Business Analyst Review

I am a Business Analyst within the Mobile Theme. I work within an agile development team, and we are responsible for the end-to-end development of new mobile banking features. I am responsible in analysing requirements, mapping processes, building user stories, and engaging with stakeholders across the business. Ensuring that the end product is user focused and meets the needs of the business are critical to my role.

Coming in with no knowledge of mobile development or business analysis, I have had to learn everything quickly on the job. My peers have coached me and taught me well, making time for me to ensure I understand important facets of the role and the mobile design, as well as providing regular coaching sessions on agile methodology. On top of this I have been on several courses with Firebrand, including the BSC Business Analysis Diploma course.

This programme has changed my life. It has given me the opportunity to find a job that challenges me and given me career prospects I could only dream of before. Some aspects such as self organising, I have found difficult at first, but I have risen to the challenge and feel that my contributions are truly valued wihtin my team and department.

I really feel Lloyds Banking Group have invested in me, and have given me a great opportunity to better myself. In the past year I have repeatedly received recognition from colleagues and managers for the work I have done to enable difficult projects. I have been able to participate in hackathons and other fun professional activities. I have even managed to achieve a promotion after only 13 months in the role. I really feel I am giving Lloyds my best, and they are giving me theirs back too!

The apprentice programme I am on has suffered at times from slow communication. I did not know my placement until the week before I started, and due to contract negotiations, I had to wait a further 9 months to begin my qualification training. My line manager and mentors are really supportive and work together very well with me, and I am overjoyed to be situated where I am. I am mostly left to my own devices now as an apprentice, and have not heard from the programme runners in some time.

My training provider schedule meetings with me every 2 to 3 months whee we review my progress towards my objectives. I have 3 external training courses booked through them throughout the year, and they have been very considerate in making adjustments to my schedule due to my wellness. They set me regular tasks to complete, and I maintain a weekly journal to track my work. There were issues around whether I was supposed to be sitting exams for additional qualifications, which were caused by poor communication, but this matter was eventually resolved and I have had no issues since.

My manager and mentor are very focused on ensuring that I am performing my best within my role and achieving everything I can. They are honest and motivational with feedback, and I feel they are truly invested in my development and performance. My extended Business Analysis community are likewise very supportive, and I can take any of my project questions or problems to them for their input and insights. Each member brings something different to the time, and looking at a problem with fresh eyes is often a great step in discovering aspects you had previously overlooked. We regularly socialise and have team lunches to help build a close working relationship.

Although my salary was below the market average for my role, this was understandable as I was training into the role with no prior experience. However, the salary was still largely in excess of what I was making before, so I have been very satisfied with it. With my new promotion I am making what I feel my position merits and am overjoyed!

Outside of the office we have regular team lunches to bring us closer together, as well as occasional social events. The Mobile Department runs an annual hackathon where we get to work on fun new ideas of our own inventing. I have participated in apprenticeship away days with IBM and won prizes for my chatbot design. I volunteer for Lloyds Banking Group's LBGT+ Dviersity group, and work on their comms team in my spare time. Through this work I attended the Stonewall Equality dinner and got to meet celebrities like Gok Wan and Alan Carr. Outside of work I have taken up professional wrestling, and have lost over 36kg in the last 8 months. I am the fittest I have ever been!

Yes

Lloyds Banking Group has many opportunities for those willing to take advantage of them. Whether it's getting involved with exciting projects or relaunching your career in a new direction, the company has a lot to offer. With a focus towards enabling customers and each other, I find it's a good environment to work and develop in.

I recommend giving it your all. Prepare as much as possible in advance. Understand your strengths and highlight them, as well as whatevr makes you uniquely you. Show eagerness to develop and grow. Remember the company values of putting the customer first, making a difference together, and keeping i simple.