What are the responsibilities and job description for the Business Architect (Senior Business Analyst) position at Zion Cloud Solutions?
Job Details
Job Title:Business Architect (Senior Business Analyst) Power Platform / Dynamics 365
Location: Deerfield, IL (Onsite) | Full-Time
Role Snapshot
We re hiring a Business Architect to lead discovery, process design, and solution definition for two public sector modernization projects (Claims and Benefits). This is a hands-on role: run workshops, diagram current-state processes, identify what to improve or remove, and recommend Dataverse / Power Apps / Power Automate / integration solutions that enable the target-state.
Core Responsibilities (expanded, simple & actionable)
Run Discovery & Workshops
- Plan, run, and document structured workshops (onsite and hybrid) with SMEs and sponsors. Use techniques such as Event Storming, Working Backwards, and value-stream mapping to surface process details, exceptions, and bottlenecks.
- Prepare clear agendas, pre-work, facilitator guides, and workshop outputs with owners and next actions.
Capture Current State
- Interview SMEs and observe process executions to capture as-is steps, handoffs, systems in use, and pain points.
- Produce polished as-is process flow diagrams (swimlanes/BPMN) that include timings, decision points, volumes, and exception paths.
Design Target State
- Create to-be process flows and value stream maps that eliminate waste, reduce handoffs, and improve cycle time. Identify steps to remove, steps to automate, and where responsibility shifts.
- Recommend where to consolidate screens and create single-pane views (e.g., Employee 360 or Claim Entry).
Technology Mapping & Recommendations
- Map processes to the Power Platform: propose Dataverse entities, model-driven vs canvas apps, Power Automate flows, connectors/custom connectors, and Azure Blob/SQL usage.
- Recommend integration approaches and technologies for external systems (APIs, Logic Apps, custom connectors) and specify volume/SLAs where known.
Event Storming & Domain Modeling
- Lead Event Storming to identify domain events, aggregates, bounded contexts and translate outcomes into Dataverse ERDs and domain models.
Backlog & Requirements
- Write epics, features and user stories in Azure DevOps with clear acceptance criteria, business value, and traceability to BRD and process artifacts. Prioritize backlog with business stakeholders.
Decision Packages & Governance
- Produce PRFAQ-style decision packages and an executive one-slide Decision & Ask. Include options analysis, recommended approach, ROM estimates, KPI targets, and risks. Present packages to sponsors and governance boards to secure decisions and sign-offs.
Data & Migration Strategy
- Define data model (ERD), master/reference data needs, and design a migration approach for historical data and document repositories (including archival strategy and Blob tiering). Provide data quality considerations and remediation steps.
Integration Inventory & Impact
- Create an integration inventory listing systems, interfaces, data contracts, expected volumes, error handling, and dependencies (SAMS/SAP, TELUS, mainframe, payroll, IDOT, Comptroller, etc.).
UAT, Training & Adoption
- Define UAT acceptance criteria and test scenarios; support UAT execution and sign-off.
- Create user guides, training decks, and quick-reference materials to support adoption and go-live.
Reporting, Metrics & KPIs
- Define success metrics and KPIs tied to sponsor outcomes (e.g., cycle time reduction, reduced manual steps, decreased errors). Propose a simple monitoring or dashboard approach to track progress.
Risk & Change Management
- Maintain Risk & Assumption registers, identify dependencies, and propose mitigation plans. Document change impacts and feed CRs into governance.
Cadence & Communication
- Establish and run discovery cadences (workshops, backlog grooming, mid-point reviews, gate reviews). Produce concise status updates and executive-suitable slide decks. Ensure deliverables and reviews meet SOW SLAs.
Mentorship & Quality
- Mentor junior BAs, enforce standards for high-quality artifacts (diagrams, decks, PRFAQ), and ensure deliverables are polished and production-ready for executive review.
Deliverables What We Expect
- As-Is Process Flow Diagrams
Polished swimlane or BPMN diagrams showing current steps, handoffs, timings, exceptions, volumes and pain points. - To-Be Process Flow Diagrams
Target-state process maps showing streamlining, removed steps, automated steps, and ownership changes. - Value Stream Maps
Maps quantifying cycle times, wait times, rework, and recommended improvements. - Event Storming Outputs & Domain Model
Domain events, commands, aggregates, bounded contexts and a translated domain model. - Dataverse ERD & Data Model
Entity Relationship Diagrams for Dataverse, including master/reference data, key fields, relationships, and ownership. - Integration Inventory & API/Data Contract Specs
List of all integrations with system name, purpose, data elements, API contract summary, expected volume, SLAs, and error handling. - PRFAQ (Press Release FAQ)
Executive press-release-style summary and FAQ covering value proposition, who it serves, KPIs, timeline, and anticipated sponsor questions. - Decision & Ask Slide (One-Page Executive)
Single slide that opens every governance package with the decision required, recommendation, options, and next steps. - Options Analysis & Business Case / KPI Model
Options evaluated (do nothing/quick win/full build), pros/cons, ROM cost estimates, expected benefits, ROI or payback, and sensitivity analysis. - Implementation Roadmap & Gantt
Phased roadmap with milestones, dependencies, gating criteria for Phase 2, and a high-level schedule. - RACI / Operating Model & Resource Plan
Roles & responsibilities for delivery and run teams, including SME commitments and backups. - Product Backlog in Azure DevOps
Epics Features User Stories with acceptance criteria, priority, business value, and traceability to BRD and process artifacts. - Prototype / Mockups
Power Apps mockups or Figma screens for key flows (Employee 360, Claim Entry, Pay Change) to validate interaction and acceptance criteria. - Data Migration Plan & Document Migration Approach
Strategy for historical data and document migration (sources, transforms, mapping, archival tiers, validation, and rollback strategy). - UAT Plan & Test Scenarios
UAT entry/exit criteria, test scenarios/cases tied to acceptance criteria, defects process, and sign-off templates. - Training & Adoption Materials
End-user guides, trainer guides, quick reference cards, change impact summaries, and a roll-out plan. - Risk & Assumptions Register
Log of risks, likelihood/impact, owner, mitigation plan, and residual risk. - Security, Accessibility & Compliance Notes
High-level security and compliance requirements (Okta SSO, encryption, WCAG/IITAA considerations) and any gaps/mitigations. - Status Reports & Meeting Artifacts
Weekly/bi-weekly status summaries, workshop notes, action log, decisions register, and governance slide decks. - Acceptance Criteria & Exit Criteria for Discovery Phase
Clear definition of what done looks like for discovery including deliverable acceptance criteria and sponsor sign-off templates. - ROM / High-Level Cost Estimates
Rough Order of Magnitude estimates for recommended options to support sponsor decisions. - Post-Discovery Handoff Package
Consolidated folder for Phase 2 handoff: BRD, backlog, ERD, integration specs, prototypes, UAT plan, training materials, and governance artifacts.
Must-have Experience
- Hands-on with Microsoft Power Platform (Dataverse, Power Apps, Power Automate) and Dynamics 365.
- Strong process modeling (BPMN, swimlanes, value-stream) and domain modeling skills.
- Expert-level Azure DevOps for backlog and traceability.
- Experience with integrations (APIs, SAP/SAMS, mainframe/Telus) and data migration planning.
- Excellent workshop facilitation, executive presentation, and stakeholder management skills.
Required Qualifications
Microsoft certifications (MB-200, PL-200, PL-400, or equivalent)
CBAP, PMI-PBA, or similar business analysis certification
Experience with Agile/Scrum methodologies
Nice to Have
- Public sector or benefits/claims domain experience.
- Prototyping experience (Figma, Power Apps Studio) and process-mining exposure.
Personal Traits
- Outcome-driven and pragmatic.
- Decisive facilitator who drives actions and ownership.
- Produces polished, executive-quality artifacts.
- Strong mentor for junior analysts.
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