WHO, WHAT and HOW of a Business Analyst

If someone mentioned the term or rather the designation , “ Business Analyst “ in front of you, you might have a vague idea what it may mean, since we hear it so often nowadays ( some may not even have a vague idea ! ) , while few may know what really goes on in the life of a Business Analyst. It is expected that only the people actually working in such a designation, may be aware of the exact meaning and work duties of the designation, ‘Business Analyst’.

It could then be worth shedding light on the basic questions that are generally asked about the work of a Business Analyst. These basic questions that arouse curiosity in the mind about the work of a Business Analyst are:

WHO IS A BUSINESS ANALYST? / WHAT IS REQUIRED TO BE A BUSINESS ANALYST? / HOW DOES A BUSINESS ANALYST WORK?

THE WHO PART: BASIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE DUTY OF A BUSINESS ANALYST:

The basic idea of having a Business Analyst in the company from the employers’ point of view is to have a smooth bridge between the client of the company and the technical team which works for the client. The Basic job of a Business Analyst is to understand the client’s need from a managerial point of view and then draft them (the needs) into a format that the technical team will understand. The technical team then does the work as understand and talks to the Business Analyst for any problems or issues that crop up in the area of work and so the Business Analyst should be able to resolve them quickly, and with consultation with the client, if needed at times.

THE WHAT PART: BASIC REQUIREMENTS OF A BUSINESS ANALYST:

From the above, it is established that it is essential that a Business Analyst should be knowledgeable about both the client’s expectations from the project and the technical team’s view of doing the project. He should ideally be an engineer and then a Management graduate, having done both these disciplines of study from good reputed institutes. Only then can ideally, and usually, companies expect a high degree of success from the Business Analyst in his work.

THE HOW PART: HOW DOES A BUSINESS ANALYST WORK?

BASIC DUTIES OF A BUSINESS ANALYST:

When a Business Analyst works on a project given to his company by the client, he has to be aware and update himself with the business of the client , its workings, laws, policies, working process and the systems used in the client’s business, and in particular his company. After an overview of these, he understands the client’s requirements of the project and then briefs his technical team about these client specifications. The technical team then works on the project and delivers the solutions under the Business Analyst’s supervision. After successful execution of the system in test and live conditions, the project is completed to the client’s satisfaction.