Laura Paton

About Laura Paton

Business Analysis Consultant and Thought LeaderCoach | Speaker | Professional Standards Writer & Course Developer | On-Demand, Virtual, and Classroom TrainerWith over 35 years of experience across various industries, I bring a wealth of knowledge to the business analysis and project management professions. Having performed in both PM and BA roles, I developed a deep passion for this work and built a broad range of skills.Throughout my project work, I became proficient in a variety of elicitation and analysis techniques. I have extensive experience using analysis models to communicate scope, processes, business rules, interfaces, data, and business objectives effectively.I’ve worked closely with stakeholders at all levels — from senior executives to application users — becoming a skilled facilitator and trusted collaborator. Over the course of more than a decade managing business analysts, I have set strategic direction, managed resources across programs, and established BA processes, standards, and tools.My experience spans various delivery methods, including adaptive, predictive, and hybrid approaches.In addition to hands-on project work, I have contributed significantly to the profession through leadership roles with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®) and the Project Management Institute (PMI®). I’ve chaired and developed professional standards for both organizations and served as the past Head of Product Development for IIBA.

Experience

1. Business Analysis Consultant (Founder and CEO)

   Ba Academy, Inc

   Aug 2008 — Present · US

   Verse in all aspects of business analysis from Needs Assessment to Solution Evaluation. Extensive experience working with clients to elicit, analyze, specify requirements, model and develop requirements specifications, user stories, and use cases. Helping organizations.* Improve business analysis processes and competencies* Implement requirements management tools* Establish internal standards and career paths in business analysis* Administer customized process and skill assessments* Form a Business Analysis Center of Excellence (COE) Helping individuals.* Improve their business analysis performance* Achieve BA certification* Learn how to transition skills from waterfall to agile

Education

• University of South Florida

  B.S., (MIS) Management Information Systems

• University of Tampa

  M.B.A.

Skills

• Software Development Life Cycle (Sdlc)
• Business Process
• Team Leadership
• Cots Implementations
• Scope Modeling
• Documenting Requirements
• Integration
• Product Owner
• Project Portfolio Management
• Business Analysis Course Development
• Product Management
• Process Improvement
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Digital Transformations
• Pmi-Pba Prep Coach Mentor
• Requirements Gathering
• Requirements Prioritization
• Requirements Validation
• Project Management
• Enterprise Software
• Business Analysis Standards Development
• Requirements Workshops
• Cbap Prep Coach Mentor
• Business Analysis Best Practices
• Requirements Elicitation
• Cbap
• Software Documentation
• Sdlc
• User Stories
• Requirements Management
• Analysis
• On-Demand Business Analysis Training Delivery
• Requirements Specifications
• Requirements Analysis
• Managing Virtual Teams
• Cloud Computing
• Training
• Acceptance Criteria
• Business Process Improvement
• Business Case Analysis