Business Analyst does anyone know what it is?

[Doggy Styles]

The above contributions sound too narrow a definition of a BA.

Business Analysts I have worked with cover the whole business, not just the IT bits. I wouldn't equate them with analyst-programmers.

[Scrag Meister]

BAs are programmers who can't do the technical bit. Programmers are Business Analysts who can't do the human contact bit.

In the olden days, back when we only had steam-driven computers, we had beasts known as "Analyst Programmers", who could do the techy and the human bit. But their job titles were shortened to Anal Prog, so it wasn't going to last. Also, the job required a fair amount of demonstrable knowledge and skill, which didn't really suit the big consultancy companies. So they split the role up, and ditched the techy bit - using contractors for that, when they had to.

WNATS.

I was thinking the exact same thing and was about to post it until I read this.

[NotAllThere]

BAs are programmers who can't do the technical bit. Programmers are Business Analysts who can't do the human contact bit.

In the olden days, back when we only had steam-driven computers, we had beasts known as "Analyst Programmers", who could do the techy and the human bit. But their job titles were shortened to Anal Prog, so it wasn't going to last. Also, the job required a fair amount of demonstrable knowledge and skill, which didn't really suit the big consultancy companies. So they split the role up, and ditched the techy bit - using contractors for that, when they had to.

[HairyArsedBloke]

Location: manchester

'nuff said.

[TykeMerc]

seems to be the 'in vogue' job description to use these days, i'd rather be employing a person with actual skills/knowlegde in the area the project needs than just a generic BA what can put said findings in said format or perhaps thats just the background i come from

I've been lucky enough to work with many good BA's on multiple projects, a real BA is definitely worth their rate or salary as they will drive change to business processes and help the techies produce a solution that fits the now efficient process.

I still think the OP is a trolling sockie though

[Clippy]

Suggest you speak to our resident BA, SuitsYou01 who will be able to regale you with tales from the coalface, so to speak.

Make sure you wear waterproof clothing though!

[downsouth]

seems to be the 'in vogue' job description to use these days, i'd rather be employing a person with actual skills/knowlegde in the area the project needs than just a generic BA what can put said findings in said format or perhaps thats just the background i come from

[Zippy]

I see quite a few of these posts of "Business Analyst" and wonder what is
you need to qualify as one, to me it looks like an extension of software
analyst, any ideas?

They are not dissimilar to programmers but they wear suits, talk to you rather than their shoes, draw diagrams and can do joined-up writing.

Fish in a barrel ... sigh.

[TykeMerc]

Ok, who's on a sockie trolling mission today?

Whoever it is must be desperately bored.

[cojak]

I see quite a few of these posts of "Business Analyst" and wonder what is
you need to qualify as one, to me it looks like an extension of software
analyst, any ideas?

Oh Dear....

BAs do what it says on the tin - they analyse the business, work on strategy, gather requirements, map processes, and meet up with systems analysts over a coffee and bitch about the PM. They use BPM tools, UML and all that fancy stuff.

Sometimes.

And sometimes they don't.

Here's a tutorial to help you find out more...

[ContractorMike]

I see quite a few of these posts of "Business Analyst" and wonder what is
you need to qualify as one, to me it looks like an extension of software
analyst, any ideas?