What is BA and what BA's do ?

What is BA and what BA's do ?  

Business analysis is the application of knowledge, skills, tools and techniques to:  Determine problems and identify business needs, identify and recommend viable solutions for meeting those needs; elicit, document, and manage stakeholder requirements in order to meet business and project objectives; Facilitate the successful implementation of the product, service, or end result of the program or project.

Business analysis is used to identify and articulate the need for change in how organizations work, and to facilitate that change. As business analysts, we identify and define the solutions that will maximize the value delivered by an organization to its stakeholders. Business analysts work across all levels of an organization and may be involved in everything from defining strategy, to creating the enterprise architecture, to taking a leadership role by defining the goals and requirements for programs and projects or supporting continuous improvement in its technology and processes.

The Business Analyst is an agent of change.  BAs have the specialized knowledge to act as a guide and lead the business through unknown or unmapped territory, to get it to its desired destination. The value of business analysis is in realization of benefits, avoidance of cost, identification of new opportunities, understanding of required capabilities and modeling the organization. Through the effective use of business analysis, we can ensure an organization realizes these benefits, ultimately improving the way they do business.

Job titles for business analysis practitioners include not only business analyst, but also business systems analyst, systems analyst, requirements engineer, process analyst, product manager, product owner, enterprise analyst, business architect, management consultant, business intelligence analyst, data scientist, and more. Many other jobs, such as management, project management, product management, software development, quality assurance and interaction design rely heavily on business analysis skills for success.

The skillset and expertise needed for the Business Analyst Role:

·         Analytical Skills

·         Business and Industry Knowledge

·         Communication Skills, including strong business writing and verbal communication skills

·         Conflict Management

·         Creative and Critical Thinking

·         Cultural Awareness

·         Decision Making

·         Facilitation

·         Familiarity with multiple project and development methodologies

·         Influence

·         Issue Management Skills

·         Leadership Skills

·         Learning Skills

·         Negotiation Skills

·         Organizational Skills

·         Political Awareness

·         Presentation Skills

·         Problem Solving

·         Systems Thinking

·         Technical Awareness

·         Ability to work effectively in a team