I am a software developer with a bachelor's in business information systems. I have almost 8 years of experience in software development for 4 different companies, small, medium and large. I also was kind of a manager for a very small company so got involved in the business process to a degree. I also once tried to start a business, it failed, but it was fun for a while. In 2000 I took 3 years off life to go to Panama where I was the director of a church mission. So I have software development skills, understand how small businesses run, and have directed a "business" (if you can call a mission that) myself.

I am not a "techie" - computers are not my passion, but that's where my skills and experience lie and I want to go into something related to it. Business analysis seems like a very good fit for me. I have IT skills, knowledge and experience. I have good business sense and some experience. I have excellent communication skills (e.g. I have 17 years experience as a lay teacher in my church and have travelled all over North America in this role, and I have written magazine articles).

Is business analysis a good fit for me? My current employer does not use business analysts. I have been thinking of at least a job change for the past year. How do I get started? Help!!

Hey Richie,

I was in a similar situation - IT background and wanted to be involved on the people/business aspect more.  Here are some of the steps I took:

1) Go to the IIBA website.  Persue the Body of Knowledge (it's a long read, so even just reading Chapter 1 will help) and understand the basics of what a BA does.  Note that BA's can also be asked to perform other tasks, depending on the project or company.  Some other tasks include: market analysis, strategic planning, business case development, etc. 

2) Learn the BA market in your area (assuming you don't want to move).  Check out Monster and other applicable job sites for your area, and see who is hiring BA's.  In my case, there are a few small/medium size companies hiring BA's, but most work in one form or another for government (either directly or through consulting firms) or for one of the 10 large companies in town.   See if you know anyone at the places listed and ask them to get you in touch with a BA who works there to ask more about the daily work.  If you're still interested, go to a recruiter (internal to that company or a local headhunter) and get them to review your resume and see what they think your chances are.  The greater the demand, the more likely people are willing to take a flier on someone with little or no BA experience provided they can present themselves well and are congenial.  I think one of the reasons the transition was so easy for me is because I enjoy interacting with people and I think that came across very clearly in all my interviews.  An effective BA puts people at ease even in tense situations (which some projects can be due to politics, history, etc.) and can get the necessary information out of people. 

3) Revisit your work experience and pull out tasks that you did that were BA related (discussing product features with customers, facilitating a meeting, etc.).  Highlight these in your resume provided they actually occured. 

4) Check out the IIBA website and see if there is an approved Education provider in your area.  I'm going through my University's BA Certificate program right now, and it's very tied to the IIBA's BOK and CBAP exam.  This will help me get the designation when I have sufficient experience and is also another good thing for your resume.  See if your employer would spring for part or all of the tuition.

Thanks for the advice everyone! I have been looking at this program:

http://www.tech.ubc.ca/businessanalysis/index.html

Does that look like the sort of thing I'll need?