Comments on: Does My Experience in Process Improvement Prepare Me to Be a Business Analyst?

By: Fran

Fran — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 19:28:42 +0000

With a long career as a PM, I joined a smaller organisation and became a Business Relationship Manager, being the front line between IT and the business, doing PM/BA/ProgM combined. I found that I actually lkied putting projects together far more that delivery end, and so drifted more into the role. In my 60s I now run a BA/delivery manager team.

My only issue is that I have moved more away from the strategic, and even tactical side. It is not really about the name of the role, it is more about what you like to do, and where you like to be involved. Ask youself the questions: up front or delivery, strategy or delivery, solution design or getting to the heart of the requirements, people or technology, and then ask those who are offering the roles, and read what they say about the roles, and the level and contact points. No two roles are the same even with the same job description.
If it feels right then your age should not be a barrier – you just have to love what you are doing.

By: Mark Wavle

Mark Wavle — Wed, 04 May 2011 16:53:54 +0000

I completely agree with you, Doug. In the consulting company I work for, we relish the people who have expertise that that goes beyond their titled role…like a PM who has great analysis skills, or a BA who has a technical skill.

When someone has multiple skill sets and experience to back it up, they are as versatile as a Swiss army knife. These are the people that tend to be recognized because they deliver great results beyond what was initially asked of them.

I would take the time to read through the BABOK as Doug recommends, if for no other reason than to become familiar with the terminology and techniques you already know. That way, you can present your experience in these terms and gain credibility with potential employers and other BAs…and you’ll no doubt learn some new stuff along the way.

Don’t be afraid to break a mold – you don’t have to be just a PM or just a BA. You can bring multiple skill sets to the table and it will benefit your clients. Seek out an employer that finds value in that, and you’ll rock!

By: doug goldberg

doug goldberg — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 02:41:07 +0000

Aaron and Adriana

thanks for seconding and thirding…my answer to the reader’s post also reflects my own history. it just seems to me like su h a waste to have worked for decades only to think that all that knowledge and experience is worth nothing,..not true by any means.

By: Adriana Beal

Adriana Beal — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 00:30:52 +0000

I second (I mean, third!) the idea of rebranding.

I actually started my BA career in process improvement consulting. At some point I started to have the title “business analyst” and “lead BA consultant”, but it wasn’t a “career change”, just a consequence of focusing on certain types of jobs and the natural “rebranding” that followed.

Great advice, Doug!

By: Aaron Whittenberger

Aaron Whittenberger — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 22:26:18 +0000

Doug, I definitely like your idea of “re-brand your capabilities” as opposed to making a career move. Marketing your prior experiences and developing that into a Senior BA or Consultancy role is an excellent way to go. I see this reader has the same issue that I did many years ago, in that my BA experiences were not quite evident in my past job titles. I used the CBAP® to give myself a credential to identify my expertise in the BA arena that was not easily identifiable on my resume. The reader may find the same benefit by obtaining the CBAP® certification.