7 Business Analysis Skills Every Organizational Leader Needs
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Business analysis is the practice of enabling change in an organizational context by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. The benefits of business analysis are robust and include an improved ROI, successful business transformation initiatives, lower costs, and improved collaboration with stakeholders.
7 Business Analysis Skills All Organizational Leaders Need
A business analysis professional uses specific skills to effectively practice business analysis and deliver the results organizations need most. While business analysis professionals are irreplaceable, organizational leaders across all industries can benefit from gaining some business analysis skills. Here are a few, mentioned in an article by CIO:
- Oral and written communication skills
- Interpersonal and consultative skills
- Facilitation skills
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Organizational skills
- Knowledge of business structure
- Understanding of networks, databases, and other technology
These skills are not unique to a business analysis role, but they are still heavily relied upon by those who practice analysis. Many organizational leaders already possess these business analysis skills. By working more closely with business analysis professionals and building business analysis capability within their organization, company leaders can develop these skills to a greater degree.
The skill of understanding networks, databases and other technology is particularly important at this time. This is because the pandemic has accelerated the rate of digital transformation, per IBM. This has increased the need for IT skills among all organizational leaders, in addition to advanced IT skills among business analysis professionals. Company leaders should consider consulting their company’s business analysis team about which IT skills are most critical for organizational leaders to obtain. This is because business analysis professionals are often well informed about the most up-to-date trends in IT.
The Skill of Business Analysis is Becoming More Popular
In addition to the aforementioned skills, business analysis itself is a skill organizational leaders should think about brushing up on. “On LinkedIn, more than 23 million professionals list business analysis as a skill or task in their roles within a range of industries and job titles from around the world,” explained ATD.
It’s unnecessary and unrealistic for every organizational leader to become proficient in business analysis. However, it is wise for them to familiarize themselves with what business analysis is and learn the basics of business analysis. Besides self-study, they can do this by building business analysis capability at their workplace and learning directly from business analysis professionals.
Are You Building Business Analysis Capability?
It’s essential that organizations not yet taking full advantage of business analysis begin building business analysis capability. Now is the time to do this as business analysis teams can help organizations successfully navigate the pandemic and keep up with digital transformation.
Business Analysis Mentor noted the need for companies to establish business analysis capability. The source stated this could be done by enabling business analysis professionals in organizations to develop professionally.
Develop Your Business Analysis Team with BA Certifications
A key aspect of building business analysis capability is equipping those who practice analysis at your organization with advanced, ongoing business analysis skills. You can do this by giving them opportunities to earn business analysis certifications.
The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) offers a wide array of business analysis certifications. Offer these certifications to your business analysis practitioners to build greater business analysis capability within your organization.
Learn more about IIBA’s certifications and how they can equip your company’s business analysis professionals with expertise and key competencies that will benefit your organization.
About The Author:
Isabel Feher-Watters is the Certification Programs Manager at IIBA® and has 20+ years' experience building talent and leadership in the workplace through learning, certification, and credentialing programs and practices. She holds a professional certification as a Certified Association Executive (CAE®), Certified Training and Development Professional (CTDP)™, and a Change Management Registered Practitioner (CMRP®). Isabel is passionate about learning and professional development in the Business Analysis community.