Why Business Analysts Are So Important For IT And CIOs CIO 189452
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Why Business Analysts Are So Important for IT and CIOs
A new Forrester report sheds light on this little known, often misunderstood but critical liaison role that can unite the business and IT on enterprise projects, systems development and business strategy.
By Thomas Wailgum Follow
CIO | Apr 16, 2008 8:00 AM PT
For two decades, the CIO has been viewed as the ultimate broker between the business and technology functions. But while that may be an accurate perception in the executive boardroom, down in the trenches, business analysts have been the ones tasked with developing business cases for IT application development, in the process smoothing relations among competing parties and moving projects along.
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According to a new Forrester report, however, the reality is less precise than this description. The business analyst position varies depending on the organization, and the line between pure business functions and IT functions has eroded.
What is clear: The most successful business analysts are the ones who blend the temperament and communications savvy of a diplomat with the analytical skills of an intelligence officer. And business analysts are a hot commodity. The in-depth April 2008 Forrester Research report by analysts Carey
Schwaber and Rob Karel provides a better understanding of this crucial yet largely undefined role. "Everyone agrees on the importance of the business analyst role," the analysts write, "but few know exactly what it is that business analysts do."
The 21st century business analyst is a liaison, bridge and diplomat who balances the oftentimes incongruous supply of IT resources and demands of the business. Forrester's research found that those business analysts who were most successful were the ones who could "communicate, facilitate and analyze." Some business analyst positions tilt more toward business functions such as operations, marketing, finance or
Why Business Analysts Are So Important for IT and CIOs
A new Forrester report sheds light on this little known, often misunderstood but critical liaison role that can unite the business and IT on enterprise projects, systems development and business strategy.
By Thomas Wailgum Follow
CIO | Apr 16, 2008 8:00 AM PT
For two decades, the CIO has been viewed as the ultimate broker between the business and technology functions. But while that may be an accurate perception in the executive boardroom, down in the trenches, business analysts have been the ones tasked with developing business cases for IT application development, in the process smoothing relations among competing parties and moving projects along.
MORE ON CIO.com
Hot Jobs: Business Analyst
The Top Three Positions You Need
According to a new Forrester report, however, the reality is less precise than this description. The business analyst position varies depending on the organization, and the line between pure business functions and IT functions has eroded.
What is clear: The most successful business analysts are the ones who blend the temperament and communications savvy of a diplomat with the analytical skills of an intelligence officer. And business analysts are a hot commodity. The in-depth April 2008 Forrester Research report by analysts Carey
Schwaber and Rob Karel provides a better understanding of this crucial yet largely undefined role. "Everyone agrees on the importance of the business analyst role," the analysts write, "but few know exactly what it is that business analysts do."
The 21st century business analyst is a liaison, bridge and diplomat who balances the oftentimes incongruous supply of IT resources and demands of the business. Forrester's research found that those business analysts who were most successful were the ones who could "communicate, facilitate and analyze." Some business analyst positions tilt more toward business functions such as operations, marketing, finance or