It started at fifteen, fixing computers for customers in a Derby shop. Today I help people and organisations reach their goals through technology: analysing requirements, shaping them into structured solutions, and connecting developers, architects, vendors and the people who rely on the result. What I enjoy most is taking a problem apart and finding the answer.
Role
The main point of contact between technical teams, vendors and stakeholders across concurrent programmes.
Method
Agile and Scrum delivery, with Jira and Confluence as the single source of truth.
Standard
Clear documentation and data you can trust, from the first workshop to the last sign-off.
Learning
I pick up new systems quickly. If I don't know how to do something yet, I learn it or work it out, and get to the result.
Chapter II · In numbers
13years
in full-time IT roles, after nine years of Saturdays in a computer shop.
7platforms
implemented or selected as analyst at Nottingham Trent University.
2migrations
to the cloud, taken through go-live with reading lists and reporting intact.
Chapter III · How I work01 / 05
Stage 01
Requirement
I analyse the existing systems and business processes first, so the requirements describe the real problem and everyone can agree on them.
Stage 02
Design
I turn requirements into technical design specifications, map the data between systems, and document every interface between old and new platforms.
Stage 03
Build
I work alongside developers, architects and vendors, assess each change for impact, risk and effort, and keep delivery moving in an agile team.
Stage 04
UAT
I write the test plans, run user acceptance testing and check the data before anything reaches the people who depend on it.
Stage 05
Live
I deliver the training, write the user guides and secure sign-off. Then I keep improving the platform long after go-live.
Thorough by nature. The detail is where projects succeed or fail.
Chapter IV · Selected work
Five projects, told briefly.
Implementations, integrations and platform choices, from the first requirement to go-live.
Nottingham Trent UniversityLead analyst
Live clearing figures for the Vice-Chancellor
A Power BI reporting system the VC and COO used to make real-time decisions during admissions clearing. I managed the work between external consultants and internal BI developers and resolved the data issues before go-live.
Recognised by NTU's Director of Digital Technologies
Power BIData warehouseAdmissionsLive
Nottingham Trent University · Lead analyst
Live clearing figures for the Vice-Chancellor
The brief
A Power BI reporting system for admissions clearing, used directly by the Vice-Chancellor and COO to make decisions in real time.
My role
Lead analyst, managing the relationship between external consultants and internal BI developers.
The hard part
Resolving data issues between the source systems and the reports before go-live, when there was no room for error.
The result
Senior leadership made live clearing decisions from the reports, and the work was recognised by NTU's Director of Digital Technologies.
Nottingham Trent UniversityLead analyst
Postgraduate management, end to end
The full SkillsForge implementation across NTU's postgraduate population. I owned the requirements, vendor liaison, solution design and stakeholder sign-off, then ran UAT and delivered the training.
SkillsForgeBanner SRSUATLive
Nottingham Trent University · Lead analyst
Postgraduate management, end to end
The brief
Implement the SkillsForge postgraduate management system across NTU's whole postgraduate population.
My role
Lead analyst, owning requirements, vendor liaison, solution design and stakeholder sign-off.
The detail
Queried and mapped student data in Banner (SRS) to support the integration design.
The result
A full implementation taken live, with UAT run, training delivered and user guides written.
Nottingham Trent UniversityIntegration design
Two cloud migrations, nothing lost
I delivered the Leganto LTI integration with the VLE during the Aleph-to-Alma migration, and remapped data warehouse feeds to new API endpoints for Symplicity CareerHub. Reading lists and reporting kept working through both go-lives.
Ex Libris AlmaLeganto LTICareerHub APILive
Nottingham Trent University · Integration design
Two cloud migrations, nothing lost
The brief
Keep services running while two major platforms moved to the cloud: Ex Libris Aleph to Alma, and a new Symplicity CareerHub.
Alma
Delivered the Leganto LTI integration with the University VLE, so reading lists stayed available to students.
CareerHub
Mapped the BI data warehouse feeds to new API endpoints, so reporting carried on uninterrupted.
The result
Reading list access and reporting continuity preserved through both go-lives, with interfaces between old and new platforms documented.
Nottingham Trent UniversityLead systems analyst
Choosing the next platforms
I led the systems analysis for selecting Thrive LXP and CourseLoop, and implemented and supported ProMonitor FE software.
Thrive LXPCourseLoopProMonitorSelected
Nottingham Trent University · Lead systems analyst
Choosing the next platforms
The brief
Help the University choose new platforms for learning experience and curriculum management.
My role
Lead systems analyst for the selection of Thrive LXP and CourseLoop.
Also
Implemented and supported ProMonitor FE software.
Why it matters
Choosing well is the cheapest point to get a system right. The analysis happens before a single contract is signed.
University of Cambridge · UISFunctional analyst
A learning platform that keeps improving
I look after the University's Moodle VLE and its integrated tools. I was part of the team through two major Moodle upgrades, and I've completed multiple point releases, delivered the Leganto LTI integration and migrated an assessment environment. I'm also the resident Turnitin expert.
MoodleTurnitinLegantoSafe Exam BrowserOngoing
University of Cambridge · UIS · Functional analyst
A learning platform that keeps improving
The brief
Deliver, configure and continuously improve the University's Moodle VLE and the tools integrated with it.
Upgrades
Part of the team that took Moodle through two major upgrades. I've also completed multiple minor point releases, tested new plugin versions and updated the user guides.
Integration
Delivered the Leganto LTI integration for Moodle, so reading lists sit inside the learning platform.
Migration
Migrated one Moodle environment to another for assessments, and helped evaluate and test Safe Exam Browser.
Expertise
The resident Turnitin expert, and the escalation point for second- and third-line Moodle and Turnitin requests.
Change control
Assess change requests for technical and business fit, with impact assessments on approach, risk and effort.
Chapter V · The journeyFrom a Derby computer shop to Cambridge
2004
Age 15
The first job
SB Computers Ltd, Derby
School work experience, then a summer volunteering, then a part-time job. Selling hardware and software, fixing problems, building custom PCs.
Placement
Customer Satisfaction Assistant
Nottingham Trent University
Built the evidence for the Student Services Centre's Customer Service Excellence Award submission and presented it to the assessors. Monday to Friday here, then Saturdays at SB Computers: six days a week.
Graduate
First-class honours
Nottingham Business School
BA in Business Management and Information Systems, and the Nottingham Business School Prize for the best overall performance on the programme.
Support
IT Support Specialist
The Holgate Academy
Keeping more than 1,000 staff and students working, from networks and hardware to training.
Clients
Second Line Support Analyst
Cooper Parry
Solving complex technical issues for clients in automotive, finance, and transport and logistics.
Thanked personally by the head of a corporate finance client in London.
Infrastructure
Audio Visual Technician
Nottingham Trent University
Designing and running AV for everything from lectures to large conferences across a multi-site campus.
Analysis
Systems Analyst
Nottingham Trent University
Lead analyst on Power BI for clearing, SkillsForge, and two cloud migrations taken through go-live.
Recognised by NTU's Director of Digital Technologies for the Power BI work.
Cambridge
Functional Analyst
University of Cambridge
Part of the team through two major Moodle upgrades. I delivered the Leganto integration and an assessment migration, and I'm the go-to expert on Turnitin.
Next
What comes next
Senior analyst
Growing into a senior analyst role, and learning how AI can improve the way organisations work, one business process at a time.
Every role taught me something the next one needed.
Chapter VI · Every role, in detail
Experience.
2004 — Now
Requirements to configuration. Analyse requirements and translate them into functional solutions, system configuration changes, test plans and documentation across Moodle and integrated tools including Turnitin.
Change control. Assess change requests for technical and business suitability, running impact assessments to set approach, risk and effort.
Service reliability. Identify gaps in service processes and design structured remediation to improve platform reliability.
Agile delivery. Balance live operations against project delivery in an agile/Scrum team, using Jira and Confluence.
Upgrades and releases. Part of the team that took Moodle through two major upgrades. Completed multiple minor point releases, tested new plugin versions and updated user guides.
Integration and migration. Delivered the Leganto LTI integration for Moodle, migrated one Moodle environment to another for assessments, and helped evaluate and test Safe Exam Browser.
Turnitin expert and escalation point. The resident Turnitin expert, and the escalation point for second- and third-line Moodle and Turnitin requests, advising colleagues across the University.
Systems and process analysis. Analysed existing systems and business processes to define requirements, producing technical design specifications and documenting interfaces between legacy and new platforms.
Power BI for clearing. Lead analyst on a reporting implementation used directly by the Vice-Chancellor and COO for real-time decisions during admissions clearing, managing external consultants and internal BI developers to resolve data issues before go-live.
SkillsForge. Lead analyst for the full postgraduate management system implementation across NTU's student population, owning requirements, vendor liaison, solution design and stakeholder sign-off.
Cloud migrations. Delivered the Leganto LTI integration with the VLE for the Ex Libris Aleph-to-Alma migration, and mapped BI data warehouse feeds to new API endpoints for Symplicity CareerHub, preserving reading lists and reporting through both go-lives.
Platform selection. Lead systems analyst for the selection of Thrive LXP and CourseLoop, and implemented and supported ProMonitor FE software.
Data and adoption. Queried and mapped data in Banner (SRS) for integration design; ran UAT, delivered training and wrote user guides for each implementation.
Power BISkillsForgeEx Libris AlmaLegantoCareerHubThrive LXPCourseLoopProMonitorBanner SRSAgile & Waterfall
Infrastructure. Installed, configured and maintained AV infrastructure, including lecture capture audio and video hardware, keeping systems available across every site.
Solution design. Analysed user requirements and designed AV solutions for everything from lectures and presentations to large-scale conferences.
Events end to end. Worked directly with event planners and presenters to plan and deliver their AV requirements.
Support and training. Supported and trained staff, students and external clients, troubleshooting and repairing equipment to keep disruption low.
Documentation. Wrote technical documentation and user guides so people could run AV equipment on their own.
Lecture captureExtronAV systemsEventsTraining
Complex fixes. Diagnosed and resolved complex issues across IT systems and software, escalating to third-line support where needed.
Reliable services. Installed, configured, monitored and maintained IT services to keep systems reliable and users productive.
Client helpdesk. Supported external clients across several industries, adapting communication to a wide range of technical ability.
Clear records. Documented issues and resolutions, keeping accurate records of every support interaction.
Service deskIT service managementTroubleshootingSystem configuration
Keeping lessons running. Resolved IT problems for staff and students quickly to keep disruption to teaching and learning low.
Infrastructure. Maintained hardware, software and networks so systems stayed available across the whole estate.
Installation. Installed and configured new hardware and software to compatibility and security standards.
Training. Trained staff and students to use IT systems and software effectively.
Documentation. Documented systems and processes so they were easy to maintain and understand.
End-user supportNetworksAV systemsTraining
Evidence portfolio. Built and maintained the portfolio behind the submission, collecting, organising and presenting evidence against each award criterion under the project lead.
Gap analysis. Identified where existing practice fell short of the award standard and proposed remediation.
Assessment panel. Presented evidence of customer service performance directly to the assessors.
Student research. Surveyed students to find areas for improvement and reported the findings to senior management.
Service improvementGap analysisStakeholder relations
Sales. Advised customers on and sold IT hardware and software.
Troubleshooting. Diagnosed and fixed IT problems for customers.
Custom builds. Built custom computers to each customer's specification.
System reloads. Rebuilt and reinstalled systems to get customers' machines working again.
HardwareSoftware salesPC buildsTroubleshooting
Skills & tools · and the next one, learned quickly
BA (Hons) Business Management & Information Systems
Nottingham Trent University · First-class honours
Award · July 2012Nottingham Business School PrizeAwarded for the best overall performance by a student on the 2012 BA (Hons) Business Management and Information Systems programme.
Chapter VIII · Beyond work
Beyond work.
Stoic philosophy
Reading the Stoics: focus on what you can control, and stay steady when things go wrong. Useful on go-live day, and in a major incident.
Circular country walks
Hiking and circular walks around the countryside, the best place to think a problem through.
Sport
Football, American football and Formula 1. F1 is a good lesson in data, strategy and fine margins.
Learning to build with AI
I've recently started building small tools with AI, and I'm exploring how it can help organisations work better.
“The mind converts and changes every hindrance to its activity into an aid… and that which is an obstacle on the road helps us on this road.”
Marcus Aurelius · Meditations, V.20 · trans. George LongIf you hire me
01 · Clarity
You'll always know where the project stands.
02 · Quality
Nothing goes live without being tested.
03 · Adoption
Your people will be trained, not just told.
04 · Resolve
If I don't know how yet, I'll work it out.
It started with fixing one computer for one customer. More than twenty years on, it still comes down to the same thing: understanding what someone needs.
Epilogue
Let's talk
AW
Hiring a senior business or systems analyst? Or facing a complex system, a stalled implementation or requirements nobody can agree on? I'd like to hear about it.
Based in Cambridge, UK · Open to remote, or hybrid in the Cambridge area
WithEvery team I’ve been lucky enough to be part of
The ensemble
None of this was a solo performance.
Produced byThe managers who gave me a chance, and the room to grow
Executive producersThe project managers who kept every plan on the road
Co-written withThe business analysts who always asked the second question
Engineering & effectsThe developers and architects who made it real
Stunt coordinatorsThe UAT testers who broke it first, so users never did
ContinuityThe service desk and support teams, first line to third, who kept the lights on
Supporting castThe stakeholders and users who told us what they really needed
Location partnersThe vendors who picked up the phone when it mattered
The systems
In order of appearance
The AnalystAdam Wakefield
The Learning PlatformMoodle
The Similarity CheckerTurnitin
The Exam InvigilatorSafe Exam Browser
The DashboardPower BI
The Postgraduate SystemSkillsForge
The LibraryEx Libris Alma & Leganto
The Careers ServiceSymplicity CareerHub
The Student RecordEllucian Banner
The New ArrivalsThrive LXP & CourseLoop
The Reliable OneProMonitor
The Project BoardJira
The MemoryConfluence
The AV RackExtron
Stunt DoubleOne well-used screwdriver
Crew
Key GripCtrl+Z
Best BoyThe spare HDMI cable
CateringWhoever brought cake on go-live day
Filmed on location at
DerbySB Computers Ltd
NottinghamThe Holgate Academy
DerbyCooper Parry
NottinghamNottingham Trent University
CambridgeUniversity of Cambridge
Music
Original scoreThe hum of a server room
Special thanks
Every stakeholder who started with “quick question”
All stunts were tested in a safe environment before go-live.
No green screens were used in this production. Several blue ones were fixed.
No requirements were harmed in the making of this career.
Thank you
To every manager, project manager, business analyst, developer, tester and support colleague I’ve had the privilege to work alongside. Every system in this story went live because a team made it happen, and I’ve learned something from every one of you.