In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, technology plays a pivotal role in shaping operations, enhancing efficiency, and achieving strategic goals. However, it’s not enough to simply implement new software or automated processes without a clear understanding of the underlying business problems. This is where Business Analysis (BA) steps in as a crucial discipline. In this article, we’ll delve into a conversation between Fabrício and guest expert Laura Brandenburg to explore how Business Analysis can be harnessed to solve business problems through technology.
Understanding the Foundation: What is Business Analysis?
Business Analysis is more than just collecting requirements for software development. It’s about comprehending the essence of the business problem and crafting innovative solutions. Laura Brandenburg emphasizes that the role of a Business Analyst is to “solve a business problem” and not merely to gather specifications. The focus should be on understanding the business objectives and aligning technology to address these challenges effectively.
Unveiling the Business Problem
To solve a problem, one must first understand it. Laura highlights the significance of recognizing the business problem before diving into technical solutions. It’s common for teams to receive requests like “build this software” or “automate this process.” However, the pivotal question to ask is: “What problem are we solving?” This requires stepping up, pushing back, and demonstrating leadership by digging deeper into the underlying issues.
From Business Problem to Software Solution: The Analytical Approach
Laura and Fabrício discuss the vital path to creating effective solutions:
- Step Back and Analyze: Before implementing any technical solution, take a step back and grasp the essence of the problem. Identify the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that need improvement within the business process.
- Conceptualize the Solution: Visualize how a software solution can address the identified problem. This step involves envisioning the software’s functionality and its potential impact on the business process.
- Specification and Detailing: Translate the conceptual solution into tangible use cases and wireframes. Use cases provide a detailed sequence of interactions with the software, while wireframes offer a visual representation. This granular approach aids in capturing precise requirements.
Accessing Resources and Advancing in Business Analysis
For those interested in delving deeper into the world of Business Analysis, Bridging the Gap offers a free workshop. This workshop covers the ASAP Framework and provides valuable insights into advancing a career in business analysis. Interested readers can access the free workshop at bridging-the-gap.com/quick.
Learn how to do Business Analysis in the BABOK Guide Business Analysis Online Course, the best and funniest way to improve your BA Mindset with The Brazilian BA, Fabrício Laguna.
Conclusion
Business Analysis is the bridge that connects business problems to technology solutions. As Laura Brandenburg eloquently explains, the key lies in understanding the business problem at its core, envisioning a technological solution, and meticulously detailing its execution. By adopting a structured approach, Business Analysts can navigate this path effectively, ensuring successful problem-solving and value creation through technology.
