What Exactly Is a Business Analyst, Anyway?
To start things off; let us state that, if you where to ask ten distinct HR Professionals what a Business Analyst is, which you'd likely get about 10 distinct answers. Well that's basically the problem the emerging field of "Business Analysis" is facing. So, to get a little clarity on the matter, let's begin by dividing all analysts to the two main categories; business (non-technical) and specialized. These can be the two main divisions within the title. This is not to say that you is not able to or sometimes necessary to work on each side of the fence. This just goes to demonstrate just how perplexing the name "Business Analyst" really is.

The first side of the very wide coin is the company side. This is those professionals that apply a particular methodology to supply solutions that increase the worth of a company or a business.

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

Many occasions analysts are hired to not just find the problems but to also supply solutions. This is a completely different role than a project supervisor. As a general rule a business will acquire the help of a professional or a firm to tackle a specific issue or problem that it's facing. The analyst will then visit the business, collect information, apply methodologies and principles, and generate a solution. Currently a requirements analyst will evaluate the needs and requirements (this may or may not be contained in the solutions initially provided). This information is then passed to a Project Manger. The PM will then follow their methodologies that are proven and techniques to generate the final product on budget and on time, hopefully.

Fundamentally to describe what a business analyst would be, we have to spell out the work that a business analyst does. Since it is irrelevant if the title is business analyst, process analyst, requirements analyst, operations analyst, business systems analyst, systems analyst, advisor, programmer/analyst, etc; the only thing that makes an analyst an analyst is the systematic approach to problems and solutions through classified methodic principles.

Just a few of these characteristics of a BA is that the analyst;

• Works with businesses to identify development opportunities within processes or operations
• Gathers, files, and assesses requirements and needs a business may have
• The BA solves problems that companies have
There are various organizations that make or stick to accepted standards of training in the discipline of business analysis. One of which will function as the agency of the International Institute of Business Analysis another would be the Object Management Group. These organizations will adhere strictly to specific methodologies that if correctly used will lead not only the analyst, but their clients, to an effective result regardless of current situations.

Methodologies may vary greatly depending upon the disciplines of the specific analyst or firm. No single methodology is right or wrong; nevertheless keep in mind that there are several well defined collections of disciplines that may be verified using a simple internet search. When an analyst asserts to use a specific system or discipline, check out.

So just to sum everything up, a business analyst is basically defined as someone who performs certain tasks to make your business easier. Like it has been said earlier, in case you have a problem with your car, you find a mechanic. In case you've got a issue with your health, you find a physician. If you've got a issue with your business, you locate a company analyst.



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