RE: What does a Business Analyst do?

[kimber_miller -at- acs-inc -dot- com]

The Business Analyst that I work with provides our clients (if necessary) with
process and/or task analysis, and *general* recommendations that may or may not
pertain to the data management tools we market. Thus, our analysis is marketed
as a stand-alone service that the client can then take and show to anyone and
say, "This is where we are. Where can you take us?"

Generally, the BA does the analysis on the current state of affairs.
Recommendations sometimes accompany this analysis, but sometimes not. Many
process improvement projects must begin with a thorough analysis of the standard
operating procedure, and in that kind of project, the recommendations for
improvement come from the PI team because of the (usual) breadth.

The tools are many. I agree with the recommendation that you peruse many BA job
descriptions on the job lists out there. I'm sure a Web search will yield info,
as always.

I have enjoyed my time spent doing BA and find that I merge into and out of the
BA role effortlessly in my current position. BAs sometimes are centered in the
group that's doing business development and that can be fun. Sales and
marketing-like spin on stuff. It's all communication, and generally it's
technical, whatever the field. Same with process improvement efforts, IMO.

Good luck,

--Kimber

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
The measure of success is not whether you have a tough problem to deal with, but
whether it's the same problem you had last year.

--John Foster Dulles

Kimber Miller
kimber_miller -at- acs-inc -dot- com
Affiliated Computer Services
Dallas, Texas
214.887.7408

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