Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Girl Guiding & Darts
Timeline
Generic

Sharon Macfarlane

Senior Analyst
Denny

Summary

I have been part of the Council since 1989, initially starting in Personnel. After a successful interview, I transitioned to an Assistant Analyst role in 1997. I worked with the Education & Community IT Team until 2004, when I secured a position as an Analyst in the Environment & Technical IT Team. In 2006, when all teams merged, I was unable to move into Network Services due to staffing levels at the Analyst grade. Dave asked me to remain in the Servicedesk because of my expertise in both Educom and Envtec, and I have continued in this role since. I pursued further education through both day release and night school, earning an HNC in Computing, an HNC in Networking, and an HND in Computer Support. Additionally, I obtained a Diploma in Web Design and became a Qualified Servicedesk Analyst via the Servicedesk Institute. This qualification covered areas such as Roles & Responsibilities, Relationship Management, Effective Communication Skills and Competencies, Problem Solving, Rapport and Conflict Management, Process Management, IT Service Management, Quality Assurance, and relevant Tools and Technologies.


I remain dedicated to continuous improvement and operational excellence, consistently driving outcomes that enhance team performance and have vast local knowledge or the setup IT within Stirling Council.

Overview

41
41
years of professional experience

Work History

Senior Analyst

Stirling Council
04.2021 - Current
  • Enhanced team productivity by streamlining processes and implementing time-saving strategies.
  • Mentoring Assistant Analysts and Analysts, fostering development while enhancing overall team performance.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement, leading to increased operational effectiveness.
  • Nurtured strong working relationships with clients, ensuring their needs were met while exceeding expectations on deliverables.
  • Optimized project management, resulting in timely deliverables and improved client satisfaction rates.
  • Analyzed data to identify root causes of problems and recommend corrective actions.
  • Generated ad-hoc reports to evaluate specific business requirements.

IT Analyst

Stirling Council
05.2004 - 05.2021

Responsible for the Management of AD Groups & File Rights

Manage Group Policies

Create New Users & Leavers Processes

Testing & Amending Applications for deployment

Imaging & Testing of new devices

Resolve Problematic Tickets

Accurately Log & Progress Tickets

Produce knowledgebase documentation

Create new procedures for Mobile phone setup

Collation of non-compliant software arrange updates.

Assistant IT Analyst

Stirling Council
08.1997 - 05.2004

provide first line support for Novell NetWare, Windows NT & Peer to Peer Networking within both Services and also all hardware and software used within our Services. As part of my main duties I am in a small helpdesk team and provide support for Novell Netware, Windows NT & Peer to Peer Networking. I provide support, server maintenance & backup implementation for Netware 5.1 & 6 Servers and 4 NT Application Servers, which are distributed over a large geographical area. This team supports over 1000 pc’s/laptops and 2000 users. I have knowledge of DataEase and am called upon to support and amend current Databases to user specifications and plan timescales for this, taking into consideration resources available. I am often required to prioritise users’ problems and needs dependant on the situation

Administrative Assistant

Stirling Council
08.1989 - 07.1997

Providing first line Network Support and adhoc training to all computer users within Personnel. Providing support in both Hardware and Software. Liaising with Chief Executives IT Support team when required. Developing new databases in DataEase. Responsible for all workplace assessments being carried out. Responsible for ID password confidentiality and virus protection.

Clerical Assistant

Goldbergs PLC
08.1988 - 07.1989

General clerical duties. Processing of invoices, BACS Payments & squaring daily reports

Revenue Asst/Data Entry Processor

Inland Revenue
05.1987 - 08.1988
  • Completed data entry tasks with accuracy and efficiency.
  • Compiled data and reviewed information for accuracy prior to input.
  • Sorted documents and maintained organized filing process.
  • Identified data entry errors and reported to necessary departments.

Clerical Assistant

Carron Construction Ltd
08.1984 - 08.1986

General duties including typing, filing, switchboard and calculating daily record logging sheets.

Education

HND Computer Support

College
Falkirk
04.2001 -

Advanced Certificate in Web Development For E-Comm

College
Falkirk
04.2001 -

HNC Network Support

College
Falkirk

HNC Computing

College
Falkirk

1 X Higher And 5 X O'Grade Qualifications

Denny High School
Denny

Skills

Courteous

Leader

Flexibile

Team Player

Interests

I have been in Girl Guiding for the last 40 year and also a Director in Scottish Darts since 2001

Girl Guiding & Darts

In Girl Guiding I have been a leader for many years and also became a Commissioner in 2007 and am there to ensure that the Division we are associated with works well together and support each other.

I then moved on to become the Leadership Co-ordinator for Forth Valley guiding in 2016 which allows me to mentor and help all the new leaders in Girl Guiding in Forth Valley to ensure that they are all trained to the same level.

In 2001 I became a Scottish Darts Director and took over the running of Youth darts in 2008.  I am one of 4 people who run darts and am responsible for the Youth & Adult Tour in Scotland.

Timeline

Senior Analyst

Stirling Council
04.2021 - Current

IT Analyst

Stirling Council
05.2004 - 05.2021

HND Computer Support

College
04.2001 -

Advanced Certificate in Web Development For E-Comm

College
04.2001 -

Assistant IT Analyst

Stirling Council
08.1997 - 05.2004

Administrative Assistant

Stirling Council
08.1989 - 07.1997

Clerical Assistant

Goldbergs PLC
08.1988 - 07.1989

Revenue Asst/Data Entry Processor

Inland Revenue
05.1987 - 08.1988

Clerical Assistant

Carron Construction Ltd
08.1984 - 08.1986

HNC Network Support

College

HNC Computing

College

1 X Higher And 5 X O'Grade Qualifications

Denny High School
Sharon MacfarlaneSenior Analyst