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The Responsibilities of a Hybrid Business Analyst
These days, corporations are under exceedingly greater pressure to refine their processes, increase productivity and efficiency in their operations, and maximize the return on any investment they make – and quickly!
With all of these expectations mounting, it comes as no surprise that when a company enlists the help of a Business Analyst to assist their team and take the lead on these somewhat daunting initiatives, they’re usually on the lookout for a candidate who comes with a rich, diverse background and a unique skill set that can be leveraged to satisfy a range of needs.
The Value Business Analysts Bring to Software Projects
Change is inevitable. And when it comes to technical improvements in software that helps businesses with their everyday operations, there are changes happening all the time. Software created these days is sleeker, faster, more user-friendly, and more efficient than ever before.
When the time comes for a company to update its outdated software or systems, it’s extremely valuable to have a Business Analyst engaged. The BA will ensure that the new software that’s replacing the old system meets all of the current and future needs of the business and is a smart investment for the company.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the value that BA’s bring to software projects.
The Importance of Case Studies
Case studies are, arguably, one of the most essential components of any marketing or communications strategy. They may take time and effort, but the payoffs are well worth their effort and have been seen time and again, from organizations both big and small.
As Business Analysts, we’re often involved in creating or contributing to case studies, so it is important we understand what they are, the purpose they serve, and the benefits that they can bring.
How to Create A Business Case with the SARIE Method
When making a large investment in our lives, we very often evaluate our current situation, explore options, and weigh the value or benefits that the investment will bring. When purchasing a new home or a car for example, we will often do so because our current home or car is too small/big or possibly too old. We weigh factors like the cost of maintenance, commute to work/friends/family, etc. When considering a new one, we look at the features and the pros and cons it will bring with it. Finally, upon purchase, many of us will look at the outcome and consider or confirm if this was the best option.
This is, essentially, the same process that companies now undertake to justify investment in a new project – theirs is just a little more complex. It’s become common practice for businesses to want to understand the value of an investment before they allocate funds, time, and efforts toward it. And why wouldn’t they? No one wants to invest in a project that is not thought through or is doomed to fail. So we must create a plan to support the solutions we’re going to propose.
To do so, we need to create a Business Case.
Before Proposing Solutions, Identify the Problem
In our previous article, we looked at ways that Business Analysts generate value for organizations. Whether approaching scenarios as a problem solver or strategist (or both!), BAs can help action-based companies improve efficiency, optimize procedures, and streamline processes so they can meet their goals.
For most of us, when we’re faced with a problem, our first instinct is to apply a solution as quickly as possible. And for some issues, that may work just fine. But in the business world, to find real and sustainable solutions to problems, you’re very likely going to need to dig a little deeper to identify the core issues that need to be addressed.
How To Generate Value As A Business Analyst?
As I always say, a Business Analyst is a change agent. Ultimately, they help their organization in making change. And while innovation was essential to organizations prior to 2020, it’s safe to say that the past few years have been a time of rapid change.
Having been thrown into a pandemic that shook whole businesses, economies, and the lives of literally everyone on Earth, companies were forced to adapt and innovate, to come up with solutions quickly.
Top Business Analyst Certifications
As the business analysis market continues to heat up, many Business Analysts are vying for ways to stand out amongst the crowd and because of this, BA certifications have become a hot commodity.
Types of Business Analyst Roles
The responsibilities and skillsets of a Business Analyst across organizations vary greatly. In the past, the BA role was often seen as optional, but now Business Analysts are viewed as integral team members in an organization, flexible and highly valued for their impressive ability to utilize a wide range of skills and solve business problems. But with all of this variance, and the fact that many organizations use the same titles to describe roles with drastically different responsibilities, what a BA is or does isn’t always clear.