Jacinda Ferguson
Florissant,MO
Summary
Detail-oriented Business Analyst with 14 years of experience conducting analysis and research to come up with solutions to common business problems. Polished in formulating business improvement strategies and overseeing new technology and system implementation. Commercially-aware professional with in-depth knowledge of computing systems and project management and SCRUM techniques.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Business Analyst
Martiz Global Events
Fenton, MO
07.2021 - 04.2024
- Drafted functional specifications documents outlining project scope, objectives and deliverables.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across departments to define requirements for new projects.
- Created detailed process flows and user stories to document system requirements and design solutions.
- Designed test plans, scenarios, scripts, cases, and results matrices to validate system functionality.
- Developed reports using SQL queries to track progress against key performance indicators.
- Assisted in developing training materials for internal staff on new products or services.
- Identified and analyzed user requirements, procedures and processes to develop optimization strategies.
- Recommended improvements to existing or proposed systems to enhance solution functionality.
- Assessed programs to identify risks or problems to determine appropriate responses.
- Maintained library of model documents, templates or other reusable knowledge assets.
- Conducted demos of completed work at the end of each sprint cycle.
- Enforced scrum values such as transparency, respect, commitment, courage, focus, openness and inspection.
- Created dashboards using various tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Trello, to track project progress and milestones.
- Organized meetings between stakeholders from different departments to discuss potential solutions or strategies.
- Facilitated Scrum ceremonies, such as Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-Ups, Retrospectives and Reviews.
- Participated in feature design discussions offering insights from an Agile perspective when necessary.
- Coached stakeholders on their roles in the Scrum process and how to best support the team's success.
- Provided guidance to Product Owners regarding Agile principles and best practices for managing product backlogs.
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends, patterns and correlations for business insights.
- Leveraged SQL queries to extract, transform and load data into databases.
- Defined KPIs based on collected data sources.
- Utilized advanced analytics tools such as SAS, SPSS, Excel PowerPivot, to manipulate large volumes of structured and unstructured data sets.
- Disseminated information regarding tools, reports or metadata enhancements.
Business Analyst
Wells Fargo Advisors
Saint Louis, MO
07.2020 - 07.2021
- Monitored project timelines and budgets by tracking milestones, deliverables, tasks.
- Presented complex technical concepts in a clear manner suitable for non-technical audiences.
- Assisted in developing training materials for internal staff on new products or services.
- Managed projects and served as primary liaison between client and multiple internal groups to clarify goals and meet standards and deadlines.
- Improved processes and procedures to achieve key performance metrics.
- Remained current on latest IT developments and advancements to automate and modernize systems.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Created and designed business intelligence databases, spreadsheets or outputs.
- Created or reviewed technical design documentation to drive accuracy of reporting solutions.
- Leveraged SQL queries to extract, transform and load data into databases.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across the organization to understand their needs from a data perspective.
- Maintained documentation of all the processes related to Data Analysis.
- Performed quality assurance testing on newly developed reporting solutions.
- Built visualizations that enabled users to quickly interpret results from complex analyses.
- Utilized advanced analytics tools such as SAS, SPSS, Excel PowerPivot, to manipulate large volumes of structured and unstructured data sets.
- Worked with internal teams to understand business needs and changing strategies.
- Provided supporting information to substantiate research findings.
- Interacted with non-technical stakeholders to deliver analyses and answer questions on deliverables.
Business Analyst
Centene
St Louis, MO
12.2019 - 07.2020
- Collaborated with stakeholders across departments to define requirements for new projects.
- Drafted functional specifications documents outlining project scope, objectives and deliverables.
- Conducted interviews with subject matter experts to gather information on existing systems and procedures.
- Designed test plans, scenarios, scripts, cases, and results matrices to validate system functionality.
- Prepared documentation summarizing findings from stakeholder meetings and workshops.
- Gathered feedback from end users regarding usability issues related to applications or systems.
- Developed reports using SQL queries to track progress against key performance indicators.
- Analyzed large datasets to identify trends, patterns and correlations for business insights.
- Leveraged SQL queries to extract, transform and load data into databases.
- Gathered requirements from stakeholders to design data models and reports.
- Translated raw data into meaningful information using statistical techniques.
- Collaborated with stakeholders across the organization to understand their needs from a data perspective.
- Performed quality assurance testing on newly developed reporting solutions.
- Maintained documentation of all the processes related to Data Analysis.
- Defined KPIs based on collected data sources.
- Built visualizations that enabled users to quickly interpret results from complex analyses.
- Utilized advanced analytics tools such as SAS, SPSS, Excel PowerPivot, to manipulate large volumes of structured and unstructured data sets.
- Conducted data analysis to prepare forecasts and identify trends.
- Leveraged software to compile and model data.
- Gathered and organized data to analyze current industry trends.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
- Collected business intelligence data from industry reports, public information or purchased sources.
- Managed timely flow of business intelligence information to users.
Systems Analyst
LRS/Spectrum
St Louis, MO
01.2018 - 12.2019
- Analyzed user requirements and implemented system changes to improve efficiency.
- Developed technical documentation such as flowcharts, diagrams, and process maps.
- Designed, developed, tested, documented, and maintained new applications and software components.
- Collaborated with stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of systems projects.
- Monitored system performance metrics to detect anomalies or potential issues before they arise.
- Worked closely with IT teams to ensure proper integration between systems platforms.
- Conducted demos of completed work at the end of each sprint cycle.
- Kept up-to-date with industry trends in agile software development methods.
- Enforced scrum values such as transparency, respect, commitment, courage, focus, openness and inspection.
- Created dashboards using various tools such as JIRA, Confluence, Trello, to track project progress and milestones.
- Organized meetings between stakeholders from different departments to discuss potential solutions or strategies.
- Worked closely with senior management and other stakeholders during strategic planning sessions for upcoming releases.
- Facilitated Scrum ceremonies, such as Sprint Planning, Daily Stand-Ups, Retrospectives and Reviews.
- Acted as a servant leader to the development team by removing impediments and resolving conflicts.
- Coached stakeholders on their roles in the Scrum process and how to best support the team's success.
- Maintained product backlogs, ensuring that items are well defined and prioritized based on business value.
- Monitored progress of sprints, providing visibility into project status for stakeholders.
- Provided guidance to Product Owners regarding Agile principles and best practices for managing product backlogs.
- Led daily Scrum stand-ups and Agile development sprint planning meetings for multiple, concurrent projects.
- Removed impediments and protected team members from interruptions and distractions to maximize productivity.
- Coached and mentored team members, stakeholders and leadership on benefits of Agile and Scrum.
Accounts Receivable Analyst
Intelliteach
Creve Coeur, MO
03.2016 - 12.2017
- Reviewed and reconciled customer accounts to ensure accuracy of invoices and payments.
- Maintained accurate records of all account receivable activities for audit purposes.
- Developed strategies for improving the collection process, reducing bad debt, and increasing customer satisfaction.
- Prepared monthly reports summarizing account activity including aging analysis and outstanding balance summaries.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, accounting standards, and internal controls related to accounts receivable processes.
- Prepared invoices for legal services rendered to clients.
- Assisted in preparing financial statements for review by attorneys.
- Processed payments from clients for legal services rendered.
- Analyzed customer financial information and determined appropriate payment plans.
- Verified accuracy of account information and updated records accordingly.
- Identified delinquent accounts and contacted debtors to negotiate payment terms.
- Reconciled discrepancies between customers' accounts and statements of account.
- Maintained detailed documentation regarding collection activities, customer conversations, and payment arrangements.
- Researched complex billing issues and provided solutions to resolve disputes.
- Developed strategies for collecting overdue payments while preserving customer relationships.
- Provided timely feedback on collection efforts to management.
- Remained calm, stayed professional and provided exceptional service on calls, even when interacting with difficult individuals.
- Located and notified customers of delinquent accounts by mail, telephone or personal visits to solicit payment.
- Answered customer questions regarding account discrepancies or problems.
Business Analyst
US Bank
St Louis, MO
01.2010 - 03.2016
- Collaborated with stakeholders across departments to define requirements for new projects.
- Provided thorough documentation on all quality control activities and results.
- Developed testing plans for new products based on customer requirements.
- Identified opportunities for process optimization, cost reduction and improved efficiency.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure that product specifications are met or exceeded.
- Assisted in the development of Quality Assurance procedures and protocols.
- Analyzed customer complaints regarding product issues and provided solutions as needed.
- Maintained records of inspection results, test data, and other relevant information.
- Recommended improvements to systems and procedures for increased productivity.
- Leveraged Six Sigma principles to identify and communicate compliance risks and quality improvement opportunities.
- Tested functionality, performance and compliance of each product against design specifications to maintain strong development standards and high customer satisfaction.
- Wrote and updated manual test cases for team use, maintaining optimal organization for maximum productivity.
- Created and optimized automated testing tools for repetitive tasks.
- Produced test scripts for new automated software testing rounds.
Education
Certificate - Online Education
Capella University
Minneapolis, MN12-2010
Master of Arts - Organizational Behavior Psychology
University of Phoenix
Tempe, AZ12-2009
Bachelor of Science - Dual Psychology/Sociology
Maryville University of Saint Louis
St Louis, MO05-2002
Skills
- System Improvement
- Identifying Risks
- Release Planning
- Consultative Sales Techniques
- Program Implementation
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Process Change & Implementation
- Process Documentation
- Process Data Analysis
- Strategy Development
- Progress Communication
- Risk Assessment Expertise
- Decision-Making
- Multi-Tasking Skills
- Customer Engagement
- Information Technology
- Data Analytics
- Online Conferencing
- Agile Methodologies
- Training And Development
- Business Relationship Management
- Research
- Risk Analysis And Management
- Ms Office Applications
- Data Review
- Structured Query Language (Sql)
- Salesforce
- Data Organization
- Business Performance Analysis
- Project Management
- 10-Key
- Clear And Concise Communication
- Process Improvement
- System Improvements
- Sprint Planning
- Agile Best Practices
- Software Process Management
- Workflow Analysis
- Meeting facilitation
- Leading scrum meetings
- Stakeholder Management
- Backlog management
- Requirements Gathering
- Scrum processes
- Systems Analysis
Certification
- Scrum Master Certification (2019)
- Certified Agile Product Owner (2018)
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt (US Bank 2015)
Timeline
Business Analyst
Martiz Global Events
07.2021 - 04.2024
Business Analyst
Wells Fargo Advisors
07.2020 - 07.2021
Business Analyst
Centene
12.2019 - 07.2020
Systems Analyst
LRS/Spectrum
01.2018 - 12.2019
Accounts Receivable Analyst
Intelliteach
03.2016 - 12.2017
Business Analyst
US Bank
01.2010 - 03.2016
Certificate - Online Education
Capella University
Master of Arts - Organizational Behavior Psychology
University of Phoenix
Bachelor of Science - Dual Psychology/Sociology
Maryville University of Saint Louis
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