Christonikos Zonafos

Business Analyst

Project Manager

Christonikos Zonafos

Hi there, I'm Christonikos Zonafos, an Athens-based business analyst and project manager who started off as a software developer.

I'm also a comic enthousiast, an amateur photographer, a husband and a father.

I care for business value.

Starting from the initial vision I build a relationship of trust with the client and the development team, ensuring that the product created remains relevant from inception to completion and adds value to business operations.

Striving for continuous self-improvement, I’m a Certified Agile Scrum Product Owner (ASPO, EXIN), Certified Test Manager (CTAL-TM, ISTQB®), Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE-FL, IREB®), and Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB), with an active Secret Classification Clearance (ΑΠ-NS-EU SECRET).

My business areas of expertise are Document Management, Publication Workflow, Statistical Production, and Fintech. Still, being a problem solver and taking on complex initiatives with increased responsibilities has resulted into a skillset transferable to any industry.

What I Do

Requirements Engineering

I perform requirements elicitation, documentation and management for systems combining the IREB stendards with some out-of-the-box thinking.

Analysis & Design

I perform analysis of systems facilitating workshops, analysing needs and requirements, followed by system design preparing the system or feature specifications (UML/BPMN/Use Cases).

Quality Assurance

I proofread documentation, create and execute test plans for functional, non-functional, integration, and regression coverage, and apply best practices which evole according to the lessons learned.

Project Management

I keep projects within scope, identify and manage risks, create project plans, accurately report on the progress, manage teams according to project needs, ensure smooth stakeholder interaction, resolve conflicts, and respect contractual obligations and KPIs.

Mentoring

I help colleagues to identify their desired career path, prepare material to lessen their weaknesses, guide them on appropriate trainings, support them on their day-to-day activities, and empower them to own their work and their success.

Process Improvement

I've established a BACoE through which business analysts are exposed to all the activities expected of a BA and acquire solid business and methodological knowledge. They have been carrying on projects successfully, addressing difficulties as a group but also handling project issues on an individual level, thus increasing the collective level of service.

Moreover, I'm always close to the needs of the clients, ready to identify points for improvement in their established workflows.

Clients

What I Do The Rest of The Time

Photography

I like capturing moments and depicting thoughts. I've held an excibition in the past, "Athens: A Year of Contradictions", and I also expose myself in my photoblog.

Comics

I maintain a large comic collection and a never-ending love for exploring more of this medium. Having found good friends that share my passion, we founded LEFIC (Greek Comics Club) and support both our hobby and the comic production in Greece ever since. I've also put my name in a couple publications as a researcher and translator.

Crafts

I was always into crafts and arts, but my little daughter is making me push my limits with different materials and techniques. Sunday crafts is becoming a tradition in our home.

Travel

No better way to appreciate the world around us than visiting it!

Resume

Years of Experience

Experience

2021 - Current

European Dynamics SA

Project Manager

In charge of multiple projects in the fields of Statistical and Publication Production. Activities include scope definition, stakeholder and team management, risk management, contractual negotiations, ordering, budgeting, and reporting.

2018 - Current

European Dynamics SA

Business Analysis Manager

I formed the Department’s BACoE, established a training process inducing the IREB®, ISTQB®, and IIBA® guidelines, and increased team’s competence and ability to take over more complex projects. I manage IT Consultants handling multiple systems, I provide business analysis lead with best practices and recommendations, hire new IT Consultants (Product Owners, Business Analysts, and QA Testers) and guide them to take over project activities for operating with autonomy.

2012 - Current

European Dynamics SA

Business Analyst

Performing the function of Business Analyst, Senior Business Analyst, Lead Requirements Engineer, Product Owner, Lead Test Analyst, or deputy Project Leader, depending on the specific project.

2014 - 2020

European Dynamics SA

Technical Manager

I provided technical lead to a team of 6, guiding the rest of the team on technical and procedural aspects, implementing the overall project planning, representing the team in client meetings, and maintaining the business documentation in close cooperation with the Project Manager. I also acted as a Scrum Master for a team of 5.

2012 - 2015

European Dynamics SA

Senior Software Developer

.NET developer extending system’s functionality, performing data migrations, and training junior developers introduced to the team.

2009 - 2012

Systemic

Software Developer

.NET developer, working on Systemic's Risk Management Solution.

2006 - 2009

IBM Hellas / Datamation

Software Developer

XML developer, working on the Banking Solution (IRIS – Deposits) of the National Bank of Greece (NBG).

Certifications

2021

EXIN

Agile Scrum Product Owner (ASPO)

2020

ISTQB®

Certified Tester, Advanced Level – Test Manager (CTAL-TM)

2020

International Six Sigma Institute™

Certified Six Sigma Green Belt (CSSGB)

2019

ISTQB®

Certified Tester, Foundation Level (CTFL)

2015

IREB®

Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE-FL)

2014

SAP

Business Objects Certified Professional Crystal Reports XI (BOCP-CR XI) - Level 1

2013-2028

National – NATO – European Commission

Secret Classification Clearance (ΑΠ-NS-EU SECRET)

Education

2006

The University of Glasgow

MSc in Information Technology

Major in Software Systems. Award from SAAS.

2004

The American College of Greece

BSc in Business Administration

Major in Computer Information Systems; High Honors Degree.

Business Analysis Skills

Requirements Engineering

95%

Functional Analysis

90%

Functional Design

90%

Quality Assurance

85%

Facilitation

90%

Management Skills

Scope Definition

90%

Stakeholder Management

80%

Team Management

90%

Risk Management

75%

Negotiation

75%

Time Management

90%

Reporting

80%