Product Requirements Analyst - Utility Operations

As a Product Requirements Analyst at NISC, your main responsibilities include eliciting and validating project requirements, leading stakeholder interviews, managing use cases, and providing direction on those requirements to internal stakeholders. You are also expected to coordinate with subject matter experts throughout the software development lifecycle and participate in change review boards to enhance our utility operations offerings.

To excel as a Product Requirements Analyst at NISC, you should possess strong research and problem-solving abilities, superior attention to detail, and excellent verbal and written communication skills. It's also crucial to have advanced knowledge of requirements best practices and related software applications, as well as the capability to effectively communicate technical information to both technical and non-technical audiences.

NISC prefers candidates with a Bachelor’s Degree in a business-related field or equivalent experience, along with at least 3 years of relevant experience. Familiarity with utility operations systems and GIS technology will significantly enhance your application.

At NISC, the work culture is collaborative and member-focused, emphasizing teamwork and mutual support. You will be encouraged to share your insights and serve as a mentor to team members, enhancing not only your skills but also contributing to a positive work environment that has been recognized for excellence for 22 years.

As a Product Requirements Analyst at NISC, you will have a wealth of growth opportunities including mentoring others, championing best practices in requirements management, and taking part in ongoing personal and professional development. Your contributions can pave the way for further responsibilities and career advancements.

When gathering requirements for a new product, I begin by conducting stakeholder interviews to understand their needs and expectations. I also research existing documentation and analyze feedback from previous projects to inform my approach. Collaboration with team members is crucial, as input from cross-functional participants ensures comprehensive coverage of requirements.

In a previous role, I encountered complex requirements that needed clarification for the technical team. I organized a workshop where stakeholders could present their needs clearly, while I facilitated discussions to break down technical jargon into understandable terms. This not only helped in aligning everyone but also fostered a collaborative environment.

To facilitate effective meetings with stakeholders, I employ techniques such as setting a clear agenda ahead of time, encouraging open communication, and using visual aids like flowcharts to illustrate processes. I ensure that time is allocated for all voices to be heard, which aids in gathering comprehensive feedback and requirements.

When faced with conflicting requirements, I prioritize open communication to understand the underlying needs of each stakeholder. I then present the conflicts in a meeting, weaving together a solution that meets organizational goals while addressing the interests of all parties involved. Compromise and collaboration are essential in these scenarios.

I have significant experience with Utility Operations systems, including work management and outage solutions. This background allows me to understand the nuances of these technologies and their impacts on stakeholders effectively, enabling me to craft clearer and more relevant requirements.

I have extensive experience in documenting requirements comprehensively. I utilize formats such as use cases, user stories, and requirement traceability matrices, ensuring each requirement is clear, testable, and aligned with stakeholder needs. I also value feedback on my documents to ensure clarity and comprehensiveness.

To ensure requirements align with business objectives, I maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders. I review business goals regularly and involve stakeholders in validating that the requirements I gather support these objectives effectively, fostering alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

Change management is crucial in my role as it allows for smooth adjustments to requirements without disrupting the overall workflow. I advocate for the proper documentation of changes, ensuring all stakeholders are aware of and agreed upon modifications. This minimizes resistance and enhances project outcomes.

I regularly use tools like JIRA and Confluence for requirement gathering and documentation, enabling effective collaboration and tracking. Additionally, I leverage diagramming tools to visualize processes and use Excel for organizing requirements in a spreadsheet format for easy access and updates.

Staying updated with best practices in requirement gathering is essential for me, and I ensure this through continuous learning. I attend industry workshops, participate in webinars, and follow thought leaders in product management and business analysis to keep my skills sharp and my knowledge current.