Day in the Life: Tara, Business Analyst/Scrum Master at Qquest
Discover how Tara, a Business Analyst and Scrum Master at Qquest, navigates the world of IT and agile project management. From analyzing application features and coordinating with stakeholders to facilitating Scrum events and training new trainees, Tara’s days are a mix of problem-solving, collaboration, and learning. Along the way, she balances focused work with small moments to recharge, like enjoying a cup of tea, taking a walk at lunch, or reading during her commute.
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Name: Tara
Job: Business Analyst/Scrum Master
What does a Business Analyst/Scrum Master do at Qquest?
At the moment I have an assignment as a Business Analyst and Scrum Master at Nationale-Nederlanden. As Business Analyst in IT, I focus on analyzing new or existing features for an application. I explore not only what is possible and what constraints may exist, but also why a feature is needed. I have frequent contact with stakeholders and external partners we collaborate with, I support the Product Owner in managing the backlog and I help perform acceptance testing. My team works within the Scrum framework, and besides my role as Business Analyst, I also act as Scrum Master. This means I facilitate all Scrum events and help remove obstacles wherever needed. In addition to my assignment at Nationale-Nederlanden, I also train new Qquest trainees in business analysis, helping them build a strong foundation in analytical thinking, stakeholder communication and agile collaboration.
Here’s what a day in Tara's life looks like!
8-9 AM:
Since it's a Thursday, I either work from home or go to the office. If I go to the office, I travel by public transport and use the commute time to read my book.
9-10 AM:
Once I arrive at the office, I grab a cup of tea and check my emails and Teams messages. I review my calendar for the day and prepare for the meetings I have scheduled.
10-11 AM:
Every other Thursday, we usually have our sprint demo during this time. In this meeting, some teams present the new features they’ve developed.
11-12 PM:
After the demo, it’s time for the retrospective. As the Scrum Master, I lead this session. The retrospective is used to reflect on the previous sprint and discuss what can be improved in the next one.
12-1 PM:
Lunch time! We usually go out to get lunch, which gives us a nice opportunity to take a healthy walk and enjoy some good food. I often bring lunch from home to save on costs.
1-2 PM:
Following the retrospective, we have our sprint planning session. The Product Owner takes the lead here, and we decide what we’ll focus on in the upcoming sprint.
2-3 PM:
I’ve blocked this hour to do research for a new feature we’re working on. I investigate what information is already available and identify the best people to contact.
3-4 PM:
I received feedback on one of our IT general controls documentation. I use this time to process the feedback and fine-tune the document.
4-5 PM:
At the end of the day, I check my final emails and messages and prepare for tomorrow. At 5 PM, I take public transport back home.
How do you unwind at the end of a workday?
At the end of my day, I always do half an hour of Pilates to stay mentally and physically fit. After dinner, I fully immerse myself in reading a book or playing games.
What do you love about your job and your employer?
I love my job because I’m at the center of everything, and no two days are ever the same. Some days are packed with meetings, while others allow me to fully dive into new developments. I’m a strong advocate of Scrum and I’m glad I can actively promote it in my current role.
Additionally, I really enjoy training the new Qquest trainees. Qquest is committed to helping people like me, those starting an IT career without any prior background and making it all possible.
Curious about the career opportunities at Qquest? You’ll find all the latest on events and jobs on the app. Check out their open jobs here!
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