adrian wrote In the Building Better Software Blog, Andrew Stellman answers the following question from a reader: "Q&A: How to succeed in business analysis without really trying". I'm not sure about the "without really trying" part (since it takes more than luck to be a good business analyst) - but I do like his sound advice. One of the things he points out is that few people start out as a business analyst - they usually move into this role from another area. For the most part, that has also been my experience. However, I'm beginning to see more resumes for Jr. Business Analyst roles from folks right out of college or with only 2-3 years of work experience. Do you think one can start their career as a Business Analyst (or Systems Analyst) right out of college? |
I certainly think you can become an analyst right out of college, I did! To understand why, let’s examine the dichotomy that exists today in many IT organizations.
On one side of the spectrum is the mature IT organization that follows a specific SDLC methodology with each phase of the life cycle supported by an organized and focused team of specialists (Business Analysts, Systems Analysts, Data Analysts, QA Analyst, Developers, etc.). These teams typically follow a well structured set of processes where each person understands their role, and uses industry standards such as Object Oriented Analyst and Design (OOAD), Business Process Modeling Notation (BMPN), Unified Modeling Language (UML), and Service Oriented Architecture (SOA).
On the other side of the spectrum is the less than fully mature “teenager” IT organization where clear methodologies and processes are not yet in place. Often industry standards are used haphazardly and inconsistently when used at all.
I highlight these two types of organizations because, in my experience, they typically hire two different types of experienced analysts, and one will also hire freshly minted college graduates.
First, consider the teenager IT organization. Given the lack of structure and perhaps even awareness of industry standards and best practices, these organizations often fly by the seat of their pants. You might have some Business Analyst and some Developers and that’s it. So who do they look to hire? Here are some of the characteristics:
On the other hand, the mature IT organization typically looks for one of the following two types of analysts.
Sr Analysts:
- Analysts with a solid understanding of one or more SDLC methodologies
- Analysts with a firm grasp of industry standards (BPMN, UML, OOAD, and SOA)
- Excellent communication skills
Some industry specific knowledge is a plus, but far less emphasis is place here. Why? Because a strong analyst who is well trained in analysis processes and best practices can analyze any business area and structure the information in a clear way by using the tools they have developed.
Jr Analysts:
- Analytical people who also possess strong communication skills
- Theoretical knowledge of analysis methods (Object Oriented Analysis, Structured Analysis) and standards (UML) from books and courses
- A desire to continually learn and improve
Mature IT organizations can hire entry-level analysts because they have a structure in place to teach and to train Jr. Analyst about the analysis process. This is what I experienced right out of college. I had an engineering degree but was more interested in IT. So I secured a position with one of the “Big 6”, as they were called at the time, IT consulting firms. They put me through a 12-week training program where I learned how to be and Business/Systems Analyst, QA Analyst, and Developer. They called us IT Consultants and we did it all. Now, I don’t actually recommend that a single person perform all of these roles. In each role you have some competing interests and responsibilities. However, at least we were taught and trained to follow specific methodologies and standards for each role, so there was a clear delineation of responsibilities for each phase of the project. Over the course of time focused more on the Systems Analyst career path.
So yes, find a mature IT organization, especially in a tight job market like we have now where talent is scarce, and you will find an organization that needs and wants to mold the fresh minds of new graduates and other professional with only 2-3 years of experience.