The document discusses the evolution of business analysis (BA) over the past 10 years and envisions its future over the next 10 years. [1] It outlines key developments that expanded the BA role and increased recognition of the profession. [2] It also examines BA capabilities, career paths, professional development options, and organizational structures. [3] The future expects BAs to facilitate objective decision making and lead change initiatives, becoming a key differentiator for successful businesses.
1. Business Analysts and BA Communities
- the journey so far and future developments
Karen Hanley
Head of Business Analysis
The LateRooms Group
Nov 2012
karen.hanley@laterooms.com
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2. BAs and BA Communities
- the journey so far and future developments
Looking back over the last 10 years
• Key developments in the evolution of the Business Analyst (BA)
• BA capabilities and experience
• BA professional development
• BA career paths
• BA organisational structures
• Challenges faced by BAs and BA communities.
The future of BAs and BA communities – where will we be in 10 years?
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3. Key developments in the evolution of the BA.
1) Systems Analyst -> Business Analyst
• BA role covers ‘high level’ project scoping to more detailed IT requirements
specification, plus a range of other analysis methods.
2) Recognition of the Business Analysis profession
• Organisations are more aware of the value of business analysis and the ‘change
agent’ role of BAs on transformation programmes.
• Creation of a professional body representing BAs (IIBA).
3) More career development opportunities
• BAs employed in a range of public and private sector organisations.
• Professional development and accreditation options.
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4. BA Capabilities and Experience
Analysis Soft Skills Business Leadership
methods Knowledge
Strategic alignment Stakeholder engagement Understand key Plan, prioritise and lead
Target Operating Model Relationship building business drivers, analysis activities
Root cause analysis Facilitation market sector, across the portfolio to
Gap analysis Influencing skills competitor activity, meet strategic goals.
Project scoping and Negotiation etc.
feasibility. Conflict management BA resource – matrix
Solution options and Managing expectations Understand different management of
recommendations. Empathy business functions, demand and supply
Cost/benefit analysis etc. e.g. Marketing, aligned with portfolio
Organisational impact Finance, Contact priorities and roadmap.
analysis Creative thinking to Centre, etc. Governance and
E2E project lifecycle conceptualise business oversight of BA
Agile ideas and support community activities.
Lean innovation.
Customer journeys Line management of a
Process analysis team of BAs.
(BPI/BPR) Professional
IT requirements / NFRs development of the BA
Use Cases community.
Data modelling
Prototyping
etc.
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5. BA Professional Development
BCS IIBA
IT
BCS Chartered Professional
IT Professional Family
(CITP)
IIBA Certified BA
Professional
(CBAP)
7500 hours
BA
Professional
IIBA Certification of Family
BCS/ISEB Competency in
Diploma in Business Analysis
Business Analysis
(CCBA)
3700 hours
Good ‘A’ levels,
Degree, etc.
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6. BA Career Paths
B
Senior BA Principal BA A
Lead BA / BA C
Senior BA Manager Head of BA Director of O
(more common) (growing number) BA (rare) M
M
Senior BA Contract BA U
N
I
Senior Principal Managing BA Practice T
Consultant Consultant Lead Y
BA Consultant
H
Y
BA / PM Project Manager B
R
Solution Designer I
BA / Designer
D
/ Architect Business Architect
B
U
Operational S
Business Manager, e.g. I
Analyst Marketing, Contact Centre. N
E
S 6
S
8. Challenges faced by BAs and BA Communities
(and achieving successful outcomes)
1) Challenging requirements
• Business benefits are the basis of challenging but may be difficult to influence.
• Most successful BAs – confidence to manage risk and drive the right outcomes.
2)Engagement of key stakeholders in an agile environment
• In the absence of key people, BAs may ‘cross the line’ as proxy product owners and
make decisions without a full understanding of user behaviour, etc.
• Most successful BAs – recognise boundaries of their role and influence participation.
3)Professional recognition
• BAs lead change and solve complex business problems; may not be recognised.
• Most successful communities – promote their value and establish credibility quickly.
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9. The future of BAs and BA Communities
– where will we be in 10 years?
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10. Two questions for the future
What will differentiate businesses?
Organisations that make the right decisions at the right time.
What will differentiate BA communities?
BAs are recognised as experts who facilitate objective decision making and lead
organisational change programmes to deliver solutions for the business.
A difficult balance – need to be impartial and also part of project teams.
In mature markets, agile / lean methods and business knowledge likely to differentiate.
BA specific enablers - professional development, organisation structures, etc.
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11. BA Capabilities and Experience
Analysis Soft Skills Business Leadership
methods Knowledge
Strategic alignment Confidence to advise, Understand key Experience of Board
Target Operating Model guide and challenge business drivers, level decision making.
Root cause analysis business thinking – market sector,
Gap analysis a trusted advisor. competitor activity, Plan, prioritise and lead
Project scoping and etc. analysis activities
feasibility. Ability to influence across the portfolio to
Solution options and objective decision Understand different meet strategic goals.
recommendations. making in business functions,
organisations. e.g. Marketing, BA resource – matrix
Cost/benefit analysis management of
Organisational impact Finance, Contact
Stakeholder engagement Centre, etc. demand and supply
analysis Relationship building aligned with portfolio
E2E project lifecycle Facilitation priorities and roadmap.
Agile Influencing skills
Lean Governance and
Negotiation oversight of BA
Customer journeys Conflict management
Process analysis community activities.
Managing expectations
(BPI/BPR) Empathy Line management of a
IT requirements / NFRs etc. team of BAs.
Use Cases
Data modelling Creative thinking to Professional
Prototyping conceptualise business development of the BA
Etc. ideas and support community.
innovation.
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12. BA Professional Development
BCS IIBA
BCS Chartered IIBA Chartered
IT Professional BA Professional
(CITP)
IIBA Certified BA
Professional
BA
(CBAP) Professional
7500 hours Family
BSC/ISEB IIBA Certification of
Diploma in Competency in
Business Analysis Business Analysis
(CCBA)
3700 hours
Good ‘A’ levels,
Degree, etc.
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13. BA Organisational Structures
Finance BA Director
Director
Solution Design
Programme / project line BA
line management management line management
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14. BAs and BA Communities
- the journey so far and future developments
Looking back over the last 10 years
• BA profession has moved forward in ‘leaps and bounds’.
• Role of a BA and the value that BA communities bring is better understood.
• Some great opportunities for BAs to enhance their skills and develop their careers.
The future of BA communities – where will we be in 10 years?
• With the right enablers, the BA profession should continue to grow and mature.
• A stronger track record of demonstrating credible leadership and solution delivery.
• BAs recognised as experts in facilitating objective decision making and a key differentiator
for successful organisations.
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