Business Analysis Live!
Career Paths for Business Analysis
Tue Jun 27 2023Description
This episode covers various career paths in business analysis, including transitioning into technology engagement roles and different positions within the field. It also explores the importance of certifications, continuous learning, and the book 'The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right'. The episode concludes with information on online training opportunities and an upcoming event.
Insights
Diverse Career Paths
Business analysts can pursue roles in relationship building, agile environments, product ownership, strategic analysis, business architecture, Six Sigma, partnership building, technical analysis, and project management.
Transitioning into Technology Engagement
Business analysts with technical knowledge can consider transitioning into technology engagement roles like engagement managers or account managers on the business side. Coaching and certifications in business analysis can facilitate this transition.
Importance of Continuous Learning
Continued learning and certifications, such as Six Sigma and the I/OBA BA Specialization Model, are crucial for transitioning into different roles within business analysis.
The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right
The book 'The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right' provides insights on setting up effective practices, competency, and capability in business analysis. It emphasizes the importance of building teams, understanding governance, and aligning with industry standards.
Online Training and Learning Opportunities
The podcast guest offers online training and learning resources to help individuals and organizations explore their career and capability in business analysis. Project managers and PMOs can benefit from understanding the profession's importance, availability, and cost-saving potential.
Chapters
- Career Paths for Business Analysis
- Technology Engagement Partners
- Transitioning into Different Roles
- The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right
- Online Training and Learning
Career Paths for Business Analysis
00:01 - 08:47
- Guest speaker Maria discusses career paths for business analysis
- Maria has been in the business analysis space for over a decade and is a career expert
- A graphic was presented showing different career paths in business analysis
- Business analysis and technical analysis have similar career progressions
- Technical analysts need technical knowledge and can progress to management or architecture roles
- Business analysts can venture into relationship building, agile environments, or product owner roles
- For those not interested in people management, lead business analyst roles offer project leadership without managing people
- Other options include strategic analysis, business architecture, Six Sigma, or partnership building
Technology Engagement Partners
08:32 - 16:53
- Organizations are creating roles called technology engagement partners to bridge the gap between technology and business.
- These roles help manage technology initiatives while understanding and translating business needs.
- Communication, collaboration, and stakeholder management skills are crucial for these roles.
- Projects often struggle to align with business objectives, and technology engagement partners play a major role in building relationships and helping the business achieve its goals.
- The role of a technology engagement manager sits within the marketing and growth space, focusing on improving technology and processes to support business growth.
- Business analysts with technical knowledge can consider transitioning into roles like engagement managers or account managers on the business side.
- Coaching and certifications in business analysis can help professionals make this transition.
- One individual coached by the speaker successfully transitioned from a technical role to a senior business analyst position, gaining exposure to strategic projects along the way.
- Skills in technology projects can add value when transitioning to the business side, as they enable effective communication with stakeholders using simple language.
- Transitioning into business architecture requires specific skills that include understanding architecture roles and career progression.
Transitioning into Different Roles
16:34 - 24:53
- Skills needed to transition into business architecture include strategic thinking and visionary abilities.
- Consider certifications like Six Sigma and Purposely Capability model for career progression.
- Possible roles to transition from business analysis include technical analysis, relationship partnership, product owner/manager, subject matter expert (SME), and project management.
- Individual contributor paths for new challenges without a manager role include business architecture, strategic analysis, lead roles, technical analysis, and solution architecture.
- Continued learning and certification are important for transitioning into different roles.
- The I/OBA BA Specialization Model is a valuable tool for exploring different roles and certifications in the field of business analysis.
The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right
24:23 - 32:34
- Growing interest in data and its performance
- Book titled 'The Art of Getting Business Analysis Right' focuses on setting up the right practices, competency, and capability
- Importance of building teams and structure in business analysis
- Requirements not done properly can cost over 80% of project costs on rework and scope
- Book helps individuals progress their career, understand governance, and align with industry standards
- Seven key ingredients for organizations to get most value out of business analysis
- Author plans to speak about the book at upcoming festivals and connect with the community
- Continuously learning, growing, providing leadership, and becoming a better leader through public speaking
- Enjoyment in working with people, building them up, and seeing them grow
- Offering career advisory, coaching, online training, and helping organizations improve their project management
Online Training and Learning
32:07 - 34:56
- The podcast guest is offering online training and learning to help individuals and organizations explore their career and capability.
- Project managers and PMOs can benefit from understanding the importance, availability, and cost-saving potential of this profession.
- The guest's progression model emphasizes the ability to define one's own career path instead of letting the organization define it.
- A shout out is given to IBA Australia's chapter for their upcoming event, Festival of Analysis.
- The guest will be live from Hawaii in the next episode when they join IBA America.
- Listeners are encouraged to send questions via email or voice message for future broadcasts.