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{{Short description|Person who analyses and documents a business}}
{{Short description|Person who analyses and documents a business}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2018}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2018}}
A '''business analyst''' (BA) is a person who processes, interprets and documents business procedures, products, services and software through analysis of data.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Business Analysis? {{!}} IIBA® |url=https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/career-centre/what-is-business-analysis/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.iiba.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=What is a business analyst? A key role for business-IT efficiency |url=https://www.cio.com/article/276798/project-management-what-do-business-analysts-actually-do-for-software-implementation-projects.html |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=CIO |language=en-US}}</ref> The role of a business analyst is to ensure business efficiency increases through their knowledge of both IT and business function.<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=B. |first=Hass, Kathleen |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/819807719 |title=The Enterprise Business Analyst : DEVELOPING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX BUSINESS PROBLEMS |isbn=978-1-56726-349-7 |oclc=819807719}}</ref> Some tasks of a business analyst include creating detailed business analysis, budgeting and forecasting, planning and monitoring, variance analysis, pricing, reporting and defining business requirements for stakeholders.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=What is a BA |url=https://businessanalystsolutions.com/what-is-ba/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Business Analyst Solutions |language=en-GB}}</ref> The business analyst role is applicable to four key areas/levels of business functions – operational, project, enterprise and competitive focuses.<ref name=":1" /> Each of these areas of business analysis have a significant impact on business performance, and assist in enhancing profitability and efficiency in all stages of the business process, and across all business functions.
A '''business analyst''' (BA) is a person who processes, interprets and documents [[Business process|business processes]], products, services and [[software]] through analysis of [[data]].<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=What is Business Analysis? {{!}} IIBA® |url=https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/career-centre/what-is-business-analysis/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=www.iiba.org |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=What is a business analyst? A key role for business-IT efficiency |url=https://www.cio.com/article/276798/project-management-what-do-business-analysts-actually-do-for-software-implementation-projects.html |access-date=2022-05-13 |website=CIO |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[role]] of a business analyst is to ensure business [[efficiency]] increases through their knowledge of both [[Information technology|IT]] and [[business function]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=B. |first=Hass, Kathleen |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/819807719 |title=The Enterprise Business Analyst : DEVELOPING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX BUSINESS PROBLEMS |isbn=978-1-56726-349-7 |oclc=819807719}}</ref> Some tasks of a business analyst include creating detailed [[business analysis]], [[budgeting]] and [[forecasting]], planning and monitoring, [[variance analysis]], pricing, reporting and defining business requirements for [[Stakeholder (corporate)|stakeholders]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=What is a BA |url=https://businessanalystsolutions.com/what-is-ba/ |access-date=2022-04-14 |website=Business Analyst Solutions |language=en-GB}}</ref> The business analyst role is applicable to four key areas/levels of business functions – [[Business operations|operational]], [[project]], [[enterprise]] and [[Competition|competitive]] focuses.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Fleigher |first=Craig S. |url=http://worldcat.org/oclc/824734026 |title=Business and Competitive Analysis : Effective Application of New and Classic Methods |last2=Bensoussan |first2=Babette E. |isbn=0-13-308640-2 |oclc=824734026}}</ref> Each of these areas of business analysis have a significant impact on [[Business performance management|business performance]], and assist in enhancing [[profitability]] and efficiency in all stages of the business process, and across all business functions.<ref name=":4" />

== Role ==
Business analysis is defined by the [https://www.iiba.org/ International Institute of Business Analysis (IIAB)] as "a disciplined approach for introducing change to organisation"<ref name=":2" /> through [[management]], processing, and [[Data Interpretation|interpretation]] of data in order to "identify and define the solution that will maximise the value delivered by an organisation to its stakeholders". <ref name=":2" />

A business analyst's job description tends to include "creating detailed business analysis, outlining problems, [[opportunities]] and solutions for a business, budgeting and forecasting, planning and monitoring, variance and analysis, pricing, reporting, and defining business requirements and reporting back to stakeholders".<ref name=":3" />

There are many business activities which the business analyst is involved in. Some areas in which business analysts can have an important role are in [[financial analysis]], [[quality assurance]], [[training]], business policy and procedures, [[Organization development|organisational development]] and solution testing.<ref name=":1" /> More specifically, business analysts are required to use the data which is gathered for the purpose of analysis and interpret greater meaning for the business.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fosso Wamba |first=Samuel |last2=Akter |first2=Shahriar |last3=Edwards |first3=Andrew |last4=Chopin |first4=Geoffrey |last5=Gnanzou |first5=Denis |date=2015-07 |title=How ‘big data’ can make big impact: Findings from a systematic review and a longitudinal case study |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.12.031 |journal=International Journal of Production Economics |volume=165 |pages=234–246 |doi=10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.12.031 |issn=0925-5273}}</ref> This can then be used to improve business performance through identifying areas for potential growth, [[cost reduction]], understanding [[Consumer behaviour|customer behaviour]], and observing economic trends and forecasts, and then reacting appropriately.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Park |first=Joon |last2=Jeong |first2=Seung R. |date=2016-08-31 |title=A Study on the Relative Importance of Underlying Competencies of Business Analysts |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.3837/tiis.2016.08.031 |journal=KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems |volume=10 |issue=8 |doi=10.3837/tiis.2016.08.031 |issn=1976-7277}}</ref><ref name=":3" />

Successful business analysts should influence the business environment by providing reliable guidance in decision making for the future through observing data which reflects the [[Behavior|behaviour]] of the business in the past.<ref name=":1" /> Business analysts are essential at all levels of a business, as both [[tactical]] and [[Strategy|strategic]] planning require analysts who help with "incremental improvements to products, business processes, and application".<ref name=":1" />


==Areas of business analysis==
==Areas of business analysis==
Due to the range of applications a business analyst can have, there are specific areas in which they can function. Kathleen B. Haas describes the requirement of business analysts in four areas of business – [[operations]] focus, [[project]] focus, [[enterprise]] focus, and [[Competition|competitive]] focus.<ref name=":1" />
There are at least four types of [[business analysis]]:

# [[Business developer]] – to identify the organization's business needs and business' opportunities.
# Operations focus – business analyst are able to use [[big data]] to analyse the way in which a business's operations are impacting the ability of the business to generate [[business value]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Fosso Wamba |first=Samuel |last2=Akter |first2=Shahriar |last3=Trinchera |first3=Laura |last4=De Bourmont |first4=Marc |date=2019-09-12 |title=Turning information quality into firm performance in the big data economy |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/md-04-2018-0394 |journal=Management Decision |volume=57 |issue=8 |pages=1756–1783 |doi=10.1108/md-04-2018-0394 |issn=0025-1747}}</ref> Business analysts add value to the operational level of a business by enabling efficiency to be maximised through [[Cost reduction|cost cuts]], [[investing]] in better equipment, improving employee efficiency, and increasing production of popular products.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Radeschütz |first=Sylvia |last2=Mitschang |first2=Bernhard |last3=Leymann |first3=Frank |date=2008 |editor-last=Mertins |editor-first=Kai |editor2-last=Ruggaber |editor2-first=Rainer |editor3-last=Popplewell |editor3-first=Keith |editor4-last=Xu |editor4-first=Xiaofei |title=Matching of Process Data and Operational Data for a Deep Business Analysis |url=https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-1-84800-221-0_14 |journal=Enterprise Interoperability III |language=en |location=London |publisher=Springer |pages=171–182 |doi=10.1007/978-1-84800-221-0_14 |isbn=978-1-84800-221-0}}</ref>
# [[Business model|Business model analysis]] – to define and model the organization's policies and market approaches.
# Project focus – when a business analyst takes charge of a project, areas that are historically overlooked are more likely to be considered carefully<ref name=":1" />. The business analyst has an essential role in projects, which includes "integrating strategic planning with [[Portfolio optimization|portfolio]] planning for Information Systems and technology"<ref name=":1" />, inclusion of the possible effects of business decisions on future performance, and the use of modelling tools to demonstrate the "as-is" and "to-be" business to all employees across various levels of the business<ref name=":1" />.
# [[Process design]] – to standardize the organization’s [[workflow|workflows.]]
# Enterprise focus – a business analyst who works in this area of a business helps to "optimise development of [[Innovation|innovative]] solutions"<ref name=":1" /> through the use of technology. Activities involved in an enterprise-focused business analyst's job include building current and future [[business architecture]], conducting analyses of opportunities, problems and [[Feasibility study|feasibility]], proposing new projects to build solutions, validating forecasts and assumptions being made, conducting solution assessments and validation, comparing planned and actual results of [[Business plan|business plans]].<ref name=":1" />
# [[Systems analysis]] – the interpretation of [[business rule]]s and requirements for technical systems (generally within IT).
# Competitive focus – the competitive environment is analysed by business analysts "in order to develop a meaningful strategy"<ref name=":5">{{Cite journal |last=Deshpandé |first=Rohit |last2=Gatingon |first2=Hubert |date=1994-07 |title=Competitive analysis |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/bf00993906 |journal=Marketing Letters |volume=5 |issue=3 |pages=271–287 |doi=10.1007/bf00993906 |issn=0923-0645}}</ref> for all areas of a business. One of the main functions of business which this is relevant in is [[marketing]]. By observing consumer behaviour when interacting with a business's products and the products of its competitors, as well as the [[distinctiveness]] of [[Brand|brands]] in the consumer space, information about [[Substitute good|substitutability]] and product performance can be determined. <ref name=":5" />

== Skills and Qualifications ==

=== '''Skills''' ===
According to the IIAB<ref name=":2" />, the skills most important for a business analyst include:

* [[Oral Communication|Oral]] and [[written communication]] skills
* [[Facilitation (business)|Facilitation]], and [[Interpersonal relationship|interpersonal]] and consultative skills
* [[Analytical thinking]] and [[problem solving]]
* Being detail-oriented and capable of delivering high level [[Accuracy and precision|accuracy]]
* Organisational skills
* Knowledge of [[business structure]]
* Stakeholder analysis
* [[Requirements engineering]]
* [[Cost–benefit analysis|Cost benefit analysis]]
* Processes modelling
* Understanding of [[IT network assurance|networks]], databases and other technology

These skills are a combination of [[hard skills]] and [[soft skills]]. A business analyst should have knowledge in IT and/or business, but the combination of both of these fields is what makes a business analyst such a valuable asset to the business environment. As a minimum standard, a business analyst should have a "general understanding of how systems, products and tools work" in the business environment.<sup>(6)</sup>

Some IT employees may transfer from the area of IT into a business analyst role, as their skills are often applicable in both.

=== '''Qualifications''' ===
There are a number of qualifications that can lead to a career as a business analyst. For example, the '[https://www.bcs.org/qualifications-and-certifications/certifications-for-professionals/business-analysis/bcs-international-diploma-in-business-analysis/ BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis qualification]' provides an internationally recognised qualification. The IIBA also identifies three other key certifications as an association:

* [https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/ecba/ Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA)]
* [https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/ccba/ Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA)]
* [https://www.iiba.org/business-analysis-certifications/cbap/ Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)]

The combination of all these skills and qualifications provides the business environment with deeper understanding into the behaviour of [[Market|markets]], products, competitors, [[Economy|economies]], and operations within and around a business.

== Business Analysts of Note ==
The IIBA is the [[international]] association for business analysts. Through this, business analysts can connect within their [[industry]], learn about further qualifications they can access, and participate in events and programs globally.

Some business analysts of significance include:


* [[George Soros]] – a [[Hungary|Hungarian]] American billionaire investor and [[Philanthropy|philanthropist]],
The business analyst is someone who is a part of the business operation and works with [[Information Technology]] to improve the quality of the services being delivered, sometimes assisting in the Integration and Testing of new solutions. Business Analysts act as a liaison between management and technical developers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.mastersindatascience.org/careers/business-analyst/|title=How to Become a Business Analyst {{!}} Business Analyst Salary|work=Master's in Data Science|access-date=2018-09-06|language=en-US}}</ref>
*   [[Susan Decker]] – an [[United States|American]] [[Businessperson|businesswoman]]
*   Jerry Yang – a [[Taiwan|Taiwanese]] American billionaire [[computer programmer]], [[List of Internet entrepreneurs|internet entrepreneur]] and [[Venture Capitalist|venture capitalist]] who co-founded [[Yahoo!|Yahoo]]!


''For more successful analysts, view any of the following lists:''
The BA may also support the development of training material, participates in the implementation, and provides post-implementation support.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://analizowac.pl/analityk/proces-pracy-analityka-it/|title=Proces pracy analityka IT|date=29 March 2021}}</ref>


*   [[:Category:Analysis|Category:]] [[:Category:Analysis|Analysis]]
==Industries==
*   [[:Category:Financial analysts by nationality|Category: Financial analysts by nationality]]
This occupation (Business Analyst) is almost equally distributed between male workers and female workers, which means, although it belongs to an IT industry, the entrance to this job is open equally both for men and women. Also, research found that the annual salary for BA tops in Australia, and is reported that India has the lowest compensation.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Schreiner|first=K.|date=November 2007|title=The Bridge and Beyond: Business Analysis Extends Its Role and Reach|journal=IT Professional|volume=9|issue=6|pages=50–54|doi=10.1109/mitp.2007.122|s2cid=206469274|issn=1520-9202}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 07:26, 13 May 2022

A business analyst (BA) is a person who processes, interprets and documents business processes, products, services and software through analysis of data.[1][2][3] The role of a business analyst is to ensure business efficiency increases through their knowledge of both IT and business function.[4] Some tasks of a business analyst include creating detailed business analysis, budgeting and forecasting, planning and monitoring, variance analysis, pricing, reporting and defining business requirements for stakeholders.[2] The business analyst role is applicable to four key areas/levels of business functions – operational, project, enterprise and competitive focuses.[4][5] Each of these areas of business analysis have a significant impact on business performance, and assist in enhancing profitability and efficiency in all stages of the business process, and across all business functions.[5]

Role

Business analysis is defined by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIAB) as "a disciplined approach for introducing change to organisation"[1] through management, processing, and interpretation of data in order to "identify and define the solution that will maximise the value delivered by an organisation to its stakeholders". [1]

A business analyst's job description tends to include "creating detailed business analysis, outlining problems, opportunities and solutions for a business, budgeting and forecasting, planning and monitoring, variance and analysis, pricing, reporting, and defining business requirements and reporting back to stakeholders".[3]

There are many business activities which the business analyst is involved in. Some areas in which business analysts can have an important role are in financial analysis, quality assurance, training, business policy and procedures, organisational development and solution testing.[4] More specifically, business analysts are required to use the data which is gathered for the purpose of analysis and interpret greater meaning for the business.[6] This can then be used to improve business performance through identifying areas for potential growth, cost reduction, understanding customer behaviour, and observing economic trends and forecasts, and then reacting appropriately.[7][3]

Successful business analysts should influence the business environment by providing reliable guidance in decision making for the future through observing data which reflects the behaviour of the business in the past.[4] Business analysts are essential at all levels of a business, as both tactical and strategic planning require analysts who help with "incremental improvements to products, business processes, and application".[4]

Areas of business analysis

Due to the range of applications a business analyst can have, there are specific areas in which they can function. Kathleen B. Haas describes the requirement of business analysts in four areas of business – operations focus, project focus, enterprise focus, and competitive focus.[4]

  1. Operations focus – business analyst are able to use big data to analyse the way in which a business's operations are impacting the ability of the business to generate business value.[8] Business analysts add value to the operational level of a business by enabling efficiency to be maximised through cost cuts, investing in better equipment, improving employee efficiency, and increasing production of popular products.[9]
  2. Project focus – when a business analyst takes charge of a project, areas that are historically overlooked are more likely to be considered carefully[4]. The business analyst has an essential role in projects, which includes "integrating strategic planning with portfolio planning for Information Systems and technology"[4], inclusion of the possible effects of business decisions on future performance, and the use of modelling tools to demonstrate the "as-is" and "to-be" business to all employees across various levels of the business[4].
  3. Enterprise focus – a business analyst who works in this area of a business helps to "optimise development of innovative solutions"[4] through the use of technology. Activities involved in an enterprise-focused business analyst's job include building current and future business architecture, conducting analyses of opportunities, problems and feasibility, proposing new projects to build solutions, validating forecasts and assumptions being made, conducting solution assessments and validation, comparing planned and actual results of business plans.[4]
  4. Competitive focus – the competitive environment is analysed by business analysts "in order to develop a meaningful strategy"[10] for all areas of a business. One of the main functions of business which this is relevant in is marketing. By observing consumer behaviour when interacting with a business's products and the products of its competitors, as well as the distinctiveness of brands in the consumer space, information about substitutability and product performance can be determined. [10]

Skills and Qualifications

Skills

According to the IIAB[1], the skills most important for a business analyst include:

These skills are a combination of hard skills and soft skills. A business analyst should have knowledge in IT and/or business, but the combination of both of these fields is what makes a business analyst such a valuable asset to the business environment. As a minimum standard, a business analyst should have a "general understanding of how systems, products and tools work" in the business environment.(6)

Some IT employees may transfer from the area of IT into a business analyst role, as their skills are often applicable in both.

Qualifications

There are a number of qualifications that can lead to a career as a business analyst. For example, the 'BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis qualification' provides an internationally recognised qualification. The IIBA also identifies three other key certifications as an association:

The combination of all these skills and qualifications provides the business environment with deeper understanding into the behaviour of markets, products, competitors, economies, and operations within and around a business.

Business Analysts of Note

The IIBA is the international association for business analysts. Through this, business analysts can connect within their industry, learn about further qualifications they can access, and participate in events and programs globally.

Some business analysts of significance include:

For more successful analysts, view any of the following lists:

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d "What is Business Analysis? | IIBA®". www.iiba.org. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  2. ^ a b "What is a BA". Business Analyst Solutions. Retrieved 2022-04-14.
  3. ^ a b c "What is a business analyst? A key role for business-IT efficiency". CIO. Retrieved 2022-05-13.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k B., Hass, Kathleen. The Enterprise Business Analyst : DEVELOPING CREATIVE SOLUTIONS TO COMPLEX BUSINESS PROBLEMS. ISBN 978-1-56726-349-7. OCLC 819807719.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ^ a b Fleigher, Craig S.; Bensoussan, Babette E. Business and Competitive Analysis : Effective Application of New and Classic Methods. ISBN 0-13-308640-2. OCLC 824734026.
  6. ^ Fosso Wamba, Samuel; Akter, Shahriar; Edwards, Andrew; Chopin, Geoffrey; Gnanzou, Denis (2015-07). "How 'big data' can make big impact: Findings from a systematic review and a longitudinal case study". International Journal of Production Economics. 165: 234–246. doi:10.1016/j.ijpe.2014.12.031. ISSN 0925-5273. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ Park, Joon; Jeong, Seung R. (2016-08-31). "A Study on the Relative Importance of Underlying Competencies of Business Analysts". KSII Transactions on Internet and Information Systems. 10 (8). doi:10.3837/tiis.2016.08.031. ISSN 1976-7277.
  8. ^ Fosso Wamba, Samuel; Akter, Shahriar; Trinchera, Laura; De Bourmont, Marc (2019-09-12). "Turning information quality into firm performance in the big data economy". Management Decision. 57 (8): 1756–1783. doi:10.1108/md-04-2018-0394. ISSN 0025-1747.
  9. ^ Radeschütz, Sylvia; Mitschang, Bernhard; Leymann, Frank (2008). Mertins, Kai; Ruggaber, Rainer; Popplewell, Keith; Xu, Xiaofei (eds.). "Matching of Process Data and Operational Data for a Deep Business Analysis". Enterprise Interoperability III. London: Springer: 171–182. doi:10.1007/978-1-84800-221-0_14. ISBN 978-1-84800-221-0.
  10. ^ a b Deshpandé, Rohit; Gatingon, Hubert (1994-07). "Competitive analysis". Marketing Letters. 5 (3): 271–287. doi:10.1007/bf00993906. ISSN 0923-0645. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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