Business Analyst

dublingirlu

Is anyone here a Business Analyst? If so can ye describe what a typical day/week would entail?
I am currently working in IT (past 10 years) and have a degree with a busines component and I am interested in perhaps going down the route of Business Analyst. I would be interested in doing some kind of a part time or evening course relating to Business Analyst

ibstar

I work as BA, but from a Business side rather than IT. Would also like to find out hat the BA's in IT do, as this is the route I would like to take.

Eoin

It can vary quite a lot - due to the industry, the employer, the seniority of the role etc. I think it's an interesting area; there's room for people from very different backgrounds and with different skill-sets. Some BAs are quite technical and will write very detailed specs for developers to work against; some might be closer to product managers who will be more commercially focused.

In the software world, the BA is typically the person who is the link between the techies and the stakeholders/end-users etc. Off the top of my head, you could be doing any and all of these types of things:

A lot of research: what the competitors are doing, market trends, technical trends, user requirements, commercial needs, organisational best practices, workshops, focus groups and so on.

Requirements: you might have to define what will make a project successful, or you could be given that target and told to write the requirements that meet them.

If you're working closely with a software development team (e.g. in a SCRUM team), you'll be validating what the developers have written and comparing it to the exit criteria you defined earlier on.

Design: you might do mock-ups for a new application / website / mobile app

If you're more on the consulting side, you could be designing new processes, workflow, systems etc for a client or maybe a department in your company.

BAs are sometimes externally facing, so you could be presenting to clients, partners, stakeholders etc (this often overlaps with product management).



I'm certain there's a ton of stuff I've left out; so maybe check out some job descriptions on the likes of irishjobs.ie - that might give you a better idea.

ABajaninCork

I've worked as a BA in a previous life (many moons ago!). As a BA I've been involved in process and change management, as well as many of the functions described by Eoin.

It can also involve elements of Financial Analysis.

Mrs OBumble

You might like to have a browse thru this website: http://www.iiba.org/

Thsi organiation assembed a work called the BA-BOK (body of knowledge) as the BA's version of the PMI's PM BOK, and is getting a lot of acceptance as a certifying organisation for BAs.

x43r0

I worked as a BA in the IT function within a large investment bank when I started out after college. I was placed in a project team so the day to day work involved defining system processes and putting them into diagrams, drawing use cases, developing requirements and grouping them in a logical manner such that the PMs can plan the development lifecycle better and the development team can understand and implement them to a degree of quality that satisfies the stakeholders and sponsors

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

You might like to have a browse thru this website: http://www.iiba.org/

Thsi organiation assembed a work called the BA-BOK (body of knowledge) as the BA's version of the PMI's PM BOK, and is getting a lot of acceptance as a certifying organisation for BAs.

The IIBA have an entry level exam for BAs called the CBAP. That might be worth your while looking into. I studied for it myself and found the material pretty ok to get into - not overly technical. I didn't take the exam though as I went down the project management career path instead

ibstar

Thank you all for the helpful replies. Very much appreciated.

I've been looking at BA Certs in different places like sureskills & businessanalyst.ie
Coming from a Business background BA (Sales analysis, contract and resource analysis, risk analysis, BA support etc) which is all predominantly numerical tracking and reporting, is there much chance for me to get into BA in IT?
I've acquired some IT related Certs eg. SQL basics, VBA, Digital Marketing, Google analytics.As well as other soft skills Certs related to BA. Also I have used a lot of different software packages such as Oracle Hyperion DB and CRM.All this was done in my own time, and I continue to move towards my interest in IT as well as BA in IT.
Currently I support BAs in IT consulting. Tracking their work, contracts (policies and numerical work).
Another question that arises, should I try and move into BA IT asap, before my CV becomes predominately BA for business rather than IT?

*Upd* Just found my answer here to anyone interested in BA career. http://www.iiba.org/Careers/Business-Analyst-Career-Road-Map.aspx

Mrs OBumble

x43r0 wrote: »

The IIBA have an entry level exam for BAs called the CBAP. That might be worth your while looking into. I studied for it myself and found the material pretty ok to get into - not overly technical. I didn't take the exam though as I went down the project management career path instead

CBAP involves far more than just passing an exam - it's a programme which requires experience, sign-off from a suitable person (eg career maanger), professional development, and passing the exam. IMHO the exam is the easiest bit.

OP, get talking to the BAs whose work you are currently supporting. Let them know of your interest, and see if there's any way they can involve you in aspects of their projects. The best way in to a BA role has always been through relationships - because intelligent listening, communicating and thinking is the core of what a BA does no matter what particular tasks they are involved in.

ibstar

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

CBAP involves far more than just passing an exam - it's a programme which requires experience, sign-off from a suitable person (eg career maanger), professional development, and passing the exam. IMHO the exam is the easiest bit.

OP, get talking to the BAs whose work you are currently supporting. Let them know of your interest, and see if there's any way they can involve you in aspects of their projects. The best way in to a BA role has always been through relationships - because intelligent listening, communicating and thinking is the core of what a BA does no matter what particular tasks they are involved in.

note taken