Comments on: What are your tips for becoming a business analyst?

By: Meena

Meena — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:58:31 +0000

Hi Laura, This site was referred to me by my sister and It is great so far. I am now a 4.5 yrs experienced mainframe programmer. But looking to change career into Business analysis.I have had opportunities to talk to users directly and find what they need successfully even though I am a developer. I think I am just having difficulty facing a new interview for a business analyst position when I have not been a BA before even though I am experienced in IT. Do you have any suggestions? I have not written any functional requirements document before.

Your answer would really help me face my fear. Please help. Thanks!
Meena.

By: DEFINITION

DEFINITION — Thu, 28 May 2009 10:45:11 +0000

LEVERAGING MY ANSWER ON MY PERSONALPATH TO BEING A B.A., I HAD A FIRST DEGREE IN ACCOUNTANCY AND FINANCE, A SECOND DEGREE IN HRM, MY FIRST JOB AS A CALL CENTRE EXECUTIVE. I MOVED FROM THIS POSITION TO A TRADE PARTNER(DISTRIBUTORS) ADMINISTRATOR AND LATER TO THE ROLE OF A B.A. I HAVE ALSO TAKING SHORT COURSES IM MARKETING AND MANAGEMENT. HOWEVER, ONE OF MY SELLING POINT FACING THE INTERVIEW PANEL IS MY BROAD KNOWLEDGE AREAS AND A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF THE ORGANISATIONAL PROCESSES DUE TO MY EXPERIENCE IN CUSTOMER RELATIONS, SALES AND DISTRIBUTION UNIT.
I AM OF THE OPINION THAT A B.A. NEEDS TO LEVERAGE ON BROAD SPECTRUM KNOWLEDGE, GOOD INTER-RELATIONAL SKILLS, COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT SKILLS.

By: Sanjin

Sanjin — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:51:32 +0000

It’s great that you’re writing this book! I’m a young professional who is looking to get into this field. This book would be very helpful. I can’t wait until it comes out. So far I’ve been taking formal training, sponsored by my employer.

By: Mike Ramm

Mike Ramm — Sun, 17 May 2009 16:26:08 +0000

I started as a software developer in small companies where there were only developers and we had to do all the tasks necessary to develop a software product. So, some of us had the “duty” to talk to the customers and find what it is they really wanted and how they wanted it.

My first “official” BA job was an assignment no one asked me for. My bosses decided that my technical skills are not so valuable for the company but at the same time there was nobody to fill the BA position, so they put me there as I was the least important person in the company.

Fortunately, I did my job well and my team mates started to understand the value of my role, which was to a big surprise to my bosses.

I haven’t got the chance to take a formal education at that time so I was a self-learner and my advice to the new BAs is:
- think about the customer’s business;
- try to put yourself in their shoes;
- do not think about how the solution will be implemented, just think what is the most appropriate solution for that particular customer;
- ask questions, ask a lot of questions.

By: David Smith

David Smith — Fri, 08 May 2009 10:29:45 +0000

My career path was 8 years in Industrial Sales, followed by a short spell as a Cobol/SQL Developer. I then went to work for a major supermarket (in the Business) before the IT Department was brought back in-house. At that point I didn’t have any experience of the ‘technical’ side of the role (e.g. eliciting requirements, writing specs, managing projects) but I did have transferrable ‘soft skills’. I’ve since spent 7.5 years working as a BA.

On the ‘hard side’ I would recommend Process Modelling and Use Cases. I believe that the ‘soft’ skills are equally if not more important. Communication Skills, Time Management, Facilitation and Elicitation Skills.

I agree with Doug – find a good mentor/coach who you can comfortably ask the ‘stupid’ questions.