Any Business Analysts out there?

[Monkeybutt1]

I am interviewing for a role as a business analyst and am currently doing some self training! If you were asked to be involved with a project to roll out a new platform for example how would you approach it to start it off? I am stuck and keep reading conflicting advise on different training videos.
TIA

The BAs role in this is likely to be understand how the system fits in to the situation. Do any processes need to be modified? Does the system need to be adapted at all to make it work for the situation? And to document the requirements around this. That would be the core of the role here. You would therefore need to understand the system and the situation in detail. Learn the system. Meet key stakeholders. Create stakeholder map. Create as is process documentation. Work with Project Management to map out key tasks for the roll out. At a high level, that's what you would do.

So you would start off by indentifing your stakeholders, set up meetings with them and explain the outline of the project and gather their high level requirements. These can be used in the Scope Definition that you would also write. You could also put together a stakeholder matrix. Once the scope is baselined and signed off then you would move onto requirements gathering usually by having workshops. At the beginning you could also put together a Analysis plan which would feed into the overall project plan.

Thank you, I am on the right track which is a relief 😀

What the previous posters have said. You've definitely on the right lines. That's a big question to ask! When's the interview?

Thank you for all your advise. The interview is on Tuesday, its the 2nd stage I just need to do a 10-15 min talk on how I would approach a roll out of a new platform, what I think the high level requirements are, functional and non functional and what other analysis work would need to be considered. So a lot to do, I am almost there though. They do know I have no BA experience but I have a lot of transferable skills.

What everyone else said. A big part of your requirements will be the constraints created by existing systems that the new platform will need to be compatible with. You don’t need to understand the detail of of that start off with, just find out who does and document what they tell you. And as it’s for an interview I’d chuck something in about the importance of accessibility in your NFRs.

I suspect if you demonstrate that you have taken a logical approach to the task, demonstrate that you have researched and are articulate they will be impressed. There's not enough BAs to go around so anyone with transferable skills and the right kind of brain is attractive. Good luck! Chuck something in about MoSCoW.

Thank you, that means a lot.

For your NFR consider the security of the system, it's performance needs, if there are any governance around the content it holds (think GDPR) and it's operational aspects, will it need constant monitoring 24/7 support.

Add in lots and lots about communication, collaboration, continuous user engagement and the importance of embedding the users into the project team to maximise chances of successful adoption.

DH used to be a BA and his biggest problem was getting the end users to adopt the new technology - they were always resistant to changing their working practices, even though when fully implemented it would streamline their workflows and make tasks quicker and easier.

@Dreikanter

Yep. Absolutely always the way.

Nobody really likes change when they are or perceive themselves to be overstretched anyway, , and particularly the big-bang lack-of-empathy change that many corporates are so fond of.

All of the above

You could also talk about the importance of behaviour-led requirements, i.e. what you want the system to do rather than how it should work. What the key processes are, what the impact of the change is on them, and on the teams that execute them. Don't be afraid to mention other 'specialist' teams you'd talk to, such as enterprise architects - useful to mention groups other than end users / stakeholders.

One more thing - emphasise how a large platform change fits into the strategic direction of the company, what the longer term aims might be (efficiency, cost reduction, increased automation etc) and any impact on how the company operates end to end.

Thank you for all your suggestions, I have almost completed it (I think) Interview is tomorrow.
I just need to put into words how I would approach the task of creating a list of high level requirements, without saying, " I would create a list of high level requirements" 😂

I got the job! Thank you everyone for your help.

Congratulations!

Hello @Monkeybutt1 cane across your thread as I’m considering a drastic career change and I’d love to be a BA. I’ve zero experience but I think a lot of transferable ‘rough’ skills.. wondering if you’re still in your new job and what advice you could offer someone who is really interested in BA roles but not sure where to start!! I pondered emailing some different companies and seeing if anyone would talk to me or should I do a specific course..any help v v gratefully recieved! Are you enjoying your new role? Xx