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What does a Business analyst do?
I am a high school graduate looking a business analysis in a BBA as an option . I would love to know what the profession of a Business analyst with a BBA degree actually does . #business #management
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7 answers
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Matthew’s Answer
DD - a business analyst (BA) will work for a company as an internal consultant. The BA will be assigned to a business or product line to identify problems that they are having and then try to help fix the problems by using other (usually internal) resources.
When I worked as a BA it was for a very large bank in the USA. I was assigned to the trust department and I would analyse their problems and then communicate with the IT department to help create automated solutions to fix the problems identified. We would also see if the automated solutions would create some type of new product or service for the bank's clients that the marketing teams could sell.
I really enjoyed this work and I learned enough to create my own consulting firm as an entrepreneurial business analyst. I have been in business for the last 20 years.
This is a career for people who like to diagnose problems and help people solve them...and who doesn't like that? Right??
Best of luck. I'm sure you will be successful in your career.
When I worked as a BA it was for a very large bank in the USA. I was assigned to the trust department and I would analyse their problems and then communicate with the IT department to help create automated solutions to fix the problems identified. We would also see if the automated solutions would create some type of new product or service for the bank's clients that the marketing teams could sell.
I really enjoyed this work and I learned enough to create my own consulting firm as an entrepreneurial business analyst. I have been in business for the last 20 years.
This is a career for people who like to diagnose problems and help people solve them...and who doesn't like that? Right??
Best of luck. I'm sure you will be successful in your career.
Matthew’s - is right. If you are interested in streamlining the business process and improve the process. You are best fit for BA.
Swarna Pratima Prabandam
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Andrew’s Answer
HI DD,
Depending on the firm you work for, a business analyst position can be a great start for your career.
In my experience, good business analysts have:
1. Analytic mind set
2. Curious / inquisitive nature
3. Ability to understand and analyze business issues (a.k.a. problems)
As with any professional endeavor, you should also have strong communication skills (written, verbal), be a team player and flexible to respond as circumstances change.
Best of luck,
Andrew
Identify which industry appeals to you - analysis may differ from industry to industry
Research those industries that appeal to you to get a good understanding of the work and career options available
Begin to build a network with those who are in your target industries - school alumni is a great starting point to help build a strong network
Depending on the firm you work for, a business analyst position can be a great start for your career.
In my experience, good business analysts have:
1. Analytic mind set
2. Curious / inquisitive nature
3. Ability to understand and analyze business issues (a.k.a. problems)
As with any professional endeavor, you should also have strong communication skills (written, verbal), be a team player and flexible to respond as circumstances change.
Best of luck,
Andrew
Andrew recommends the following next steps:
Updated
PRASANJIT’s Answer
Business analysts assess how organizations are performing and help them improve their processes and systems. They conduct research and analysis in order to come up with solutions to business problems and help to introduce these solutions to businesses and their clients.
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Sam’s Answer
There are different type of business analysts. Typically it needs to have consulting experience, or technical knowledge, for instance, in programming. You will typically have a lot of meetings. So if you are more quiet and work independently, it may not be a career for you. There are times you may have conflict with your team members or program manager, therefore, soft skills are equally important. It always depends on what projects or system the corporations are working or managing to be improved. The great part about working as a BA is that you will develop leadership skills, time management, and ability to manage conflicts. I would say BA is a person responsible for coordinating a project, tracking milestones, and provide recommendations as needed. By working collaboratively, you will be able to support the project or system effectively and meet the deadlines and budget.
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Sarah M.’s Answer
As the others have said, the role of a Business Analyst will vary depending on the organisation, industry, and you!
I'm currently a business/solutions analyst in an Agile team, working in the finance/technology space. Understanding a user story, stakeholder needs, the business goals and the development team and processes all requires a curiosity, to learn and really hear the problems and solutions. Every day is different in this role, and I get to work with a collaborative team to solve customer problems. My role in the team is generally to learn about the customer or business problem, using many and various techniques to elicit requirements, and active listening and communication skills are vital for this. I then communicate that information to the team, developers, and liaise with stakeholders, communicate priorities, impacts and much more. If you like being part of a team solving problems, or analysing process or strategic issues for businesses, then this might be something you explore.
To thrive as a Business Analyst in a delivery team, I think you need curiosity and desire to learn, analytical and communication skills, confidence to question and lead by example, and often patience! You'll continue to learn skills and techniques throughout your career (most BAs I've worked with don't have a degree for business analysis, but have completed many short courses and qualifications as the industry has changed).
I'm currently a business/solutions analyst in an Agile team, working in the finance/technology space. Understanding a user story, stakeholder needs, the business goals and the development team and processes all requires a curiosity, to learn and really hear the problems and solutions. Every day is different in this role, and I get to work with a collaborative team to solve customer problems. My role in the team is generally to learn about the customer or business problem, using many and various techniques to elicit requirements, and active listening and communication skills are vital for this. I then communicate that information to the team, developers, and liaise with stakeholders, communicate priorities, impacts and much more. If you like being part of a team solving problems, or analysing process or strategic issues for businesses, then this might be something you explore.
To thrive as a Business Analyst in a delivery team, I think you need curiosity and desire to learn, analytical and communication skills, confidence to question and lead by example, and often patience! You'll continue to learn skills and techniques throughout your career (most BAs I've worked with don't have a degree for business analysis, but have completed many short courses and qualifications as the industry has changed).
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Mark’s Answer
The job title "Business Analyst" is somewhat over-used and so it can be used to describe a number of different functions.
In an IT or software development environment, a business analyst is the person who documents the requirements for the project. They work with customers/users to understand the problems they are trying to solve with software. They document the features that are necessary in software so that it meets the users needs. They can be viewed as a liaison between the development team and the business users. A good business analyst knows what is possible and what is not and works with their customer to compromise on solutions that fit within the available technology. They will also likely have a hand in testing the software when it is done, to ensure it met the requirements they specified.
In an IT or software development environment, a business analyst is the person who documents the requirements for the project. They work with customers/users to understand the problems they are trying to solve with software. They document the features that are necessary in software so that it meets the users needs. They can be viewed as a liaison between the development team and the business users. A good business analyst knows what is possible and what is not and works with their customer to compromise on solutions that fit within the available technology. They will also likely have a hand in testing the software when it is done, to ensure it met the requirements they specified.
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Elisabeth’s Answer
A business analyst usually is someone who supports the business and looks at data to inform insights, build processes, gain alignment among stakeholders, and progress the business forward towards their goals.