More than likely, you've encountered business analysis, or even benefited from it. People who end up in this position have a naturally inquisitive and detail-oriented mind and are always analyzing everything. The Business Analyst role is one of the most important roles in IT for any organization. It is a position that plays a critical role in deciphering the future for many businesses. To date the role has not been widely recognized as a profession in its own right – with other players such as finance managers, software architects and project managers being seen as taking the lead. Their minds are constantly running through questions about activities they observe.What's being done and why? Is there a better way to do it? Are rules being followed, or are exceptions being made? Should these rules even exist, or should they be adapted to the current situation? Are we being as efficient as possible?These questions and more are just a natural part of the way a business analyst's mind works.

A Business Analyst acts as a bridge between business ideas and business capabilities; creating and scoping valuable changes and optimizations to business processes. Reviews appraise capabilities ranging from  those visible to the customer through to those embedded deep in the business process. The BA may be involved when a new product is created, or a current product is enhanced. They can help solve a problem by understanding the situation and helping propose a solution. Often their skills are used to help project team members better understand the needs of the customer.

There are two organizations where you might find a business analyst. First, in a business organization, or secondly, as a key member of a project team. As part of the business organization, the BA plays a role in helping craft strategic objectives, setting the future direction of the organization. This knowledge and understanding is then transferred to others who will support these objectives through projects or programs.  In other organizations, the business analyst is on a project team that has to explain the solution; They explain why and what actually is involved through changes.

The role provided by a business analyst continues to evolve and that's really because they're so valuable across so many different situations. The analytical skills of the business analyst helps with several things or opportunities more specifically. They see how these fit into the overall strategy of the organization, an increasingly important role of the business analyst is associated with change to a desired future state by working closely with individuals at all levels within an organization, the business analyst is able to understand how any change may impact them and therefore they're more likely to embrace it.