The job duties listed below are representative and characteristic of the duties required and the level

of the work performed in

the job title. The duties may vary from position to position in the job title depending on the departments business needs.
Specific dimensions, knowledge, experience and skills can be provided in the job posting.

GENERIC JOB DESCRIPTION

1. General Information
Group: Business
Title (Generic): BUSINESS ANALYST
Number (Generic): IT020
Grade: 11
Effective Date: 2013

2. Position Purpose
Provide guidance and advice to clients in order to align the technology solutions and the business
objectives and requirements. Work closely with various levels of senior management, often acting
as an official liaison between IT and the client to identify how to apply new technologies and
procedures to the organizations advantage.

3. Typical Accountabilities
1. Business Analysis: Lead the evaluation of the business and operational requirements of client
requests, to recommend the procedures, implementation, development and improvements
deemed necessary. Write business cases and communicate these between IT teams,
managers and others involved in the process.
2. Business Requirements: Identify, design, and refine business process changes and
transactions. Develop a full understanding of business requirements in order to translate them
into technical specifications to facilitate the development of new systems and ensure
development efforts meet the needs of clients.
3. Risk Assessment: Anticipate risks and issues in plans and requirements and work in
collaboration with IT professionals to take appropriate action to mitigate and resolve them.
Ensure that designs are implemented into a solution that is fully tested, functional, and
accurate. Oversee the smooth transition of all system enhancements into the daily operations of
users.
4. Testing: Design and execute business and end-user test scenarios and integration tests.
Ensure that the system meets the requirements in terms of functionality, performance,
reliability, and security. Track, monitor and demonstrate completion of a requirement.
5. Documentation: Prepare technical reports and instructional manuals in order to document
systems development and to support users with the use of new systems after implementation.
Document application functionality as well as the individual transactions tested, keeping track of
the different levels of errors; package service requests, problem logs, and systems
enhancements into evolution releases for the business area.
6. Technical Support and Services: Provide expertise to clients regarding the use of systems.
Process various special requests from clients, including the upload or extraction of data and the
management of specialized systems.
7. Development: Maintain and upgrade interfaces to ensure clients are able to access the
information and reports required to make informed decisions. Recommend changes to current
procedures. Ensure the development and delivery of procedure manuals and training materials.
8. Systems Assessments: Review existing system capabilities and workflow to determine and
recommend if changes or upgrades are possible within existing systems or if new system
developments are required in order to increase business efficiency.
9. Continuous Improvement: Keeps appraised of emerging technologies and identifies
opportunities to integrate these technologies into the Universitys infrastructure and to automate
business processes.

4. Knowledge, Experience and Skills

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Essential Qualifications (cannot be modified)
University Degree in Computer Science, Management Information Systems (MIS) or a related
field or an equivalent combination of education and experience
Minimum 3 years of experience supporting business units and their IT needs
Other Qualifications (can be customized for posting purposes)
Knowledge of computing principles with understanding of business processes and cycles
Knowledge of project management methods and practices
Knowledge of Universitys business standards and processes
Knowledge of Universitys established IT strategies, policies and procedures and how to apply
these to client requirements
Knowledge of various software and web applications
Analytical skills to convert business requirements into technical specifications
Ability to communicate technical concepts in a non-technical manner
Ability to proactively keep abreast of new emerging technologies
Bilingualism - French and English (written and spoken)

5. Direct Reporting Relationships (for supervisory positions only)

Direct Report(s) Purpose/Result
N/A N/A

6. Typical Contacts or Working Relationships

Contact Purpose/Result
Clients/users Identify technical requirements and obtain appropriate details to fully
understand business processes and requirements
Propose solutions, negotiate business processes, influence decisions
Explain technical concepts in non-technical terms
Peers in same/other Exchange information to ensure that there is mutual understanding of
departments needs and requirements
Provide expertise relating to business processes and requirements
Suppliers Maintain current knowledge of technical tools and trends

7. Initiative ,Problem Solving, Key Issues and Challenges

Understand complex business processes; work collaboratively with peers to create technical
documentation and solutions. Ensure client needs are met and manage multiple, sometimes
conflicting, priorities.
As the liaison between IT and clients, the Business Analyst must fully understand as-is
business processes and be able to direct and negotiate with all of the parties concerned to end
up with a will-be state. This means often negotiating for business process transformation that
may go against very ingrained ways of working at the University.
Gather client requirements, propose potential solutions and evaluate alternatives. Alternatives
may be to alter systems function or to adopt a new business process or workflow that minimizes
the requirement to alter pre-existing applications.
Influence business stakeholders in terms of selecting from among feasible business and
technical alternatives to solve the business need identified for the project. This will sometimes
involve: business process re-engineering, policy and procedure changes, and/or choosing from
among many options to technically deliver a solution (buy versus build).
Rely on knowledge of business processes and refer to workflow procedures to develop and
identify low-risk solutions that will ensure business continuity. Test and evaluate new systems in
order to ensure they deliver against specifications. Review and revise technical documentation,
as required, to ensure all business requirements have been addressed.

8. Decision Making
Decisions

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 Decide how to best document and communicate business requirements.
From a range of options, decide how to diagnose the problem and which solution will be the
most efficient in resolving the problem.
Decide on work priorities to determine the most efficient use of time while ensuring client
satisfaction.
Recommendations
Recommend IT solutions to best meet the clients business requirements.
Recommend workflow/process change based on system capabilities.

9. Dimensions (if applicable)

This information may be provided at the time of the posting or as needed

10. Working Conditions

Physical Effort: Minimal
The position is required to sit and type on a keyboard for extended periods of time, usually with
freedom to move about.

Physical Environment: Minimal

The work is performed in an office environment with rare exposure to unpleasant conditions. There
is an ooccasional requirement to walk outside to meet with clients in a different building.

Sensory Attention: Moderate

There is a frequent requirement to concentrate for intermediate periods while analyzing and
documenting business requirements and developing program code and/or tests. There is a frequent
requirement to listen closely to client needs and requests.

Mental Stress: Moderate

There is some pressure due to tight deadlines and multiple priorities. Occasionally, there may be a
requirement to work outside of normal work hours to meet deadlines.

NOTE:
As per the Article 41.3 of the Collective agreement between the University of Ottawa and the
Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada, if required, the incumbents performance will
be measured using information gathered electronically.

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