meong

Finding a Business Analyst There are times when a business starts to lose money and no-one is sure where the problem is located.  Going over facts and figures only points to the bottom line.  The bottom line continues to shrink.  People start to get desperate.  Strategies are planned and implemented to no avail.  Tried and true measures are no longer working.  It is time to call on the experts.  The business analyst needs to be  brought in.  The problem is finding one who knows the company. Finding a good business analyst is not as hard as everyone thinks.  They are not the enemy.  They are not some eerie creature sneaking around, lurking behind every corner.  A good business analyst is a creative thinker.  He or she is a motivational, aggressive team player.  The business analyst can gather data and other pertinent information from management and other sources to determine what is the key problem. A qualified busines...

Difference Between Systems Analyst and Business Analyst Many run into the problem of differentiating between a systems analyst and a business analyst.  The differences in some organizations do not exist.  In other companies, the comparison is almost an insult.  Depending on the business or corporation, there are many differences.  The job title is not the only thing with which to compare these two separate roles.  The problem occurs when the title is not so conclusive.  The business systems analyst or the systems business analyst can actually be one or the other or both.  Job description is the only way to tell when this happens.  There are differences, though. A systems analyst is capable of looking at a program or utility and see the code.  They can go in and pinpoint where changes need to be made.  They can incorporate the new data into an existing program for benefiting the company.  The systems analyst can collect data and tran...

Defining a Project Scope The project scope is the core of an individual project.  Without a project scope the project will just float.  Proper needs assessments and other intricate details will be overlooked.  Each project is designed to resolve issues the stakeholders are experiencing in their company.   These well meaning individuals will dump data and information charts, lists and figures presumptuously on the desk expecting it to all make sense.  The "here's the problem, fix it" attitude can be frustrating.  There are numerous feature requirements which must be met.  It is unclear as to what to prioritize where.  Cost estimates may not be accurate.  Delivery dates are tentative.  It is enough to make someone through up their hands in desperation and say "I QUIT!".  The trained business analyst will just grin and dive in.  He or she will know what is needed is a project scope. The project scope is the outline of the pro...

Customer Relations and the Business Analyst In today's market the customer should always come first.  This has been the bread and butter of many industries throughout the ages.  A satisfied customer is one who will keep coming back.  The customer is the one who helps the bottom line.  This is true in the field of business analysis.  It is the customer's   needs which the business analyst is fulfilling.  The business analyst should help to strengthen customer relations.  Time put into this is time well spent.  Finding the customer to be unhappy is never a good thing.  Ask any good business manager what their number one priority is and they will answer customer relations.  Sometimes it does not always show. Many of today's corporations utilize a big part of their budget on improvements in operations.  The target is the bottom line.  What they fail to realize is this can and will drive customers away.  Targeting the...