Surely, Christopher Nolan will include this in his version that comes out later this year.
Last week, someone from the Texas Health and Human Services Commission contacted me about a fully remote position. However, it would require an in-person interview in Austin, all on my dime. That interview is at 10 AM today.
When the interview was confirmed last week, I used my credit card reward points to book a hotel and a rental car. My Chevy Bolt has a range of about 210 miles on a full charge, under normal driving conditions. Austin is about 225 miles from my house. But highway driving drains the battery more, and you also have to account for elevation changes. There are Tesla Supercharger stations along the route, and with my adaptor, my Bolt can get an 80% charge in about 40 minutes. Many are available at Bucc’ees. Not wanting to stop or worry about range anxiety, I figured renting a car the week before would be the smart thing to do.
The closest car rental place for me was at the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine. Getting to the car rental terminal inside is no easy task. When I finally made it to their front desk yesterday, the young dude behind the desk looked like he was going to be upset that I was about to bother him. I told him I was there to pick up my rental car, and he asked for my name or confirmation code. A few seconds later, he informs me that no vehicles are available to rent. Confused, I told him I made a reservation last week, so how can there not be a car waiting for me? He didn’t have an answer, but I asked whether he could check whether one is available at another location, and I’d drive there. That’s when he tells me there are no available vehicles in DFW to rent; they are all booked.
Bewildered, I asked to speak to a manager. His rot reply, “I’m the manager.” He didn’t seem happy that I requested a refund and was exasperated when I asked if I could have my parking validated.
When I got in my car, I tried to find another car rental company, but for some reason, no vehicles were available to rent. Odd, and I didn’t have the time to research why.
I’m not in a position to decline an interview. So, with just half a charge on the Chevy Bolt, I drove to Austin, making frequent stops at Tesla charging stations. And since the plans on pet sitting fell through, I took both DogGeedingII and OtherDogGeedingII. They love going with me on car rides, but there’s no telling what they were thinking about going on this journey.
However, the highlight of yesterday was taking BoyGeeding to an early orthodontist appointment to get his braces removed. I was grateful to be part of that moment.
I mentioned dogs. Well, this dog wandered into my house during the Super Bowl. He had no collar, but I took him to the 24-hour animal hospital to see if he was chipped. He was, and I took him to his owner.
I love Austin. I’ve always wanted to live here. Maybe one day, I’ll make it happen.
I also had the hardest time buying a new dress shirt. For some reason, while all my dress shirts still fit and I haven’t gained weight, I can’t close the collar button. I wonder if my neck has increased in size after my neck surgery. Anywho, I thought it would be easy-peasy to order a fitted men’s dress shirt online, especially off Amazon. Oddly, they don’t have an easy interface to select such things as arm length and neck size. Seems like that would be easy.
Okay, I admit I didn’t know “rock glue” was a thing until I saw it for sale on Woot yesterday.
If you are interested in the job description, I’ve included it after the jump.
About the job
Texas Health and Human Services Commission requires the services of 1 Business Analyst 2, hereafter referred to as Candidate(s), who meets the general qualifications of Business Analyst 2, Applications/Software Development and the specifications outlined in this document for the Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
Reviews, analyzes, and evaluates business systems and user needs. Formulates systems to parallel overall business strategies. Experienced with business process reengineering and identifying new applications of technology to business problems to make business more effective. Familiar with industry standard business process mapping, and reengineering. Prepares solution options, risk identification, and financial analyses such as cost/benefit, ROI, buy/build, etc. Writes detailed description of user needs, program functions, and steps required to develop or modify computer programs.
Project Description
The Compliance and Quality Control (CQC) Division is undertaking a project involving transforming the existing Solicitation Review System from its current architecture—built using Microsoft PowerAutomate, Microsoft Forms, Excel-based data storage, and PowerBI visualizations—into a redesigned workflow and data management system built on Jotform.
The contractor will serve as the Business Analyst, providing structured requirements gathering, documentation, gap analysis, validation, and testing support. The contractor will be responsible for coordinating and leading any requirements gathering meetings with CQC staff. The project involves collaboration with the Senior Systems Advisor, who will be responsible for system design and development.
The Current Solicitation Review System Uses
- Microsoft Forms for data entry
- PowerAutomate for workflow automation, email generation, and PDF creation
- Excel files as the underlying data store
- PowerBI dashboards for data visualization
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Knowledge of BABOK Guide principles, including elicitation, requirements analysis, and validation.
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Knowledge of gap analysis methodologies—comparing current state vs. desired state and identifying missing capabilities.
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Knowledge of the capabilities and limitations of computer systems or management information systems.
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Knowledge of process or systems analysis and design work.
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Knowledge of the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
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Skill in defining all types of requirements, functional specifications, and other deliverables.
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Skill in policy interpretation and translating regulations into system requirements.
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Skill in requirements elicitation techniques such as techniques such as interviews, workshops, document analysis, observation, and surveys.
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Skill in working collaboratively and cooperatively with colleagues and in building consensus.
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Skill in interpersonal relationships, including the ability to work with people under pressure, negotiate among multiple parties, resolve conflicts, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with various levels of personnel in governmental entities.
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Skill in troubleshooting, performance tuning, and problem-solving.
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Skill in verbal, written, and presentation communication.
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Skill in Microsoft Excel.
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Ability to create clear, complete, and actionable requirements documentation.
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Ability to build consensus across multiple teams.
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Ability to ensure accuracy in documenting system functionality and regulatory requirements.
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Ability to identify compliance gaps and propose feasible solutions.
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Ability to adapt effectively to evolving regulations and system complexities.
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Ability to build trust and maintain relationships across technical and business teams.
- Requirements Documentation Package – Solicitation Review System (SRS)
A comprehensive set of documents capturing the current state, future-state needs, functional specifications, and reporting requirements for the new Jotform based Solicitation Review System. The documentation must be sharing with the Senior Systems Advisor as it is being developed. The Senior Systems Advisor will work on development as the requirements are gathered to ensure timeliness of the project. This package must include the following Deliverables:
- Process maps of existing workflows (from Microsoft Forms to PowerAutomate to Excel to PowerBI).
- Field inventory documenting all data fields used across Forms, Excel files, PowerAutomate flows, email templates, and PDF outputs.
- User roles and permissions, including who submits, reviews, approves, and receives communications.
- Catalog of notifications, triggers, and automated actions in the current PowerAutomate setup.
- E-mail Templates used for automated system e-mails.
1.2 Future-State Requirements
- Functional Requirements Document, which must include:
- Step-by-step workflow description for each stage of the Solicitation Review process.
- Required form logic, branching, validation, and conditional workflow steps.
- Email triggers, recipients, templates, timing, and conditions.
- PDF generation requirements (content, formatting, data fields, branding).
- Data capture requirements, including revised field definitions.
- Requirements traceability matrix, which must link business needs to functional requirements to test cases.
- Updated e-mail templates for automated system e-mails.
1.3 Reporting Requirements, which must include a clear definition of:
- Required metrics, KPIs, filters, and drill-downs.
- Required alignment rules between legacy Excel data and new Jotform submissions.
- Data transformation and mapping specifications.
- Data quality rules and business logic.
- Gap Analysis & Recommendation Report
2.1 Gap Identification, Which Must Include
- Workflow discrepancies (e.g., PowerAutomate actions that must be replicated or redesigned in Jotform).
- Data field gaps between old Excel model and new Jotform model.
- Reporting gaps between current and desired PowerBI capabilities.
- Process pain points identified during interviews.
2.2 Recommendations, Which Must Include
- Proposed solutions for each gap.
- Required form modifications.
- Suggested workflow improvements.
- Risks, assumptions, and dependencies.
- Recommended approach for combining legacy AND new data in PowerBI.
- Implementation Support & Collaboration Deliverables
3.1 Requirements Change Log, which is a running, version-controlled log that must document:
- New requirements
- Modified requirements
- Requirements removed or deferred
- Stakeholder approvals
3.2 Weekly Collaboration Artifacts, Which Must Include
- Meeting summaries
- Action items
- Clarifications to technical requirements
3.3 User manual covering the new system for all user roles. Submitted to the Director of Contract Compliance and Senior Systems Advisor 5 Business Days prior to Contract termination.
- Testing Assets & Validation Deliverables
- Testing scope
- Test methodology
- User acceptance testing (UAT) roles
- Environments and prerequisites
4.2 Test Cases & Scripts, which must validate all requirements including:
- Jotform workflow paths
- Form field validation
- Email triggers and PDF output checks
- Data exports
- PowerBI logic and metrics
- Integration of legacy and new data
4.3 Test Execution Results, which is a documented summary that must contain:
- Pass/fail results
- Issues and severity ratings
- Retest outcomes
- Verified alignment to requirements
- Weekly Status Reporting Package, which is a brief, weekly update delivered to the Director via e-mail, and must include:
- Progress on planned milestones
- Work completed this week
- Work planned for next week
II. CANDIDATE SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Requirements
Candidates that do not meet or exceed the minimum stated requirements (skills/experience) will be displayed to customers but may not be chosen for this opportunity.
YearsRequired/PreferredExperience5RequiredBusiness analysis experience, including requirements elicitation and documentation, gap analysis, and testing.7PreferredMicrosoft Excel3PreferredMicrosoft PowerBI3PreferredMicrosoft PowerAutomate1PreferredJotform
III. TERMS OF SERVICE
Services are expected to start 03/02/2026 and are expected to complete by 06/26/2026. Total estimated hours per Candidate shall not exceed 640 hours. This service may be amended, renewed, and/or extended providing both parties agree to do so in writing.
IV. WORK HOURS AND LOCATION
Services shall be provided during normal business hours unless otherwise coordinated through the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Normal business hours are Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, excluding State holidays when the agency is closed.
The primary work location(s) will be at 4601 W. Guadalupe Street Austin, Texas 78701. The working position is Telework. Any and all travel, per diem, parking, and/or living expenses shall be at the Candidate’s and/or Vendor’s expense. Texas Health and Human Services Commission will provide pre-approved, written authorization for travel for any services to be performed away from the primary work location(s). Pre-approved travel expenses are limited to the rates and comply with the rules prescribed by the State of Texas for travel by its classified employees, including any requirement for original receipts.
The Candidate(s) may be required to work outside the normal business hours on weekends, evenings and holidays, as requested. Payment for work over 40 hours will be at the hourly rate quoted and must be coordinated and pre-approved through Texas Health and Human Services Commission.
- OTHER SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS