Welcome to our vibrant new blog series, "Women in Tech", celebrating the powerful women on our teams who drive innovation in the tech industry. In this space, we’ll dive deep into an array of topics, featuring the inspiring stories of our remarkable women. We will showcase their biggest achievements, the challenges they face, their interests and the unique skills that make them invaluable to us.
Today, we are delighted to introduce you to Ralitsa Atanasova, Senior PMO Business Analyst at News UK Technology’s team at Pwrteams Bulgaria. Read on to find out what she shared with us about her career path, challenges and excitements at the workplace.
Could you briefly introduce yourself?
My name is Ralitsa, and I have been working for three years now as a Senior PMO Business Analyst in the NewsUK Technology team at Pwrteams Bulgaria.
What was your previous background?
My educational background is very diverse and it has definitely helped shape my professional journey. I began my career in a contact centre, where I communicated with people from all around the world. This experience enhanced my communication skills and adaptability to various situations and cultures.
Following this, I transitioned to a role of a Business Analyst. The company trusted my abilities, providing me with the necessary training and support. In this role, I learned extensively about business processes, was exposed to various tools and gained significant knowledge in the field of reporting. My keen attention to detail and love for processes revealed my passion for this field.
Tell us more about the News UK team at Pwrteams. What is it like working there?
I have been part of the NewsUK team for three years now and greatly enjoy the supportive and welcoming culture fostered by the technology department. I frequently communicate with colleagues across different levels, and everyone has been helpful. My team and my manager provide constant support for my professional growth. We have managed to build an excellent PMO team in Bulgaria alongside two other colleagues and our PMO manager, who is based in London.
And working at Pwrteams is a pleasure. I've met colleagues from different teams, and the company regularly organises events for employee entertainment, self-development and well-being. There are also sessions that allow people to share knowledge and gain insights based on their professional experiences.
What does your typical workday as a Senior PMO Business Analyst look like?
My responsibilities include managing the contractor process, producing management reports and continuously monitoring and adapting to changing requirements. My team ensures documentation meets the required standards, benefits are identified and tracked and relevant parties are engaged with the necessary approvals obtained before project progression. Additionally, I provide delivery reporting for projects and programs as needed, maintain and improve ongoing governance processes, provide visibility and information on program and portfolio tracking and support the PMO manager.
My day typically begins by reviewing and responding to emails. Afterwards, I organise and prioritise my tasks for the day. I do a morning check on financial files to ensure accuracy and completeness of information. We hold a daily business operations meeting to review ongoing activities, address obstacles and sync up as a team. Throughout the day, I engage in various meetings with different stakeholders from the technology department. Between meetings, I focus on action items and pending tasks from my agenda. Towards the end of each month or quarter, my daily focus shifts to intensive reporting and preparation of presentations for the senior leadership team.
What are the 3 most essential skills for someone in your position?
In my opinion, the 3 most essential skills for someone in my position are interpersonal communication, attention to detail and problem solving.
Effective communication with stakeholders at all levels is crucial for conveying project updates, gathering requirements and resolving conflicts. Strong interpersonal skills facilitate collaboration and ensure alignment across teams. The ability to meticulously review documentation, track project milestones and analyse data ensures accuracy and compliance with organisational standards. Attention to detail is vital for identifying potential issues early and maintaining project quality. PMO Analysts need to address challenges that arise during project execution. This involves analysing root causes, exploring alternative solutions and implementing corrective actions to keep projects on track and achieve objectives.
These skills collectively enable PMO Analysts to effectively support project management processes, contribute to organisational success and ensure efficient project delivery.
How do you manage and prioritise tasks in a high-demand work environment?
Managing tasks effectively involves a structured approach to ensure productivity and quality in a dynamic work environment. Firstly, I start by creating a comprehensive to-do list that includes all the tasks that need to be completed. I prioritise these tasks based on their importance and deadlines, assigning specific deadlines to those without a specified time frame, considering their priority and complexity. To organise my workload further, I synchronise my tasks with my calendar, allocating dedicated time slots for high-priority tasks. Periodically, I review and reassess task priorities to accommodate changes in deadlines, project requirements or new information that may arise. Regular communication with team members, stakeholders and supervisors is integral part of my job, enabling me to stay informed about changing task priorities and any necessary adjustments.
What do you consider your biggest achievement?
Rather than singling out a particular achievement, I see as my greatest accomplishment my career transition towards business analytics in technology. Working in supportive environments alongside exceptional colleagues has been pivotal in my professional growth. This career shift represents my most significant achievement to date.
Have you faced any gender-related biases or challenges?
In my career path, I haven't encountered biases or challenges related to gender. While gender stereotypes may affect some women in the Information Technology industry, Bulgaria boasts diversity and the highest average rate of women in IT across the EU. I've consistently experienced support from colleagues who evaluate me based on my performance and qualities, rather than gender.
How do you see the role of a Business Analyst in the next 5 years?
I think the role of a Business Analyst is expected to evolve significantly over the next five years, driven by technology innovations and changing business needs. In particular, the advance of AI will transform the field of business analysis by enabling more enhanced data-driven decision-making. The usage of AI can improve data analysis by automating data processing and developing predictive analytics. It can also automate repetitive and rule-based tasks such as data entry, report generation and workflow management, freeing up analysts to focus on higher-value activities. AI can continuously monitor business processes and performance metrics, providing real-time alerts and insights into anomalies or issues. This would enable business analysts to address problems promptly and maintain optimal operational efficiency. As AI technology continues to advance, analysts would need to adapt by developing new skills and embracing AI-driven tools and methodologies. Overall, the evolution of AI and other technologies will enable analysts to drive greater business value and contribute to more agile, efficient and data-driven organisations.
How can women stay up-to-date with the latest trends in business analysis?
For women in business analysis, my advice centres around continuous learning and networking. Engaging in tech communities allows you to exchange valuable ideas and share your experiences. Staying up-to-date with the latest tools and trends requires attending courses offered across diverse platforms and websites. Following organisations and other technology companies on social media keeps me informed about the latest innovations. With drive and passion, staying informed about emerging technologies becomes a natural part of everyday life and professional growth.
Keen to work together with amazing professionals like Ralitsa? Check out our vacancies and apply.
