Business analysts are in demand by stakeholders, recruiters, and hiring managers. They’re able to branch out into a number of different areas and; are valued by their employers. To progress in a role everyone tries to be the best at what they do, the same goes for BA’s.
We have put together a list of 5 attributes that make a good Business Analyst a great Business Analyst:
1. Business Analysts Cover the Basics
A good BA should be able to articulate, solve problems, and think logically. They should be able to create requirements specifications and analyze requirements. They must also have the ability to create visual models as well as facilitate elicitation sessions and use business analysis tools.
2. Business Analysts Are Resourceful
Business analysts know how to find the answers to questions without having to wait for them. They can construct alternative routes through the organization and they involve people with the right expertise when needed. Great business analysts rarely get stopped for long and can often work through challenging situations to come through to a solution.
3. Business Analysts Create Clarity
Business analysts bring a unique blend of critically important soft skills and analysis skills. Together these two skill sets help the business analyst create clarity and clarity does not simply mean that you get sign-off on the spec.
A great business analyst doesn’t rely on sign-offs and hundred-page documents. They use analysis techniques to drill into details and ask relevant questions. They get buy-in, not just sign-off, during the verification and validation process and they get into the appropriate details to ensure true clarity emerges.
4. Alignment and Ownership
It’s really easy to be the one who writes down what the stakeholders ask for. As a new BA, you might be in a role where you are expected to do this or where it’s the biggest contribution you can make at first.
But great business analysts do more and this means that you are in the middle of resolving conflicts and ensuring that when the solution is delivered, the business truly owns that this is what they wanted and is prepared to use it.
5. Business Analysts Don’t Rely on Cookies
Yes, developers and stakeholders like cookies. Who doesn’t? It’s nice to feel appreciated for all of your hard work. But good business analysts don’t rely on bribes to build and sustain positive relationships.
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They use active listening techniques to make sure stakeholders feel heard.
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They set clear expectations as a way to foster trust and consistently follow through on their commitments, never making promises they can’t keep.
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They are dedicated to confidentiality agreements, never speak behind anyone’s back, and are known to be above office gossip.
Great business analysts are both professional and good to work with.
More than all of this, great business analysts have a strong eye for scope. While it can be fun to figure out what we might pack if everything but the kitchen sink fits into the car, great business analysts realize that implementation constraints nearly always get in the way of achieving the full vision the first time out, so they keep a close eye on value and feasibility and guide their stakeholders toward a set of requirements that can actually get implemented.