Building Your Business Data Analytics Team
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Each quarter IIBA surveys our community of close to 300 Global Corporate Members to understand topics and trends that are most important to the profession and our organizations. In 4Q18’s Corporate Benchmark Survey “Business Analysis in the Digital Age” members identified the largest anticipated increase in work area in the next 3-5 years was in Business Data Analytics. IIBA brought together a committee of subject matter experts from across the globe to explore how best to support our community in this new space. One of the results from this effort was the much-anticipated Guide to Business Data Analytics published last month.
The biggest challenges organizations face in rolling out their data initiatives is data driven problem solving skills. This is where Business Data Analytics can help. The idea is not to convert Business Analysis Professionals into Data Scientists, but rather to add value to Data Science teams by utilizing business analysis foundational skills to help deliver better business outcomes, once again bridging the gap between business and IT. The Guide to Business Data Analytics, establishes the framework required to successfully execute analytics initiatives at the practitioner level and includes an Organizational Level Strategy for Business to explores how organizations can embed analytics initiatives into the organizational architecture and overall decision-making framework. In practical terms business data analytics is defined as the practice of business analysis supporting business analytics initiatives.
While organizations are embracing the value of analytics and building their capabilities, the level of maturity among organizations varies.
What are the Benefits?
There are several benefits for an organization to build and retain a talented business data analytics team. Business analysis professionals who have the skills to effectively perform on business data analytics initiatives contribute to their teams in various ways, including providing the ability to:
- Translate business problems into questions that analytics can answer
- Use analytics results to identify viable options
- Explain technical results to non-technical stakeholders
- Visualize data and translate results via data storytelling
- Build and demonstrate empathy for the customer
More organizations are investing in business data analytics to obtain valuable insights from data, to support more informed business decision-making and to deliver on strategic imperatives.
Upskilling Your Teams
Organizations looking to tap into new opportunities to increase growth will find Business Data Analytics provides a strategic advantage.
A survey from Deloitte, found 49 percent of respondents said analytics helps them make better decisions, 16 percent say that it better enables key strategic initiatives, and 10 percent say it helps them improve relationships with both customers and business partners.1
Applying business data analytics enterprise wide however will impart be dependent on upskilling, selecting, and retaining top talent to build out their practice. Organizations that invest in their employees obtain a competitive advantage in the marketplace. By helping your employees stay on top of new business best practices your teams can take full advantage of new data-focused initiatives to meet business objectives.
The World Economy Forum stated that 54 percent of professionals will need upskilling by 20222, however, today’s current economic climate is proving the plan to upskill teams should be fast-tracked.
Advance Business Data Analytics Capabilities
Organizations can help their enterprise make better data driven decisions by empowering their business analysts to play a critical role in data science team. The IIBA Global Corporate Program provides the support and resources to build and enhance business analysis capabilities. Some of those resources include enterprise access to the Data Business Analysis guide, the BABOK guide, Corporate Leader Webinars, Corporate Benchmark survey, as well as membership and certification for the individual practitioners. Moreover, IIBA’s Global Corporate Program provides organizations an opportunity to help shape the future of our profession and the support IIBA provides back to our community.
About The Author:
Kellyn Jezierski, Corporate Business Development Manager | Helping organizations increase the effectiveness of their BA practice |
Between the ages of six to fifteen, my family moved from Brazil to the US, to Ireland, Sri Lanka, back to the US then off to Switzerland I went… with each new move I made new friends, studied a new language and embraced a new culture. Looking back, it is no wonder I have pursued a career in International Sales and Marketing. I am energized by developing new relationships and the challenge of understanding how to contribute value to the people that surround me.
It is with that enthusiasm that today I knock on doors of corporations seeking out senior Business Analysts that are in the process of establishing their BA Communities, or are responsible for making sure their team of BA professionals are speaking the same language, in the know and prepared to exercise emerging practices such as Agile, Cyber Security, or Business Data Analytics. The International Institute for Business Analysis has the tools and resources to make your job easier and it is my role to make them available to you.
If you are tasked with elevating the practice of Business Analysis in your organization let’s chat.
References
- Deloitte. “The Analytics Advantage” https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Deloitte-Analytics/dttl-analytics-analytics-advantage-report-061913.pdf
- The World Economy Forum