The role of the IT Business Analyst
In this article we will discuss the role of the IT business analyst. The IT business analyst identifies and documents the business needs of an organization and translates them into technical requirements. They work closely with stakeholders to understand their requirements and then work closely with the technical team to design a solution and help the team get the clarity to know what to implement.
The role of the business analyst can be many depending on the organization. Some IT business analysts work directly with clients and help deliver client facing applications, some work with only internal stakeholders and internal solutions, some work on backend application improvements and others on only implementation and digital transformation projects. So within the IT space there is still a lot of variety for the IT business analyst.
2. The skills and qualities required
Business analysts must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills. They must be able to understand complex business problems and translate them into technical requirements. They must also have excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
Some of the top skills employers are looking for in a business analyst are:
- Requirements elicitation
- Documentation
- SQL
- Multitasking skills
3. Training and qualifications for IT business analysts
There is no one specific route to becoming an IT business analyst. This article explains how to break into business analysis.
Many have a background in computer science or engineering. Others may have a business background and have gained the relevant technical skills through work experience or further study. There are a number of professional qualifications that can help you such as the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certification from the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA).
Watch this video for more on BA certs.
4. The challenges faced by IT business analysts
Business analyst is a challenging role. You have to welcome change to be able to excel in this role. IT business analysts may find it difficult to gain a clear understanding of business requirements. They may also face pressure to deliver projects on time and within scope. Additionally, they may need to manage stakeholders with competing demands.
A great way to stay productive in this role is to keep track of all the competing demands from different stakeholders and to facilitate conversations with the team to make sure there is always shared understanding.
5. The future of the IT business analyst role
The role of IT business analyst is expected to grow in popularity in the coming years. This is due to the increasing importance of information technology in businesses. As businesses become more reliant on technology, they will need more business analysts to help them identify and solve problems.
For more helpful tips on how to start your career watch this video