IT Business Analyst

Overview:
The Business Analyst will engage in all phases of the Systems Development Lifecycle (SDLC), focusing on the elicitation and definition of requirements for the design, development, testing, and implementation of software systems and processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Collaborate directly with business leadership, subject matter experts (SMEs), and technical partners to gather and document requirements for various Iowa applications and systems.
• Create, present, and maintain user stories, acceptance criteria, and design documents within HHS-defined systems for team members at all levels.
• Document, trace, maintain, prioritize, and assess changes to business practices, workflows, and associated system processes.
• Act as a project manager or quality assurance analyst for smaller initiatives as needed.
• Conduct research to analyze data, identify problems, and propose solutions, including process improvements and redesign of products or services.
• Regularly update project information, statuses, risks, issues, and timelines for reporting purposes.
• Work within an Agile methodology framework, focusing on delivering value while adapting rapidly to achieve optimal outcomes.
• Participate in database and forms analysis as required.

Required Skills and Experience:

• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with the ability to engage with a diverse range of team members, including executives, managers, IT professionals, and SMEs.
• Proven experience in process mapping, group facilitation, data gathering and analysis, and all phases of the project lifecycle (requirements, design, development, testing, deployment, documentation, training, and effectiveness measurement).
• Experience delivering software as part of an Agile delivery team.
• Strong ability to work autonomously under deadlines and manage shifting priorities effectively.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project, Visio).
• Familiarity with requirement gathering software such as Azure DevOps, TFS, Jira, or RTC.
• Ability to analyze business strategies and user needs, document specifications, and translate business objectives into appropriate system requirements.
• Guide stakeholders through business case development for new applications/functionality, including cost-benefit analysis, risk assessment, and impact analysis.
• Recognize value through benefit realization, cost avoidance, new opportunities, and organizational modernization.
• Experience with continuous process improvement through technology and system support.
• Ability to break down complex concepts into manageable tasks while maintaining a focus on end-to-end business processes.
• Collaborate closely with other business units to identify and deliver enterprise value.
• Skilled in consulting with executive-level stakeholders to define business needs or challenges.
• Experience providing consulting services to governmental entities is a plus.

Required Qualifications:

Experience: 8+ years working on large, complex IT systems, eliciting requirements, writing user stories and design documents, defining acceptance criteria, testing outcomes, and facilitating communication among stakeholders.

SDLC Knowledge: 8+ years of experience with SDLC procedures and system developmentmethodologies.

Stakeholder Management: 8+ years managing stakeholder expectations and priorities.

Project Governance: 8+ years working within a project governance structure, including methodology, required templates, and reporting.

Task Management: Excellent task management skills with the ability to balance multiple tasks and changing priorities in a cross-functional environment.

Project Prioritization: Proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and activities simultaneously while meeting established deadlines.

Technical Proficiency: 8+ years of experience with Microsoft development platforms and software.

Agile Experience: 6+ years in an Agile environment.

ALM Tools: 5+ years of experience with Application Lifecycle Management tools (e.g., Microsoft Team Foundation Server, Visual Studio Team Services, Azure DevOps, Atlassian's Jira, IBM's Rational Team Suite).

Database Experience: 5+ years working with Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio or other relational database software.

Information Management: Familiarity with advanced information management practices, data modeling standards, and/or architecture design and analysis (3+ years).

​​​​​​​Education: Bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems, Business, or a related field, along with relevant experience