Employee Profile - Bobbie Bruneau, Analyst and Product Owner

Member of our analysis and specifications team since November 2021, Bobbie Bruneau shares with us her daily life as a functional analyst and product owner (PO).

In a few words, how would you describe your role and your daily routine?

I define myself somewhat as the glue that binds together the design, development, and final delivery of a project. As an analyst and PO, it's my responsibility to ensure that the deliverable aligns with the client's expectations throughout the various stages of production. This requires working with all project stakeholders.

In short, much like a project manager, I need to take the lead: I ensure that priorities are respected, I address questions, and I make necessary decisions in a timely manner. I need to be involved from the early stages of the project, including during scrums, the design of a hierarchy, or the creation of mock-ups. My role is to keep things moving forward and ensure all information is up to date.

In addition to being the reference point throughout all stages of a project, I also need to prepare evaluation activities, define roles/tasks, and establish an estimated budget. Finally, my responsibilities also require becoming the guardian of tasks on Jira (project management software): I ensure that the project backlog is built, that priorities are defined, and that tasks are done in the right order.

According to you, what are the skills and qualities that a person must demonstrate to occupy a position like yours?

After careful consideration, I identify three main skills and three main qualities that, in my opinion, are essential to being a good analyst/PO.

Firstly, for skills, I would say that one needs to be a chameleon, meaning the ability to easily adapt to different personality styles (both artistic and logical). Obviously, a sense of organization is another important asset in our daily tasks to ensure the smooth progress of the entire project. Lastly, analysts/POs need to show autonomy and resourcefulness to avoid dependency on others. If we don't have all the answers to our questions, we need to be capable of seeking them out. After all, we are the point of reference for the project!

Moving on, in terms of qualities, I believe it's important to possess a lot of tact, especially when making difficult decisions. Having a unifying aspect is another significant "plus" to prevent working in isolation and to inspire collaboration among the different project stakeholders. Lastly, since we often interact with clients, having interpersonal skills and good customer service abilities is also necessary.

What have you learned during your years at Tink?

I've learned that an agency can be structured! During the interview, I was told that Tink was an organized agency, and I can confirm that it wasn't an empty promise.

I also must highlight the contribution of my supervisor, Dominique Proteau (Director, Analysis and Specifications), who taught me to properly define the "what" of the "how" in a project. He helped me realize that during a bidding process, it's essential to first define the "what" (what are the deliverables?). The "how" will come afterward.

Furthermore, I've often had to wear many hats in the past. However, at Tink, I have the opportunity to focus solely on my PO tasks. This has taught me to better delineate the work among different specializations. Defining who does what is an ongoing but necessary task to ensure everyone is in the right role.

What do you appreciate about Tink, and what makes you stay?

I particularly value the human aspect of Tink. There's very little hierarchy, and both managers and leadership remain accessible. This way, the vice-president I work with on a daily basis could pass as a regular colleague. I've always had the sense that my ideas were as valued as those coming from higher up in the hierarchy. And let me tell you, that's something precious!

What is your proudest professional accomplishment?

Among all the projects I've worked on since I joined, I have to say that I feel a special pride in the Réseau Express Métropolitain (REM) website project. I really enjoyed the scope of the project and all the thought that went into maintaining brand image, design, functional needs, and accessibility. It was a project that presented its fair share of daily challenges, and it was truly motivating for me to be a part of it.

How would you describe the work atmosphere at Tink?

In 3 words, I would say it's a professional, friendly, and respectful atmosphere. Nobody is uptight, and it's truly enjoyable to have the choice to work from home or visit colleagues at the office to work in a festive environment. It's a freedom that I particularly appreciate.

For you, working at Tink means having the opportunity to...?

It means having the chance to specialize in my role. As I mentioned earlier, I've often been accustomed in the past to more hybrid positions. However, my arrival at Tink changed that.

It also means having the opportunity to work in an environment where there is potential for growth and long-term career advancement.

What advice would you give to future employees in your field?

Always stay updated on new practices in your field, and educate yourself about related areas of expertise (SEO, web analytics, UX design, etc.). This way, you'll be able to speak the same language as your colleagues or clients.

Above all, don't hesitate to ask questions about what you don't know. Nobody is expected to know everything, and this curiosity will benefit you in understanding all stages of a project!