1 Year at OJ for Rachael: From Paper to Digital

It’s hard to believe, but I’ve officially hit my one year milestone at the Olive Jar digital consultancy and what a journey it’s been! From day one, I’ve been deep in the world of NHS transformation, helping bring paper-based tools into the digital age. As a Business Analyst, I’ve had the privilege of turning scribbled notes and printed charts into future-ready digital experiences. (Oh, the days of squinting at the MEWS chart for hours!)

Milestones I’m Proud Of:

• Spearheading the digitalisation of the Maternity Early Warning Score tool (MEWS)—taking it from a paper chart to a functional prototype with proper clinical and UI requirements (wireframes, process map and all!).

• Crafting MoSCoW-prioritised specifications that actually made sense (and survived stakeholder meetings, victory!).

• Becoming the unofficial UI whisperer when there’s no designer, you get creative, and somehow, I started loving it.

• Collaborating with researchers, content designers, and BAs to build meaningful tools that align with NHS guidelines and actually make clinicians’ lives easier.

Personal Growth and Proud Moments:

Before I started, I knew my BA skills would help but this year taught me that clarity, empathy, and grace under pressure are just as crucial. From user research sessions to feedback loops that seemed endless (but were worth it), I’ve grown more confident in my ability to lead with structure and heart.One of my proudest moments? Seeing a prototype land well with clinicians who usually hate new systems. That “this will save time” nod is everything!

Projects That Made an Impact:

Working on the MEWS tool has been a highlight. It wasn’t just about making it digital—it was about getting it right for Trusts that are already digitally mature and need an alternative to paper. More importantly, to help reduce human error, and putting patient saftey as priority! It’s been a balancing act between clinical accuracy, usability, and practicality but nothing beats hearing, “This is exactly what we needed.”

Moments of Real Support:

There were definitely times I wondered if I was in too deep (hello, first requirements workshop!). But my team always had my back from brainstorming sessions where no idea was too “out there,” to mentors who reminded me that perfection isn’t the goal progress is.Whether it was a midweek check-in, a shared laugh during a review call, I’ve truly felt part of a team that celebrates humans, not just deliverables.

Looking Ahead:

Year two? I’m ready. More tools to digitalise, more clinicians to empower, and definitely more wireframes to sketch. And maybe just maybe I’ll finally stop HEARING, OR SAYING, “just one more edit” on a spec doc.Here’s to the past year of growth, grace, and good vibes and to everything still to come!