Hi Everyone,

I have around 4 years of experience as system analyst/business analyst and have been in IT industry since my first job. But recently only I came to know of this community and I am thrilled to join this community and learn from all the experienced professionals here.

I was just wondering that what it takes to be a good Business Analyst. What are the most critical and essential skills required to perform the role of a Business Analyst and also what is the career path for a Business Analyst. What vision should I have to carve that route for myself.

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

Hi Tony,

Thanks for answering my question.

When we talk about the functionalities and the data relationship(data flow) so can we document both in one diagram? Or is it like mandatory to have data flow diagram for data relationships and use case diagram for application actions. 

For example, if we take online ordering system there could be 2 approaches.

This flow covers only the very high level process and is showing that what step will be followed after the other

1) Browse the catalog--->Place Order---->Enter Billing Address----->ENter credit card details------->Confirm Payment------->Recieve Confirmation-------->Recieve the Order.

2) Open the website---->if member then login with user id and password(Might be possible scenario with some websites)----> the system validates the user id and password---->Browse the catalog------->Select items and quantity------->Enter Name, Address,Phone no.,email----->Enter Billing address if diff than shippindg address------->Enter payment method details----->Confirm Payment------->Get Confirmation-------->Get the Shipment.

Please guide me that which one is right/wrong and how to document the data flow?

Thanks

Priyanka

Tony,

Thanks for your feedback.

I understand that data flow is the passing of the information between two entities in order to accomplish a business function. So, if a person needs to complete a order he needs to provide his complete billing address and shipping address. Am I right or the data flows is the message which two systems pass for interactions like in service oriented architecture. This causes lot of confusion while building the flow diagrams.

Also, I think that a functional diagram is not complete without the data flows because like what you said data flows helps us to understand that we have indentified all the functions. specially in very complex systems.

Can you please provide some functional diagrams or data flow diagrams with small scenarios if possible.

Thanks for your help.

Priyanka