My recommendations is that you should not and here is why:

1. Step One: what makes you a business analyst – whether you decide to be a domain business analyst specializing in pharmaceutical, finance, publishing etc…or not, you first have to address the question, what makes you a business analyst and Is that your domain knowledge? Specializing in a domain is not what makes you a domain business analyst, so you have to be careful with assumptions like that, ok?

2. Step Two:get trained in business analysis – your first goal should really be to become a business analyst and not necessarily a domain business analyst. What that means is that you should learn everything that you can about business analysis or become the best business analyst you can be!

3. Step Three: get business analysis hands-on experience – then look for business analysis work and start doing it. You may actually end up finding that you are hired as a domain business analyst, for example as an e-commerce business analyst . Or you may discover that you have to work as an intern or volunteer before someone will give you a job …

4. Step Four: choose a business analyst domain – A domain business analyst is a business analyst who has specialized in a specific domain. I would say that trying to specialize in a business analysis domain first before becoming a business analyst is like putting the cart before the horse. After you become a business analyst, you may choose to specialize in an industry that you already have some background, education or experience in. If you have been working in the marketing and sales industry before you become a business analyst, it makes sense that you will go to become a marketing and sales business analyst

I hope that this answers your question. In addition, I encourage you to become a business analyst then become a domain business analyst by transitioning to an industry that you have some background, experience or exposure to … that way, you will have the right background for the industry.

I still strongly feel to become a BA.

Based on your questions:

(1) & (2) Do you feel that you are incompetent at computer programming?

Do you dislike being a computer programmer?

My Answer: Yes, to some extent I feel incpmpetent since I am not very strong in object oriented programming. Because of this I started disliking object oriented programming. But I still like the usability, user interaction, design etc.

(3) Are you changing your career because some one told you….

My Answer: No one told me, but when I was working in my last job I did BA for one project. Every one praised me for that and I did a good job.

But again, I didnt do a formal BA and since I have worked there for about 5 years they didnt expect me to do so either.

So I did BA and kind of project co-ordination with the techlead and finished it on time.

Also my prior managers adviced me that I am good in this and think about this for my future career (based on what I did).

(4) Do you understand the challenges….

My Answer: Yes, I like talking to people (managers, clients) regarding projects and getting things done.

One problem I am facing now is, when I talked to a friend who is a BA, he said first I have to make up my mind to which industry I want to go as a BA (pharmaceutical, finance, publishing etc…).

So once I go in one direction, then I have to stick with that I think?

Will that impact job searching in future?

Say I go into publishing, then I may not go as a BA in
finance or pharmacy etc?

Thank you very much for taking the time to answer my questions and for your suggestions.

The challenge facing you is probably not whether you can become a good business analyst but the challenge of picking the right career.

You have been a web developer, web designer and a web usability professional for a number of years (nine years) and when you lost your job, you broadened your programming skills by learning ASP.NET. But now you’re nervous nd afraid and are thinking of changing careers to business analysis.

I would suggest that you start by finding out why you really want to stop programming …

1. Do you feel that you’re incompetent at computer programming

2. Do you dislike being a computer programmer?

3. Do you feel it’s justified for you to change careers simply because you don’t like your employer?

4. Are you changing careers because someone else told you to do so … or what makes you think that you will be a better business analyst than a computer programmer?

5. Do you understand the challenges of being a business analyst? As a computer programmer, you may be able to avoid your managers / management if you don’t like them by putting your head down and coding. As a business analyst, you will have to face, confront and relate to those unpleasant management situations you are facing right now. What is your gain plan for that?

6. Do you call it quits when you face a tough situation or are you resourceful? Whatever career you choose, you will be faced with obstacles and it may be time for you to learn how to face them and solve them … am I making sense?

Samantha, you should face the issues confronting you squarely before looking at starting another career

Now I am thinking of becoming a business analyst and I have been reading a lot on the web. Also from my prior company I have some requirement writing experience (used ony MS word).

How is the prospect for some one like me in becoming a BA? Any advice how I should proceed and show that I can be a good BA? My former company manager always tells me I am quite analytical and encouraged me to become a BA (but I became a programmer)

i believe it will assist.

The reason that you feel the way you do about your business analysis career is probably not because of an inferiority complex or poor communication skils.

Here is what I think is the root cause of your situation

Lack Of Confidence In Your Business Analysis Skills

You lack confidence in your business analysis skills not because you are a junior business analyst but because you are approaching your job with the mindset of a junior business analyst. What you need to do is to change your mindset.

The stakeholders, business owners and senior managers in a business don’t really care that much about your job title.

The higher structure of your organization does not care about whether you are a junior or senior business analyst. They care about one thing … and one thing only!

1. Can you move the business forward?
2. Can you bring value to their discussion?
3. Can you help them succeed with their tasks?
4. Do you know what you are talking about?
5. Can you deliver the goods?
6. Have you done your homework?
7. Do you know more than they about the topic under discussion?

Notice I said one and only one thing … yet, I mentioned 7 things!

Yes, these 7 things actually relate to one thing … which can be said in 7 different ways.

The challenge that you are facing is that you are defining your contribution and value to the company by your job title: “Junior Business Analyst”.

Your Contribution To Your Company is Not Defined By The “Junior Business Analyst” Job Title

This is what you have to so to stop feeling inferior or afraid to contribute towards your senior management meetings … take the time to study, learn or master the issues, concerns, problems facing your comonay and your self-confidence will receive a big boost. This is the natural way to handle self-confidence issues … to know more about the business problem at hand than anyone else at the meeting.

Here are some more tips for your improving self confidence:

1.) Get to know your senior management, stakeholders, higher structures or business owners outside the management meetings. Introduce yourself to them, ask them how you can help them succeed at their jobs, what their pain points are … take notes and study and learn about the issues they present to you.

2.) Take time to study or master the business processes you are involved in. Flowchart the processes, talk to the individuals who do the job, get to know them by name. Make it a point of duty to learn more about the business than even the business owners.

3.) Take time to prepare exceptionally for your business meetings. Decide what you want to say … and prepare the documents to back it up. Prepare the use cases, flow charts or any visual aids that you can share during the meeting. When the meeting start, put the stack of documents or visual aids that show that you understand the problem and that you’ve though through a soljution.

Just by being that prepared and providing everyone at the meeting with several copies, attention, leadership and respect will naturally gravitate to you.

Moreover, you will be asked to explain or discuss your presentation and because you understand the problems better than anyone else … you will excel. You will be sought out during the meetings because you know more about the problem and the potential solutions than anyone else … you will become the star of the meetings.

So, here is your answer … focus all your attention and energy on being the most knowlegable, helpful and prepared person at the meeting … and you will see that the higher structures would seek you out, give you room to speak and ask you to contribute to the meetings.

That is it … good luck … please come back here and share your story after you put these tips to work and start getting results

I suffer from inferiotic complex because Everything I do have it in the mind but the problem is to raise it, i just become scared when i have to speak, mainly because of their titles and undermining mine.

I would really appriciate if I can be assisted in this regard, to improve my communication skills and become a better business analyst, because i am very passionate about my Job business analysis.