b. What are the functions/tasks of a business analyst?
The functions/tasks of a business analyst include:
1. Requirement gathering: The business analyst interacts with stakeholders to identify and document business requirements and objectives.
2. Data analysis: The business analyst analyzes data to make informed recommendations and decisions. They may use statistical tools and techniques to assess trends, patterns, and insights.
3. Process mapping: The business analyst maps current business processes and identifies areas for improvement and optimization.
4. System analysis: The business analyst studies existing systems and analyzes their functionalities, performance, and weaknesses. They assess potential solutions and make recommendations for system enhancements or replacements.
5. Documentation: The business analyst documents requirements, user stories, use cases, and functional specifications to facilitate communication and understanding between stakeholders and development teams.
6. Stakeholder management: The business analyst facilitates collaboration and communication between different stakeholders such as business users, project managers, developers, and testers. They ensure everyone has a clear understanding of requirements and objectives.
7. Change management: The business analyst assists in managing the impact of changes within an organization. They analyze potential risks and help develop strategies to minimize resistance and maximize adoption.
8. Solution validation: The business analyst tests and validates the implemented solution against the defined requirements to ensure it meets the business needs.
9. Training and support: The business analyst may provide training and support to end-users, helping them understand and effectively use the implemented systems or processes.
10. Continuous improvement: The business analyst continuously monitors and evaluates the performance of implemented solutions, identifies areas for improvement, and recommends iterative enhancements.
Overall, the key function of a business analyst is to bridge the gap between business needs and IT solutions, ensuring that technology and processes align with organizational objectives.