THE DIPLOMAT BEACH RESORT HOLLYWOOD | FT. LAUDERDALE
THE DIPLOMAT BEACH RESORT HOLLYWOOD | FT. LAUDERDALE
International Institute of Business Analysis
Agenda
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
11:35 am – 12:35 pm | Presentation | Room: Roman III & IV
Collaborating Within a Distributed Business Analysis Function
Presented by: John Nichele, Betty Burke
U.S. Cellular is a mid-size telecommunications company that focuses on providing an excellent customer experience. This customer focus is driven through a distributed Business Analysis function. John leads an Enterprise Business Analysis team that partners with business owners and is responsible for eliciting business and stakeholder requirements. Betty leads a Technical Business Analysis team that partners with development teams to deliver system and solution requirements.
It can be challenging for Enterprise and Technical Business Analysts to stay aligned on project scope and to produce consistent requirements on projects within the distributed Business Analysis function. The risks associated with mis-alignment between the Business Analysis teams can lead to change requests, scope creep and project delays. Additionally, the two teams are not co-located which can really challenge communication and partnership. To minimize these risks, John and Betty have worked to drive partnership between the Business Analysis teams at U.S. Cellular by introducing a Business Analysis Community of Practice (CoP).
This partnership has contributed to time savings and achieves quality outcomes. The U.S. Cellular Business Analysis Community of Practice is built on a foundation of utilizing core Business Analysis skills, industry best practices and appropriate attitudes to partnership.
John and Betty will share their experiences of introducing their collaborative approach to ensure alignment and partnership between Enterprise and Technical Business Analysts. This partnership approach includes:
- Peer reviews between Business Analysis teams
- Joint Planning
- Attending each other’s requirements sessions
- Community of Practice (CoP) meetings
- Providing mentoring to junior Business Analysts
- Collaborating on process improvements
- Creating a Business Analysis culture within U.S. Cellular (career path)
What Attendees Will Learn:
- Benefits of Business Analysis Community of Practice
- Techniques to drive collaboration
- Consistent process and communication between separate Business Analyst teams
Speaker(s)
John Nichele
Senior Manager of Enterprise Analysis
US Cellular
John has 14 year experiences in Business Analysis and Project Management. John has been with U.S. Cellular for 8 years and has held the role of Project Analyst, Senior Business Analyst and Senior Manager of Enterprise Analysis. In these roles, John has lead cross functional teams and performed Business Analysis activities to support the launch of new products and services for U.S. Cellular customers and associates. Prior to that, John worked for Electro-Motive Diesel for 6 years in Project Management.
John's 2016 Presentations:
- Collaborating Within a Distributed Business Analysis Function
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (11:35 am – 12:35 pm)
Betty Burke
Senior Manager IS Business Analysis
US Cellular
Betty has 25+ years leading teams in the areas of business analysis, information systems, quality, process and change management. She has been with U.S. Cellular for 5 years, leading a team of technical business analysts. Prior to that, Betty worked for Motorola for 9 years where she led a team of system architects, process / quality and test engineers. Betty is a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and worked as a Process Consultant for 3 years. Prior to that, she led development and test teams at Cincinnati Bell for 12 years. Betty holds a Masters in Organizational Management and a B.S. in Computer Science.
Betty's 2016 Presentations:
- Collaborating Within a Distributed Business Analysis Function
Wednesday, November 2, 2016 (11:35 am – 12:35 pm)
