by Business Analysis,
Business Analysis emerged when large software companies found it immensely difficult to respond to the needs of the end users. Some four decades back when programmable computers found their way into our lives, their use was still limited to technicians and operators. Bulky codes were written to operate the machines and get the job done.
With the advent of personal computers, information systems found their way into our homes and became a commodity. And like every other product available on the shelf, consumers got the power to make or break the product. End users were now the general population and their feedback mattered. The focus shifted from getting the job done to improving the user experience. However, the communication gap between the technical team and the non-technical end users proved to be too troublesome. A specialist service was required. A provider who could talk to the users, understand their requirements and communicate them back to the programmers in a language they understand. Enter the Business Analysis service provider.
With time, the purpose of Business Analysis and the expectations associated with the underlying skillsets have evolved. From being described merely as a ‘bridge’, Business Analysis service providers have now evolved into leaders in change initiatives. An excellent business analysis leader would naturally shape ways of working, project/product scope, solution design and delivery approach, rather than just applying existing patterns (Britsch, 2018). Similarly, business analysis as a practice has evolved too. IIBA defines business analysis as “the practice of enabling change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders” (IIBA BABOK V3). Business analysis excellence today is more about understanding the real needs of a organisation and its customers, supporting stakeholders and facilitating delivery teams to attain desired outcomes.
What does it mean to be a BA service provider?
Business analysis can mean very different things depending on how an organisation incorporates it, the service is not strictly defined nor delineated. This often makes it difficult to specify what it means to be a BA service provider. Surely Business Analysis is not just scribing user wants, a sole responsibility of documentation, nor is it meant to be motivational speaking – charging a team through projects. So, what is this service about? What can we expect of a BA service provider and who gets to be titled as an ‘excellent’ service provider?
Business Analysis enables teams to fit information pieces together, explore items under discussion and bring consensus on a clear and common outcome. This makes it apparent that a good grip of tools and techniques would at best make one an ‘ok’ service provider. Don’t not get me wrong, providers also must have a deep knowledge of the continually developing array of available tools and techniques. This is a foundation of the role, however excellence here is based on a mix of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ skills. At the core of what a BA service provider does, and a distinguishing factor is the management of complex and uncertain problems, deriving to valuable solutions, based on a foundation of practice, intellectual property, and continual development. This requires a mindset of high self-awareness and continuous learning which further boils down to two things: cross- discipline learning and cultivating your mind (Britsch, The Digital Business Analyst, 2018).
Becoming an exemplary BA service provider
It is almost essential for a BA service provider to recognise themselves as not the experts but merely the facilitators, as crafters and not creators. This
seemingly insignificant variance plays a key part. It helps avoid conflicts within workshops, fosters trusted relationship with stakeholders and most importantly keeps the BA service provider focused on the core responsibilities. This approach should be at the heart of every BA service provider’s practice.
Additionally, although a BA service provider is not required to have such advance technical knowledge to be able to write a code or design a UX, technical awareness is important to understand what good looks like and be able to effectively communicate it to the technical team. Effective communication is the building block of any team project, and communication relies on common language. Having ample technical awareness enables BA service providers to hold a discussion with broad spectrum of stakeholders. This helps them better understand and convey what the ‘deliverable’ product would look like and highlight any technical concerns that the development team might have around the project.
Good BA service providers who would like to become an excellent BA service provider will continuously strive to polish their practice. Building knowledge and IP, active engagement with the BA industry, maintaining a practice of continual learning keeps one up to date with ‘what’s new’ in the world of business analysis and the tools and techniques that help make sense of complex problems to convey accurate analysis.