Let me start with the “obvious obviousness”, as the classic says, that is, the qualities of a good analyst. The analytical bible – the BABOK Guide lists the following competencies:
- analytical thinking (surprising, right?) and problem solving,
- knowledge of tools and technology,
- responsibility, reliability, and the ability to quickly adapt to new situations,
- communication skills,
- interaction skills, for example, negotiating or teaching others,
- business knowledge.
Based on IIBA, BABOK Guide v.3
We can find similar lists of qualities in hundreds of articles and materials on business analysis. You can see one more example below:
Source: UiPath Academy
According to the above-mentioned sources, the most important qualities of a good business analyst include:
- analytical thinking,
- communication skills,
- curiosity,
- creativity,
- interpersonal skills,
- industry knowledge,
- patience,
- organizational skills,
- responsibility,
- quick adaptation to new conditions.
You can read more about who a business analyst is in the article: A Business Analyst of the 21st century – a fast track to a Product Owner?
First of all, you need to know that the path to retraining isn’t always a bed of roses. It’s necessary to gain or widen your knowledge of analysis methods, tools, and technologies. It is also important to acquire the appropriate competencies. However, when looking at the list of qualities above, we notice that good teachers already have most of them (otherwise, they wouldn’t be effective at their job). It’s not possible to develop such competencies just by reading the BABOK Guide or passing difficult and prestigious exams that confirm the knowledge of methods and tools. People can be naturally gifted with such qualities or they can work on them through interactions with others. Teaching is one of the professions where the above-mentioned skills are crucial.
Let’s take a look at the following competencies that characterize a great analyst. We can find a lot of analogies to a teacher’s job.
- Analytical thinking (that is, logic, connecting facts, problem solving, systemic and abstract thinking)
A math teacher would probably say here: checkmate! I taught foreign languages and I can tell you that a natural language has a lot in common with a programming language: it has its own syntax and rules, it is used for communication, and is governed by internal logic. As a teacher, I constantly broke down grammatical structures into smaller bits, searched for their equivalents in other language systems, and planned how to share this secret knowledge with others. It left a lasting analytical mark in me.
- Communication skills (that is, verbal and non-verbal communication, written language, and listening skills)
Telling stories, discussions, creating written assignments, but also listening to others and reading comprehension – this is the everyday life of every foreign language teacher (and teachers of other subjects). Anyway, doesn’t the text which you are reading confirm that I am good with words? (For a reason, I never added modesty to the list of desirable characteristics of an analyst! :))
- Curiosity (that is, inquisitiveness, willingness to learn)
After all, you don’t need to remind a teacher how important it is to learn… I am constantly learning and developing. I did it as a teacher, and I still do it today as an analyst (Have you read my article about ITIL? I passed the ITIL Foundation exam – my subjective opinion about ITIL). And, just like my fellow BAs, I’m not going to stop.
- Creativity (that is, unconventional approach, creating your own techniques, open mind, and creating visions)
As a teacher, I was rising to the heights of creativity. I wish you could have seen how senior engineers have fun running around the room looking for flashcards with words! Doing such exercises required certain courage to break stereotypes (“only children play and run!”). We also built mutual trust and developed a feeling of purpose (it made them remember much better!). Sounds like analysts inspiring crowds with their vision, doesn’t it?
- Interpersonal skills (that is, negotiating, resolving conflicts, mediation, teamwork, influencing others, and teaching others)
There is probably nothing else to add here. Controlling the clash of different attitudes (for example, some people want to learn, others don’t) and attempting to turn it into something constructive is basically the essence of working with people. We want to communicate something to the group and achieve a goal together. Imagine an English lesson in elementary school. Now imagine a workshop with a customer – I can see the similarity ?
- Industry knowledge (that is, expert knowledge)
You never know which area of knowledge you have mastered may come in handy at work. The ability to speak several foreign languages has opened many professional doors for me, including the door to analytics. The first meeting with a German customer, which we conduct in German, makes an impression, and that pays off in further cooperation. I also know a biology teacher who, after solid training in analysis, became a sought-after expert in pharmaceutical companies. Therefore, whatever you know can be an excellent base in your new role as an analyst.
- Patience (that is, self-control, consistency in action, and humbleness)
Teaching others (but also yourself) is a tedious process. The results come after some time and they aren’t always as good as we dream about. It is also important to be able to admit that we do not know something or have made a mistake because no one is infallible. This kind of attitude earns the students’ respect. Surprisingly, business customers also appreciate it. Mostly ?
- Organizational skills (that is, time management, meeting deadlines, and organizing your work)
You need some time to prepare an interesting and valuable lesson (meeting). Then, you carry it out within the specific time frame. Then, you score and discuss the test results (analysis?) for which everyone is waiting impatiently…
- Responsibility (that is, being trustworthy, reliable, and ethical)
All good teachers feel responsible for the development of their students and know that the learners count on them and trust their competencies. Teachers do their best to live up to these expectations. Does it remind you a bit of your customer relationship?
- Quick adaptation to new conditions
The groups I had lessons with were constantly changing. There were individual meetings and groups of 30 people. I taught children and adults, from different countries and professional backgrounds. I used various materials that I adjusted to the needs of individual students. I had to constantly adapt to the changing expectations. Knowing that the only constant thing in life is change (as Heraclitus from Ephesus allegedly said) stayed with me in my work as an analyst, too. The fact that I have met so many former educators who are doing great as BAs in the IT industry confirms we have mastered the skill of adaptation.
To sum up, I declare that I do not belong to any organization associating frustrated educators who want to join the IT world at all costs? I am also aware that, for example, an excellent sales representative is unlikely to suddenly become a perfect surgeon (although I do not want to take away anyone’s dreams!). Nevertheless, we live in an extremely dynamic world where frequent retraining becomes a reality. I’ve noticed that people who make such choices often feel regretful about starting from scratch. However, we don’t necessarily start from the very beginning. Sometimes we just don’t realize that thanks to working in seemingly distant industries, we already have many competencies required in our new role. This was the case for me, which is why I wanted to share my thoughts with you. Have a great day!
Author
- Business Systems Analyst
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She has been with Craftware for several months, previously worked for international companies from the industrial sector. She enjoys continuous development through work with new technologies and contact with people. In her private life, she is an enthusiast of travel, broadly understood linguistics, and studio cinemas.
