What Exactly Is a Business Analyst, Anyway?




To start things off; let's say that, in case you where to ask ten different HR Professionals what a Business Analyst is, which you'd likely get about 10 distinct answers. Well that's basically the problem that the emerging field of "Business Analysis" is facing. So, to find just a little clarity on the matter, let us begin by dividing all analysts to the two main categories; company (non-technical) and specialized. These can be the two main divisions within the title. This is not to say that you isn't able to or sometimes necessary to work on both sides of the fence. This just goes to prove how confusing the name "Business Analyst" really is.


The first facet of this very broad coin is the company side. This will be those professionals who employ a specific methodology to provide solutions that increase the worth of an organization or a business.

The opposite side of this coin is going to be the IT or Technical side. Now, this side has a basic use of implementing specific methodologies to provide "technical" solutions to problems, which increases the capability of the company, which in turn increases the value of a business. Confused yet? OK, moving on.

Many times analysts have been hired to not only find the problems but to also supply alternatives. This is a completely different role than a job supervisor. As a general guideline a company will acquire the services of a professional or a company to address a particular issue or problem that it's facing. The analyst will then go to the company, collect information, apply principles and methodologies, and create a solution. At this time a requirements analyst may assess the needs and requirements (that may or may not be included in the solutions initially provided). This information is then passed on into a Project Manger. The PM will then follow their methodologies that are proven and methods to generate the final product on budget and on time, hopefully.

Fundamentally to describe what a company analyst is, we have to describe the job that a business analyst does. Because it doesn't matter if the name is business analyst, process analyst, requirements analyst, operations analyst, business systems analyst, systems analyst, consultant, programmer/analyst, etc; the only thing which makes an analyst an analyst is the systematic approach to issues and solutions through predefined methodic principles.

Only a Couple of these characteristics of a BA is the the analyst;

• Works with businesses to identify development opportunities in procedures or operations

• Gathers, documents, and analyzes requirements and needs that a company may have

• The BA solves problems that companies have

There are different organizations that create or adhere to accepted standards of training in the discipline of company analysis. One of which are the certifying agency of the International Institute of Business Analysis another would be the Object Management Group. These organizations will adhere strictly to specific methodologies that when properly used will lead not only the analyst, but their clients, to a successful outcome regardless of present situations. Methodologies can fluctuate greatly based upon the areas of the particular analyst or business. No single methodology is wrong or right; nevertheless do keep in mind that there are several well defined collections of areas that may be verified with a simple online search. When an analyst asserts to use a particular system or discipline, check out.

So merely to sum everything up, a company analyst is essentially defined as somebody who performs particular tasks to make your business easier. Like it's been said earlier, in case you have an issue with your car, you find a mechanic. In case you've got a problem with your health, you find a doctor. If you've got a problem with your business, you find a company analyst.


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