By Nicholas
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Last week, I was talking with an IT Recruitment specialist. “What is the most “in demand” skill, Nicole?” I asked. “Business Analysis” she said.
“What is Business Analysis?” I asked, even though I did know). “A Business Analyst is someone who analyzes an organization or business domain (real or hypothetical) and documents its business, processes or systems, assessing the business model or its integration with technology” she glibly replied, as though she had been asked that question before (she had).
“Good ones are in very short supply” she added.
“That’s because business don’t want to employ the best people”, I said as an experienced sixty year old talking to a talented twenty four year old.
Let me qualify what I say. Business Analysis is the culmination and interplay of diverse skills. Here are 3 essential skills that every business analyst should have.
1) Problem Solving Skills
Why do we analyze situations? So we can understand them and ultimately, provide recommendation on how to improve the situation. A Business Analyst above all other things is the solution guru of the company.
Problem-solving skills are mandatory for Business Analysts. Every project will inevitably face a point of conflict or problem that leaves stakeholders confused and anxious. You need understand and dissect a problem in order to arrive at a solution.
Older people have this incredible ability to think laterally. Often they have been forced to in life. Older people have good problem solving skills.
2) Communication Skills
A Business Analyst provides the link between the different units of a business ecosystem. This automatically means that BAs must have outstanding communication skills. Some of a BA’s responsibilities as a communicator include:
• Facilitating company meetings.
• Soliciting feedback by asking insightful questions.
• Listening to answers proffered by stakeholders and examining their feasibility.
• Conducting negotiations amongst stakeholders.
• Excellent communication matters not only in conversations but also in producing documents and holding online discussions with stakeholders. The use of collaborative platforms like Google Hangouts, Skype conference calls and other types of virtual meeting platforms is increasingly becoming common practice. Being a good communicator on these platforms is just as vital.
Part of being a great communicator involves writing clear and accurate documentation that stakeholders can easily understand. Although documentation itself is not the objective, the value (clear understanding of business requirements) created by the documents being the main goal, you might be required to communicate with stakeholders using formal document templates and models.
Business Analysts should be able to think of the logical frame of a specification document or business case and then write it up in a concise and simple manner that is understandable to stakeholders. A Business Analyst must be able to translate a complicated concept into an understandable step-by-step process or model on paper to create a shared understanding.
Communication can also be achieved more effectively through the use of visual models. Business process models, organizational charts, screenshots and many other types of visualization are invaluable in mapping the business domain. A good Business Analyst can juggle around with charts and diagrams to convey the intended meaning to stakeholders.
The ability to speak in public and present ideas is also essential to being a great communicator. Business processes, procedures, product development, strategies and many other facets of a project may benefit from presentation to stakeholders at one point or the other. This presentation may involve drawing and writing on a white board or presenting slides on a big screen.
The medium doesn’t matter – it’s the skill that counts. You have to be able to speak eloquently, pay attention to detail and ensure that everyone is carried along.
Once again, like Problem Solving, older people have the ability to be outstanding communicators. They have this magic ability to make highly complicated situations clear and simple, and can express themselves well.
3) Creative Thinking Skills
Creative thinking is a crucial soft skill to have. A truly effective business analyst is an abstract-thinking mastermind who is not afraid of change and practical barriers – instead, he or she jumps over them.
Creative thoughts can be of help in many situations you encounter as a Business Analyst. Bonus points if you are the curious type too – curiosity fuels imagination. Good Business Analysts are not afraid to ask “why” when the situation demands it, and nor are older people.
The skills discussed are by no means the only skills required to become an effective BA. There are many more skills you will need and develop throughout the course of your career. It might seem tiring and demanding but that’s what business analysis requires. Luckily, practice helps – it’s a business analyst’s best friend.
I maintain that the older person has had the most practice.
There you go, all of you recruitment specialists who find it hard finding good Business Analysts. Focus on the older person.
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