According to me, The role of Business Analyst has evolved from someone who was a part of the business operation and worked with Information Technology to improve the quality of the products and services being delivered by the IT organization to someone who apart from gathering Business Requirements, also assists in Integration and Acceptance Testing, supports the development of training and implementation material, participates in the implementation.

What Is A Business Analyst?

A business analyst is an individual who works with the management of a company in order to help them do a better job of organizing the company and making it as profitable as it possibly can be. The business analyst will use a variety of methods to make this possible.

General Responsibilities of a Business Analyst

The business analyst has various general responsibilities concomitant to their job role. The business analyst must review the data of a company as well as their current work habits and make suggestions for doing a more efficient job. Business analysts are also responsible for training employees from time to time and developing standards and procedures for the work force to follow. At the end of their training sessions and analysis, they will provide the company with a detailed report of how the company is doing and what it should be like in the future.

Specific Duties of a Business Analyst

A business analyst has many specific duties they must complete on a daily basis in their professional role. The first thing a business analyst must do when they obtain a client is to meet with the pertinent parties, including management and employees, who are necessary to the successful completion of the analysis. They will interview the individuals and determine whom they are dealing with and what areas need to be addressed the most. 

Once the business analyst has met with the initial parties, they must then analyze important data related to the business such as business records, operating manuals, business guides and other pertinent documents. Anything which can help the business analyst best perform their duties should be reviewed. 
After all of the pertinent data has been collected relating to the company, the business analyst must then decide how to proceed. From that point forward, this individual will perform training sessions, construct new procedure manuals, institute new company procedures and take any other important and necessary steps towards resolving any problems with the business. 

The business analyst must also prepare graphs, charts and analyze documents which show what changes need to be taken by the company and why. This will be a way for the business analyst to show his/her findings and document them for the company heads. 

A business analyst also has the specific duty of brining in any outside help for the benefit of the company. For example, should the company employees need a specific type of training not in the realm of what the business analyst is able to do, that individual can bring in outside forces to help remedy the situation. 

Lastly, a business analyst must perform a report at the end of their role in the company analysis which shows what steps of improvement were taken as a result of the analysis and anything further the management of the company must take into their own hands to ensure that the company is in the best state possible.

Peddi.R.Akurati

www.mindmapinfo.net

Hey Steve,

I am rolling out some articles on my blog to help teach the future business analysts.  I recommend asking your superiors to see if your company has a coaching program.  That will be the best advice that you can get besides hands on project work.

Most companies have these programs so just ask around.  If not, books are second best.

-htbaBA