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New Post 2/14/2008 5:58 PM
User is offline lakshmi
3 posts
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job profile of a Business Analyst (BA) - a few questions 

Hi,

 

I am Narsimmen. Recently I attended a interview of the job of a Business Analyst.  The interviewer asked me what exactly is the job profile of a Business Analyst. I was unable to answer. However he has given me 1 month time to get to know the job profile. of BA.

I have collected the same from web.

work activities will typically involve:

  •  Liaising extensively with external or internal clients;
  • Producing project feasibility reports; Translating client requirements into highly specified project briefs;
  • Identifying options for potential solutions and assessing them for both technical and business suitability;
  • Creating logical and innovative solutions to complex problems;
  • Drawing up specific proposals for modified or replacement systems;
  • Presenting proposals to clients;
  • Working closely with developers and a variety of end users to ensure technical compatibility and user satisfaction;
  • Ensuring that budgets are adhered to and deadlines met;
  • Drawing up a testing schedule for the complete system;
  • Overseeing the implementation of a new system;
  • Planning and working flexibly to a deadline;
  • Writing user manuals;
  • Providing training to users of a new system;
  • Keeping up to date with technical as well as industry sector developments.

 

 

The following are my doubts :-
 
1. How do we do a feasibility report. Where do we start, what is the process and what are the information we should collect for the same.?
 
2. Suppose a client gives me his requirement, can I confirm the deadline given by the client without consulting the technical people or Should I collect the requirement  from the client, discuss the same with the technical people (software developer) and then give a conformation to the client.?
 
3. Does budgeting really come under the job profile of a BA?
 
4. What is that we are supposed to do  as a BA?
 
and finally
 
5. What are the problems that we would face as a BA and how do we overcome it ?
 
I
Does any one have a draft of any feasibility report.

 

 

 
New Post 2/14/2008 9:27 PM
User is offline Craig Brown
560 posts
www.betterprojects.net
4th Level Poster




Re: job profile of a Business Analyst (BA) - a few questions 
Modified By ModernAnalyst.com  on 2/15/2008 4:18:54 PM)

G'day mate

(Yes we Australians really do say that)

I like your list.  You haev done your home work.  You probably want to come up withy a summary sentence also that wraps up the whole bundle of tasks.  For example, "manages the projects requirements from beginning to end, and making sure the techies understand and deliver to the business needs."  There is probably more to it, but that's an example.

As for your list of doubts;

1. How do we do a feasibility report. Where do we start, what is the process and what are the information we should collect for the same?

Feasibility reports come under the BABOK's Enterprise Analysis section (Chapter 2 of version 1.6 www.theiiba.org)

Basically a feasibility check discovers whether a particular solution (a) meets the needs of the project/problem and (b) is do-able within the constrainst of the organisation.

"Meeting the needs" is done by defining the business objectives and breaking them down into specific things (eg measurable results or tangible products) and then assessing solution optins to see of the particular option will deliver the goods.  Think of a shopping list of features mapped against product specifications.  If having an FM radio on your MP3 player then an Ipod fails your feasibility check.

"Do-ability" addresses contraints.  You only have $25 for an MP3 playr?  You aren't getting an Ipod. Your company has specific IT standards that are required?  Maybe Linux doesn't meet tose standards, etc.

2. Suppose a client gives me his requirement, can I confirm the deadline given by the client without consulting the technical people or Should I collect the requirement  from the client, discuss the same with the technical people (software developer) and then give a conformation to the client?

Usually you rely upon others to do the technical delivery, and in those circumstances you will consult with them prior to making deadline commitements.  As a BA you will usually refer to the PM for schedule and budget related issues. If you are referring specifically to timelines on work you, or your team, will deliver you can give your estimates.  Unless you are highly experienced always consult with others first.

3. Does budgeting really come under the job profile of a BA?

Project budgeting can do, but not usually.  BAs may be asked to provide estimates on the effort they (and their team) will put into the project, which will have budget impacts.

However, BA's are often asked to develop a project's business case which analyses costs and estimated project benefits.  As part of this you will pull together various budget elements of the project to fully understand the costs.  Usually you will extract forecast benefits from subject matter experts.  If you don't have good financical analysis skills, don't worry too much.  In larger organisations there will usually be financial analysts around to help.

4. What is that we are supposed to do  as a BA?

The key skills are faciliation and communication.  Each organisation has it's own ecpectations.  Large organsiations tend to use models like PMI's PMBOK or OMG's PRINCE2 (which are the frameworks that the IIBA's BABOK refers to.)  In Agile projects the BA's role is more akin to the client's advocate and quality manager.

5. What are the problems that we would face as a BA and how do we overcome it ?

Usually the problems involve getting stakeholder buy-in, making sure the techies are listening and understanding to the requirements (some don't even read requirement specs.)  When you are on a project you take the role of the client; is the project doing what it said it would?  Is it on track budget and schedule wise?  Is it going to deliver all the benefits it promised?  If not why not and is anyone going to be pissed off?

Keep everyone talking to eachother all the time and that should work.

Lastly you wanted an example feasibility study; I haven't got one buthere is a book chapter on how to write one; http://www.nfsmi.org/Information/cfs/chapter4.pdf and here is a result from a google search http://www.madisonenvironmental.com/documents/CSExecSummary.doc

 

Cheers

Craig  - www.betterprojects.net

 

 
New Post 2/17/2008 6:59 AM
User is offline lakshmi
3 posts
No Ranking


Re: job profile of a Business Analyst (BA) - a few questions 

Dear Craigwbrown,

Thank you very much for your immediate response and clarification.

Have a great day.

Thanks once again,

Narsimmen

 

 

 

 

 

 
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