The Evolving Role of the Business Analyst

International Institute of Business Analysis The Evolving Role of the Business Analyst August 2008

Our Sponsor – Forte Solutions Group
The IIBA ™ would like to thank Forte Solutions Group for sponsoring our first webinar
www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis With more than 40-years of cumulative experience, Forte Solutions Group is a unique boutique consulting firm specializing in Business Analysis and Initiative Management for Strategic and Project-based initiatives for Commercial and Government sector clients.

International Institute of Business Analysis The Evolving Role of the Business Analyst : Our Next Super Hero! August 2008

Discussion Points
Why Now – the case for Business Analysis?
Who is the Business Analyst?
Where is the Profession Heading?
What does it mean to you?
www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis

Why Now?
The Case for Business Analysis
Global Economy – resources, competition
Right-sourcing – core competencies, supply chain
Integrated Organizations – focus on customer
Just-in-time delivery – no mistakes, reputation
Information Technology Spend – operational, strategic, demographic
Role of Technology – can do anything

Why Now? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis
For many years, organizations have been designing solutions without a clear understanding of the market need, often with many assumptions
Success was hit or miss although the cost of a miss was survivable
With the global economy, increased competition and the availability of many alternatives, consumers have come to expect more - and can choose from a variety of alternatives
The impacts of a mistake can now be very costly
The Case for Business Analysis

Why Now?
When the delivery does not meet expectation

It’s about the Deliverable www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Filled in another hole … Build Implement Definition of need Doesn’t solve the problem Missing Piece Plan Test But it still …

It’s about the Deliverable www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Addressed a BIG gap… Build Implement Plan Test Define Doesn’t Quite fit But it still … The Big Picture Missing Piece

What is Describe and Define?
How an organization works?
Why the organization exists?
What are its goals and objectives?
How does it accomplish those objectives?
How does it need to change to better accomplish those objectives or to meet new challenges?
It is about defining the scope of solutions
www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Describe Define It is about Business Analysis!

What is Business Analysis? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis The set of tasks, knowledge, & techniques required to identify business needs & determine solutions to business problems. Solutions often include a systems development component, but may also consist of process improvement or organizational change. Business Analysis Body of Knowledge ®

What is Business Analysis? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Business Analysis Body of Knowledge ® (BABOK ® ) Knowledge Areas Purpose Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring Determine what we need to do Enterprise Analysis Understand the business problem & scope of possible solutions Elicitation Find out what the real needs of our stakeholders are Requirements Analysis Describe the characteristics & qualities of the solution the meets the stakeholder needs Solutions Assessment & Validation Determine whether a particular solution is right for our stakeholders Requirements Management & Communications Ensure that stakeholders agree on what needs to be delivered

Business Analysis Professional
The Definition
Works as a liaison among stakeholders to elicit, analyze, communicate and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies, and information and information systems
Understands business problems and opportunities in the context of the requirements and recommends solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals
www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Possible revision in BABOK ® V2 Business analysis is the set of tasks and techniques used to work as a liaison among stakeholders in order to understand the structure, policies, and operations of an organization, and recommend solutions in order to enable that organization to achieve its goals

Business Analysis Professional www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Communication Analysis Implementation Skills Consulting Domain Knowledge
Facilitation
Negotiation
Conflict Management
Formal (presentation, documentation)
Logic
Decision Analysis
Process & Data Modeling
Systems Thinking
Relationship Management
Strategic Planning
Coaching Skills
Delegation and Management Skills
IT Knowledge
Process Change
Organizational Change
Quality Assurance
Project Management
Products
Processes
Markets
Systems
Core Competencies

Business Analysis Professional
Performs many roles
Analyst
Facilitator
Negotiator
Artist / Architect
Planner
Communicator
Diplomat
Expert / Consultant
Strategist
Revolutionary

Business Analysis Professional www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Practitioner is a “jack of all trades”, performing multiple roles e.g., business analyst, project manager, tester, etc. Practitioner possesses solid or advanced business subject matter expertise e.g., capital markets Hybrid Practitioner SME or Domain Practitioner Consulting Practitioner Current Flavours Practitioner possesses solid or advanced skills in the enterprise knowledge areas e.g., process, strategy business casing Generalists

Where is the BA Profession Heading? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis
Finance
Consumer Products
Energy
Manufacturing
Construction
Others ….
Product
Software
Infrastructure
Others …
Process
Data
Elicitation
Negotiation
Strategy
Others …
Industry Function Competency
The profession will mature along three axis
Industry
Competency
Function
The Developing Marketplace

Where is the BA Profession Heading? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Centre of Excellence “ Strategic Alignment” Community of Practice “ Support” BA Bureau “ Maturity”

Where is the BA Profession Heading? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Framework Environment Resources Business Alignment Standards & Methodologies Organization & structure Competency/ career development Enterprise Analysis Metrics Governance Training & dev Customer relationships Tools Assessment Team dev Virtual… Knowledge Management

Where is the BA Profession Heading? www.theiiba.org © 2008, International Institute of Business Analysis Age of Product Lines Marketplace Stability Competition Number of Employees Geographic Dispersion Number of Product Lines Marketplace Uniformity
Established product lines & stable markets require limited business analysis
Competitive and developing markets have a critical need for highly experienced generalists and specialists in the competency domain (e.g., strategic, marketplace analysis)
Larger organizations can support higher levels of specialization
Smaller organizations may be more dependent on generalists and hybrid BAs (i.e., possess knowledge across multiple professional domains)
Multiple product lines may require a combination of generalists and highly specialized individuals
Highly specialized industries or niche markets will require specialists
MATURITY SIZE DIVERSITY Organizations need for BAs =  (maturity, size, diversity)

In Conclusion
Demand for BA role is growing because organizations recognize that building a solution is not sufficient – they must understand the needs first
The BA profession will develop along three axis
Industry
Function
Competency
Demand for greater specialization will grow as understanding of the value of the BA and formalization of the role continue
Organizations must understand need to determine the type and maturity of BA required

Next Webinar: September 16, 2008
Understanding the Certified Business Analysis Professional ™ (CBAP ® ) Designation
Tuesday, September 16, 2008, 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. E.D.T.
Presented by Michael Gladstone, CBAP ® , IIBA Vice President, Certification and Chief Information Officer
Discussion points :
What is CBAP ® and what makes it unique?
The need for the CBAP ® designation in today’s business environment
CBAP ® application requirements
To register, go to the IIBA ™ Website at www.theiiba.org

http://www.theiiba.org	1350
http://conalcharles.blogspot.com	21
http://www.innovait.ca	18
http://www.slideshare.net	18
http://www6.theiiba.org	10
http://www2.iiba.org	5
file://	1
http://static.slideshare.net	1

The Evolving Role of the Business Analyst

by Tracy Cook

Accessibility

Categories

Upload Details

Usage Rights

8 Embeds 1,424

Statistics