Hima Thalupula
Business Analyst/Certified Scrum Master
Contact No: 214-***-**** ****.*****@*****.***
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY:
Business analyst professional with around 8 years’ experience in business analysis, software requirement analysis, process modelling, process flow and quality assurance skills using different methodologies, mainly OOA, OOAD and UML in the financial, healthcare, ecommerce and retail industries.
Hands-on experience in a variety of projects involving the customization, design, development, implementation, and testing systems to support Management in day-to-day business operations.
Extensive knowledge in Business Process Engineering, Rational Unified Process (RUP) and in all phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC) methodologies such as Waterfall, Agile including analysis, design, development and testing of software.
Expertise in design and review of various documents including the Software Requirement Specifications (SRS), Business requirements document (BRD), Use Case Specifications, Functional Specifications (FSD), Systems Design Specification (SDS), Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) and testing documents.
Proficient in using UML in behavioral, structural and architectural modelling – in creating Use Case, State chart diagram, Activity diagram, Class diagram, Sequence diagrams, Entity Relationship diagram(ERD), Process flow diagrams and Data Flow diagrams(DFD) using Microsoft Visio and Rational Rose.
Organized Joint Application Developments (JAD) sessions and Joint Requirement Planning sessions (JRP), walkthrough, Interviews, Workshops and Rapid Application Development (RAD) sessions with end-user/clients/stake holders and the IT groups for analyzing requirements, creating prototypes and user interface (UI).
Certified SCRUM MASTER from International Scrum Institute.
Certified Six Sigma Green Belt from KPMG.
Interviewed SMEs and Stakeholders to get a better understanding of client business processes and gather business requirements.
Experience in conducting GAP analysis, requirements gathering sessions, User Acceptance Testing (UAT), SWOT analysis, Cost benefit analysis and ROI analysis.
Comprehensive experience in conducting and documenting the AS-IS and TO-BE processes.
Proficient in creating Risk Analysis documents, Risk Management Plan, User Requirement Specification, Functional Requirement Specification and Business Process Flows.
Documented user stories and worked closely with the developers and testers and conducted sprint planning ceremonies.
Participate in sprint planning meetings, sprint reviews, retrospectives and daily stand ups.
Facilitated Sprint meetings, workshops, surveys and interviews.
Clear understanding about the Burndown chart.
Reviewed Test Scenarios, Test Cases and Test Execution strategies.
Facilitated the User Acceptance Test (UAT) sessions with the defined Acceptance Criteria and with references for users by writing and maintaining user documentation and other training needs.
Agile Scrum Ceremonies: Daily Scrum Call, Sprint Planning, Sprint Review, Sprint Retrospective Meeting.
Scrum Events: Backlog Grooming, Story-Point Estimation.
Scrum Artifacts: Product Backlog, Sprint Backlog, Product Increment and Burn-down Chart.
Strong MS Excel skills in making pivot tables, working with different function types such as VLOOKUP and performing data oriented slicing and dicing.
Designed and deployed rich graphic visualizations with Drill Down options and prepared Dashboards, using Parameters and calculations in SAS and Tableau.
Interacted with Quality Assurance (QA) team for Unit/Integration/System testing.
Collaborated with various Cross functional teams located across various geographical locations.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE:
Domain
Banking, Healthcare, Retail, Ecommerce
Project Methodology
Agile, Waterfall, Hybrid Client Specific, RUP
BPM Tools
MS Visio, Rational Rose, Appian, Smart draw
Wire framing Tools
Balsamiq, Blueprints
Requirement Management
MS Office (Excel, Word, Publisher, Outlook, PowerPoint, One Note), MS Project, Rational Requisite Pro
System Designing
Unified Modelling Language (UML)
Tools & Packages
VM Ware, Raid Configuration, Visual Studio
Content Management
Team Foundation Server (TFS), MS-SharePoint, Confluence
Tracking tools
Bugzilla, JIRA, TFS, HP Quality Center/ ALM, DOORS, Rally
Programming Languages
C, Java, Html, PHP, JavaScript, XML
Databases Systems
MS SQL Server, TOAD, MS SQL, MS Access, Oracle, Data Ware house concepts (Star Schema and Snow Flake Scheme)
Business Intelligence & Visualization
SAS, SPSS, Cart, Tableau, Risk, Cognos
ERP
SAP MM (Material Management), PeopleSoft FCM (Financial Management System)
Operating Systems
Windows, Mac OSX, Unix, Mac OSX
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Business Analyst
Charles Schwab, Chicago, IL Dec 2015 – Till Date
Project Description:
OptionsXpress provides a great trading experience to individual investors. It is a part of Charles Schwab Corporation which provides financial advices and brokerage services as well as banking services through Schwab Bank. This project involves migrating OptionsXpress website standards to Charles Schwab standards. Once the standards are met both companies are going to use the same data centers to store and retrieve the information regarding the client trading information.
Responsibilities:
Prepared business workflow models and Business requirement document (BRD) that cover "How" business processes are accomplished.
Conducted extensive GAP analysis by identifying AS-IS and TO-BE process models and process flows, to help product owner to plan how to bridge the gap.
Conducted meetings/interviews and JAD sessions with stakeholders to collect business requirements. This information along with the vision document was used to transform business requirements into Functional Requirement document (FRD).
Designed and developed Use Case diagram, Activity Diagrams, Sequence Diagrams, OOAD using UML.
Contributed to entire software development life cycle (SDLC) from initial business requirements to deployment & production support.
Identified the business requirements from the end users keeping in mind their need for the application and documenting it in MS Excel and MS Visio for the developers.
Facilitated Scrum meetings. Helped in assuring parallel understanding of requirements and deliverables amongst all stakeholders in Sprint Planning Meetings.
Worked with the development team in preparing business rules for the existing systems.
Involved in attending milestones (M1 -M10), Decision Gates (DG1-DG5) meeting with all the stakeholders.
Conducted milestones planning of the project through walkthroughs and meetings involving various leads from development, QA and technical support teams.
Acted as a liaison between the developers and management staff and was instrumental in resolving conflicts between the management and technical teams.
Used SQL in Data querying to extract data and conduct data analysis.
Working with Business Objects and Business Intelligence tools for trade surveillance and Regulatory reporting.
Created Visualization and trade dashboards using SAS Professional.
Performed extensive prototyping with help of User Experience (UX) and User Interface (UI) teams using balsamiq.
Used JIRA for allotting tasks, user story writing, backlog management, issue tracking, user story management and forward and backward requirement traceability.
Assisted and Conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Reviewing Test Cases, execution of Test Cases.
Performed GUI testing, Integration, Regression, Multi-User testing.
Developed test cases and test scripts and performed testing using HP QC / ALM.
Environment: Waterfall and Agile, UML, SQL, JIRA, MS-Project, MS Visio, Java, .Net, MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Balsamiq, HP QC / ALM, SAS.
Business Analyst
Coventry Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN Jan 2015 -- Nov 2015
Project Description:
Coventry Healthcare offers a wide range of healthcare (both medical and pharmacy) plans for all the states in United States. These plans are created by different Regional project managers (RPM) and they were created on excel sheets and then later they were validated to make sure if they follow all the state and the federal mandates and also pass all the compliance rules. This entire process was done manually. The aim of the project was to create an application (FORCE) that will automate the creation of these plans. FORCE also had the capability of creating plans on the various acquisition platforms.
Responsibilities:
Led the resource planning effort. Worked with Third Party Vendors (TPV) for specialized services that the project required.
Identified Potential cross-pillar Dependencies, risks and solution for mitigation approaches.
Helped in prioritization Sprint Backlog including the process of breaking down an EPIC into user stories and other documents.
Conducted all Scrum meetings (Backlog grooming, Release/Sprint Planning, Estimations, Retrospectives)
Worked extensively with Quality Engineering team to ensure Zero Defect Releases.
Worked with Senior Management modularize Coventry’s products.
Facilitated Agile Training sessions for team members.
Facilitated various team-building activities to increase morale and productivity.
Extensively gathered requirements from all users, experts, and key personnel to understand the functional requirements.
Developing and implementing SharePoint Plan for organization wide collaborative document sharing. user setup, trained all staff on tool features and business agreed upon usage.
Documenting: Change Release Process, Document Control Plan, Project Charter (Template) Process Definition (Template), SharePoint User and Admin Guide and Document, Deliverables Log
Responsible for creating UI mock ups using Balsamiq.
Performed Data Analysis and Data validation by writing SQL queries.
Closely interacted with software developers to understand application functionality, navigational flow and updated them about end-user sentiments
Created, assigned, and maintained tickets in JIRA for bugs and defects.
Led both internal peer review and external reviews of use case specifications and in the process clarifying the finer details of the requirements.
Performed and acted as a manual tester in the final stages of the project.
Involved in developing test plans, test conditions and test cases to be used in testing based on business requirements using Quality center/ALM.
Created and maintained the Requirement Traceability Matrix between the requirements and other products such as design documents and test plans.
Participated in creation of Test Strategy, Test Scenarios and Test Approach.
Participated in planning and assisted in writing Test plans. Performed User acceptance testing (UAT), System testing, Integration testing. Validated and helped verify defects to weed out cosmetic problems and keep the project on schedule.
Provided the User manual document to the Team that helps the new users to understand the application in no time.
Environment: Rational Requisite Pro, Rational Rose, SQL, RUP, UML, Load Runner, MS-Project, MS Visio, MS Office, JIRA
Business Analyst
Abbott Labs - Gurnee, IL Dec 2013 – Dec 2014
Project Description:
Abbott Labs is a leading Health care provider. The requirement was to integrate and upgrade the claims processing system. Worked with team involved in the implementation of a replacement MMIS system, cross-functional groups including recipient, provider, claims, and so forth. Manage project to import Medicare Part D claims into vendor/merchant application for use in reporting and financial compromise.
Responsibilities:
Performed Requirement Analysis by gathering both functional and non-functional requirements based on interactions with the process owners & stake holders and document analysis, represented them in Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM).
Worked on HIPAA Standard Transaction Forms X12-270 Eligibility for a Health Plan and X12-820 Premium Payments.
Worked with SME’s in Finance, Investment, Commercial and Personal banking to collect the Business process requirements, documented them in Business Requirement Document (BRD) and performed Business Process Re-engineering.
Implemented SDLC that included requirements, specifications, design, analysis and testing utilizing RUP methodology.
Performed Gap Analysis to check the compatibility of the existing system infrastructure with the new business requirements.
Handled requests for proposals, making presentations, and negotiating project timelines and deliverables.
Worked extensively with Members, Providers, Claims, Configuration, and Payment Modules of Facets.
Performed Requirement Analysis and developed Use Cases, Activity Diagrams and other Process Flow Models such as Business Analysis Process Model to describe the functionality of the system including claims transactions using Visio and Rational Rose.
Responsible for the development and implementation of HIPAA EDI Map sets 270, 276, 820, 834, 835, 837.
Assisting Test manager, project manager in creating the Master Test Plan, business case and project plan.
Created Test Plans, Test Designs and Test Cases as well as being involved in the daily Website testing for various projects.
Performed test activities for Medicare, Medicaid claims for Medicaid Management Information System (MMIS)
Involved in creation and execution of manual test cases in Mercury Test Director.
Performed System testing of the Claims processing systems (Pricing Rules, Duplicate/Limits validation, Member Eligibility, Provider Enrollment).
Performed Data Analysis and Data validation by writing SQL queries to analyze the transactions data from legacy flat-file system to FACETS database system
Defects and bug testing by using Rational Clear-Quest, Configuration management and Version control with Clear-Case.
Involved in UAT (User Acceptance testing) sessions.
Environment: MS-Project, MS-Office Suite, MS Visio, Oracle PL/SQL, Rational Requisite Pro, Clear Case, Clear Quest, Facets, Rational Rose, Test Director 7.6, UML
Business Systems Analyst
Bank of India Oct 2012 – Nov 2013
Project Description:
Issue Credit Cards and billing application: This application facilitated Bank of India to run credit analytics for new credit card application and the business managers to take decision for credit card issue. It also facilitated billing of statements to customers periodically and keeping track of accounts through application reports.
Responsibilities:
Worked closely with business unit to develop a Business Requirement Document (BRD).
Prepared the Functional Specification Document (FSD) and Software Requirement Specifications (SRS) as per the client requirement.
Delivered Business Processes, Use Cases, Activity diagrams, User Stories, functional and non-functional requirements in RUP and Agile methodologies.
Developed wireframes using balsamiq.
Reviewed design, development and test artifacts to establish traceability with requirements
Created the traceability matrix and conducted GAP Analysis
Created Prototype of web application using iRise studio and published to a server and ran it simulation mode.
Involved in all phases of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and acted as the liaison between corporate business managers and IT division.
Conducted and facilitated workshops and elicitation sessions with both the client as well as the IT teams.
Perform data analysis and conceptualize the data requirements by implementing various data modelling techniques such as data mapping, data dictionaries, Entity relationship diagrams (ERD) and glossary
Involved in publishing of various kinds of live, interactive data visualizations, dashboards, reports and workbooks from Tableau.
Interacted with client user teams at various associate levels to analyze current processes to design business processes utilizing UML and draw process flow diagrams utilizing Visio
Adopted RUP methods for requirements and performed documentation technical team utilizing Requisite Pro.
Assisted with documenting test cases for functionality testing and Verified data integrity for backend.
Worked with business in developing a UAT (User Acceptance Testing).
Environment: RUP, UML, balsamiq, irise studio, MS Visio, tableau, Rational Requisite Pro, MS Office Suite (MS Word, MS PowerPoint)
Business Analyst / Project Coordinator.
Canara Bank, India Jan 2011 – Aug 2012
Project Description:
Canara Bank provides commercial, retail banking services as well as different credit cards to customers and businesses. The client wanted a more comprehensive and accessible application that has viewing ability, which would enable customer to effectively access various features and components. As well as the application was connected with the customer service to update data, payment information, transactions and so on. The front end used was JAVA, HTML whereas the backend used was Oracle.
Responsibilities:
Worked closely with business unit to develop a Business Requirement Document (BRD) and Functional Specification Document (FSD) and as per the client requirement and including the applications capable of supporting those requirements.
Assisted to set up HR vendor system, Benefits, Benefits Open enrollment, Compensation and Payroll.
Worked with Project Management staff, Quality Assurance.
Manage meetings in regards to project and process changes
Acquired comprehensive knowledge of Banking activities and operating processes
Collected and documented business processes as well as business rules.
Documented and delivered Functional Specification Document (FSD) to the project team.
Performed GAP Analysis and conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Created progress reports, updated project plans, attended meetings to document discussions and decisions.
Worked with Data Analyst in interpreting key metrics, trends, and provide recommendations to management, develop reports through data models for Supply Chain, Inventories, to pull savings in each area.
SAS was used to analyze, generate reports and trends along with Business Intelligence (BI) team.
Assisted in developing test scenarios and implementing of test plan. Providing key input in working with users in defining project and system requirements.
Coordinated various kinds of User Acceptance Testing (UAT) including regression testing, integration testing, functional testing, GUI testing, Multi-User testing.
Developed test cases and test scripts and performed testing using HP Quality center (QC).
Conducted project related presentations.
Environment: Rational Rose, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, Test Director, Rational Requisite Pro, RUP, UML, Rational Clear Case, HP QC
Business Analyst
Shoppers Stop – Mumbai, India April 2008 – Dec 2010
Project Description:
Shoppers Stop is an Indian retailing company started in the year 1991. Shoppers Stop began by operating a chain of department stores under the name “Shoppers Stop”.
Logo Redesign
Shoppers Stop changed its logo and adopted the mantra "Start Something New".
Loyalty Enhancements and Credit Card implementation
Shoppers Stop started offering a loyalty program for its regular customers called First Citizen. They also offered a co-branded credit card with Citibank called the First Citizen Citibank Titanium Credit Card for their members.
E-Commerce Enhancements
Shoppers Stop started its E-store in 2008. The website retails all the products available at Shoppers Stop stores, including apparel, cosmetics and accessories and in the backend all the details about Supply chain management and Inventory management. It also offers the customer to store their details and use loyalty program while shopping online.
Responsibilities:
Interacted with Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as part of the Requirements Engineering team to finalize the Logo.
Elicit requirements by interacting with Stakeholders, development team, and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to get a better understanding of the Business Processes.
Conducted and documented the AS-IS and TO-BE analysis of the business process using GAP analysis for application development.
Assisted in enhancing to add the new loyalty program to the e-commerce website by writing new Business Requirement documents (BRD), use case specifications and activity diagrams.
Facilitated, translated and gathered requirements and created use cases, UML models, workflow, mockups and functional designs by extensive requirement gathering sessions and Operational groups and subject-matter experts.
Facilitated in the overall management of the projects including risk analysis and mitigation, status reports, client presentations, defining milestones deliverables and establishing critical success factors.
Create and review business process flow diagrams for reengineering efforts.
Developed and validated test scenarios to ensure coverage of Business, System, functional requirements and implemented test plan. Providing key input in working with users in defining project and system requirements.
Developed project delivery schedule, managed projects and identified resources to successful completion.
Contributed to entire software development life cycle (SDLC) from initial business requirements to deployment & production support.
Served as liaison between the business and Information Technology department in the enhancements to the existing Loyalty registry billing process and application.
Submitted status reports to the higher management on the progress of the project on a regular basis.
Performed GAP Analysis and conducted User Acceptance Testing (UAT).
Documented and delivered Functional Specification Document to the project team.
Reviewing Test Cases, execution of Test Cases.
Performed GUI testing, Integration, Regression, Multi-User testing.
Tracking of requirements based on the test cases uploaded in HP Quality Center.
Environment: Waterfall: MS Visio, Balsamiq, Rational Rose, Manual Testing, UML, HTML, Requisite Pro, HP Quality Center, MS-Office 2007 (MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Project)