Janai Smart
Lake Dallas,TX
Summary
Experienced Sr. Business Data Analyst with expertise in communication, relationship building, data analysis, Agile methodologies, and data visualization. Delivered actionable insights to drive operational improvements and informed decision-making across cross-functional teams. Seeking a new role closely aligned with business stakeholders to drive continuous improvement across the portfolio.
Overview
11
11
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Business Data Analyst
The Hartford
10.2021 - Current
- Collaborated with internal customers and stakeholders to understand business needs and translate into requirements and project scope
- Provided critical insights based on thorough analysis of unique situations to enhance operational standards and strategies
- Built relationships and influenced and motivated employees across departments and tiers to drive operational improvements
- Analyzed business data to identify trends and support decision-making processes
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to gather requirements for data analysis projects
- Utilized SQL to extract and manipulate datasets for reporting purposes
- Assisted in preparing detailed reports to communicate findings and recommendations
- Developed dashboards using Tableau to visualize key performance indicators effectively
- Conducted data validation to ensure accuracy and consistency across reports
- Increased data accuracy by implementing thorough data validation and cleansing processes
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify key metrics and develop relevant dashboards for tracking business performance
- Articulated risks and issues to communicate concerns to various levels of management
- Integrated new products and entities into business structure
- Served as Product Owner for newly formed Agile team until permanent hire
- Conducted Agile ceremonies and PI Plannings in Scrum Master role during Scrum Master absence
Business Analyst
The Hartford
03.2017 - 10.2021
- Collaborated with stakeholders and cross-functional teams to gather and document functional specifications
- Facilitated workshops to drive consensus on project goals and deliverables
- Analyzed business requirements to identify process improvement opportunities
- Assisted in creating user acceptance testing plans for new system implementations.
- Performed gap analysis between existing systems or processes and desired state, identifying areas for improvement or enhancement
- Collaborated closely with stakeholders to identify opportunities for process improvements and drive continuous innovation in the organization
- Provided training and support for end users during system transitions
- Supported software development projects by defining clear requirements and effectively communicating them to technical teams
- Enhanced company-wide decision-making by developing comprehensive reports on key performance indicators
- Improved decision-making with comprehensive risk assessments, identifying potential issues before they impacted projects
- Optimized business operations by designing and introducing efficient workflow processes, which led to smoother project execution
- Improved data governance with establishment of standardized protocols, ensuring consistency and accuracy across datasets
- Created dashboards to monitor and track key performance indicators
- Identified patterns and trends in large data sets and provided actionable insights
Quality Specialist
The Hartford
05.2016 - 03.2017
- Conducted data quality assessments to identify process discrepancies and estimating accuracy to ensure accuracy across organization and quantifiable cost reduction
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to resolve quality-related issues, service-related issues, and streamline workflows
- Managed audits of datasets and estimate performance providing recommendations for enhancements based on findings
- Facilitated communication between departments to ensure timely resolution of identified quality issues
- Mediated cross-functional audit calibration calls where consensus was required
- Trained colleagues on best practices in estimating and quality best practices, fostering a culture of accuracy and diligence
- Determined root cause of quality errors and recommended long-term solutions using Lean Six Sigma principles
- Utilized data visualization techniques to present and explain complex data sets
- Generated standard and custom reports and dashboards to provide insights into business performance
- Developed process documentation to enhance operational consistency and clarity
- Regularly presented findings from in-depth data and process analysis, providing critical insights for senior leadership in decision-making processes
- Facilitated training sessions for employees at all levels, equipping them with the necessary skills to drive process improvements independently
- Established KPIs for measuring process improvement success, regularly reporting progress updates to stakeholders
- Championed a proactive approach toward problem-solving by assessing potential risks associated with system changes or enhancements
Team Leader
The Hartford
01.2015 - 05.2016
- Implemented strategic initiatives that aligned with organizational goals and enhanced performance metrics
- Analyzed team performance data to identify improvement areas and implement corrective action
- Coordinated training programs to elevate team knowledge of industry standards and best practices
- Developed comprehensive reports on project outcomes for senior management review and decision-making
- Facilitated regular team meetings to promote transparency, share updates, and align objectives
- Set performance expectations for the team, monitoring progress towards goals and providing constructive feedback as needed
- Empowered team members by delegating responsibilities according to individual strengths and areas of expertise
- Managed conflict resolution among team members, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment
- Maintained an inclusive and diverse team culture, promoting respect and understanding among all members
- Collaborated with other department leaders to establish shared goals and ensure alignment across teams
- Established open and professional relationships with team members to achieve quick resolutions for various issues
- Evaluated team member performance against established objectives during regular reviews, offering praise for achievements or identifying areas requiring further development
- Increased customer satisfaction ratings by closely monitoring service quality standards and addressing any issues promptly
- Assisted in recruitment to build team of top performers
- Facilitated decision-making processes within group through open dialogue and consensus-building technique
- Promoted culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback from all organizational levels and implementing actionable changes
Education
Bachelor of Science - Business Analytics
American Public. University
Charles Town, WV12-2027
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Park University
Kansas City, Missouri, MOSkills
- Problem-solving
- Multitasking and organization
- Clear communication
- Balance of strategic and tactical thinking
- Relationship management
- Change management
- Risk assessment
- Agile methodologies
- Data analysis
- Data visualization
- SQL, Snowflake, Tableau, Microsoft products
Timeline
Sr. Business Data Analyst
The Hartford
10.2021 - Current
Business Analyst
The Hartford
03.2017 - 10.2021
Quality Specialist
The Hartford
05.2016 - 03.2017
Team Leader
The Hartford
01.2015 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Science - Business Analytics
American Public. University
Bachelor of Science - Computer Science
Park University