A Configuration Analyst is a professional who plays a crucial role in ensuring the successful implementation and management of software and hardware configurations within an organization. They are responsible for analyzing, documenting, and maintaining accurate records of system configurations to optimize performance and minimize errors. In this blog post, we will describe the primary responsibilities and the most in-demand hard and soft skills for Configuration Analysts.

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Main Responsibilities of a Configuration Analyst

The following list describes the typical responsibilities of a Configuration Analyst:

Advise on

• Advise on best practices for documenting changes on new and existing products.

• Advise on best practices for engineering CAD data transformation to PLM systems.

Aid in

• Aid in maintaining configuration control of the established network.

• Aid in program-wide configuration management strategy and execution plan.

Analyze

• Analyze and reviews requirements and technical work products.

• Analyze complex business problems to be solved with automated systems.

• Analyze multiple alternatives, risks, and benefits for a range of potential solutions.

• Analyze system requirements and design appropriate configurations.

Anticipate

• Anticipate issues that are not readily apparent on the surface.

• Anticipate the possible outcome of potential solutions.

Apply

Apply advanced technical principles, theories, and concepts.

Articulate

Articulate ideas and concepts clearly and professionally.

Assist in

• Assist in configuration of company applications based on business requirements.

• Assist in identifying and onboarding new CI Types.

• Assist in the design and implementation of automated configuration management processes.

• Assist in the planning and execution of configuration-related projects.

• Assist the Senior Manager, Enterprise Configuration Management with continual process improvement.

• Assist with APM scheduling builds.

• Assist with APM workflow documentation.

• Assist with process documentation and user guides.

Build

• Build and deliver insurance products for distribution on the INSTANDA platform.

• Build and modify SAP Variant Configurator models accurately and in a timely manner.

• Build, maintain and validate CI relationships within the CMDB.

• Build, maintain and validate Configuration Item relationships within the CMDB.

• Build productive internal / external working relationships.

• Build test scripts to test the accuracy and completeness of data.

Collaborate with

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to gather configuration data.

• Collaborate with developers and system administrators to troubleshoot configuration-related problems.

• Collaborate with IT product owners to align activity to product and delivery roadmaps.

• Collaborate with security teams to ensure secure configuration practices.

Conduct

• Conduct configuration audits to ensure compliance with established standards.

• Conduct periodic system audits to identify configuration drifts.

• Conduct preliminary studies to define needs and determine feasibility of system design.

• Conduct regular reviews and updates of configuration management documentation.

• Conduct research to define problems and prepares responses to anticipated questions.

• Conduct risk assessments related to configuration changes.

• Conduct root cause analysis for configuration-related incidents or problems.

Configure

Configure product set up changes.

Configures

• Configures products and funds on EOE systems with assistance of more experienced analysts as needed.

• Configures system settings and options.

Consult with

Consult with business user to identify current operating procedures.

Contribute to

Contribute towards product roadmaps with a particular focus on MASCOT.

Coordinate

• Coordinate annual benefit changes with internal resources.

• Coordinate testing with QA tester.

• Coordinate User Acceptance Testing extensively and communicate test results.

Create

• Create and maintain configuration management databases or repositories.

• Create and maintain LifePro correspondence.

• Create and maintain QARun scripts that set nightly cycle.

• Create and maintain SAP material master (MM) data.

• Create BOMs and collect data required for Accessory configurations.

• Create SAP R / 3 Variant Configurator models for new products.

Define

Define priorities within performance objectives.

Deploy

Deploy integrations to other Workday tenants.

Design

Design details of automated systems.

Detect

Detect, define and debug programs whenever problems are reported or encountered.

Determine

• Determine and pursue courses of action necessary to obtain desired results.

• Determine the potential causes of the problem and devises testing methodologies for validation.

Develop

• Develop and configure a COTS LIMS product.

• Develop and maintain configuration management standards and guidelines.

• Develop and maintain effective partnerships across the ISC and the broader UBC community.

• Develop and maintain relationships with vendors to acquire necessary configuration data.

• Develop configuration management plans and strategies.

• Develop configuration requirements document and obtain approval from business owners.

• Develop requirements, build, test, deploy, support APM.

• Develop, review, and improve processes to maximize efficiencies.

Document

Document configuration requirements and specifications.

Enable

Enable process adherence through reporting and dashboards.

Ensure

• Ensure IDS and ICR adheres to IWS 1.0 guidance and formats.

• Ensure mapping configurations are correct and accurate.

• Ensure proper backup and restoration procedures for configuration data.

• Ensure system processes and documents exist as basis for system logic.

• Ensure the Configuration Management process is understood and adhered to.

Establish

Establish and enforce configuration management policies and procedures.

Execute

• Execute unit testing and integration testing - leading teams of testers when required.

• Execute unit testing for cycle and product changes.

• Execute unit testing for EOE platform changes.

Exercise

Exercise judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action.

Gather

Gather end-user requirements for data dissemination and reporting.

Help

Help configure workflows, alerts, reports and more.

Identify

• Identify and design appropriate changes.

• Identify and resolve configuration issues and inconsistencies.

• Identify customer needs and determines the appropriate approach to apply and ensure resolution.

• Identify, manage and document the status of open issues.

• Identify relationships and linkages within several information sources.

• Identify root causes and effects.

Implement

Implement and manage version control for configuration items.

Initiate

Initiate and manage ECOs, MCOs, Deviations and Stop Ships.

Interact with

Interact with Forms group on requirements for New Business forms on EOE systems.

Interface with

• Interface Design Specifications and Interface Change Requests.

• Interface with Business Analysts to meet customer needs.

• Interface workday help desk, workday community and workday consultants.

Lead

• Lead and deliver key project-based initiatives.

• Lead complex prototyping.

• Lead review of benefits or provider reimbursement as well as identify and design appropriate changes.

Log

Log hours and update project testing status in WorkFront.

Maintain

• Maintain a clear understanding of system dependencies and interrelationships.

• Maintain a comprehensive inventory of hardware and software configurations.

• Maintain operational procedures and knowledge base.

• Maintain process documentation as Configuration Management processes improve / change.

• Maintain records and submit reports regarding status.

• Maintain up to date knowledge of industry best practice standard.

• Maintain VC objects, BoMs, and routings in SAP R / 3 environment.

Make

Make recommendations to improve processes and procedures where necessary.

Manage

• Manage and define system configuration requirements.

• Manage joint development, testing and plans and co-ordinates implementations.

• Manage resources and communications to facilitate work completion.

• Manage the configuration and implementation of the HR, Finance (and in future, Student) products.

• Manage the configuration needs of multiple Welligent software implementations.

• Manage the reimbursement review.

Mentor

Mentor the use of tools to define requirements.

Monitor

• Monitor and track changes to configuration items throughout their lifecycle.

• Monitor trend reports to support business decisions.

Participate in

• Participate in audits and physical asset verification within home site and throughout the WMA.

• Participate in change management processes and configuration control boards.

• Participate in daily stand up meetings.

• Participate in design and acceptance reviews with customer.

• Participate in the selection and evaluation of configuration management tools.

• Participate in workshops and interviews with our clients and stakeholders.

Perform

• Perform any other job related instructions as requested.

• Perform CMDB audits to ensure data completeness and quality.

• Perform impact assessments of proposed changes to configurations.

• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager.

• Perform other related duties as required.

Plan

• Plan and execute assigned configuration tasks within deadlines.

• Plan and executes unit, integration and acceptance testing to meet business requirements.

• Plan and implement new software releases including testing and training.

• Plan / implement new software releases including testing and training.

Prepare

• Prepare and present reports on configuration management activities and metrics.

• Prepare requirements documentation for moderately complex system modifications.

• Prepare, update and maintain AEGIS management workload plans, schedules, and briefs.

Prioritize

• Prioritize multiple issues and opportunities.

• Prioritize Weapon Specs revisions with approved ICRs (IDS Change Updates).

Process

Process orientated with a methodical and planned approach.

Provide

• Provide analysis of efficiencies related to system enhancement and automation.

• Provide artifacts as needed to support Certification and Accreditation for systems and services.

• Provide detail analysis of efficiencies related to system enhancement / automation.

• Provide ongoing production support.

• Provide recommendations and best-practices to improve existing CM processes and procedures.

• Provide second level expertise to the Production Support Team for resolving batch cycle issues.

• Provide status reports of ongoing and future projects.

• Provide system configuration support based on changing business needs.

• Provide training and support to end-users on configuration management tools.

Put

Put systems in place and uses them to monitor and detect errors and problems.

Recommend

Recommend resource requirements and collaborates with impacted stakeholders.

Represent

Represent your clinical specialty and across the continuum of care.

Reproduce

Reproduce, test, resolve and document software bugs, defects and problems.

Resolve

Resolve Configuration Item duplicates within the CMDB.

Respond to

Respond to external audits.

Review

• Review and interpret regulatory items, timely delivery of required updates.

• Review trends and compares to expectations.

Seek

Seek and shares relevant information, opinions, and judgments.

Set-up

Set-up and integrates new and enhanced information systems.

Solicit

Solicit the input of appropriate technical experts and managers as required.

Stay updated with

Stay updated with industry best practices and emerging trends in configuration management.

Submit

Submit engineering changes to customers for review and approval.

Support

• Support automated process improvement activities with internal Automation Technical Design Authority.

• Support production EOE systems for problem resolution.

• Support product projects from pre-concept through obsolescence.

• Support RFP's and commercial processes.

• Support Team operates with high quality standards and strong commitment to excellence and efficiency.

• Support the Senior Manager, Enterprise Configuration Management in the implementation of the CMDB.

• Support the Software Portfolio and Configuration Manager to rationalise the software portfolio.

• Support the UAT process of the INSTANDA configuration and of new functionalities.

Test

Test and inspect outputs and applies quality checks prior to work submission.

Troubleshoot

Troubleshoot and solve sales order entry issues.

Understand

• Understand integration points with Allscripts Touchworks (EMR).

• Understand iOS prompt and configuration screens.

• Understand Systems Engineering and Configuration Management process.

• Understand the Software Development Life cycle (both waterfall and agile).

Unit

Unit tests correspondence changes.

Utilize

Utilize strengths of team members to achieve optimal performance.

Validate

Validate test results and records and researches defects.

Verify

• Verify and approve combat system VIEWNet (SharePoint) account user requests.

• Verify daily cycle report.

• Verify items have landed in Oracle EBS.

Work with

• Work collaboratively with project managers to meet project timelines.

• Work cross-functionally and think creatively, critically and strategically.

• Work from home with the exception of travel.

• Work in partnership on a team with wide latitude across the ISC.

• Work with 3PLs and Service Centers for construction of Refub and Service BOMs.

• Work with CI Owners to help maintain their data.

• Work with CI Owners to identify and understand CI relationships.

• Work with Configuration Item I Owners to identify and understand CI relationships.

• Work with Configuration Item Owners to help maintain their data.

Most In-demand Hard Skills

The following list describes the most required technical skills of a Configuration Analyst:

1. Proficiency in configuration management tools such as Puppet, Chef, or Ansible.

2. Strong knowledge of scripting languages like PowerShell, Python, or Bash.

3. Familiarity with version control systems like Git or Subversion.

4. Expertise in working with operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux, Unix).

5. Understanding of database management systems (e.g., SQL, Oracle, MySQL).

6. Knowledge of network protocols and technologies (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP).

7. Experience with virtualization technologies (e.g., VMware, Hyper-V).

8. Understanding of cloud computing platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure, GCP).

9. Proficiency in software development methodologies (e.g., Agile, DevOps).

10. Ability to analyze and interpret technical specifications and documentation.

11. Strong problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.

12. Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in recording configuration data.

13. Knowledge of ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) principles.

14. Understanding of change management processes and methodologies.

15. Proficiency in project management tools and techniques.

16. Ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.

17. Strong communication skills, both verbal and written.

18. Analytical mindset and ability to think critically.

19. Knowledge of security best practices and compliance standards.

20. Familiarity with regulatory requirements specific to the industry.

Most In-demand Soft Skills

The following list describes the most required soft skills of a Configuration Analyst:

1. Strong organizational and time management skills.

2. Ability to work independently and as part of a team

3. Ability to work independently and as part of a team, collaborating effectively with colleagues.

4. Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills.

5. Strong attention to detail and accuracy in performing configuration tasks.

6. Effective communication and interpersonal skills to interact with stakeholders at all levels.

7. Adaptability and flexibility to work in a fast-paced and dynamic environment.

8. Strong analytical skills to analyze complex configuration issues and propose solutions.

9. Excellent documentation and report writing skills.

10. Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple assignments simultaneously.

11. Continuous learning mindset to stay updated with evolving technologies and practices.

Conclusion

A Configuration Analyst is responsible for managing and maintaining system configurations to ensure optimal performance and reliability. They perform various tasks ranging from documentation and analysis to troubleshooting and implementation. The role requires a combination of technical skills in configuration management tools, scripting, operating systems, and databases, as well as soft skills like communication, problem-solving, and adaptability. By possessing these skills, Configuration Analysts can effectively contribute to the efficient management of configurations and support the overall success of IT operations within an organization.