PLANNING TO TRANSITION TO A BUSINESS ANALYST MUST READ TO SUCCEED

Transitioning to a new role can be a daunting task. It might sound overwhelming in the beginning, but the path becomes simpler with planning and guidance. The hardest part of any journey is the start. Once you gain the courage to start, then it becomes a smooth sail.

The Business Analysis field is an ever-growing area with a plethora of opportunities. This field has seen transition from multiple sectors, domains, industries, and job roles. Business Analysis is not a title; it’s a way of working, and anybody with the right skill set and mindset can become a Business Analyst.

A few years ago, there was nothing as “Business Analyst” or “Business Analysis,” people were ignorant about the importance and need of this role in the projects.

Knowingly or unknowingly, many people still perform some Business Analysis work in their existing roles as this role has overlapping responsibilities with Sales, Business, Tech, Development, etc.

This article is for anyone who is planning to Transition to a Business Analyst and looking for that starting point, below are the Top 10 pointers to keep in mind before moving to this role:

1.    Is this for me?

Before undertaking a transformation, make sure that this role fits within your area of interest and strength. One can indulge in self-retrospection by asking these questions:

• Do I like to solve problems?
• Do I like dealing with different stakeholders?
• Do I like analyzing the processes?

Business analysts must integrate both technical and soft skills and be adaptable to     

change. So, brace oneself for an ever-resourceful career that is kept alive with cross-team       

collaboration and teamwork.

2.    Understanding Business Analysis and Business Analysts

Business Analysis is the act of establishing what problems/opportunities exist and what tools/solutions can be used to address them. It’s not just about statistics or processes, but about improving processes with the right choices and delivering value to the stakeholders. A BA’s goal is to make sure that the requirements are realistic, achievable, and business-oriented.

3.    Learning Business Analysis terminologies, skills, tools, and techniques

Get adapted to BA terms like BRD, FRD, UML, user stories, and SWOT analysis. Get used to process modeling, gap analysis, and stakeholder management. Jira, Confluence, MS Visio, or Balsamiq will also help you ease your daily work. Having a basic understanding of these areas allows you to build the necessary confidence required to take on the role.

4.    Skills I have vs. skills I have to develop

Retrospect what skills you already possess – your transferable skills such as communication, critical thinking, and stakeholder management and measure them with the essential BA skills such as data analysis, process modeling, and requirement specification. This will give you an idea of the gap.

5.    Domain Crush

It is important to know about the domain you love. BAs can spread themselves out in domains such as banking, health care, retail, IT, or any other. If you have worked in any such domain in the past, utilize the knowledge obtained. If not, then the best option would be to choose a domain of interest and enroll in courses or try projects in those domains.

6.    Business Analysis Certifications and Their Importance

Certifications such as the CBAP (Certified Business Analysis Professional) or the Agile Analysis Certification (AAC) do assist in building credibility. They also offer a curriculum to follow and expose you to the industry’s standard approaches and frameworks. It is not always a requirement to have a certification but in very competitive job markets it is a strong advantage and assists in career advances within an organization.

7.    Finding the right mentors

Guidance acts like a light in the dark, look for mentors who can share insights based on their industry experience. Networking plays a crucial role in building an ecosystem of like-minded people.

8.    Transition Cost

Be aware of how long, how much, and how hard the effort of transition would be. A transition into the BA role takes time and is difficult because there are many courses, and certifications to be completed. At the same time be optimistic about the growth prospects in the BA field in the long run.

9.    5 years from now, 10 years from now

Set out milestones where you anticipate being in the next five and ten years. The role of      

BA can be extended to more advanced roles like that of Business Architect, Product Owner,  

or even a Project Manager. Knowing this will help you focus on a long-term vision when

making career choices and learning.

10.  Roadmap Planning

Prepare a structured roadmap detailing the portions, and areas of courses, certifications,    

skills, or even projects that you would like to pursue to have a smooth transition. Have

timelines for the goals and review the plans regularly. This roadmap will help ensure

no time is wasted and all the efforts are directed towards the right direction.

Conclusion:

Moving to a Business Analyst position is a good career option but one requires planning prior to applying for this position. Through the study of the role, skillset assessment, appropriate accreditations, and mentoring, it is possible to manage this shift smoothly.

Start your Business Analysis Journey now by clicking the below link:

https://bit.ly/3Y3G5TW