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You can find out "what employers look for in a job candidate" by browsing business analyst job descriptions.

However, you will notice that some business analyst job descriptions are poorly written!

A weak business analyst job description does not provide enough information for you to compare your skill set against the requirements posted on the job posting.

A Well Written Business Analyst Job Description Is An Effective Hiring Tool!

Here is an example of a weak or ineffective business analyst job description:

We are seeking a senior level Business Analyst (5+ years) with strong systems knowledge for a six month + contract.

They will need to have a strong background working with tech leads, working with end-users, gathering requirements, and creating BRDs.

This person will not have to create technical specifications, but will need to have the technical knowledge to help guide the decisions.

The right candidate will need to be the type of person to take control of a project and create direction where there isn't any.

In order to be considered, the candidates must produce examples of past BRDs he/she has created.

This position has potential to run for the entire year.

A Guide To Business Analyst Job Descriptions

Here are my thoughts on why this business analyst job description is ineffective.

• Is the employer looking for anyone who has worked in a business analysis capacity in for five years and can put together a good-looking Business Requirements Document? From reading, it would seem so.




• Is putting together a Business Requirements Document (BRD) the hallmark of a successful business analyst?




• What does the wording "create direction where there isnt' any" refer to? Is the employer asking for project management skills as well?




• What sort of technical knowledge is the employer asking for? What depth of technical expertise is need?

A Better Business Analyst Job Description

Here is a better worded business analyst job description:

Position: IT Business Analyst

Description:

• The Business Analyst is a crucial role in creating and maintaining the strategic partnership between Business needs and Technology delivery in an Agile development environment.




• The Business Analyst will be responsible for developing business requirements and related business rules based on Business Group needs.




• The Analyst will work closely with the Business Partner and Business Subject Matter Expert(s) in the definition, testing, training, implementation, and support of functional requirements.




• The Analyst will identify requirements via industry standard analysis techniques such as data flow modeling, workflow analysis, and functional decomposition analysis. The Analyst will solicit requirements through interviews, workshops, and/or existing systems documentation or procedures.

In general, the role will include the creation/revision of the following analysis artifacts and deliverables:

• Process Maps


• Business Requirements


• Business Rules


• User Stories


• User Flows


• Acceptance Tests

The Analyst will participate in daily stand-up meetings with both Technology and Business Partners to facilitate the understanding, clarification, and implementation of requirements in an Agile development environment.
Requirements:

BA/BS Degree, in a technology related field or other degree preferred.

4-6 years experience in building and specifying mission critical business applications, at least 1 of which is in a client/server environment.

Strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate effectively and confidently with users, team members and management.

Must be flexible and willing to undertake a wide variety of challenging tasks.

Strong facilitation skills. Must be able to elicit requirements from various personalities across organizational and geographical boundaries.

Proven experience at driving consensus across multiple stakeholders.

Process driven analysis skills and a background in various requirements elicitation methods.

Proficiency with Agile SDLC processes

This business analyst job description is much better than the first one because it includes details and is specific about the tasks the business analyst will be performing.

How To Write A Good Business Analyst Job Description

For an employer to get the best business analysts applying to their position, they need to create job descriptions that allow business analysts to use their full range of unique skills, tools and techniques.

Writing better job descriptions is important because it assures the business analyst reviewing the job description that the organization has a good vision for their roles abd will put it to good use.

Business Analyst Job descriptions have to show an understanding of the value that BAs bring to the organization by briding the gap between business and Information Technology (IT).

Write business analyst job descriptions in a way that demonstrates you know how to put a good business analyst to work!

For example, a good business analyst should not be expected to run around just putting out fires wherever they flare up. Because a good business analyst would want to get to the root cause of the fire and create long lasting solutions that address the root causes.

A good business analyst doesn't want to just "gather and document requirements", he/she would rather "have expertise in a variety of requirements elicitation techniques such as interviews, focus groups, surveys, workshops etc, and choose the right technique for different elicitation situations."

Your Business Analyst Career Development Plan

Browsing good business analyst job descriptions is a must because it shows you where the market is going and what skills are hot or not in-demand.

Don't get so caught up in your current business analyst job that you miss the boat on new skills in the industry.

Browse or read good business analyst job descriptions that will help you create a career development plan that keeps you on the leading edge of the business analysis industry.

Once you figure out "what employers are hiring for", evaluate how strong you are in skill sts that are hot in the marketplace.

The skill sets you are lacking will show you the areas to get additional training or coaching on.

Have you ever read a business analyst job description that was not very clear?

Do you have questions on the skills posted on job descriptions?

Post your comments or questions on the business analyst job descriptions you have been browsing on this page.

References

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Business Analyst Job Description




• How to Become a Healthcare Business Analyst