Application Development Associate Review

Job Title: SuccessFactors Functional/Business Analyst Daily Tasks: - Planning project timelines - Designing, Building, Testing and releasing SuccessFactors - Working with new clients to understand the SuccessFactors Landscape Daily interactions: - Working with Client stakeholders to deliver a SuccessFactors implementation - Relaying reports and information to Senior Leadership both with the client and internally Responsibilities: - Manage the workload of two offshore resources - Deliver an early beta release of a product - Manage the Critical path for the overall release of the product - Design, Build and Test the project - Provide support to other projects/clients in a SME role - Complete Coursework and attend workshops Projects: - Worked on 2 Major clients - 1 Major banking organisation, supporting a full HR transformation - 1 Major Media Client, implementing a Performance Mgmt product What do you do every day: Working in the consulting world every work day varies greatly depending on the phase of the project. Currently I am deploying a Pilot of product and day to day I: - Meet with clients to discuss progress, risks, issues and project timelines - Manage testing and defect resolution - Manage Migrations of configuration environments to facilitate Dress Rehearsals and Cut over activities - Support other clients/projects as an SME - Support the SAP internal practice - By helping structure RFPs - Support sales calls from a technical perspective

Qualifications: - Formally Trained in SuccessFactors Performance Management and Goal Management Implementation - Foundation degree in Software Engineering Internal Training courses: - Security Advocacy programees - New technology conversant training Skills: - Presentation skills and workshop skills, leading design workshops around the world in (Paris, Dubai, Mexico and Watford as well as many online workshops) What I've Learnt: I have learnt about may SDLCs by particpating in a variety of projects using different methodologies. In these projects I have had the opportunities to work across different roles including; Business Analyst, Software Engineer, Tester, Test Lead, Defect Manager, Defect Fix, Data Migration Analyst, Integration BA/SE.

The programme has been amazing for me growing both professionally and personally. I have built a network of trusted colleagues, friends and clients. The education portion of the programme has given me the basis to jump start in work learning. Work: - Having worked across many roles I have had great experiences, directing my career toward HR transformation and the implementation of new technologies including cloud, and chat bots. Team: - I have had the privilege of working with some of the best people in the industry, they have both supported and pushed me to achieve. They have mentored me, helping to success in my degree, my work, and extra activities I have undertaken. Company Culture: - Within Accenture it is well known there is a focus on people. The core values of the company encourage employee to be committed to working hard through challenge whilst also focusing on work/life balnace Expectation: - The apprenticeship has exceed my expectation completely, particularly on the work side of the apprenticeship. Enjoyment: - I have enjoyed my time here through out tough challenges in both work and my degree.

Appreciation from Manager: - I have been lucky to have had the same manager for coming up to 4 years. I regularly discuss ways to improve in and next steps for my career. I receive regular positive feedback from all members of my team, on our recognition system, over email and in person. Internal Recognition: - Due to the size of Accenture I feel that I do lack some recognition from the wider organisation. External recognition: - I have been given positive feedback from many client and was recognized for top performer at the client account Task/projects: Project wise I have received good feedback, however sometimes feel that recognition is lost on such a large programme, not only to me but team members who sometime do not get credit for work they have done. Valued? - Yes, I feel valued at work. I have been given responsibility to lead key deployment and freedom to work with little to not supervision

Induction: Induction was held 3 years ago and at them time was not well structured, however through experience Accenture has worked to improve this greatly, taking feedback and on board and displaying their drive to improve the programme Support: I have had a support system in place since I started with HR and an apprenticeship lead in place. Support has improved over the years. However I believe clear communication is the key to further improvement. Having written comms would greatly improve this situation. Studying: Work/Life/Study balance has always been tricky however with support of our apprentice lead we have been able to manage both my project and studies. Support meetings/mentoring: Accenture has a career counselor system which has recently become more important to my work due to eligibility for promotion. However I have senior mentors through my career who have always been willing to discuss ideas and push me to realise them. Task delegation: Tools like microsoft team have greatly improved task delegation, however due to my close relationship with my team I have never had an issue with task delegation Team Hierarchy: - Our team structure is very flat leaving giving everyone the platform to express opinions and ideas leading to the best solutions being created. More recently having been given my own 2 resources we have continued to have a flat structure where everyone opinion matters. Programme Organisation: The programme a first was not perfectly organised however it has improved over the years. Most of the organisational issues have occurred with our external training provider who often change dates impacting work or do not release details of upcoming training early enough for my project to truly mitigate my absence often leaving me working after and before training sessions.

The tutors at our training programme have always offered help, and are great teachers however organizing session with tutor is extremely difficult due to clashing schedules of work. With QA's new system, Canvas collaboration has increased however this still need improvement. The main support as a student we need is clear defined dates to manage our work and course as best as possible, this needs to improve.

Manager: My manager as said previously has always provided support both to my degree and work HR Team: The HR team has provided some support, however clearer communication on contractual issues and apprentice responsibility would be helpful. Mentor: Both formal Mentor and informal mentors have been vital to my successes on the apprenticeship. Guidance: Accenture has a bank of support documents however there is very little material on apprenticeship issues. QA has a vast amount of documentation and escalation lines . Supporting attitude: Support is always readily available, however it can sometime be a fight between project work and my degree

My Salary has increased substantially over the last 3 years (12K,13k,15k and now 28k). The apprenticeship now has a higher starting salary. My current salary fits all my needs, however the beginning of the programme was much more difficult to manage. On my original salary there was no way I could pay for rent, travel, social, daily cost in a comfortable manner. With the new salary I am comfortable, however do not feel it aligns to the work I do but I am hoping for an increase soon.

Accenture has many initiatives to do outside of work. I personally have been involved with: - Raising money for red nose day - Raising close to £100,000 for Children in Need - Organizing events at my project - Speaking at schools about apprenticeships and school leaver programmes - Speaking to Prince's trust young people about apprenticeships - Leading a climbing club at my current project

Yes

The broad opportunities in roles and learnings, allows for a flexibility not many other organisations can facilitate. The global dynamics of Accenture allows for interactions with a wide variety of people from different cultural backgrounds. The people I have worked with have always been supportive pushing me to grow and take on responsibilities. The huge focus on people and activities promotes relationship building across the organisation which I have rarely seen in other organisations.

Application Process: - Do your research on the company, its initiative and the technology it is working in Interviews: - Do mock interviews, practice the STAR method with random questions so it becomes natural. Research technologies in general and find what interests you Assessment Days: - Get ready to input and discuss - Discussion and debate is great but do not argue or exclude your potential colleagues Onboarding process: - The on-boarding proccess is quick and can sometimes throw you in the deep-end, ask questions and ask for more work Experience/opportunities: Grab opportunities outside work to build a network which you can lean on later in your career. What would I like to have been told? - To set expectations to your project about your time commitment to the apprenticeship and ensure the project is aware of your training dates so they can work around you, rather then you work around both.