Business Analyst Jobs South Africa

Biggest lessons by learnt by industry practitioners to Business Analyst Job seekers

Business Analysts who are on the joband have been in industry were approached to share their greatest lessons whichcould be beneficial to Business Analyst Job seekers. In an honest and frankconversation, under the safety and freedom of anonymity, this is what they hadto say.

Most of them indicated that theywished that someone in industry could have shared what they were now sharingwith those looking for Business Analyst jobs. Without fear or any guidance asto what to share and what not to share, the conversation turned somber as someopened up with teary eyes.

'Alwayslook like you know what you are doing, even if you don't'
As a Business Analyst, a lot ofresponsibility lies on your shoulders. Amongst other things, you are there toenhance business profitability by applying business process re-engineeringmethods. It is therefore important that you convince your clients that you aredoing all you can to meet company objectives.

Even when you are asked a questionthat totally catches you off guard; other people may 'freak out', but youshould look like you anticipated it and even though you may not be able toanswer then, reassure your stakeholders that the answer is within reach. Youwill find it and send it to your group members via email or share and discussit at your next meeting.

'I'velearnt that you must know and familiarize yourself with what your vendors areactually doing'
Part of the Business Analyst's jobis to oversee vendors providing various software solutions as well as to takeit a step further by ensuring they deliver on time and to expectation withinthe budget. This cannot be done if you do not actively invest in finding outwhat is required 'behind the scenes'.

While you may not have the expertiseof the vendors to know in detail what the software solutions entail, you mustbe able to have a fairly accurate idea of what is happening so as to fully takeownership of the company's software solutions. You should be prepared to go theextra mile.

'Don'tyou dare for a second downplay project management…'
Project management is not just thetools and applications that you use or the experience you have thereof, butfamiliarizing yourself with the department and stakeholders that you have.Human relations was emphasized over and over as part of project management.Even trust; trust for your team members and self is key in order to effectivelymanage and/or avert a crisis.

Do your bit in learning as much as you can – andcontinuously improve – in perfecting your drafting of project charters for thevarious software initiatives. Work with people and be approachable at all times.Work as a team, but know when to step up and manage whether from the front orthe back.

Think ahead of other people and try to come up with solutions before therest even realize that something could serve as a problem. One must teach youreyes to see. Project reporting is key and never lost sight of measurableobjectives and milestones.