Every project begins with the customer and the developer formulating requirements for the future solution. Usually a business analyst develops and manages the criteria, although sometimes customers prefer to prepare the project documentation themselves.
Most employers really don’t think they need the services of this specialist. But a business analyst in the IT industry is not just a “chronicler”, but a professional who is really important to the project. And in this article we will try to understand why.
When an IT project needs a business analyst
Are required in the following cases:
If there is a need for market research
To get to know your audience better and understand what to consider when developing a product, the customer will need market research services. The business analyst evaluates the market sector, competitors, their software solutions, and trends. As a result, he/she offers the most effective and relevant solutions for a particular customer, so that the developed product solves its business tasks and brings maximum benefit.
If you have to stay within budget
The business analyst in the IT industry sees the big picture of the project. Also communicates with customer representatives and makes sure that the planned functionality does not exceed the budget. This specialist analyzes possible risks and thinks through response measures so that the project does not suffer.
If you need an intermediary between the team and the client
One of the main tasks of the business analyst in a project is to establish communication between the development team, the customer, and other stakeholders. This specialist finds out what business goals the customer is pursuing and what functionality they want to implement in the application. The prepares the collected information in the form of requirements, on the basis of which the team subsequently works.
If the customer has ideas, but no formulated requirements
The idea is only part of the success. To make sure that everyone involved in the project understands what is required of them, and that the work proceeds without breaking timelines or overspending the budget, quality documentation is essential. It is prepared by a business analyst. Before the beginning of development, clarifies what problems must be solved by the future product, as well as what features and functionality it must have. Then the specialist formalizes this data in the form of requirements.
Based on the documentation, project participants can estimate the scope of work, plan tasks and monitor their implementation. Thus, the customer will understand the timing and cost of the project.
If the requirements are constantly changing during the project
If the customer wants to develop any idea in the development process and regularly make changes to the requirements, the business analyst oversees these moments. Knows how to properly implement changes in the project: he/she determines what changes and for what purpose should be made in the project, calculates how much time and money it will take, coordinates the changes with the customer, product manager, project manager, and other stakeholders, and then updates the documentation.
If investors need project documentation
Based on the project documentation, investors can estimate how much money it will take to implement the idea, analyze whether everything was done according to plan, and whether the product meets the requirements. With quality documentation it is easier to convince investors of the feasibility of the project and to negotiate financing for its implementation. If the business analyst performs the role of project manager
The project manager decides how many people to include in the project, assigns tasks to them, and selects the right tools. Sometimes the business analyst can take on the role of PM to help the team manage tasks and make sure that the planned scope of work is completed by the end of the sprint.
Areas of business analysis tasks
What is the role of a business analyst on a project? Well, this specialist performs three important groups of tasks:
Extracts, analyzes, develops and prioritizes requirements
A business analyst in the IT industry is responsible for project documentation: Vision&Scope, SRS, Backlog and User Story Mapping. This person creates Vision&Scope, describes user stories, formulates SRS, develops User Story Mapping, forms Backlog and prototypes solutions.
Provides project participants with the necessary information
The project business analyst communicates the tasks that need to be completed to the process participants and reports the result to the product manager and other stakeholders.
Manages the product and works on its development strategy
The business analyst makes sure that the product being developed meets requirements, minimizes risks, and controls budget costs. The specialist assesses how the result of the project will help the business achieve its goals, and creates a roadmap for future improvements.
Benefits of hiring a business analyst on a project
Despite the fact that business analysts perform so many useful tasks for the project, the results of their work are not always obvious.
The fact that this specialty ranks seventh among the most in-demand IT professions is evidence of the business analyst importance in a project. It is second only to developers, project/program managers, and systems engineers in popularity.
According to a survey conducted by KPMG and AIPM, only 25% of company projects are successful, 42% of firms release applications on time, only 40% of projects meet their planned budget, and half of all projects reach their original goal. A majority of survey participants (64%) believe that projects have become more complex.
Business analysts and IT consulting firms save projects from such statistics. The makes sure that the product meets requirements and the original business goal, reaches the market on time, and that the development does not exceed the customer’s allocated budget. This specialist monitors the team’s progress and advises the team on complex issues.
You can compare project results with and without business analysis.
As a result, the client receives a relevant product that brings a stable income and satisfies the needs of the target audience.
Conclusion
Business analysts help companies gain recognition with their target audience and get their business niche in the marketplace. The presence of this specialist in a project ensures that all stages of development are carefully planned, and the process does not drift.
Andersen‘s custom software business analysts oversee projects for FinTech, Healthcare, Logistics and other domains. Our specialists reduce development costs and lead projects from discovery to support.
