Who can be a Business analyst ?

Who can be a business analyst, instead we can say what are the qualities should have to be an effective business analyst. Frequently I am facing a question from lot of people “ Am I eligible? Am I fit for BA role? The simple answer is “Yes, you are”, If you have the below qualities.

1. Communication

Business Analyst act as liaison between business stakeholders and technical stakeholders. To bridge this two ends, BA should have effective communication . Business Analyst facilitates the meetings to brainstorm or conduct interviews to get business requirements. Imagine if a business analyst always mumbles, feeling shy and unwilling to hold the face-face meetings. The point is not only about English but it includes,

a. Listening skills

b. Speaking skills

c. Presentation skills

d. Email Etiquettes

e. Coordination skills

2. Problem solving skills

Projects are born from the issue in business or opportunities in business. Either case, BA should able to analyse and provide the best fit solution. It is not possible to solve the problem just like that. It needs lot of brainstorm, critical thinking and analysis. Problem may have many solutions. Business Analyst should able to analyse the solution in multiple dimensions like feasibility of implementation, future requirements, resource, time, capital requirements and so on and pick the best fit for business problem.

3. Good Technical Knowledge

Business Analyst is said to be undesignated project manager or co-project manager. BA faces the customer more than PM and have more knowledge on functionality of project.

Business Analyst need not be a tech lead or tech savvy. It gives some extra benefit over analyzing the requirements in technical prospective along with user prospective. Here technical knowledge means not only about coding, testing, deployment and etc., but also include the knowledge on business analysis tools, project management tools.

4. Critical Attention to Details

Attention to the business people without any other thought is very much important. Every requirement considers with equal importance when the project is in planning phase. Ignoring the single small requirement can scrap the project sometimes.

Details may not be only from business people, sometimes from legacy systems, documents, existing programs and other project stakeholders

5. Business Area knowledge

Business Analyst need not be an SME (Subject Matter Expert) but having domain knowledge will help to articulate the business requirements according to the business compliances. Most of the times BA should answer all the questions from business owners. Without having sufficient knowledge on business domain, it would be difficult to BA.

Conclusion

Anyone with the good rank in above aspects can lead as business analyst. Above all the things mentioned you should ever ready to learn and explore new. Remember, no one born with books in mind. You can be anything if you are ready to take the challenges and execute them with plan.

All the best for career shift…..