Activities performed by a business analyst

• A business analyst is responsible for analyzing the structure of the business and its processes, and defining areas in which "technology or alternative solutions can add value."
• Business analysts suggest the usage of software applications and technology tools to enhance business processes.
• They make use of technology to modify, assess, and solve business challenges. 
• A business analyst is required to work in collaboration with the system analyst, "who also acts as a link between business challenges and technology solutions."
• The business analyst is required to partake in project-related activities as part of executing software development projects. Activities include: initial information gathering, analysis & project initiation and project execution.
• The business analyst is responsible for collaborating with other employees to build the requirements of projects, and to make sure everyone within the project understands them.
• They are also responsible for the facilitation of communication and knowledge sharing to ensure clients are satisfied.
• They also render transparency to developers, and negotiate with stakeholders on contradictory requirements.

Other responsibilities of a business analyst

• Business analysts are required to perform extensive research to understand business needs. The research could include: researching their competitors, deliberating with subject matter experts, carrying out document analysis, and developing prototypes.
• Business analysts are required to prepare business requirements into formal written documents that can be shared with all stakeholders.
• Business analysts are also responsible for explaining to developers all specification documents that have been approved by the relevant stakeholders.
• Business analysts might also be involved in testing the final product to decide whether the commodity is set to be put to live or not.

Business analyst deliverables

•  Project vision document 
•  Requirement management plan 
•  User stories 
•  Use cases 
•  Business requirement document 
•  Requirement traceability matrix (RTM)
•  Functional requirement specification (FRS)/ Functional Specification Document (FSD)
•  System requirement specification (SRS)/ System Requirement Document (SRD)
•  Test case 

Business analyst soft skills

•  Analytical and problem-solving skills
•  Comprehension and interpretation capabilities
•  Exceptional command of verbal and written communication
•  Interpersonal skills 
•  Management skills

Business analyst technical skills

• Understanding of software development methodologies 
• Knowledge of business ideas and cognizance of technical frameworks 
• Data modeling and data mining skills 
• Hands-on experience in different testing methods 

Business Analyst job qualifications and requirements

• Business analysts need at least a bachelor's degree.  
• Business analysts should have exposure to the following subjects: business studies, business administration, management, and information technology. 
• A business analyst in the software development space include should also have command of the following tools: finereader, blueprint, bitmpulse, iRise, jama, jersion one lifecycle, heptalysis, plutora, microsoft excel, visio and gliffy.
•  An additional qualification for a business analyst: The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) certificate.