A Business Analyst acts as a face of Customer to the Development team, most of the time. A Business Analyst should be credible enough and the team should have absolute faith in him. Development team should be able to ask any question regarding the system and they should believe in the answers that BAs provide. If they start having doubts on the answers BAs provide they may get tempted to develop something that is not needed by the business or spend extra time in clarifying the doubt from various sources.
The development team should trust a BA; this was the first lesson that I got from a senior BA. When I asked him how to do it, he told me that you have to figure that out for yourself there is no proven formula. Some of the things that I tried and how they helped me in building a good rapport with the development team.
- Interact with the developers regularly and keep asking them if they have any doubts. The idea is not to overdo it as they may get a feeling that you are trying to judge their work. Keep it simple and just make sure that they know you are there if they need any clarifications in the requirements.
- Make sure you run the development team through the requirements before they start with the implementation. Do it on module-to-module basis, plan with the Project Managers and Team Leads. Make sure you keep these sessions as informal as possible and try to make them understand the business pain points rather than teaching them (as they may switch off).
- Encourage the team to approach you for any clarification in the requirements. When they approach you make sure you clarify their issues or get the issues raised to correct person, if you are not the right one.
- It is a good idea to explain the business side to the developers and also let them know about the domain, as you have that knowledge. Have these talks at non-work timings like lunch, coffee or while traveling. Make sure you don’t come out as a person who is bragging about his knowledge but as a person who is genuinely helping. Keep it honest; if you are not comfortable don’t try it.
I tried these things and they helped me immensely in building a good relation with the development team. Do let me know what works with you and how you achieved it?
October 7th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
Yeah there’s nothing worse than losing the trust and respect of your developers, seriously.
July 7th, 2010 at 8:26 am
This article truly complements the real role of a BA. I believe the most important skill that any BA should have is the communication skill.
It is the weapon used to make sure both the business & development team gets what they want.
October 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Thanks for following me on Twitter. And now that I have your site, I am going to add you to my favorite bookmarks.
Thanks!
Yashar
October 30th, 2009 at 12:19 am
This is a useful article. I wish you would have made it longer to provide more info on how to build up business credibility.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:51 am
I need a clarification about my career. I completed my Masters in Business Management and then started working with an IT company as a Preoject Executive, where my job role was to analyze the client’s business requirements. After 6 months I switched from there and joined another IT company as a Sales Executive, where my job was to analyze the requirements, map our product and sell with customization. Now i am working with an IT company as a Consultant – Sales Manager. My product domains are ERP and HRMS. Here my job role is to manage a team, visit the prospects, understand their requirements, show demo, documentation (business requirements documentation, proposal, service level agreement etc.).
My question: Can I become a Business Analyst? How; please advice…
It will be better if you can directly mail your comments at avi2217@gmail.com.
Regards,
Abhijit Ghosh
February 16th, 2010 at 5:06 am
yes ….u have all the capabilities to be a business analyst…go for it and all d best
November 9th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
hey there…realy great article and useful too…what else to say…realy great
November 12th, 2009 at 7:49 am
Definitely a good biz site. Bookmarkin’ this!
November 18th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
Great and insightful article. I found it through Twitter. I am going to rss you, and read some more of the other articles you have written.
December 21st, 2009 at 7:17 am
Hi,Please suggest me about my career steps, if any once can.
I started my career as QA/QC Engineer, involved in software QA and Testing process and got around 3+ years of experience it . I am very much inrested to opt BA profile , but now its very ambiguous to me that what should be the steps (either training, certifications or anythng else) to get into this field. It will be great if any one suggest me for same. Thanks in Advance.
January 28th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Please suggest me…
I got the offer as a analyst…but i am not interested in that…I want to make my career in software development…so for a time being shall i join this…is it possible to switch from analysis to development phase…please reply me on my email…i.m.4th.idiot@gmail.com
February 20th, 2010 at 8:19 am
yeah… i like this article…
March 11th, 2010 at 3:55 am
nice !
March 12th, 2010 at 5:21 am
can any one suggest me the requisite to be a Business analyst…
I have a vary fare experience in Marketing and administration and I understand organisatioanal modus operandi and work process very well as my mostly work with ISO certification body.. now I want to my change job…
April 2nd, 2010 at 5:35 am
nice article..any BA interview tips please?
April 2nd, 2010 at 1:46 pm
I have 6 yrs of IT sales experience, I have delt with IT products, hardware, IT Services etc I wanted to understand if I can get into Business Analyst Roles? Can I become a Business Analyst?
April 12th, 2010 at 1:19 am
I have just started my career as a Business Analyst. I am BE in computers. I need help on how to go ahead with this career. I truely want to be a business analyst. Please do help me..
Regards
Netra
August 2nd, 2010 at 4:22 am
hi netra,
u joined in a company as a business analyst that too as a fresher?? Is it possible??
May 6th, 2010 at 9:04 am
I want to BA.searching for it .if any body one help me .I did my MBA in a school …pls pin me
with regards
bala
bala2003@indiatimes.com
940239234
May 13th, 2010 at 8:57 am
I just got an offer and will start my career as a BA this Jul. This job is about to coordinate between stock exchanges and our development team to get our realtime data best suited to the clients. I really don’t want to mess up from the start. Please do help me with advice.
Thanks & regards,
Kevin
May 20th, 2010 at 10:23 pm
Hello, I have been in IT for over 10 years doing the following:
1 – help desk
2 – field engineer
3 – system support engineer
4 – network/sys admin
5 – QA engineer (Production Plant) designed 10 test station
6 – Contract Project
The companies such as Law firm, Software Companies, Hospital, Engineering firms.
Education wise, I have 2 A.A.S. in Electronics and Networking Technology and B.S. in Economics
I was wondering if you have any tips that you can give me in becoming Business Analyst and I was also thinking of taking a PMP Course. Thank you very much in advance.
May 26th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hi
I have done my MBA in marketing after engineering and working as a sales officer in one financial service industry about 2 yrs. i want a transition from sales to business analyst how should i got about?
please revert me what should i do for this transition from sales to BA… It will be very thankful…
with regards
Anand
bj_anand@rediffmail.com
May 31st, 2010 at 12:03 am
Hi,
I am working as an HR in an IT company, I have a flair of getting aligned to Business role. Can I become a Business Analyst. I have excellent communication skills, as well as team management skills.
If required I can undergo some for some tech education also.
June 9th, 2010 at 12:32 am
Hi,
Good article.
I need clarification please.
I was working in Insurance and Real Estate industry in frontline sales as Sales Manager for last 5 years. I was handling Sales agents in Insurance industry and directly handling HNI clients in Real Estate industry. I am looking at Business Analyst as my career and, it is my desired to be a Business Analyst.
Please suggest me how to go about it..? I am reading Business Analyst – related articles and blogs in different websites.
Please let me know, if I need to do any courses too?
I have done Masters in International Business after completing my BBM in Marketing and Finance.
My Mail ID: venkymib@yahoo.com
Regards,
Venkatesha Bhat
June 15th, 2010 at 2:30 am
Hi
I have 2 years of experience in Banking Industry, I was into Commercial Banking and was selling Current Account and various products related to export and import
I was into hardcore sales
I have done MBA in Marketing and Information Technology, after completing my BSc (Horticulture)
I need to build my career in Business Analyst
Please help me out
My Email Id: maadhugv@gmail.com
June 17th, 2010 at 3:13 am
Hi
Above article is good and very informative about those how are already working in this field.
But let me guide if I’m new or just entered in this field.
July 3rd, 2010 at 8:01 am
Hi,
I am a web developer and my technology is PHP/Mysql . I have 3+ years of experience in development and now I want to switch as BA. I have good understanding on web industry and I think I can do better. Please suggest – is that would be good for my career path?
- How should I proceed towards that?
- What should I prepare to get in BA job?
My Mail ID: asw_pradhan@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Ashwani
July 4th, 2010 at 10:11 am
Hi,
i did my b.e in chemical engineering, joining an IT firm and want to become a business analyst. how do i go about it??
please help
July 15th, 2010 at 8:28 am
GOOD DAY
WHAT ARE THE DUTIES OF BUSINESS ANALYST ?
July 15th, 2010 at 8:29 am
I NEED TO KNOW THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF B/A ?
July 16th, 2010 at 4:40 am
I just want to know the Technical requirements of an BA
August 1st, 2010 at 4:03 am
hai…iam mani,iam studying mca i am going to attend the interview held on next week…they need the students who are all aware of business ananlyst….i need to know about business analyst….if anyone can help me?
August 1st, 2010 at 4:05 am
i need to know about technical questions and role of business analyst
September 6th, 2010 at 3:57 am
A Business Analyst acts as a face of Customer to the Development team.
Great definition.