March 7, 2018 • Smart Resources

Getting Smarter with Theresa King

At Smart Resources, we aren’t just a big group of IT consultants or tech minds. We’re a family. Our team is not only one of the most skilled in the country, but also one of the most interesting. Each month, we feature a conversation with one of our great consultants so that you can get to know us better. This month, say hello to Business Systems Analyst Theresa King!

Name: Theresa King

Position: Business Systems Analyst

Years with Smart Resources:

I have been with Smart for almost two-and-a-half years.

Professional background in one sentence:

I have spent more than 30 years in IT working as a Developer, Systems Analyst, and Business Systems Analyst.

Describe your typical day:

I typically act as the Business Systems Analyst on agile projects, and on most of my projects, I also take on the tester role. Every day is different for me. One day I might be focused on writing user stories with the product owner, and on other days I might be focused on writing test cases, executing test cases, or working with the developers to resolve issues. I’ve learned that I need to be flexible in order to be successful in an agile environment. I am also heavily involved with planning for upcoming sprints and making sure that the user stories in our backlog are complete and ready to be worked by the developers. Outside of my work with an agile team, I am usually working with one of our business partners to define high-level requirements for some future project.

What’s the most rewarding part of your job?

I feel most valuable when I complete a project that makes it easier for another person to perform a task or do their job.

Tell us about the most memorable moment of your career.

One of the things that stands out in my memory was working with the representatives in a call system during the first few weeks after we rolled out an entirely new customer service application. The call center was open 24 x 7, and I was working the 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM shift. Being able to observe how different representatives used the application to help customers was a real learning experience. I also found out that I need a lot of coffee to get through the night shift.

What career advice do you have for someone just starting out in IT?

I would advise them to be open to new ideas and challenges. IT has really changed since I started programming, and it is going to continue to change. You need to be willing to learn new skills and take on new tasks in order to be successful.

What will be the biggest tech trend of the next five years?

Technology changes so quickly that I think it is hard to predict what new and exciting innovation might be dominant in five years. For now, I think internet security, the cloud, and artificial intelligence are a few of the things likely to have a significant impact on business and society over the next few years. I’m looking forward to having a self-driving car soon.

Do you have a favorite software program?

I really enjoy working with software that lets me create mock-ups or wireframes of pages in an application or reports. I’m currently using a software package called Balsamic that I really like. Balsamic makes it easy for me to create wireframes and capture business rules in a single drawing. Having the ability to provide the business with a picture that depicts my interpretation of what they need is much more effective than just giving them a list of requirements or acceptance criteria.

What’s your favorite thing to do in the Richmond area?

I really enjoy visiting Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens. My husband and I are members, and we visit the gardens frequently. The gardens are always changing, and there is always something new to see. Even in the middle of winter, you can find beauty in the gardens. It’s a great place to relax and just enjoy time together.

Describe your favorite meal.

Anything with scallops and a glass of really good wine

What’s your favorite song?

I don’t have just one favorite song or band. I like too many different ones to be able to pick just one.

Do you have a hidden talent?

I enjoy baking, sewing, and working in the garden.

What’s your favorite thing to drink in the morning?

Coffee. I need at least two cups to get the day started

The best movie you’ve ever seen is:

I couldn’t name just one as the best. In general, I prefer older classics. Some of my favorites are Doctor Zhivago, Vertigo, Rear Window, and Casablanca. I’m not really much of a movie person; I’d rather read a good book.

What’s your most prized possession?

My family and close friends are the most important things in my life. As far as possessions are concerned, I’d have to say that my photo albums and scrapbooks are the most valuable things I own.