The Role of the Business Analyst Barbara Craib BLCraib@gmail.com 757 274 4233 (Cell)
Why have Business Analysts? Leverage value from investment in technology Further exploit existing technology and information
Need for change…. Technology Business Drivers New Technology Obsolescence Innovation New Technology Innovation Efficiency Expectation Investment
Business Analysts - benefits Know your business Identify opportunities and understand constraints Use coherent tools and techniques – better development Articulate and prioritize requirements Inform evidence based decision making Improve end-to-end processes
When to bring in the BA? Strategic planning End-to-end from concept to capability Lifecycle management SDLC Concept Planning Requirement Analysis Design & Develop Integration and Test Implementation Ops & Maintenance Projects Create Select Plan Manage
Overlap of skills Systems Analyst Project Manager Requirements Manager Risk Manager Benefits Manager Change Manager Business Process Design Management Analyst Communications
Business Analyst … advocate Represents the Technology Community in the Business arena Represents the Business Community in the Technology arena
Business Analyst - skills Business Understanding Observation, listening and thinking Communication Bigger Picture – beyond organizational boundaries Look ahead – Strategic planning horizon Problem Solving – IDEAS
Business Analyst… understands Nature of the problem… impact on the business Underlying issues Relationship between problems Interdependencies Opportunities Constraints Outcome People Process Information Technology
Business Analyst… understands Benefits and outcomes $$$$$$$$$$ and ROI – Don’t forget the numbers! Value and Cost Risk vs benefits Contingency Planning Business Continuity Management Efficiency – greater profitability Effectiveness – better product/service
Business Analyst – roles Ensure benefits and outcomes become reality Problem solving What-if / scenario planning – Issue Prevention As-is analysis Evidence collection and analysis Understand problems and visualize opportunities IDEAS - solutions To-be development IDEAS – options Business Case development
BA Perspective – Requirements Strategic Alignment Business Need based…. Convert from ‘I Want Now’ Evidence based Outcome focused - why? Prioritized Packaged/phased options
BA Perspective – Testing Validation – does it meet the needs of the business? As articulated in the Requirements Functional – does it work? Does it interfere with anything else? Can the User achieve……..?
BA Perspective– Implementation Holistic perspective People Process Information Technology Post Implementation Review Opportunities Lessons Outcome People Process Information Technology
Primary Role of a Business Analyst Leverage value from investment in technology Deliver outcomes and Benefits
The Role of the Business Analyst Barbara Craib BLCraib@gmail.com 757 274 4233 (Cell)