Tess Usher Email and Phone Number

In my role with TDS, Inc. I manage work intake processes for Business Intelligence team, participating in weekly Resource Management meetings. I manage cross-functional projects with estimates of 40 to 200 hours for multiple TDS, Inc. companies (TDS Corporate, USCellular, TDS Telecom, OneNeck IT Solutions, Suttle-Straus). Communicate project status to all levels of leadership and stakeholder community. I collaborate with various stakeholders to define business and functional requirements, and work with programmers to ensure business needs are met.● Collaborate, plan, and communicate new data governance playbook for use across all TDS entities.● Manage Business Intelligence team email – respond to inquiries, create/assign tasks, escalate issues as needed, create events, etc.● Manage project roadmap for BI team and report on project statuses.● Facilitate weekly stand-up/status meetings

Documented current and future state process maps for multiple business units. Evaluated various software options as potential replacements for legacy systems. Documented end-to-end user stories for software demonstrations by vendors. Held Kaizen events to document process improvement needs, focusing on Project Management arena as it pertained to post-sales/pre-invoicing implementation timelines.

Spearheaded daily operations, collaborating with key business stakeholders to outline current and future state processes. Evaluated client needs, defining and documenting business and functional requirements for system changes, including integrations; created mapping of data for system integrations. Partnered with solutions architect in drafting Statements of Work. Consistently prioritized projects and tasks based on business needs. Worked with programmers and project management to meet timelines, communicating risks and potential issues to stakeholders and senior leadership teams. Authored user acceptance testing documentation and lead sessions.

Here, I determined key business processes and requirements to ensureeffective strategic planning. I refined user stories for Agile developmentefforts. I oversaw all processes for system integrations. I also authoreduser acceptance testing procedures and validated functionality; reportedissues for resolution, as needed. ● Created first several iterations of Business and Functional Requirements documents for IT Solution Delivery Team, using IT and Customer feedback to ensure the most effective documentation was being utilized.● Facilitated integrations between GreatAmerica systems and outside vendor systems; reduced hand keying of credit applications, status updates, and invoicing data, among others.● Communicated potential and planned process and software changes to all levels of associates, through multiple means of communication (verbal, email, website, text).● ServiceNow software implementation company wide, including Ideation to Implementation processes● As a GreatYou Team Member (2017 – 2019), collaborated with employees on Mental Health initiatives to identify key ways to reduce stress and anxiety; increased use of Employee Assistance Program by 10% in the first year.● As a GreatAmerica Experience Team Champion (2016 – 2019), promoted the GreatAmerica experience to new and existing employees; coordinated engagement activities monthly to maintain up-to-date employee knowledge.

In this role, I provided business analytics and project management for eFreedom and AS2000 Annual Statement software Developed and administered training programs for new and existing client users, both in-person and via webinars; distributed documentation and held training sessions for annual client conferences. Leveraged survey software to validate enhancement requests and collect feedback. Communicated with development teams to determine viability of enhancements and timelines. Authored use cases for planned enhancements.● Monitored Annual Statement User Group message board to ensure community guidelines were met, questions were answered correctly (where there was a correct answer) and community members felt seen and heard. Tracked reported issues.● Coordinated annual User Group/Best Practice sessions during annual client conference, evaluating individual needs to outline required changes and improvements.● Maintained working knowledge of evolving requirements and regulations pertaining to software releases; communicated upcoming changes and gathered software enhancement requests from clients on a quarterly basis.● Reviewed developmental tasks through lifecycles (Agile and Waterfall.)● Researched, identified, and resolved issues after release, providing corrections and communicating with stakeholders throughout.● Enhanced compatibility through integrated file testing with software vendors.

Here, I collaborated with stakeholders to outline current processes for distribution throughout the organization. Monitored and adhered to roadmap of requested changes across multiple systems, including AS/400 Trouble Management System and Customers Online/Sales Online user portals. Detailed evaluation and requirements for system changes.● Partnered with systems analysts and programmers to ensure accurate implementation of requirements in alignment with definitions.● Outlined project management strategies and maintained resource documentation with various levels of internal and third-party vendors.● Integrated systems with local Exchange Carriers, including Qwest and Southwestern Ball, among others.