What are the career options for a business analyst? That has been and still is a highly discussed topic. For a long time the only clear option for BAs was to be promoted to a project management role. I recently did a webinar with BA Times, "What? You Don't want to be a PM!", where I discussed career options for BAs in addition to project management. The options I proposed I now view as "in the box" career moves. For BAs that want to be in the IT space, I proposed a potential path as Jr. BA, Sr. BA, BA Lead, BA Manager, Director, VP, CIO. Additionally within IT, BAs can move into a business architect position and/or strategic business analysis role where they look across the company to help determine the best projects to pursue to maximize business value. If you want to expand outside your company you can become a consultant. I also proposed BAs can move into the lines of business. As a BA you gain valuable information about the business goals, operations, and areas for improvement. All of those options are wonderful and do give the BA other avenues to pursue besides just project management. The skills you build as a business analyst, without a doubt, prepare you for those career moves.
Business Analyst Blogs
Out of the Box Business Analyst Career Path
The Fine Art of Complaining
I think complaining is an art form. There should be scores of admirers and Oscars awarded to honor those who are truly gifted complainers. Being an executive for so many years, I've had the privilege of being on the receiving end of a great deal of complaining over the years, so I consider myself something of a connoisseur on the subject; I also have tremendous respect for the folks who get it right.
Shhhhh. Be Vewy, Vewy Quiet!
Hunting the Elusive Agile Customer
I can't help being a fan of Bugs Bunny and other Looney Tunes characters. One of my favorites is Elmer Fudd, who is inspiring me for this post. Along with attendees from a workshop I just delivered in Dallas.
Your Customers Don't Want to Work with You!
There is a good chance I have not spoken with your customers. So I don't really know this to be true or not. But, do you know if you're customers want to work with you, your team, or your department? Many of you work as part of an internal IT organization supporting one or many business areas. The business areas, for the most part, have to work with the internal IT department for technology related projects and activities. Often the business area needs to make a good case to use outside help for these items. It could be difficult to make the case to spend on outside resources when the company is already paying salaries to an internal staff. So the fact that you have projects underway is not really a true indicator.
More Articles...
- The BA and the PM
- Five Rules for Project Success
- Book Review for All Business Analysts
- The Pendulum Swing of Organizations
- Becoming a Senior Business Analyst
- Is the Business Analyst a Product Owner or Tester on Agile Projects?
- The Business Case for Business Analysis
- Four Ways to Best Utilize a Senior Business Analyst
- Get Your Priorities in Order
- The Six Key Characteristics of a Senior Business Analyst
- I'm Tired of Business Analysts Being Left Out of Agility!
- Scrum vs. Waterfall Round 2; The Fight Continues
- Fire, Sliced Bread, and Now This!
- A Refreshing Viewpoint from a New Business Analyst Professional
- The Earth may be Flat, But at least the Project is Round
- We Don't Need BAs!
- Attacking Technical Requirements in Agile Backlogs
- A Heavyweight Fight; Scrum vs. Waterfall
- Things We Can Learn from the Italian Stallion. Part 2.
- Analysis versus Needs Analysis
- Things We Can Learn from the Italian Stallion. Part 1.
- Embracing Agility - Your Best Bet for Business Analysis Skill Development!
- Who Should Define the Business Need?
- Start Your Own Business Analyst Tradition
- The Technology of Business Analysts
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