Experience
I have over twenty years supporting major high street retails, such as Allders, Dixon's Carphone, Argos and more recently Alshaya Group (a large retailer based in Kuwait) with the implementation of major supply chain projects. This has allowed me to develop a significant range of Business Analysis skills. The major projects I have worked on are
- Oracle Retail Demand Forecasting (RDF)
- Oracle Advanced Inventory Planning (AIP)
- Manugistics Forecasting and Replenishment
- Sterling OMS
- Deck OMS
- Catalyst WMS
- Paragon Vehicle Routing
- Custom Warehouse Management (Carpet Roll Stock)
- Small quick win projects
- BI reporting
- Sterling Order Management
Transferable Skills
Requirements Gathering
On small projects such as BI reports or interface requirements I have used simple interview techniques with key stakeholders. Whereas large projects have involved a range of techniques such as scoping workshops with senior stakeholders, team workshops, interviews and workplace shadowing.
Workshop Facilitation
Typically, on larger projects with multiple stakeholders it has been essential to run workshops to reach a consensus, I have run workshops of up to about 20 people.
Process Mapping
To ensure a full understanding of the current process I have, on a number of occasions, undertaken process mapping. Mapping swim lanes for single person (or system), time, activity. I have performed this for both as-is and to-be processes.
Development Support
I have acted as the first line of contact for development teams when queries arise around the exact requirement, if I was unable clarify the issue I was responsible for raising the query to the relevant stakeholders.
Testing
I have supported developers on unit testing on areas such as interfaces and financial reports. For a major project I developed the UAT test approach, workshopped with users what they wanted to test and supported the development of UAT test scripts in JIRA. Subsequently supporting the user group through running daily stand-up meetings to ensure UAT was progressing as planned. Finally producing the test summary report to close off the UAT phase of the project.
Training
On small projects (up to about 5 users) I have developed and delivered training as part of the deployment of new solutions. On large business change projects, I have supported business experts in the creation and delivery of structured training.
Implementation Support
On a large project I created and manged a run-book of required activities, for phased transition to the new solution. I also ran the weekly progress meeting to ensure all activities where on track.
On a couple of large projects, I have created ad-hoc reporting to allow the solution to be deployed prior to the final report solution being available.
Project Delivery
I have recently passed the Scrum Alliance – Certified Scrum Manager course and exam.
The majority of projects I have worked on have been waterfall, on large projects working with a project manager. On small projects I often created and managed the project plan reporting into a program manager.
Education
Scrum Alliance
2020 Certified Scrum Master
The University of Glasgow
2001 – 2003 Executive MBA
The Open University
2006 – 2010 Post Grad Diploma – Managing Software Projects
Stirling University
1986 – 1989 BSc Computer Science and Management Science
edX – MITx
2017 – Supply Chain Fundamentals