The lesser-known profession of business analyst in IT
A day in the life of a business analyst:
The result of a business analyst's work is documentation in various forms: specifications, user stories, etc. The knowledge base that the analyst creates as a result of his or her work increases the level of certainty for both the customer and the development team. Both parties understand what will be done, how it will be done, in what order and what the end result will be.
- Online or offline meetings with the client and the development team;
- Working with analysis tools (charts, spreadsheets, documents, etc.);
- Researching the industry;
- Writing specifications and other documentation;
- Consulting with programmers, testers, designers and other members of the development team;
- Communicating using messengers and email.
The result of a business analyst's work is documentation in various forms: specifications, user stories, etc. The knowledge base that the analyst creates as a result of his or her work increases the level of certainty for both the customer and the development team. Both parties understand what will be done, how it will be done, in what order and what the end result will be.
As the name of the job suggests, a business analyst's job is to analyse and understand the business. He is responsible for identifying, synthesising and analysing information from various external and internal sources within the company: tools, processes, documentation. By discussing the collaboration with customers, their main needs and problems are identified. In simple terms, the business analyst is always caught between two fires. On the one hand, the customer whose problem needs to be solved. On the other hand, the development team that needs to clearly articulate the problem. In the Magenta Favorita Portugal blog, we will talk about IT careers. Today is the first article in this series.
Essential functions and job outcomes
A Business Analyst studies the customer's business area and business processes. This helps determine what needs to be done to satisfy the customer's request. The customer's view of the problem and the business analyst's view of the solution are often different. Based on the results of discussion and study, the business analyst may propose a solution that is radically different from the customer's view. This is one of the most important professional skills of a business analyst - to offer the customer what he really needs, not just what he wants. Business analysts are also part of the team at Magenta Favorita IT. After agreeing the software requirements with the customer, the business analyst has to analyse them, break them down into structural elements, describe them and communicate them to the development team. The programmers, in turn, can make their comments and suggestions. The final result, agreed with the client, may change slightly, but it will still meet the client's basic requirements.
Essential functions and job outcomes
A Business Analyst studies the customer's business area and business processes. This helps determine what needs to be done to satisfy the customer's request. The customer's view of the problem and the business analyst's view of the solution are often different. Based on the results of discussion and study, the business analyst may propose a solution that is radically different from the customer's view. This is one of the most important professional skills of a business analyst - to offer the customer what he really needs, not just what he wants. Business analysts are also part of the team at Magenta Favorita IT. After agreeing the software requirements with the customer, the business analyst has to analyse them, break them down into structural elements, describe them and communicate them to the development team. The programmers, in turn, can make their comments and suggestions. The final result, agreed with the client, may change slightly, but it will still meet the client's basic requirements.
General Portrait
The Business Analyst is the link between the business and the development team. He or she should have a good understanding of both the business and the technical side, i.e. how to turn business ideas into a software product. Usually, a business analyst is a mature person who can communicate with customers of different levels on an equal footing.
Often, business analysts in IT are people who were not previously associated with the field: finance, logistics, healthcare and others. It is a common practice for IT positions to move from testing to business analysis. Such specialists are very detail-oriented. It takes between three months and a year to move into business analysis. It depends on the person's background, knowledge and experience. If his work was related to the technical side, then less time is needed - three to four months. This job is definitely not for people without a systemic and analytical mindset. Two out of three business analysts at Magenta Favorita Unipessoal LDA came from the IT sector.
The main skills, abilities and qualities required of a business analyst are
The Business Analyst is the link between the business and the development team. He or she should have a good understanding of both the business and the technical side, i.e. how to turn business ideas into a software product. Usually, a business analyst is a mature person who can communicate with customers of different levels on an equal footing.
Often, business analysts in IT are people who were not previously associated with the field: finance, logistics, healthcare and others. It is a common practice for IT positions to move from testing to business analysis. Such specialists are very detail-oriented. It takes between three months and a year to move into business analysis. It depends on the person's background, knowledge and experience. If his work was related to the technical side, then less time is needed - three to four months. This job is definitely not for people without a systemic and analytical mindset. Two out of three business analysts at Magenta Favorita Unipessoal LDA came from the IT sector.
The main skills, abilities and qualities required of a business analyst are
- High level of communication;
- Maturity in communication;
- Understanding of business and IT;
- Concentration;
- Analytical mindset.
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