We are often asked the following questions:

1. How do you become a business analyst?
2. Can the business analysis qualifications help me get into business analysis?

We would like to share with you our experience and thoughts.

Many professionals engage in business analysis work in their current job even though they don’t have a business analyst title.

How to know if you are already doing business analysis work?

Do you get involved most in your current role in at least one of these activity:

• identify business needs
• run workshop with stakeholders to understand business needs
• write business plans
• engage with customers or clients to implement projects
• run implementations of projects
• train users to use new systems

If you do then you already made a start.

What are business analysts expected to do every day?

• investigate business needs
• analyze data and information
• communicate with stakeholders
• evaluate and recommend solutions
• document findings
• measure outcomes

What skills do you need to develop to become a business analyst?

Based on the responsibilities that have we believe business analyst should concentrate on developing the following skills:

• business knowledge and understanding
• analytical and problem-solving
• communication and interpersonal
• business analysis best practice
• planning and self-managing
• visual modelling and prototyping
• a proactive attitude

Where do you start if you want to become a business analyst? Whether you want to start building your business analysis career or evolve and develop in the current role we believe our recommendations of steps to take can be helpful.

Steps to take…

1. Get qualified

Getting the business analysis qualification helps you move into a new business analysis role.

If you are new to business analysis but have good business knowledge a good start would be Foundation in Business Analysis or Business Analysis Practice.

If you have no business analysis experience the Foundation in Business Analysis is a good start.

If you have at least one year of business analysis experience and good business knowledge you could start directly with a practitioner course, a good start is either Business Analysis Practice or Requirements Engineering.

If you have more than 2 years of business analysis experience then we recommend you get the business analysis diploma and you can take the courses in any order you like.

Everyone’s situation is different. If you want to discuss your individual case do contact us and we will be happy to help.

2. Apply what you’ve learnt

Attending your course is a good start but if you don’t try to apply what you’ve learnt then you might not get the full benefits of your investments. After the course, keep a list with all the tools you learn and when can they be used and keep coming back to it while you are on the project.

Even if you have a BA standard that you need to follow then introducing some elements may help improve it. Present to your team the benefits of using the new tools.

 3. Network with other business analysts

Networking is a good way to expand your knowledge for both new and experience business analysts.

We organise regular events with Business Analysts in London Meetup group and you are very welcome to join us. You need to sign to our newsletter to receive updates for upcoming events.

Also we recommend you to join IIBA UK. IIBA is the organisation who manages the CCBA/CBAP business analysis qualifications. You can find more about their events here.

We also recommend the Requirements Engineering Specialist Group. They organise interesting events near in the BCS offices in Covent Garden, London

4. Speak with your manager

Having a discussion with your manager about your plans and seeing whether there are any opportunities can be a good start.

5. Speak with a recruitment company

It is worth speaking with a recruitment company and see what is in demand at the moment, what roles they have and get some recommendations from them.

6. Keep updated and develop your knowledge

A good way to do this is by reading books on business analysis or staying updated with news online.

We recommend the following websites:

1. BA Times
2. Modern Analyst
3. IIBA Webinars