A Business analyst and his role in the project

Tough competition for customers and economic uncertainty have caused more and more companies to seek the support of business analysts. Thanks to their experience and narrow specialisation, they are able to derive the most valuable information from available data in order to take the optimal decision for a given company. It is also an excellent bridge between the customer and the business area and the technical specialists.

Who is a Business analyst?

A business analyst identifies the business needs of customers to find and solve any problems while working on a project. In other words, their responsibility is to ensure that the customer is fully satisfied with the product that has been developed for them. In specialised projects, the business analyst also acts as a bridge between technology (specialised team of employees) and business (management and taking optimal decisions in terms of revenue). In this way, the product being developed is better adapted to market needs and brings higher profits.

What are the characteristics of a Business analyst?

Performing the responsibilities of the analyst is not easy. They have an access to a certain amount of data, but must draw the right conclusions from it. For this reason, extensive experience and analytical skills are very important. However, gaining the necessary information is not the end. On this basis, binding business decisions have to be taken, which translate into the final outcome of the entire project. Therefore, a business analyst must exhibit a number of key qualities.

Capacity to communicate

The analyst often combines different areas of a project. On the one hand assesses the requirements of the customer, on the other supervises the work of a specialised team of employees, and finally also has to talk to the management from a financial and business point of view. In the modern, virtual world, interlocutors can come from all over the world and this must not hinder effective communication either. The business analyst not only has to understand what the various parties are talking about, but also enquires and makes sure to be clear about their needs and requirements.

Ability to solve every problem

Some obstacles will arise during any project that are not foreseeable. It is the business analyst’s role to understand and explain the problem to all parties, as well as propose a solution. On difficult technical issues, they usually select people who can facilitate the optimal way out. However, it is up to him to make sure that the problem is solved.

Critical thinking

Good communication also involves some criticality. To properly understand the customer, you need to ask additional probing questions. In this way, real needs and problems can be revealed, making it easier to take key decisions. Critical thinking is also needed when taking optimal decisions.

Ability to take decisions

The business analyst takes many difficult decisions. Although they still report to the Product Owner, they must demonstrate independence in managing the entire project. Especially in the absence of a superior.

Extensive experience

It is needed at virtually every stage of an analyst’s work: reviewing data, talking to customers, communicating with the team, or within a process of taking decisions. Many years of practical experience result in an optimal approach to a project, but also allow a better understanding of the way in which specialists from a given industry work.

What responsibilities does the Business analyst have?

The analyst’s main role is to identify areas in which the company can improve its operations. On the one hand, they maintain contact with customers, making sure that their needs are met and ensuring their satisfaction. On the other hand, they must also know the needs and capabilities of the company in which they are employed. You could say that the analyst is a kind of link, gathering information between departments and a customer. On the basis of this information, they identify issues and propose solutions. Business analysts also help design and modify IT and business systems. They also support architects in the implementation of such a system.

Why it is worth using assistance of the Business analyst?

There are several significant reasons to employ a Business analyst. The most important of these are:

• Making sure that the product meets the customer’s needs and requirements.
• Taking optimal decisions and reducing labour costs.
• Communicating the different areas of the project, in particular the business and technology side.
• Identifying and supporting solutions to problems that may arise.

The business analyst, thanks to interdisciplinary knowledge and experience, helps to direct the work in the right way, reducing costs while increasing product quality.