RE: What is a business analyst

["Lowe, Karen" <karen -dot- lowe -at- cgi -dot- com>]

Karen Murri asked: What does a business analyst do that's different from what a tech writer does? How is it different from systems analyst?
KL - BA comes into the process way earlier than a tech writer. The BA identifies the problem that the customer has, knowing that there is a system solution but not saying what exactly it will be. That's what the system analyst does. So the BA will say that the customer needs an application that lets them do x in their y process, and x has to do a, b, c and it would be great if it could address problem d. The BA details the issues, the customer's process and limitations, and the business requirements in one or more documents. These could include diagrams and functional specifications, but the BA doesn't propose the technical solution(s). That's up to the system people. Also, the BA acts as a 'translator' between the business people (who will use the system) and the development team (who build the system), so that the system build meets the needs of the people who use it.

KM - How did those of you with that title get into that work? 
KL - not sure, but I think it's usually through the back door!

KL - Is there any particular education needed? 
KL - There are certificate courses similar to http://conted.mtroyal.ca/businessanalysis/ or http://www.uleth.ca/man-execprog/programs/analysts/.

KM - Are there any good sites on the internet where I could educate myself
about business analysis?
KL - www.iiba.com is good. http://www.b2ttraining.com/page/BA-Resources 

Karen Lowe
Consultant
CGI Production Field Management Team
800-5th Avenue SW, Suite 900
Calgary, AB  T2P 3T6
http://www.cgi.com
(403) 213-8485
 
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