Dasha, what is a business analyst?
A "bridge" between business and development. This is the person who communicates with the client, that is, a business representative, and the development team. A business analyst finds out what the client wants, formulates tasks for the developers, and then presents the result of the work to the client.
How did you come to the profession?
I learned about it from friends who wanted to develop in the IT field. I was also attracted by this, and I entered the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Belarus. My specialization is information systems manager-economist, which allows me to work as a business analyst, data analyst, and project manager. I chose business analysis and took additional courses after graduating.
What knowledge, skills, and qualities should a business analyst possess?
I would highlight two key points in this knowledge. The first is the foundation of business analysis: how to correctly write technical specifications and build a business model. The second is technical English. A business analyst must speak the same language as the developers. I also often have to collaborate with foreign companies, so the clients are English-speaking. English level is B1 or B2. The main thing is fluent conversational speech.
A business analyst's work is divided into two parts: communication and documentation. Therefore, the two main skills of a specialist are communication and analytical systems thinking. If you don't know how to communicate and don't like to communicate, it will be difficult. Therefore, introverts are rare in business analysis.
Personal qualities:
- Responsibility - the specialist connects the client with the development, both parties must be satisfied with the result of the work;
- Initiative;
- Purposefulness.
Could you tell us more about the stages of work using one project as an example?
The first step is a meeting with the client. I find out what they want to achieve in the end. Then I begin analyzing and coming up with different ways to achieve this goal. After a couple of days or a week, I return to the client, propose various solutions, and we select the optimal one.
Next, I interview the employees who will be involved in the process, create a technical specification for the developers, and explain to them the desired outcome. After some time, I receive the result of the work and present it to the client: this is the result, this has increased efficiency by such-and-such a number, and now the work is structured according to this principle. If all is well, the client accepts the work, and, accordingly, the project is closed. The implementation period depends on the complexity of the project, but the minimum is a week.
Is it necessary to have a higher education to become a business analyst?
I don’t know if companies require a higher education diploma now. In my opinion, courses will give more information. At university, you get a base that will be useful in different fields. In courses, you can gain specific knowledge and skills for work.
In what fields can a business analyst work?
In all. The most popular and highly paid is IT. In general, such specialists are needed in metallurgy, pharmaceuticals, education, and many other companies.
Is it difficult for a newcomer to get their first job?
You shouldn't expect to come in, immediately become a cool business analyst, and earn millions of dollars (laughs). At first, you can act as an assistant, and then grow to a business analyst. This process took me six months.
What mistakes can newcomers to the profession make?
Communication errors can occur. I once miscommunicated information from a client to the developers. They ended up doing everything according to the specifications, and the client said, "But that's not what I wanted." Therefore, it's important to have the final say during meetings with the client. You listen to the requirements, and at the end, summarize and clarify: "Did I understand everything correctly?" Once you and the client have clearly understood each other, you can move on to the next stages of work. It's also important to document the results of meetings and discussions. Sometimes people can change their minds and go back on their word. When everything is written down, you will not be left guilty.
How much does a business analyst earn on average?
It all depends on the specialist's level. There are three gradations: junior, middle, senior. Junior is a specialist with no work experience or up to six months. Such an employee can earn from $400 to $500. As they gain experience, junior becomes middle: this is a business analyst who has worked from one to three years. They earn from $500 to $1,000, maybe a little more. Senior is a specialist who has worked more than three years as a business analyst and had junior staff under their supervision. Their salaries start at $2,000. It all depends on the workload. I think specialists earn more abroad.
What's the best thing about your job?
Communicating with people. I also enjoy analyzing and looking for solutions. I work for results and am pleased to receive positive feedback. When a client says they liked everything, I want to work more and better.
What's your least favorite part of your job?
There's nothing I don't like. Probably, of all the processes, I like working with documentation the least.
What advice can you give to aspiring business analysts?
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. If you make a mistake, don't give up and move on.
- Develop critical thinking - the profession requires it.
- Develop communication skills.
These are three basic things that will help you get started. From there, you can develop everything else.
Are there any stereotypes associated with your work?
I don't have anyone in IT in my circle of friends. And when I say I work as a business analyst, everyone thinks I can build a business, write a business plan, and start my own company. A friend once asked for help: "I need a business analyst to write a business plan." Business analysts don't write them! Other specialists do that (smiles).
Do you think the business analyst profession will be in demand in the future?
Currently, it's mainly concentrated in IT, but I think there will be many more areas for application. After all, any business needs to automate, optimize, and increase efficiency. Sometimes, company representatives can't handle this on their own; they find it difficult to work with development. Therefore, a bridge like a business analyst will always be in demand.
If you, like Dasha, love to communicate and want to become a link between business and development, come to the course. "Business Analyst in IT". In 12 months, you will learn to optimize business processes and program in Python, and you will also learn how to communicate effectively.