Origin Business Analysis

Grew with the proliferation of using information systems in businesses during the 1980s. Prior
to this, most companies did not use information systems to support their processes. There was little
doubt about the value of information technology, but projects seemed to be plagued with re-writes,
changes and additions to functionalities.

It gradually became clear that communication between the business and the IT was essential for
project success. Gradually the need to be able to articulate and communicate the requirements of the
business side to the programmers grew, and the role of a business analyst was born.

Business analysis in its early days was primarily focused on formulating and communicating
requirements. In analyzing the business, the focus has moved beyond requirements to including the
reasons for change (business drivers), the desired effect to achieve (business goals), identifying what
components need to be changed or replaced in order to reach the objective (business deliverables), the
requirements ( business requirements) and what needs to be adapted or changed in the business
( business rules), as presented in the figure below.

Evolution of Business Analysis

What is Business Analysis?

A set of tasks and techniques used to work as a liaison among stakeholders in order to
understand the structure, policies, and operations of an organization, and to recommend solutions that
enable the organization to achieve its goals. – According to IIBA (International Institute of Business
Analysis)

Practice of enabling change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that
deliver value to stakeholders. Business analysis enables an enterprise to articulate needs and the
rationale for change and to design and describe solutions that can deliver value. – According to BABOK
(Business Analysis Body of Knowledge)
Business Analyst
Someone whose work involves business analysis. In essence, the work of a business analyst
pivots around delivering solutions, mainly supported by information technology, that bring value to
stakeholders. Information technology will enhance the performance of a process.

However, if the process is poorly designed or not tailored to solving the problem

 the solution enabled by information technology will increase the problems rather than solve
them.
 if the process is soundly re-designed, information technology will enhance the value for the
stakeholders.

Role of a Business Analyst

1. Discoverer (All information coming from variety of sources. This is tools, processes,
2. Synthesizer documentation and stakeholders for the purpose of eliciting the actual needs.
3. Analyzer for the purpose of recommending solutions that address these needs.)

Task of a Business Analyst

1. Strategic (Performs the work of business analysis in different contexts

and
2. Operational levels. introducing new solutions or continuously improving
3. Project Management existing solutions)

Note fyi:
Business analyses, regardless of the multitude of forms it can take on, is about understanding the actual problem or
need and, through a set of activities and analysis, recommending the best solution that will resolve the problem or satisfy the
need of the stakeholders.