My daughter once asked me, “What do you do as a Business Analyst?” It made me ponder how I need to explain to her what I have been doing for the last 18 years. It is a simple question but a difficult one to answer. Here is a child-friendly explanation of business analysis:
“Imagine you have a lemonade stand and want to sell more lemonade to make more money.”Business analysis is like being a detective who tries to figure out how to improve your lemonade stand.
First, you would look at how much lemonade you sell each day and how much money you make (AS-IS).
Then, you might talk to your customers to find out what they like about your lemonade and what they think could be improved (GAP).
Next, you would think of ideas to make your lemonade stand more successful (TO-BE).
- Maybe you could add a new lemonade flavour or offer a special deal to attract more customers.
- You might buy more lemons, change prices, or advertise your lemonade stand to reach more people.
- Maybe something else………….
Finally, you may try out your plan and see if it helps your lemonade stand grow.
If it works, you know your business analysis was successful!
Who is a Business Analyst?
Business Analysts work with the team to ensure everyone has a shared understanding — it’s like putting the puzzle pieces in the right places!
The Business Analyst is an agent of change. Business Analysis is a disciplined approach to introducing and managing change in organisations, whether for-profit businesses, governments, or non-profits.
Business analysis identifies and articulates the need for change in how organisations work and facilitates that change. Business analysts recognise and define the solutions that will maximise the value delivered by an organisation to its stakeholders. Business analysts work across all levels of an organisation. They may be involved in everything from defining a strategy to creating the enterprise architecture, taking a leadership role by defining the goals and requirements for programs and projects or supporting continuous improvement in its technology and processes.
The value of business analysis is in realising benefits, reducing costs, identifying new opportunities, understanding required capabilities, and modelling the organisation. We can ensure an organisation through practical business analysis, ultimately improving how it does business.