Enabling Change as a Business Analysis Professional
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Business analysis professionals are agents of change. Most are constantly looking for new skills and tools that will help them enable the positive changes businesses want through the discipline of business analysis.
BA professionals also encounter organizational change. Sometimes these changes are good, and sometimes they aren’t. Those who practice analysis must be prepared to help companies make necessary transitions during times of change, whether positive or negative.
How to Enable Change as a Business Analysis Professional
Enabling change as a business analysis professional is a fairly straightforward process. Put simply, organizational change happens when a BA professional:
1) Defines the business’ needs – Defining the business’ needs is the first step to supporting necessary organizational change. Part of defining business needs is defining the needs of stakeholders. Analysts must elicit the “actual needs of stakeholders, not simply their expressed desires,” stated IIBA UK. “In many cases, the business analyst will also work to facilitate communication between organizational units. In particular, business analysts often play a central role in aligning the needs of business units with the capabilities delivered by information technology, and may serve as a ‘translator’ between those groups.”
2) Recommends solutions that deliver value to stakeholders - Recommending solutions to a company is a critical aspect of attempting to enable organizational change. A BA professional is responsible for designing effective solutions for organizations. But, “...the BA is not responsible for delivering the solution or implementing the solution or ensuring the solution is made available on time or on schedule,” explained Bridging the Gap. “But in the task called ‘Assess Proposed Solution,’ it’s clear that we do not get a Get Out of Jail Free card when it comes to the solution, not even the technical solution to our detailed requirements.”
As a practice, business analysis helps organizations articulate what they need for change. It also promotes solutions that can deliver value to enterprises.
Common Symptoms of Organizational Change
Business analysis professionals not only enable organizational change, but they also encounter it. Some common symptoms of negative organizational change include:
- Competitors out-performing the organization
- A disengaged workforce
- Weak organizational leadership
- Poor customer satisfaction
- An unhealthy bottom line
These signs of change can be difficult for a business analysis professional to navigate, and to help an enterprise navigate. However, by simply defining the business’ needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders, a BA professional can enable positive change.
Business analysis certification improves a business analysis professional’s marketability, earning potential, and employability. Explore the IIBA certification offerings for business analysis professionals to learn more.
About The Author:
Tiffani Iacolino is a Product Marketing Manager at IIBA® and has 15+ years of marketing experience across the legal, technology, telecommunications, publishing, media, and professional services industries. She’s passionate about delivering meaningful products and solutions to the business analysis community, including IIBA’s latest offering the Cybersecurity Analysis Learning and Certification Program. Hailing from the Greater Toronto Area, she enjoys an amazing cup of coffee, running, and yoga -- between chasing her two adorable children!