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New Post 9/11/2007 8:31 AM
User is offline tinman1412
2 posts
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Developer To Business Analyst 

Hi Everyone,

I've been a web developer for over 7 years, but want to change my focus and move into a Business Analyst role. I do not have any experience but feel like I can do the job quite well. I have several interviews for a BA position and would like to ask for recommendations. What type of questions should I expect?

Thanks,

 
New Post 9/11/2007 12:21 PM
User is offline Chris Adams
323 posts
5th Level Poster






Re: Developer To Business Analyst 
 tinman1412 wrote

Hi Everyone,

I've been a web developer for over 7 years, but want to change my focus and move into a Business Analyst role. I do not have any experience but feel like I can do the job quite well. I have several interviews for a BA position and would like to ask for recommendations. What type of questions should I expect?

Thanks,



The vast majority of a BA’s job is speaking with business users and stakeholders, gathering requirements, and documenting the required functionality of a system.

Communication skills are key, so annunciate your words and speak very clearly and deliberately ensuring that your answers are structured and succinct.

Be able to talk about the various techniques use for gathering requirements, i.e., JAD session, Interviews, Surveys, Questionnaires?

Be prepared to speak in detail about:
Requirements Traceability Matrix
BMPN
UML
Process Flows/Activity Diagrams
Use Case Diagrams
Business Use Cases
System Use Cases
Business and System Use Case Specifications
Class Diagrams (Static Structure Models)
Sequence Diagrams

You should be able to explain what each item is, when in the analysis process it is used, and for what purposed (the true benefits).

Let me know if you have additional or more specific questions and I will try to answer them.

-Chris

Chris Adams
Core Member – ModernAnalyst.com
LinkedIn Profile
 
New Post 9/12/2007 4:42 PM
User is offline Adrian M.
765 posts
3rd Level Poster




Re: Developer To Business Analyst 

 tinman1412 wrote

Hi Everyone,

I've been a web developer for over 7 years, but want to change my focus and move into a Business Analyst role. I do not have any experience but feel like I can do the job quite well. I have several interviews for a BA position and would like to ask for recommendations. What type of questions should I expect?

Thanks,

Since you do not have any professional experience as a Business Analyst I would suggest that you go in prepared to make your case as to why they should hire you.  If you already have a number of interviews lined up - the hiring manager can already see that your background is development and not analysis.   The information you have in your resume is most likely making the recruiter believe that you have what it takes to become a business analyst.

So - be prepared to go in and don't wait for the interviewer to ask questions but rather explain to them your background and why you would make a great business analyst.  Here are some things to think about:

  • emphasize your communication skills (both verbal and written) and provide examples of when you have used these skills,
  • if you created technical specifications in the past, make sure you mention it (and maybe even bring examples with you) since many BAs are tasked to write functional specs,
  • if as a developer you created/designed screens or web pages (UI design) make sure you mention that,
  • also focus on your problem solving  skills and techniques and examples of how you have used them in the past,
  • if you are fast learner let them know,
  • if you have any exposure to modeling tools/diagrams (i.e. activity diagram, process flows, use case models, etc.) that will also be a good selling point.

In addition - if you are really serious about moving into the business analyst profession, make sure to present to the interviewer your ideas on how you plan to quickly pick up the skills and knowledge required to be a business analyst.  Here are some ideas:

  • getting involved in a business analyst community (you've already started that by visiting ModernAnalyst.com),
  • plan to take a introductory course/class on business analysis (check out the list of courses under the Resource menu),
  • read a couple of good books (e.g. UML for the IT Business Analyst and Software Requirements).

Hope this helps!

- Adrian


Adrian Marchis
Business Analyst Community Blog - Post your thoughts!
 
New Post 9/13/2007 4:56 AM
User is offline tinman1412
2 posts
No Ranking


Re: Developer To Business Analyst 

Guys,

Thanks for the response. I agree with you Adrian. Since I have no formal BA experience, I won't be able to explain activity diagrams, use case, work-flow processes in detail because I have never done them. I will take your approach and present what I have to offer. Thanks for the examples such as technical specifications. I didn't even think about that. Last night, I did pick up the UML for the IT Business Analyst and skimmed through it. I'm familiar with UML so hopefully that helps. Thanks for the input and hopefully I'll do well on the interview

Also, do you guys have a soft copy of any good Business Analyst primer book. I found an excellent one for Project Management on the web but have not had any luck with BA materials. If you do have something, I would appreciate you sharing that.

Thanks again,

 
New Post 9/13/2007 9:33 AM
User is offline bytebugs
4 posts
No Ranking


Re: Developer To Business Analyst 
Hi,

Wish you all the very best in your interview. With 3 yrs of experience in application development in Dot Net Technologies I find myself in a similar situation like yourself. I have a soft copy of UML in 24 Hours by Sams publication. I am happy to share it with you if you provide me your email address. You may reach me on [email protected]

Regards,
Tejas.

Many Thanks, Have A Happy Day :) Tejas Goradia
 
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