Tell us about your Business Analysis background

Question: Can you tell us about your Business Analysis background?

Response: As a business analyst I actively participate in all phases of software development life cycle (SDLC) and project management life cycle (PMLC). However, my role and responsibilities varies depending upon the project requirements.

In the planning phase, I work with Project Manager/leads in creating the work break down structure (WBS) from the client requirement documents or request for proposal (RFP). I assist in creating schedule, resource planning and artifact template creation activities.

In the requirement phase, I organize JAD sessions, workshops or employ other requirement elicitation techniques to get detail client requirements, manage and document requirements. Usually we create business requirement documents (BRDs) and functional specifications. BRDs contain use cases and detail information about the scope.

Functional specifications contain various models, process flow diagrams, data needs, screen layouts, reports required, and configuration needs (if any). It really depends upon how much detail information the project needs. The template varies between organizations. In some projects I have also created data dictionary, data migration and conversion, and report analysis. We also have to follow the internal and external requirement approval processes.

In the development or coding phase, I guide the development team in better understanding of requirements or defect, clarify their doubts.

During testing phase, I work with the testing team to create test cases and automation scripts. Since BA has the first hand information about the requirements his role becomes even important. As a product owner at times I participate in functional testing. I make sure that there is traceability right from client requirement document, BRDs, functional specification up to test cases.

In the roll out phase I work with the project manager and deployment manager in preparing the roll out checklist, pilot and training activities.

When the project goes to maintenance, I study the change requests, analyze the impact and gap, and submit my analysis to change control board (CCB) for a decision.

To summarize as a BA I am heavily involved in all phases of a project. Compared to other roles a BA has the maximum and wide variety of tasks.