Understanding What Business Analysis Is: Business Analysis Definition
/ Stephanie FamuyideBusiness analysis has developed into a core business practice in a bid to link a firm’s capabilities with its objectives.
The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) has significantly helped in providing a clear definition of business analysis as a combination of tasks and techniques that aids stakeholders in understanding the structure, operations and policies of their organization. IIBA offers a series of recommendations on how BAs can support organisations in meeting their business needs.
Conducting effective business analysis involves carrying out the following key steps:
- Classifying the problems and opportunities affecting the organisation
- Eliciting constraints, assumption and business needs from stakeholders
- Analysing the needs of stakeholders in order to outline business requirements
- Assessing and substantiating probable and realistic solutions
- Managing the scope of requirements
Some comment that in today’s intricate business environment, the business analysis discipline has evolved from work that was previously cut out for project managers. Indeed, the argument also holds that in many organisations, it is difficult to establish a clear-cut difference between project management and business analysis. Others have likened the techniques used in business analysis with those used in systems analysis. Business analysis techniques however, focus more on business goals than technology design. The business analysis discipline is designed to deliver an understanding of user groups and the general business environment.
The importance of the business analysis discipline is also recognised when solving business problems. Business Analysts seek opportunities to help stakeholders strategize the implementation of effective processes, structures, and technology to complement and improve their work.
Business analysis is considered to be very closely linked to software development in the sense that most software development approaches are designed by developers of software to facilitate building effective applications—Business Analysts often have to adopt the software development approaches of the projects they embark on. Examples include Agile/Waterfall approaches, to mention a few.
There are few things in life more daunting than hunting for a new job. Heart palpitations while in front of a panel of interviewers and trying to present yourself in the best possible light is difficult enough as it is, even without knowing that you’re just one of dozens—if not hundreds—of candidates.
One possible reason workplace conflicts are so common is the inability of people who are responsible for handling them to deal with conflicts as well as they should. What are some of the most important conflict-resolution strategies and techniques that managers and non-managers alike can use to avoid conflicts at the workplace? Here's a list that every BA can learn from.
The role of business analysts can be aligned with agile practices in a way that benefits everyone involved. BAs who have been recently thrust in an agile environment should familiarize themselves with the principles and practices of agile, and go the extra mile to develop competencies that go beyond what is expected of them on traditional or waterfall-based projects.
A blog visitor contacted me last week and wanted answers to some questions relating to business analysis. Here's an excerpt of my response. If there's any question you would like answered, please leave a comment below and I'll try to get your response out as soon as I can!
Here we go...
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that American employers will need about 876,000 business analysis-related professionals by 2020. The demand for business analysts is clearly here, but the question is, who will take the best jobs?
Dale Turner, an American songwriter and rock musician, once said that some of the most memorable lessons we will ever learn are from past mistakes. As a new BA, there’s a world of possible mistakes though not all mistakes need to be made if they can be anticipated and prevented. Here are some examples of common mistakes every BA should be aware of and avoid:
Words are a lens to focus one’s mind – Ayn Rand
Business Writing is extremely important for almost all professions. Effective communication involves deciding when it is appropriate to send an email, organize a meeting or prepare a presentation. Whatever the case, business writing is extremely important to becoming a successful professional. Here are some free course materials online you can use to improve your writing skills:
“90% of how well the talk will go is determined before the speaker steps on the platform.” – Somers White
Explore this list of free courses to prepare for your next presentation.
I’ve received several enquiries from Software Developers who want to move into the business analyst field. What are the challenges in accomplishing this and how can they be overcome? How can a software developer successfully become a business analyst without being drawn back to their former role whenever the company nears some big deadline and needs developers quickly? This article addresses key career transition questions that developers should have answers to.
Businesses that make decisions without proper rules in place to guide their decision-making are much more likely to miss achieving their goals. To avoid this, companies hire dedicated business rules analysts.
Let’s take a closer look at the role of a business rules analyst and what exactly business rules are.
Possibly the best way to leverage the ability of business analysts in an Agile development environment, such as Scrum, is to have the business analyst assist the product owner.
Leadership is about motivating people to act in ways that help to achieve shared goals and objectives. In eliciting and managing requirements, business analysts encounter numerous opportunities to display their leadership skills and influence the decisions that are made throughout the course of the project.
If you are interested in building or improving on your leadership skills, the following courses provide an avenue for achieving this.
There are some free courses that BAs can take advantage of to improve their negotiation skills and fulfil their roles effectively.
Interested in improving your communication skills this year?
Take advantage of this compilation of courses from Coursera to improve your communication skills.
In this article, we clarify the role of enterprise architects and explain how Bas and EAs can effectively work together.
One of the big changes that have come with the International Institute of Business Analysis' release of BABOK Version 3 is the introduction of 4 levels of BA certifications that BAs may pursue based on their competencies. They are:
Conflicts are bound to arise when people with different views and different backgrounds work together. There is hardly any profession where people do not work in teams or groups where conflicts are inevitable. No matter how hard one tries to get used to the differences in their teams, the probability of conflicts is always there. Be it a corporate or a sports unit/team, all have, at one time or the other, had to face conflict.
The idea of a business analyst wearing multiple hats is certainly important in ensuring that requirement definitions identified at the beginning of a project do not get lost along the way. One of the key strengths a business analyst possesses which needs to trickle down to other sections of the business is their understanding of business requirements.
New business analysts should consider improving in the following areas in order to improve at their work. This article discusses some key areas to focus on.
Mistakes on the job are bound to happen. What’s most important however, is to learn from these mistakes by educating yourself or changing your approach. This piece provides information on categories of mistakes and how you can rise above each one on your way to becoming a well-rounded professional.
Getting a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree is highly recommended though it is not a prerequisite to becoming a successful business analyst. It can certainly benefit business analysts from different backgrounds.
Let’s check out why going for an MBA might be a step forward in the right direction.
One of the most commonly asked questions from aspiring business analysts is how to apply for BA jobs without any work experience. In the field of business analysis, experience of any form, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, counts and should be emphasized
The work of a business analyst and system analyst differs greatly in relation to the set of skills required although there may be some overlap between the two.
Though the benefits of business analysis may seem obvious, the reality is that most companies do not fully appreciate how their businesses can be helped by analysis and the improvements that can arise as a result.
Business analysis has developed into a core business practice in an attempt to link a firm’s capabilities with its objectives.
This is one of the most common questions I get asked: "How do I get into Business Analysis?". This post contains an answer to this question that I hope will work for you.
This article discusses a possible career path (one of many) that Business Analysts may choose to consider. If you have been working as a Business Process Analyst in particular, you may want to consider the Business Process Manager role which allows you to supervise Business Process Analysts.
Negotiation is a fact of life. It is essential in everyday business situations and even in resolving personal conflicts. In an ideal world, you would win every negotiation you undertake. Whilst this may not be possible every single time, the following tips will ensure you are prepared and successful the majority of the time. Guest Post By Steve Brown
Convincing stakeholders of a certain course of action and gaining their cooperation is easier said than done. Whether you’re bargaining for more project resources or negotiating requirements with stakeholders, only the most honest and transparent strategies can help you win. Guest Post by Steve Brown.
Picture Attribution: “Group Of Business People At Work” by photostock
To remain significant as a business, you need to make existing processes efficient and lean. Of course, processes are inherent in every organization, but they can be cumbersome and not achieve their set goals if not executed the right way or you don't have the required resources to spearhead process change efforts. Guest Post By Owen McGab Enaohwo