Business Analyst Role
Discussion
Any Business Analysts here that I could annoy with some questions, perhaps via email?
I'm coming from a technical IT role. My job title suggests Support, but the reality is it involves everything from requirements elicitation to running CAT5e across building sites.
I've just completed a part time BSc in Computing Information Systems which was very focused on processes/models/tools in the context of IT project work and I enjoyed it immensely.
I have a good understanding of infrastructure and a good grasp of software development processes/models, but what I most enjoy is getting involved in business processes and being involved in the high level design of solutions for the business.
I've essentially looked after an entire division of the business (180+/- IT users), with the occasional support from Head Office and a placement student working for me, for the past two years. I've often found myself as a liaison between senior management and our network/infrastructure guys in Head Office, a role I've really enjoyed. Right from early requirements gathering to seeing the solution, big or small, being implemented and working.
I think my experience so far combined with the wide range of processes dealt with as part of my BSc could offer a good foundation.
Any suggestions welcome.
I'm coming from a technical IT role. My job title suggests Support, but the reality is it involves everything from requirements elicitation to running CAT5e across building sites.
I've just completed a part time BSc in Computing Information Systems which was very focused on processes/models/tools in the context of IT project work and I enjoyed it immensely.
I have a good understanding of infrastructure and a good grasp of software development processes/models, but what I most enjoy is getting involved in business processes and being involved in the high level design of solutions for the business.
I've essentially looked after an entire division of the business (180+/- IT users), with the occasional support from Head Office and a placement student working for me, for the past two years. I've often found myself as a liaison between senior management and our network/infrastructure guys in Head Office, a role I've really enjoyed. Right from early requirements gathering to seeing the solution, big or small, being implemented and working.
I think my experience so far combined with the wide range of processes dealt with as part of my BSc could offer a good foundation.
Any suggestions welcome.
To me it sounds more like you want to be looking at some sort of Architect position rather than Business Analyst.
Each company handles things differently, I would treat myself as either a BA or Solution Architect depending on what I am doing at any time. officially I am pre-sales solution architect, but I get involved more with planning and finances than a traditional SA as I come from a BA background and not scared of using Excel.
Each company handles things differently, I would treat myself as either a BA or Solution Architect depending on what I am doing at any time. officially I am pre-sales solution architect, but I get involved more with planning and finances than a traditional SA as I come from a BA background and not scared of using Excel.
I've done things the other way round, Systems Analyst (business side), Business Analyst and now in IT Support.
Sounds like your background would be beneficial in a BA role, you'd know technically whats possible and whats a good way of delivering solutions. Just like my business knowledge has helped me in IT.
If you enjoy the business process side of things then BA role sounds right (as long as your company has a true BA role and not just in title). You'd probably lose control over the higher level IT solutions unless you went into Architecture (as suggested above) though and that could be hard to let go of!
Sounds like your background would be beneficial in a BA role, you'd know technically whats possible and whats a good way of delivering solutions. Just like my business knowledge has helped me in IT.
If you enjoy the business process side of things then BA role sounds right (as long as your company has a true BA role and not just in title). You'd probably lose control over the higher level IT solutions unless you went into Architecture (as suggested above) though and that could be hard to let go of!
I guess I enjoy both roles you mentioned and I appreciate that in various businesses the job titles could mean different things and often a blend of various disciplines.
I think I'll tailor my CV around the criteria Architect/BA roles seem to be after and fire it off to some recruiters. There's a bit of an IT boom going on in Belfast at the minute and I think it's the right time to try and jump on that.
There's a possibility of a role in London similar to what I'm doing now coming up and I've essentially been given first refusal if it materialises. It would involve increased responsibility but I fear it would be another "jack of all trades, master of none" position, similar to what I'm doing now.
I think I'll tailor my CV around the criteria Architect/BA roles seem to be after and fire it off to some recruiters. There's a bit of an IT boom going on in Belfast at the minute and I think it's the right time to try and jump on that.
There's a possibility of a role in London similar to what I'm doing now coming up and I've essentially been given first refusal if it materialises. It would involve increased responsibility but I fear it would be another "jack of all trades, master of none" position, similar to what I'm doing now.
scottri said:
Sounds like your background would be beneficial in a BA role, you'd know technically whats possible and whats a good way of delivering solutions. Just like my business knowledge has helped me in IT.
That was precisely what made me think it could be a good fit.Edited by Art0ir on Wednesday 7th May 14:28
Just a quick update really. After some serious thought and speaking to some business analysts locally, I'm now confident this is where I want to be.
The role doesn't exist within my current employers and normal BA tasks are distributed haphazardly among various members of the team and the Infrastructure/Telecoms Manager (my boss). We're not strong on formal processes, something I've become acutely aware of while studying things like PM, Requirements Elicitation, etc. in depth.
I'm going to ask my manager for a meeting and try to sell the idea of him moving me into a BA role within the team and to fund a BSC BA course. I really think it could help the team and more importantly, the company as a whole. There's a 1000 foot drop between the main business and the IT team (not uncommon I know) and I think I could help bridge it to the benefit of everyone.
If he doesn't buy into it, I'll fund the course myself and get my CV out ASAP.
The role doesn't exist within my current employers and normal BA tasks are distributed haphazardly among various members of the team and the Infrastructure/Telecoms Manager (my boss). We're not strong on formal processes, something I've become acutely aware of while studying things like PM, Requirements Elicitation, etc. in depth.
I'm going to ask my manager for a meeting and try to sell the idea of him moving me into a BA role within the team and to fund a BSC BA course. I really think it could help the team and more importantly, the company as a whole. There's a 1000 foot drop between the main business and the IT team (not uncommon I know) and I think I could help bridge it to the benefit of everyone.
If he doesn't buy into it, I'll fund the course myself and get my CV out ASAP.
Art0ir said:
Just a quick update really. After some serious thought and speaking to some business analysts locally, I'm now confident this is where I want to be.
The role doesn't exist within my current employers and normal BA tasks are distributed haphazardly among various members of the team and the Infrastructure/Telecoms Manager (my boss). We're not strong on formal processes, something I've become acutely aware of while studying things like PM, Requirements Elicitation, etc. in depth.
I'm going to ask my manager for a meeting and try to sell the idea of him moving me into a BA role within the team and to fund a BSC BA course. I really think it could help the team and more importantly, the company as a whole. There's a 1000 foot drop between the main business and the IT team (not uncommon I know) and I think I could help bridge it to the benefit of everyone.
If he doesn't buy into it, I'll fund the course myself and get my CV out ASAP.
Bridging that gap defines a BA, so if thats what you enjoy then go for it (I'm a BA)The role doesn't exist within my current employers and normal BA tasks are distributed haphazardly among various members of the team and the Infrastructure/Telecoms Manager (my boss). We're not strong on formal processes, something I've become acutely aware of while studying things like PM, Requirements Elicitation, etc. in depth.
I'm going to ask my manager for a meeting and try to sell the idea of him moving me into a BA role within the team and to fund a BSC BA course. I really think it could help the team and more importantly, the company as a whole. There's a 1000 foot drop between the main business and the IT team (not uncommon I know) and I think I could help bridge it to the benefit of everyone.
If he doesn't buy into it, I'll fund the course myself and get my CV out ASAP.
Also I would got for the BA ISEB rather than a degree. Its the recognised BA professional qualification.
Just a small update.
Had a meeting with the boss this morning about my future with the company and had a discussion around a business analysts role within it.
He recognised there are huge issues with communication between the IT department and senior management (in that it's essentially non-existent). Goals and objectives can't be aligned because neither knows what the other is doing. Bingo, says I.
However, if I were to abandon my current role at the minute it would leave, in his words, "A huge vacuum" that he would struggle to fill right away. He also said he was aware that I had been approached by other companies recently and if he did nothing, he might end up having to fill it anyway... which saved me bringing it up.
I suggested a transition into a BA role and outlined where I would start, who I would target in senior management and how to make the business realise that IT can be a key asset rather than just an expensive bunch of nerds downstairs.
He's going to speak with the CIO next week and see what he can do...
Had a meeting with the boss this morning about my future with the company and had a discussion around a business analysts role within it.
He recognised there are huge issues with communication between the IT department and senior management (in that it's essentially non-existent). Goals and objectives can't be aligned because neither knows what the other is doing. Bingo, says I.
However, if I were to abandon my current role at the minute it would leave, in his words, "A huge vacuum" that he would struggle to fill right away. He also said he was aware that I had been approached by other companies recently and if he did nothing, he might end up having to fill it anyway... which saved me bringing it up.
I suggested a transition into a BA role and outlined where I would start, who I would target in senior management and how to make the business realise that IT can be a key asset rather than just an expensive bunch of nerds downstairs.
He's going to speak with the CIO next week and see what he can do...
Edited by Art0ir on Monday 30th June 16:38
Gaspode said:
Best of luck, hope it all goes well. The real trick to being a successful business analyst is to be able to play a proactive role, rather than just passively collecting requirements and passing them on to IT. Good BAs are worth their weight in gold.
I've come to understand that even in my current role. Without realising it, 20% of my time is spent doing what could defined as BA work anyway.Through speaking with others in the field and some studying, it's incredible the disparity between what an effective IT/Business relationship could achieve and what we have currently. My manager struggles to maintain any effective communications with senior management, which is understandable as he's running a large department of his own and doesn't have the time. There's also a lot of resistance from the board, but I think that's more to do with how little they understand what we do and more importantly, what we could do.
Is there anyone that would be so kind as to take a glance over my CV? I've tried to amend it to reflect BA focused activities but haven't applied for a job in 5 years so could do with another perspective.
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