Being Flexible as a Business Analyst

• Sometimes the business analyst can get so caught up in a project that he or she forgets that tried-and-true methods don't always work.  The analysis team tries to achieve what the client has set out and establishes a plan of action.  This plan of action requires some basic principles.  Sometimes these rudimentary ideas just don't work for the client.  The client cannot understand why these steps are so important.  That's when the business analyst needs to step back and ask the same questions as the client.  It's all about communication.

• The professional business analyst must understand that the success of the project depends not only on the documentation of the requirements but also on how those requirements are handled.  The business analyst is the liaison between the customer and the IT department.  Documentation may be necessary for the IT team to do its job.  Some explanation may be necessary for everyone to understand what is needed.  Yet the customer may not understand the documentation or have any need for it in the first place.  Communication skills are required.

• The business analyst can go further and faster with a simple meeting to explain the methods and procedures used.  The client can ask questions and the business analyst can explain.  Case studies and other documents will in no way assure the client of progress.  There are those who need to hear it because, to them, it may look good on paper, but how is it supposed to work?  A good business analyst can explain the intricacies of what is going on.  The client can agree.  The work can continue.  The objective is achieved.

• This is where the business analyst needs to be flexible.  Just because he or she has done this a thousand times with other clients doesn't mean this client is like a thousand others.  The business analyst's job is to determine what the client wants.  Paperwork can be a burden to the client.  The business analyst must understand how information is conveyed.  He or she must be flexible enough to provide what the client requests.  The business analyst must ensure that the client is comfortable with how the information is delivered.  Not the other way around.

• There will be times when the business analyst must learn to be flexible when it comes to processing information.  Not everyone can do the job of a business analyst.  That's why they were hired in the first place.  However, there may not be documentation for some things that the analyst normally knows about.  The business analyst must be flexible and know how to get around this obstacle.  He or she must know how to gather the information needed to complete the task.  Flexibility is useful at this stage.  The business analyst may have to do what he or she can for now and wait for the statistics to be gathered.  Instead of getting a concise written report from the team, the analyst may have to interview each member to gather what they need.

• The key is to work within the client's boundaries.  Do what the client is comfortable with.  The business analyst may not be as comfortable.  Being flexible in any situation will eliminate that discomfort.  The task at hand can be accomplished.

Whether you can telecommute and take a day off depends largely on your employer's working conditions and the nature of the projects you are assigned to.

As a business analyst, you're usually stuck between getting requirements from clients and getting those requirements to stakeholders internally.

In my experience, I've had to voluntarily defer my annual leave a few times due to the volume of work involved.

Some questions to ask yourself:

Would your project(s) suffer if you took time off?

Would you have a BA to take the pressure off while you are away from work?

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