Kevin Brennan

Defining business architecture needs and blueprints to deliver the next generation of student information systems.

Independent consultant providing product management services and training and interim leadership to startup organizations. Provided strategic guidance for clients designing and developing new products, program and portfolio management processes, and technology solutions in support of business transformation. Guided membership/subscription-based organization in the development of new products and new membership strategies. Coached clients through development of product strategy, market segmentation, and communications and partner change management. Developed transition roadmaps and training for finance and technology enterprises to improve product management processes including agile methods, product definition, and portfolio management functions in North America, Europe, and the Middle East. Reengineered business processes and aligned technology project portfolio for business transformation initiative in major financial institutions. Responsible for assessing existing technologies, new technology initiatives, and defining impact to overall business architecture.

Cybersecurity activities lead supporting national cybersecurity events and workforce development activities. In this role, I: • Plan and conduct cybersecurity best practices virtual events and webinars. • Coordinate and manage senior subject matter expert contributions to cybersecurity best practices. • Research organizational cybersecurity best practices within the public and private sector. • Support design, development and dissemination of cybersecurity best practices over various media. This position supported two projects funded by the Government of Canada, which were completed in 2021.

Managed CFLA-FCAB through startup and selection of permanent leadership, including establishing financial structure, ensuring legal compliance, developing website and establishing IT infrastructure, and supporting committees through program initiation.

IIBA is the largest professional association in the world dedicated to business analysis. In this role, I was responsible for defining and managing IIBA's overall product and service portfolio, worth $6M in direct and indirect revenue (including membership, as my responsibilities included IIBA's membership benefits). My objectives included ensuring that IIBA built on its existing leadership in the business analysis market, to expand the coverage of IIBA products into additional disciplines within the business analysis profession, and to maintain IIBA's thought leadership position. I managed and led a team of 4 product managers and their reports, contractors, and a large volunteer community. As EVP, Product Management and Development, I rationalized IIBA's product portfolio and developed a unified portfolio strategy to address the needs of practitioners in multiple market segments as well as corporate members. Among my accomplishments in this role was the launch of version 3 of the BABOK Guide, the definitive standard for the practice of business analysis, which extended the previous version to cover strategic business analysis, agile methodologies, business process improvement, and business intelligence. V3 was built using a consensus-driven standards development process and engaged hundreds of volunteers and dozens of thought leaders in its evolution, including the crowdsourcing of over 5,500 comments on the final version. I rebuilt the product management team following a major organizational transition and put a strategy for the revamping of IIBA's certification program in place. I led the development of business plans for new product development as well as assessing the potential for market growth in Europe and elsewhere in the world. Following the release of version 3 of the BABOK Guide and the development and approval of a long-term product roadmap, I felt that I had accomplished my long-term goals at IIBA and departed to pursue other opportunities.

In this role I was responsible for ensuring IIBA built and maintained a position of thought leadership in the business analysis community, developing IIBA's strategy and business architecture, and managing the relationship between IIBA and over 100 chapters worldwide. I led development of IIBA strategy and creation of IIBA’s first strategic plan (covering 2013-2015), and secured approval of that plan from the CEO, ELT and Board. IIBA's strategic plan segmented the business analysis market and identified 5 key target market segments, including both short and long term areas of focus, as well as a proposed strategy to drive growth both in core markets and outside the English-speaking world. I led the development of business models for IIBA's strategic business units and worked with product managers across IIBA to develop business cases for new products and align existing products to the revised strategy. I initiated and managed multiple programs intended to improve IIBA's competitive position or increase the value delivered to key stakeholders, including the rollout of an online resource library, IIBA Business Analysis Competency Model, professional development opportunities, and pioneered the use of digital engagement models with IIBA's membership. I acted as the key relationship manager at IIBA with IIBA chapters, and made significant improvements to that relationship, engaging key chapter leaders in the decision-making process, overseeing the initiation of programs including the Chapter Maturity Model and Chapter Awards, and implemented a chapter strategy that encouraged local innovation. Finally, I acted as one of the primary spokespeople for IIBA, keynoting at over a dozen conferences in North and South America, Europe, and Asia and speaking at many more. I developed and articulated a vision for the future of business analysis that was embraced by IIBA's membership and served as one of the primary influences on IIBA's revamped mission and vision.

In this role, I was responsible for managing IIBA's membership program and sales of IIBA standards and publications, worth over $2M in revenue. During this period, IIBA continued to expand our professional development opportunities for our membership, including examining our use of digital tools, increasing the number of online professional development opportunities, and revamping IIBA's chapter relationship model. A survey of IIBA's membership showed that the Net Promoter Score of members had increased from -3.8 to +39 as a direct result of programs I had managed between 2008 and 2010. During this period I initiated many of the projects that would extend IIBA's impact on the BA community significantly beyond what had been built with the lease of v2 of the BABOK guide. I built a relationship with the Agile Alliance to develop the Agile Extension to the BABOK Guide, building bridges between the agile and business analysis communities and helping business analysts make the transition to successfully working with and in agile teams. We also developed the first version of the IIBA Business Analysis Competency Model, used in corporations around the world to define the expected competencies and skills of their BA teams.

Responsible for overseeing IIBA's standards development and publications in business analysis, (including the BABOK®), the EEP program, and creating professional development opportunities for IIBA members worldwide. Since assuming this role, Kevin has released version 2.0 of the BABOK Guide (including worldwide publication), implemented improvements to the administration of the EEP Program, launched IIBA's Community Network, initiated several projects to extend the BABOK Guide, and developed lines of communication and alliances with other professional associations.

As VP, Membership Services, I managed the IIBA's international membership, with responsibility for developing strategic planning and product management in this area. I focused on delivering benefits to business analysis professionals who joined IIBA, for encouraging membership growth, and overseeing the IIBA's volunteer program. During my tenure in this role membership and member satisfaction increased substantially. Surveys of member needs indicated that the most critical need of the IIBA membership was improved Professional Development programs, leading to my transfer into that role.

Managed IIBA's IT infrastructure and performed business analysis work to support organizational change, including the migration from IIBA's prior membership system to the iMIS platform. This project led directly to a 75% increase in new IIBA memberships in comparison to rates immediately prior to the rollout. This project also entailed ensuring IIBA's PCI-DSS compliance, and a complete refresh of the IIBA website.

Lead business analyst on OASys/AMS project with College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. OASys is an custom adaptive case management system designed to support the needs of regulated professions, offering Document Management, Workflow, Image Management, Business Process Management, Process Modeling, Common Data Repository and Data Modeling services. * Developed logical/conceptual architecture for business process definition and implementation in workflow * Defined release strategy and feature roadmap in collaboration with client representatives * Worked with end-users to identify and manage business processes * Developed UI/UX specifications for base OASys client * Collaborated with solution architect and development team to define optimal software and application architecture to support business priorities and future development * Developed project plans and schedule with client project manager * Supported pre-sales activities and RFP responses

Volunteer position. Worked to structure the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) and led the development of the Requirements Analysis and Documentation Knowledge Area.

Led business analysis and test planning for multiple releases of CBASS for the SPi Group (alternating with another team) using agile development and analysis methods. CBASS is a product that creates and processes XML transactions between electricity distributors and retailers, covering all aspects of customer enrolment, electricity usage, billing, and termination.

Taught Project Management and Business Analysis for the Computer Programming and Analysis Program at SITAE.

Performed business analysis and managed projects for OnX Enterprise Solutions, including marketing data conversion, web enablement of mainframe application, and maintenance of Mazda Canada’s website, and developed specifications for Mazda’s automotive e-Business initiatives, including online vehicle pricing application, automated dealer website creation and maintenance, and dealer-to-consumer communications. I also defined scope and specifications for an imaging/OCR/automated billing project done by OnX for Purolator and managed the Y2K certification of that system.

Analysed requirements as part of a business analysis team for CIBC’s mortgage advancing system, including workflow, mortgage origination, automatic generation of legal documents, legal documents, and financial reporting.

Business analysis for projects including Strategic Planning, M&A Target Identification, Regional Marketing and Distribution Strategy, and BPR efforts. Also responsible for editing and layout of reports as a desktop publishing specialist.