In my last post, I wrote about the characteristics of a profession, and how business analysis measures up. In this post, I’d like to explore the characteristics of professional business analysts.
There are established references on individual competency, such as IIBA’s Competency Model, which describes competency as the combination of;
- Knowledge Areas – i.e. knowledge of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge
- Performance Competencies – how well the tasks in the BABOK Knowledge Areas are performed
- Underlying Competencies – including Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving, Behavioural Characteristics, Business Knowledge, Communication Skills, Interaction Skills, Tools and Technology
- Techniques – the ways that a Knowledge Area task can be performed
The Competency Model by definition has to assume that there is an existing level of business analysis knowledge, so it probably only relevant for established BAs.
Graduates, junior consultants, recruiters and aspiring business analysts might need something a bit more universal to guide them in identifying and progressing a career in business analysis.
In no particular order, here are the personal characteristics that I think make a good business analyst.
Communication
If nothing else, business analysts must excel at communication. BAs bring together stakeholders in a meeting of minds to arrive at shared understandings of motivations, goals, vision, outcomes, benefits and value of change. BAs must be masters of written, verbal, and non-verbal communication to bring stakeholders on that journey. Yes, this means grammar and punctuation is crucial.
Random Capital Letters, misplaced apostrophe’s, just plane wrong words – these all dilute your meaning and make it hard to take you’re work seriously1.
Consultancy
Business analysts are advisors and influencers. They don’t necessarily make decisions, but they inform and consult those that do. They do this through expert knowledge, building trust and doing more than required.
Curiosity
Professional curiosity means that the individual has an awareness of the context that they work in, they seek knowledge and experience, and want to expand their sphere of interest. Professional curiosity is the modern day equivalent of the polymath. An effective business analyst is not just good at being a BA, they have breadth of skills in disciplines such as change management, communications, agile delivery, quality assurance or software development.
Are there characteristics I haven’t covered?
Josh, I agree with all that you have said, although I would add patience and perspicacity in seeing the job done. I also see your list of characteristics as focussing on ‘soft’ skills, I recognise that business analysis has become a very broad church, but I think a good analyst needs to go beyond the advisor role into affirmative action. I have in mind preparing project documentation such as quotes and tenders and getting involved in the nitty-gritty of process and data analysis. In know that BABOK covers some of these areas, but it is a combination of methods and recipes, with too little on doing actual analysis, without emphasis on the hard yards of getting inside the business and the clients head. Good stuff though, I look forward to you future posts!