What Exactly Is a Business Analyst, Anyway?



To start things off; let's state that, in case you where to ask ten different HR Professionals exactly what a Business Analyst is, which you'd probably get about 10 distinct answers. Well that's basically the problem that the emerging field of "Business Analysis" is confronting. So, to find just a little clarity on the topic, let us begin by dividing all analysts to the two major categories; business (non-technical) and technical. These will be the two main branches within the name. This isn't to say that one is not able to or on occasion necessary to work on both sides of the fence. This only goes to prove how perplexing the name "Business Analyst" really is.


The first facet of this very broad coin is the business side. This is those professionals that employ a specific methodology to provide solutions that raise the worth of an organization or a small business.

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

Many times analysts are hired to not just find the problems but to also provide solutions. This is a very different part than a project supervisor. As a general guideline a business will acquire the services of an analyst or a firm to address a specific issue or problem that it's facing. The analyst will then go to the company, collect information, apply methodologies and principles, and create a solution. At this time a requirements analyst will assess the needs and requirements (this may or may not be contained in the solutions initially supplied). This information is then passed on into a Project Manger. The PM will then follow his/her proven methodologies and methods to produce the final product on budget and on time, hopefully.

Basically to describe what a company analyst would be, we have to spell out the job that a business analyst does. Because it doesn't matter whether the name is business analyst, process analyst, requirements analyst, operations analyst, business systems analyst, systems analyst, advisor, programmer/analyst, etc; the sole thing which makes a analyst an analyst is the systematic approach to issues and solutions through predefined methodic principles.

Only a Couple of the characteristics of a BA will be that the analyst;

• Works with businesses to identify development opportunities in procedures or operations

• Gathers, files, and analyzes needs and requirements that a business may have

• The BA solves problems that companies have

There are different organizations that create or adhere to accepted standards of practice in the discipline of company analysis. One of which would be the certifying agency of the International Institute of Business Analysis another could be the Object Management Group. These associations will adhere strictly to certain methodologies that if correctly used will lead not merely the analyst, but their customers, to an effective outcome regardless of current scenarios. Methodologies may vary greatly based upon the areas of the particular analyst or business. No single methodology is wrong or right; however do keep in mind that there are several well defined collections of disciplines that may be verified with a simple online search. When an analyst claims to use a specific system or subject, check out.

So merely to sum up everything, a company analyst is basically defined as somebody who performs certain tasks to make your business better. Like it's been said before, if you've got a problem with your car, you find a mechanic. If you have a issue with your health, you locate a doctor. In case you've got a problem with your business, you find a company analyst.


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