Chapter 9 - Underlying Competencies
Author - Zac Dewit
1. Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
- The main concept here is that problems arise almost constantly in the workplace. A business analyst needs to adapt to this and create a solution that is most likely to have a long term benefit.
- The BA needs to be able to work efficiently to find a solution that addresses the needs of all stakeholders.
- The main skills involved in this are;
- Creativity
- Decision making
- Learning
- Systems/Conceptual/Visual, Thinking
- Problem Solving
2. Behavioral Characteristics
- Behavioral Characteristics are traits that are related to how someone acts within the workforce. This refers to how well a person can gain the respect and trust of those around them. This includes everything from ethics, to Accountability and Adaptability.
- At the end of the day, this asks the question. Am I someone that will help or hinder this business?
3. Business Knowledge
- Business Knowledge is the idea that a BA needs to understand these ins and outs of a business to help it effectively. This means understanding the product or service they are selling, understanding how this is done, and knowing why it is done the way it is. This gives the BA a greater chance to implement change that will have actual benefits.
4. Communication Skills
- Communication is defined as the exchanging of information, opinions, or news.
- In a business sense, this means talking and listening to other departments or people and understanding what they say. Once you know what is going on, you can either relay the message to other necessary parties or use the information for your personal use.
- There are many types of communicating, some of which include verbal communication, non-verbal, and written. Each has its own place in a business, but it is key that whichever type you use, that the receiver of your communication has that same understanding that you have.
5. Interaction Skills
- Interaction is meeting of two parties. This means that anytime you as a BA talk to an employee, customer, sponsor, or upper management you are having an interaction. It is important for a BA to be good at this so as to create a positive bond with each other.
- If a BA is good at this, they will likely show strong leadership, and be someone that a team can look up to and respect. They will also be able to solve internal and external conflicts by moderating and negotiating.
6. Tools and Technology
- In terms of tools, a BA uses them constantly. Like any job, you use the tools in front of you to perform the best possible task. These tools that a BA uses are usually technology-based.
- Some of these tools help with previous points. For example, email is used to help with communication and interaction, and models or digital statistic software can be used to understand and solve problems.
- There are three main classes of tools;
- increasing office productivity
- assisting business analysis
- improving communication
- All these tools will improve the workspace and help you the Business Analyst, as well as the business as a whole to succeed.
Competencies describe the functional and behavioral qualities that an individual must possess in order to help an organization to achieve success. Each Business Analysts role in an organization is to meet the different emphasis or mix of competencies. Microsoft have worked with a leadership development firm, to develop the Education Competencies. The Competencies provided Microsoft with a common framework for hiring and professional development that can be described, discussed, and implemented with precision across a global company. In the Microsoft competencies, the Education Competencies describe the full range of characteristics needed to develop communication, Interpersonal skills to achieve its organizational goals and vision. Microsoft's own set of competencies was developed several years ago, that helped Microsoft managers and employees build a successful organization.
ReplyDeleteAnalytical skills refers to critical thinking ability in which there is need to collect information to solve the problem and for making decisions. Behavioral characteristics that refers to attitude of people like action, ethics and so on. In business, there is need to understand the customer's needs. Communication skills are essential to interact with others and to develop trust between members. To do any kind of work, there is need of technological tools to perform specific task that helps to enhance the productivity of work and company can get success.
ReplyDeleteIn a company like Microsoft, their is a important need for best communication and interaction skills. So, if a person does not have all the communication skills then it would be difficult to handle all the responsibilities of BA in Microsoft. Having good interaction skills helps to interact nicely with customers or with staff which directly leads to company's benefit and individual performance.
ReplyDeleteIn addition,Analytical skills and problem solving skills are important for a BA to understand the problems and proposing changes in an organization.
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