Forums for the Business Analyst

 
  Modern Analyst Forums  Careers  Getting Started  Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist?
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
New Post 11/10/2010 6:12 PM
Unresolved
User is offline Rajee
1 posts
No Ranking


Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist? 

Hi everybody,

I am a new member of Modern Analyst.
My question is very simple and straight - Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist?

Expecting your active participation.

Regards,
Rajee

 
New Post 11/15/2010 1:09 AM
User is offline Kimbo
456 posts
5th Level Poster


Re: Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist? 

 Hi Rajee,

Simple answer is both are possible. BA techniques are domain independent and allow us to be a generalist. Plus a BA with good techniques may choose to specialise in a particular vertical market. Often the latter person may command a higher rate depending on the vertical market, their depth of experience and the market forces (supply / demand) at the time.

There is also another group claiming to be BAs who are really just subject matter experts in their vertical market but lack basic BA skills. Not really BAs but for lack of another title they are called that.

Kimbo

 
New Post 11/18/2010 9:21 AM
User is offline Jarett Hailes
155 posts
6th Level Poster




Re: Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist? 

Hi Rajee,

As Kimbo noted, a BA can be either.  A BA needs to have sufficient (but not necessarily expert-level) domain knowledge to do their job, and good BAs can pick up the necessary level of domain knowledge in a relatively short amount of time.  If you focus on one or two domains and gain expert level knowledge your ramp-up period is certainly quicker on new projects and typically you can engage stakeholders more effectively since you itimately understand their environment.

However, you also run the risk of becoming less impartial during your tasks due to your inherent knowledge on the topics at hand.  I like BAs who can bring fresh ideas from other industries and experiences, although if you continually have an open mind to new opportunities and are a career student of the world, you can be a creative and dynamic asset to your organization even if it's the one you've worked for your whole life.

Your question spawned a related one in my mind that makes for good discussion as well: if you have a collection of BAs within an organization should they be shared across the business, or become experts within a specific domain of the organization (e.g. HR, procurement, etc.) and dedicated to that business unit?

 
Previous Previous
 
Next Next
  Modern Analyst Forums  Careers  Getting Started  Does a BA should be Domain specific OR can be Generalist?

Community Blog - Latest Posts

The CEO/CIO's Guide to Architecting AI: Vision to Value in Minutes Introduction to Architected AI Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of our life at an unprecedented pace. As CEOs and CIOs grapple with how to leverage this powerful technology to drive strategy and enhance operations, the concept of Architected AI becomes importa...
In today's dynamic business environment, mastering effective business analysis techniques is crucial for organizations aiming to achieve sustainable growth and competitive advantage. Business analysis involves the systematic evaluation of business processes, requirements, and strategies to uncover insights that drive informed decision-making. T...
For many years now, a lot of people have found it difficult to identify the difference between Sankey diagrams and parallel sets. The two have made headlines, given that most people find it challenging to note what makes them different from each other. What remains to be undeniable is the fact that the Sankey diagram is among the top data visualiza...

 






 

Copyright 2006-2024 by Modern Analyst Media LLC