Business Analyst Competencies - Expected vs Reality

Simplify defined, based on Wikipedia,

A business analyst is someone who analyzes an organization or business domain and documents its business or processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology. Business Analyst helps in guiding businesses in improving processes, products, services and software through data analysis. 

Though business analyst has become a vague term nowadays, the different related roles that circulating in the job market are but not limited to Business Systems Analyst, Systems Analyst, Requirements Engineer, Process Analyst, Product Manager, Product Owner, Enterprise Analyst, Business Architect, Management Consultant, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Analyst/Scientist, Financial Analyst and so on. As I ventured and still venturing through different roles in my career life, I found the top-level management to regard business analysts as the Business and Project SMEs. The more hierarchically downward you go, the more the role gets somewhat refined and the business analyst is considered more as a Project Coordinator, heavily expected to carry out all sorts of project related documentations.

Over the years of striving to emerge as a Rockstar Business Analyst, I have been asked by several aspirant business analyst about what they require to succeed. Though I have not yet fulfilled my success criteria of a Successful Business Analyst, I somehow gained perspectives on some approaches that can be adapted to at least take the step towards that accomplishment. I have summarized these approaches in three categories: Quick-Win, Moderate-Win and High-Achiever. Please note that my idea is based on the current market trends and based only on my understanding, feel free to do some research on your own before finalizing your goal plan.

Quick-Win Approaches:

• Start with basics: Get a good understanding of business analysis methodologies, techniques and tools. This will help you build a strong foundation for further learning.
• Networking: Connect with people in the industry and attend industry events to get a better understanding of what the current market trends are.
• Get certified: Obtain certifications such as CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or CCBA (Certification of Competency in Business Analysis) to show your commitment to the profession.

Moderate-Win Approaches:

• Gain practical experience: Find opportunities to work on real-life projects to gain practical experience in the field.
• Learn from others: Seek out mentors and professionals who have been in the industry for a while and learn from their experiences.
• Specialize in a specific domain: Choose a specific domain, such as finance or healthcare, to specialize in and gain in-depth knowledge of that industry.

High-Achiever Approaches:

• Continuous learning: Stay updated with the latest trends and advancements in the field of business analysis by attending workshops, seminars and reading industry publications.
• Lead projects: Take the lead on projects and take ownership of the project outcomes to demonstrate your leadership skills.
• Contribute to the industry: Share your knowledge and experiences with others by writing articles, blogs or speaking at industry events.

Remember, success as a business analyst is not just about achieving quick wins or obtaining certifications, it's about continuous learning and growing as a professional. Be open to feedback and embrace new opportunities to learn and grow in your career.

As for the competencies, I took the liberty to highlight some reality checks based on perspectives that got developed along my career span.

Expected Competencies:

• Business Acumen: Business Analysts should have a good understanding of business operations and be able to identify and evaluate potential business opportunities.
• Problem Solving Skills: Business Analysts should be able to analyze complex business problems and develop effective solutions to resolve them.
• Data Analysis Skills: Business Analysts should have strong data analysis skills, including the ability to extract and interpret data from various sources, such as spreadsheets and databases.
• Communication Skills: Business Analysts should be able to communicate complex ideas and solutions to stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.
• Project Management Skills: Business Analysts should be able to manage projects from start to finish, including planning, execution, and monitoring and controlling.

Reality:

• Business Acumen: In reality, many Business Analysts lack a deep understanding of the business operations, leading to ineffective solutions and missed opportunities.
• Problem Solving Skills: While some Business Analysts possess excellent problem-solving skills, others struggle to develop effective solutions, often due to a lack of experience and training.
• Data Analysis Skills: Although data analysis skills are essential for Business Analysts, many lack the technical knowledge and skills to effectively extract and interpret data.
• Communication Skills: While effective communication is critical for Business Analysts, many struggle to articulate complex ideas and solutions to stakeholders, leading to misunderstandings and ineffective solutions.
• Project Management Skills: Business Analysts may have limited project management skills, leading to ineffective project planning and execution, missed deadlines, and inadequate results.

While Business Analysts are expected to possess a set of competencies, the reality is that the level of competency varies. Companies should invest in training and development programs to help Business Analysts improve their skills and competencies, to ensure they are able to effectively carry out their role and deliver high-quality results.