Business Analyst

Summary:

A business analyst has an important role to play in the business world. This individual is the one who performs a type of checks and balances for companies so that they may determine their current status as a business entity. A "business analyst" is a role that can mean different things to different people. In some organizations, the business analyst plays a narrow, technically oriented role and has very little "business" knowledge. In other organizations, business analysts have an intimate understanding of the business but a limited knowledge of computer systems and application system architectures. The business analyst is of greatest value to an organization. He is a generalist who can function competently in many diverse roles.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• A business analyst is an individual who works with the management of a company in order to help them do a better job of organizing the company and making it as profitable as it possibly can be.
• The business analyst will use a variety of methods to make this possible.
• The business analyst must review the data of a company as well as their current work habits and make suggestions for doing a more efficient job.
• Business analysts are also responsible for training employees from time to time and developing standards and procedures for the work force to follow.
• At the end of their training sessions and analysis, they will provide the company with a detailed report of how the company is doing and what it should be like in the future.
• The business analyst has many general responsibilities as well as specific duties to be performed on a daily basis in order to complete their role to the best extent possible.
• The first thing a business analyst must do when they obtain a client is to meet with the pertinent parties, including management and employees, who are necessary to the successful completion of the analysis.
• They will interview the individuals and determine whom they are dealing with and what areas need to be addressed the most.
• Once the business analyst has met with the initial parties, they must then analyze important data related to the business such as business records, operating manuals, business guides and other pertinent documents.
• Upon the analysis of the pertinent data collected, He/She has to take decisions pertaining to further company proceedings which might be of the following.
• The Business Analyst is a crucial role in creating and maintaining the strategic partnership between Business needs and Technology delivery in an agile development environment.
• The Business Analyst will be responsible for developing business requirements related business rules based on Business Group needs.
• The Analyst will work closely with the Business Partner and Business Subject Matter Expert(s) in the definition, testing, training, implementation, and support of functional requirements.
• The Analyst will identify requirements via industry standard analysis techniques such as data flow modeling, workflow analysis, and functional decomposition analysis.
• The Analyst will solicit requirements through interviews, workshops, and/or existing systems documentation or procedures.
• The Analyst will participate in daily stand-up meetings with both Technology and Business Partners to facilitate the understanding, clarification, and implementation of requirements in an agile development environment.
• In general, the role will include the creation/revision of the following analysis artifacts and deliverables:
  1. Process Maps.
  2. Business Requirements.
  3. Business Rules.
  4. User Flows.
  5. User Stories.
  6. Acceptance Test’s.
• The business analyst should also be clear and concise in their teaching and mannerisms.
• The business analyst is one who not only has to review the documentation and come up with solutions but they will have to hold the training sessions and make presentations regarding their findings.
• A business analyst must perform a report at the end of their role in the company analysis which shows what steps of improvement were taken as a result of the analysis and anything further the management of the company must take into their own hands to ensure that the company is in the best state possible.
• It is important that the business analyst covers every part of the analysis and is sure to pick out any possible problems so that the situation can be remedied and the company can be the best business possible.
  
  
  

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• Such individuals typically have a broad educational background, a diverse skill set and a wide range of work experience in different jobs and industries.
• They should be able to see the big picture as well as the technological and architectural barriers and enablers.
• Business analysts must be comfortable working with "specialists" in diverse roles, which enables to understand the business from many diverse perspectives.
• He/She must posses a college diploma or university degree in software engineering, computer science, or business administration.
• Minimum of 5years of experience in the related field with an organization is mandatory.
• Strong facilitation skills will be an added advantage.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills will be the prime factor in choosing the candidate.
• Problem solving skills and must be willing to tackle new challenges.
• Team effectiveness - Sharing Knowledge/ information relevant to others, standing in for a team member when he/she is in need.
• Drive for results - Finding solutions to problems despite constraints, setting priorities, demonstrating high levels of energy in pursuing problems, setting high performance standards.
• Ability to communicate ideas in both technical and user-friendly language will be an asset to an individual for this position.