Mock Interview with Rishi Poptani

Introduction

• Interviewer: Mark
• Interviewee: Rishi Poptani
• Experience: ~10 years in capital markets domain as a Programmer Analyst and Business Analyst
• Purpose: To get to know Rishi better and understand his experiences as a Business Analyst

Rishi's Background

• Experience: Over 9 years as a Business Analyst in capital markets
• Recent Project: Lead Business Analyst for IBOR implementation at a leading European investment bank
  • Role: Submission of interest rate benchmarks
  • Importance: Functional, operational and reputational risks

Handling Difficult Projects & Challenges

Common Issues

1. Ambiguity & Complex Projects
   • Example: Implementation of regulatory platforms like MIFID2
2. Stakeholder Issues
   • Difficult or unclear stakeholder needs
   • Changing priorities
3. Coordination with Development, QA, Deployment, DevOps
   • Balancing different timelines, agendas, and motivations

Strategies to Solve Issues

• Tools & Techniques
  1. 100-Dollar Technique: Prioritization by allocating hypothetical currency to tasks
  2. Quality Function Deployment: Time-consuming but detailed cost-benefit and risk analysis
  3. Technical Feasibility: Analyze technical risk and resources

Conflict Resolution

• Example: Competing Needs in IBOR Implementation
  • Submission team vs. Surveillance team
  • Solution: Limited usage of 'copy from yesterday' feature controlled by surveillance team

Working with Senior Stakeholders

Understanding & Clarifying Needs

1. Prioritization Techniques

   • 100-Dollar Technique: Effective way to force prioritization
   • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Logical evaluation of benefits vs. risks
   • Technical Feasibility Involvement: Ensuring practical solutions

2. Handling Conflicting Requirements

   • Example: IBOR project conflict regarding 'copy from yesterday' feature
   • Approach: Arbitration, innovative solutions, and potential escalation if needed

Collaboration with Development & Infrastructure Teams

Developer Relations

• Complex Mission-Critical Systems
  • Developers have high standards and expectations
• Methodology
  • Maintain a closed feedback loop with developers
  • Ensure developers feel like vested stakeholders

Role of Programming Background

• Advantage: Helps in understanding developers' perspectives and solutions
• Skills: SQL, Python

Leadership in Projects

Leading Teams

• Scoping Projects: Done quickly and shared with team members
• Handling Detailed Specifications: Open to leading or following based on context

Comfort in Leading Initiatives

• Experience: Comfortable in scoping and managing inception phases of projects
• Collaboration: Ensures team members are involved and guiding in appropriate directions

Conclusion

• Mark's Feedback: Great interview, appreciates Rishi's experience and insights
• Rishi's Feedback: Acknowledged Mark's contributions to the BA community