BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANALYST (II), AID & AWARDS

Department Summary

The Office of the Registrar provides a number of services to both prospective and current students and is the primary information source on enrolment, convocation ceremonies and important student dates and events throughout the year. We are a smart, collaborative group of nearly 80, spread across 8 departments: Student Services, Student Aid & Awards, Student Recruitment, Undergraduate Admissions, Student Records & Systems, Scheduling & Examinations, Student Communications and Central RO Administration. This supportive and dynamic team works together to provide assistance to students from the beginning of their time at McMaster University until they graduate. We are currently looking to hire a Business Systems Analyst (II) for a 2-year contract (or internal career growth opportunity) in our Systems department that will focus on current student systems, financial aid and award systems and will use a variety of specialized skills to promote and support the overall strategic plan of the Office of the Registrar.

Reporting to the Associate Registrar, Systems, this position is focused on creating and fostering a community of best practices for business processes in the Office of the Registrar.  The position will work directly with University Technology Services to design, test and implement new and delivered system functions. In addition to system function development, the Business Systems Analyst (II) is responsible for eliciting, analyzing, specifying, documenting and validating the business needs of the Office and understanding how best to implement processes that utilize technology to best accomplish the goals and objectives of the area.   

Job Summary

The Business Systems Analyst (II) acts as a technical and consulting resource for moderately complex issues related to various University departments and units with respect to the implementation and maintenance of information technology systems. Supports the University's academic and administration departments by acting in a functional capacity in all phases of the Project Life Cycle for components of medium to large projects, including post-production support and ongoing maintenance. Continuously gains an understanding of the University's operations and processes and how systems are used in support of those operations. Works under general supervision and uses discretion to resolve various problems and inquiries. Specific instruction is usually given and work is reviewed at frequent milestones.

Purpose and Key Functions

• Critically evaluate information gathered from multiple sources, reconcile conflicts, decompose high-level information into details, abstract up from low-level information to a general understanding, and distinguish user requests from the underlying true needs.
• Conduct gap analyses.
• Ensure that projects meet specified functionality requirements.
• Perform advanced levels of analysis, problem solving and research skills to formulate solutions to complex business needs.
• Perform the functional analysis for production support activities and advise business users in the analysis of less complex issues.
• Work with project stakeholders to understand project scope and create test documents.
• Manage all phases of testing including, but not limited to, system, integration, acceptance, regression, and performance.
• Document system functionality, particularly related to new enhancements.
• Develop and maintain information technology process flow, methodology, and control documentation.
• Assist with the development of project proposals and estimates.
• Elicit requirements using interviews, document analysis, requirement workshops, surveys, site visits, business process descriptions, use cases, scenarios, business analysis, and task and workflow analysis.
• Analyze information needs and functional requirements and deliver artifacts such as functional requirements, business process models, use cases, screen and interface designs, test plans and test cases.
• Take ownership of functional issues by identifying underlying problems, analyzing potential solutions and implementing system resolutions, including workarounds.
• Provide Level III post implementation support to users regarding functional issues.
• Work with the development team to determine technical approaches and technical risks for project testing.
• Develop requirement specifications according to standard templates, using natural language.
• Work closely with testing team members to ensure that requirements are testable.
• Prepare and assist other testers with the creation of test cases.
• Identify and manage defects identified during all phases of a project.
• Review test cases created by testing team members to ensure that the test cases adequately define the business processes.
• Resolve problems in the test, production implementation, and post-implementation phases in coordination with other technical and business groups.
• Develop simple queries using basic Business Intelligence tools.
• Review systems, processes, and information and provide recommendations to supervisor.
• Serve as the conduit between the Project Management Office and development teams through which requirements flow.
• Liaise between the technology and support teams.
• Communicate project, issue, and system status to the Lead and Project Manager.
• Communicate testing results to other stakeholders.
• Facilitate effective dialog between technical staff.
• Interact with and exchange information with colleagues.
• Follow a test script and document defects.
• Prepare and review recommendations and other project initiation documents.
• Prepare and review end user and operations documentation, training materials, and timelines.
• Maintain information technology process flow, methodology, and control documentation.
• Work with the Lead and Project Manager to prioritize and schedule issues resolution.
• Plan, schedule, and monitor own work within short time horizons.
• Organize individual time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way.
• Understand and use appropriate methods, tools, and applications to complete work tasks.
• Demonstrate a rational and organized approach to work and identify development opportunities.
• Absorb technical information when it is presented systematically and apply it effectively.
• Use measurement methods to monitor progress toward goal attainment, tenaciously working to meet or exceed those goals, while deriving satisfaction from the process of goal achievement and continuous improvement.
• Ensure that the internal and external customer perspective is a driving force behind decisions and activities.
• Follow service practices that meet customers’ and University needs.
• Interact with others in a way that gives them confidence in one’s intentions and those of the University.
• Work collaboratively with others to achieve departmental and institutional goals. Actively participate as a member of a team to move the team toward the completion of goals.
• Perform a range of varied work activities in a variety of structured environments.
• Successfully engage in multiple initiatives simultaneously.
• Apply and enforce department change control policies and procedures.
• Acquire and maintain a basic understanding of Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing principles.
• Read and understand complex Business Process Diagrams and develop basic (Level II) models.
• Read and understand a complex project plan and develop simple project plans.
• Remain current with relevant development and project methodologies.
• Remain current with security policies and procedures and work with System Administrators to implement security changes.
• Remain current with the different levels of testing and develop simple use cases and test scripts.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Business, or a related field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets:

• Query writing, knowledge of intergrated database functions, Post-Secondary administrative function/processes, unit and functional testing and PeopleSoft campus community modules