Am I a Business Analyst

A Business Analyst Defined…

While researching for tonight’s blog, I found myself struggling with the broad definition of a BA. In A Guide to the Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK) a business analyst is defined as an “agent of change,” responsible for changing an organizational context, by defining its needs and recommending solutions. Still, that high-level definition does not fully cover the many variations of business analysts.

As I stated in Am I Business Analyst – Part I, I’m an analyst working with stakeholders using some of BAs tools and techniques. I do not work on an information technology (IT) system, and yet I consider myself a business analyst. More specifically, a “functional” business analyst working directly with business operations stakeholders to procure IT services, products, and business solutions.

Thinking Like a Business Analyst

I initially struggled with writing tonight’s blog. Every BA description seemed to center on possessing highly technical skills. After more research, I noticed one characteristic that every BA across the board should possess: Curiosity

To excel as an analyst, I have to be a problem-solver with unlimited curiosity. My day job involves research, problem-solving, critical thinking, and performing analysis. At times I’m a liaison between stakeholders and vendors. On other occasions, I’m analyzing an organization’s structure, policies, business strategies, and making recommendations that meet those goals.

Am I Business Analyst?

For tonight’s entry, I’ve concluded that I share many core attributes of BA. However, there’s knowledge areas that the BABOK outlines that I want more exposure to. As Miss Business Analysis, I’m satisfied with discovering how to think like a business analyst. My focus is on sharpening my problem-solving skills, building my network of critical thinkers, and sharing my lessons learned with you. That includes sharing my feedback on the Fundamentals of Business Analysis course. My goal is getting the foundations of requirements elicitation, analysis, and case studies…fingers crossed that its met.

Join me Sunday, February 15 for a round up of the “Top 10 Business Analyst Twitter Accounts to Follow”. Do you want your Twitter handle to make the list? Tell me why on my Twitter, Facebook, or the comments box below.

Happy New Year,