An interview with Richard Gibson, Redvespa Managing Director
What does a Business Analyst do?
A Business Analyst (BA) helps you stop and think about what you really need to do and asks the hard questions before you invest in a change: What is the problem we are trying to solve? Is this the right project to be doing? Is this the right approach?
Their mission is ‘revolution before solution’ and they function as an impartial filter and researcher. A BA will help elicit the requirements for your project, bring an innovative and disciplined approach to problem solving and help assess the solution. They act as an instrument of change and will help you get the best outcome for your business.
Why do I need a Business Analyst?
If you’re a CEO, CIO or Product Manager and you need to make a change at the business, service, product or systems level, then you need a Business Analyst, to ensure your change is a success.
When is the best time to engage a BA?
At the beginning of the software or product development life cycle, when you’re trying to get your head around the problem and its possible solutions. Get them involved at the pre-concept phase to ensure the right approach to the right piece of work. It’s a mistake to bring in a BA after the solution has already been decided. That’s not when they can add the best value.
What value can a BA add to my business?
Ultimately, a BA helps your project succeed.
They make sure you take the right approach to the right piece of work and that your project doesn’t fail because the requirements are poorly understood.
I like to describe the roles this way: A BA makes sure the right things get done. A Project Manager makes sure things get done right.
So, what makes a good Business Analyst?
A good BA has excellent communication skills and is a great listener. They are analytical and innovative thinkers but also have excellent relationship skills. The ability to show leadership and negotiate/influence are also important as they help you make sure that people buy in to solutions. Techniques and modelling can be taught, but great BAs have instinctive analytical and people skills.
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