In the spirit of ITIL v4 – let us start where we are, following the classic 5Ws:

Who are you?

Hi, I’m James.

What do you do, when did you start?

I’ve been employed as a Business Analyst since 2014, but had worked in equivalent roles for about 3 years before that.

A quirk of Business Analysis is that you can be doing the job before you even know the job title exists. That is because in the words of the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA):

A business analyst is any person who performs business analysis activities, no matter what their job title or organizational role may be.

IIBA – Business Analysis Book Of Knowledge (BABOK v3)

So, if you find yourself trying to find better ways to do whatever it is that you do, then you’re already on your way to being a Business Analyst – or becoming a better one!

Where have you worked?

I am currently working for a branch of the Australian Judiciay, but have performed the role in a range of Small to Medium sized Enterprises across a number of industries:

• Technology – including Software Development, and Sales
• Not for Profit – Disability services and fundraising
• Legal and Financial Services – Courts Services, Banks, and Insurance

There are plenty more industry and business types that either employ Business Analysts or Business Analysis techniques.

Why start this site?

There are a few main reasons I wanted to make this site:

1. Helping others get started as Business Analysts

In a number of organisations I’ve had colleagues as me variations on the following:

What you do looks interesting. How do I become a Business Analyst?

So.Many.Colleagues

I always wanted to point these people in a particular direction, but felt guilty for not knowing a resource to send them to. Moreover, I felt I wasn’t qualified because I thought that I hadn’t followed a “traditional path” to get to were I was, so didn’t believe it would help.

What I didn’t realise at the time was that: most BAs come into the role from an indirect path, and because of that, my story was just as valid as any other. After all, I’m here right?!

2. To help SMEs build their business by learning Analysis techniques

In my experience, Business Analysis is used to identify needs, gaps, or opportunities within a business in order to help it grow. However, Owners or Managers within Small Businesses may not have the appetite to employ a Business Analyst, or engage a consultant.

By learning some of the techniques, I want to be able to support their business growth – and as mentioned before anyone performing Business Analysis activities is by definition a Business Analyst.

3. Becoming a better Business Analyst (me and you)

I know it seems a cardinal sin to admit that I’m not perfect / an expert in the subject, but an essential part of Business Analysis is self-awareness and willingness to improve.

So, part of my initial plan was that this site was essentially to be my own journey into revision of the IIBA BABOK so that I could gain further qualifications in Business Analysis – and in turn make this a public resource to help other Business Analysts also prepare. This latter point is also inspired by YouTuber, Doctor Ali Abdall

Final Point

Chances are, if you found this page then you’re probably already on the path to becoming a Business Analyst – or a better one – as you are looking for ways to improve yourself. So, congratulations on making that positive step.

Whether or not these all these categories stay within the one blog location, or are split out in to separate resources, I’m not yet sure. In any case, thanks for joining me.

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