Business Analyst plays a pivotal role in enabling change but there are still ambiguities around, “What does a business analyst do? Aren’t they just here to capture the minutes and requirements?

Recently, a friend of mine called me saying her son, who is studying in college, needed help on a very urgent basis. I agreed to help. He and his student group wanted to discuss answers to specific time management questions. They also wanted to know some industry tools or personal productivity tools one may use. Later they said that my answers were helpful to them. So let me share with you those questions and answers.

"So what do you do?"... You are networking, or with family or new friends and someone is bound to ask. This has become a laborious question for so many Business Analysts. It often becomes the running joke and each BA eventually lands on some level of elevator pitch that leaves the curious onlooker befuddled and sidestepping to move into the next topic.  But why is explaining the job of a Bubsiness Analyst so tricky and what does that mean for the future of the BA discipline?

As I coach business analysts around the globe, there are 5 common Business Analysis career questions I receive consistently from aspiring and existing BAs and they are:

1. How do I move into a BA Role with no BA Experience?
2. What technologies should I know as a BA?
3. What certifications should I pursue as a BA?
4. What is the next logical role after becoming a BA?
5. How do I show my value when no one knows what I do?

During a recent open roundtable, industry experts gathered to discuss the advantages of integrating AI and citizen development during times of inflation. These discussions shed light on how AI-powered automation, in the hands of business analysts turned citizen developers, can revolutionize resource management, uncover cost-saving potentials, and foster operational efficiency. The panel also emphasized the significance of citizen development in fostering innovation, agility, and a sense of ownership within the workforce, empowering business analysts to spearhead transformative changes within their organizations.