5 Traits of a Successful Business Analyst!

Five Traits of a Successful Business Analyst!

The question of what makes one a successful Business Analyst is undoubtedly one of the most asked questions at job interviews and from mentees.

Whether one is already a dab hand in the Business Analysis domain or had just started out, here are the top 5 traits of this profession.

1. Critical thinking

As trusted advisors, Business Analysts regularly engage in multiple dialogues with stakeholders and receiving many different accounts of a scenario. It is critical therefore that a Business Analyst will need to be adept at evaluating the different options available to them that builds upon their analysis skills.

2. Strong communication skills

After a Business Analyst has performed their initial analysis, evaluated the possible solutions and is ready to propose their recommendations, it is then critical then that this is delivered in a clear and confident manner to their stakeholders. The regular interface with various stakeholders makes communication skills a fundamental trait, as any miscommunications can result in many problems that can prove to be challenging to rectify at later stages or large projects or programs. Another aspect of a strong communicator also includes combining their stakeholder management skills to identifying and resolving conflicts in an objective yet democratic manner.

3. Strong Stakeholder Management Skills

In addition to understanding systems and processes, it is crucial for Business Analysts to understand who may be impacted in the project or program, also known as stakeholders. Stakeholders can be grouped in accordance to vested interest, power or influence to inform and drive communication delivery and style of each group. Business Analysts will need to understand what makes each of these stakeholder groups ‘tick’ and cater their communications accordingly to ensure that they are receiving the right level of information and are included as decision makers in the relevant areas of the project or program.

4. Attention to Detail

When anyone thinks of the key artifacts produced by a Business Analyst, many are quick to identify the likes of business process mapping and requirements elicitation which consists of managing and organizing large amounts of granular information. A Business Analyst who is not detail-oriented will result in missed requirements, resulting in unnecessary rework of designs and additional costs for the effort that could otherwise be avoided. In addition to attention to details during performing Business Analysis activities, a successful Business Analyst will combine this trait with critical thinking to foresee future issues and introducing measures to mitigate any emerging risks.
Individuals without this trait will soon be identified by clients, and because of this organizations are increasingly zoning in on this trait by introducing Business Analysis-related assessment as part of their recruitment processes.

5. Being naturally Inquisitive

Business Analysts are respected as a profession in large due to their well rounded knowledge. With the ever evolving world of technological advancements, the Business Analysis profession will continue to evolve. To this end, the type of individuals who typically succeed in this profession have a tendency to possess a thirst for knowledge and understanding how to apply them to their professions. Naturally, individuals without this trait will find the need to constantly update their knowledge in the profession, technology advancements, cyber security advancements etc. tiring over the long term. Not being naturally inquisitive by investing time and efforts to understand what is going around in our environment may potentially mean being left behind as the profession evolves.

What other traits do you think are also crucial for being a successful Business Analyst? List them in the comments below.