Business Analyst

What is it?

A business analyst is someone who looks at the business requirements of their clients or managers, and provides an analysis of possible problems, possible solutions, and maps out how to implement them.  They also act as a bridge between the management side of a business, and the customer service side of a business.

How is IT involved?

IT is often central to the business needs of a company.  Employees need computers to be able to work; the computers need to be up-to-date with the latest software, which all needs to be compatible, so that communications are made easier.  In some fields, IT is not only central to the communications, but also to the day-to-day operations of a business, such as in the field of finance.

Where can I see it?

Business Analysts work at a fairly high level in most organizations, and their efforts are most easily seen in the way that a product or service quickly responds to customer feedback, or the way that companies are able to anticipate markets.

When your computer gets upgraded in response to a need for better internet access, you're participating in the same kind of work a Business Analyst does, examining your resources, and acquiring more effective ones to do the job you need them to do.

Business Analysts can be found in every type of organization, and performing many different and diverse roles, depending on the size and scope of the organization. 

How can I be a part of it?

Business Analysts are highly respected employees, and are usually drawn from a pool of individuals with high levels of expertise in the field their company specializes in, so there are no specific guidelines to gearing yourself up to be a business analyst, only an interest in your area of expertise, and a desire to make your company operate more efficiently and with a greater emphasis on needs.

What else might I like?

Business Analysts work in tandem with Systems Analysts to manage the Information technology needs of their company, and are quite closely related to Technical Architects as well.

Where can I find out more?

Wikipedia:  Business Analyst

International Institute of Business Analysis:  An international not for profit professional association for Business Analysts