setting realistic project expectations and in evaluating the impact of changes on the project plans accordingly and conducted project related presentations.
• Assisted with user testing of systems, developing and maintaining quality procedures, and ensuring that appropriate documentation is in place.
• Use SQL during the testing phase to verify and validate that the correct information is being provided.
• Conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT) to ensure all the business requirements have been fulfilled by the application.
• Worked with PM during RACI review process and release management.
• Implemented Software Quality Assurance development policies and test procedures. Documented test scripts according to the business specifications and design documents.
• Worked with development and testing teams to accomplish timely release objectives.
• Prepared user manuals and conducted training sessions.

Environment: Agile-Scrum, Microsoft Office Suite, Microsoft Visio, UML, Windows XP, SQL Server, Sybase Power Designer, Microsoft Project, Test Director, Java.

Confidential, Mount Laurel, NJ

Business Analyst

Responsibilities:

• Identified the areas for improvement by reviewing and analyzing the existing online portal systems.
• Conducted detailed and comprehensive Business Analysis by working with end users and other stake holders to identify the system, operational requirements, and proposed enhancements.
• Performing businessimpact analysis of proposed projects processes and gap analysis for new functionality requirements, as well as prioritizing them based on actual business needs so as to align them with the project roadmap.
• Gathered, analyzed and designed the business requirements from the user groups.
• Created Business Requirement Documents and Functional Requirement Documents.
• Involved in JAD sessions for resolving issues involving data processing, user interface and downstream systems interactions.
• Prototyped the application by providing screen shots and wireframes.
• Created UML diagrams and worked extensively on use case modeling.
• Conducted walkthroughs of the application requirements, with the development, testing and support teams.
• Participated in the application development meetings to clarify the business logic and provide the business scenarios to the development teams.
• Conducted review meetings with software test teams to ensure appropriate test scenarios have been provided for Integration and Regression testing.
• Implemented Software Quality Assurance development policies, test procedures and testing methodologies. Documented test scripts according to the business specifications and design documents.
• Conducted user acceptance testing (UAT sessions) to ensure all the business requirements have been fulfilled by the application.
• Conducted post production validations (PPVs).
• Worked with Project Manager during RACI review process and release management.
• Worked with the Production support team for issues reported by the user group in the production environment.
• Prepared user manuals and conducted training sessions.

Environment: Rational Rose, MS Visio, Just in Mind, UML, Microsoft Office Suite, Java, Oracle, Windows XP, Silk Center, RUP methodology

Confidential, Weehawken, NJ

Business Analyst

Responsibilities:

• Identified the areas for improvement by reviewing and analyzing the existing online portal systems
• Responsible for managing and maintaining relationships with users as they pertained to new enhancements.
• Assisted senior business analysts in performing GAP analysis and documenting the Business Requirements. Functional Requirements and Non-Functional Requirements into Business Requirement Documents (BRD) and Functional Requirement Documents (FRD).
• Designed and developed Use Cases, Sequence and Activity Diagrams using UML.
• Created wireframes and prototypes of the new web interfaces to communicate the ideas to the business users and the management teams.
• Worked closely with the UI design and development team to ensure viability of new features to ensure proper functionalities of the complete system.
• Coordinated with project manager on project activities like preparing timelines for project delivery.
• Assisted with user acceptance testing of system (UAT), developing and maintaining quality procedures, and ensuring that appropriate documentation is in place.

Environment: Rational Unified Process (RUP) Methodology, Rational Requisite Pro, Rational Clear Case, Microsoft Visio, Microsoft Office Suite MySQL.