The importance of a business analyst

Technology advances at breakneck speeds every year. These developments are used by companies around the world. Multi-million dollar companies engage in a “keeping up with the Jones” race to develop new products or better ways to serve the consumer. Sometimes, the bottom line starts to decline. When a trend starts to become normal, there's a problem. This is a time when the company may need to step back and regroup. Even then, trying the same old thing does not produce the desired results. A business analyst can come in and solve problems.

A certified business analyst is trained to recognize problems and come up with solutions. He can listen to what management is saying and turn it into facts and figures that can be incorporated into the project programme. Listening is one of the best traits a business analyst can have.

When a professional business analyst listens, he or she will hear what is being said. They will also hear what is implied. Management may know what the problem is, but not how to solve it in a timely manner. Listening to all parties involved will give the analyst a broader scope of the problem. This may mean meeting with IT staff and other employees. Listening to lower level bands can lead to discoveries that no one knew existed.

The business analyst is removed from the situation, and is an outsider looking in. This does not mean that the analyst must be a stranger. He or she could already be in the organization. It's just that they can look at the project objectively and determine what is a waste of time and what is not. A different perspective is always a fresh start for any program. It is important that we do not follow the same path. It didn't work the first time, so why does it work this time?

It's important to bring in someone with a creative side. A person with good people skills can manage a group of people to motivate them to work. A good business analyst will do this very thing. By acting as a liaison between different teams and departments, a business analyst can keep each unit informed of what is happening. Can delegate duties explaining what needs to be done and why. He or she may allow freedom of expression and allow someone to generate great ideas that may have been discarded in the past.

It can be frustrating to implement a business plan only to discover when it is implemented that it is no longer a viable solution. The business analyst will not allow this to happen. He looks at the end goal and keeps up with changes that may affect the outcome. The ideal business analyst is on top of what is needed and what is needed. He or she can use this information to develop a flexible plan. Instead of Plan B, Plan A will be structured to allow for change or new needs.

The reason why having a business analyst is important is because companies need “what if” people. They are the ones who determine whether a market will change how to incorporate new ways to target it. A business analyst knows if there is a new technology on the market, and how it can help the company. Given a “what if” situation, a business analyst can determine what will or will not work. A professional business analyst can bring a struggling company back to the top.