In an age dominated by technology, organizations tend to formulate systems and processes based on technology. An important occupation that has come out of this whole process is ICT Business Analyst- the person who can be assigned ANZSCO 261111. A principal ICT Business Analyst is an individual whose job specification deals with any technological use by a company to solve internal bottlenecks, enhance operational features, or achieve strategic goals.
But what does an ICT Business Analyst do? Why is it supposedly such an important occupation? Hence, this review will aim to extensively discuss the duties and skill sets involved in ICTBA, requirements for furthering education, career advancement opportunities, and all the fun stuff that one would like to know about an exciting profession.
The role of an ICT Business Analyst is broad, embracing the junction of a business need with a techno-solution. Some of the principal tasks of an ICT Business Analyst would, therefore, encompass:
For an ICT Business Analyst, the very first step goes to identifying how the company operates and where technology could improve those operations: conduct thorough research, consult and communicate with various departmental stakeholders, and analyze pain points or opportunities for improvement and defects or inefficiencies. On some of these needs, the analyst will recommend IT solutions to address a specific business problem.
An integral part of the job function is acting as an intermediary between the technical team and the stakeholders' business side. While the technical team cares most about the back-end system, the business side would see the optimization of business processes through the business use of these systems. Communicating using technical jargon between technical and non-technical stakeholder parties is what the ICT business analyst develops.
The business case established the requirements for the ICT Business Analyst from where considerations were determined on the technology solutions appropriate to what the organization intends to achieve. This may turn out to be selecting new software designing systems or modification of existing infrastructures in a way that makes the systems better streamlined in an efficient way. An effective ICT Business Analyst makes sure that the technology fits the business need and holds value for scaling.
Any aspiring ICT Business Analyst must possess the requisites of skills and features for the job:
The education of ICT Business Analyst encompasses knowledge and understanding of the majority of IT systems, software applications, and infrastructures. The typical requirements that knowledge covers are programming languages, databases, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Even though they will not usually get under the hood, this kind of technical basis greatly enables them to have an understanding of the obstacles and opportunities of IT solutions.
In short, an ICT Business Analyst should have a lot of experience with business processes, financial systems, and organization structures, through which they can obtain these into functional requirements about the technologies that will be put into place to meet those needs. So, the quality of necessary alignment of IT with the business strategy would be their most important part concerning the role.
It acts as an apple of discord in this role. Clear speaking is required. The ICT Business Analyst must convey complicated technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a manner that is easy to understand, as well as gather and interpret feedback from business leaders, technical teams, and end-users.
It comes as a blessing that such critical thinking skills will be at the edge of the ICT Business Analyst. Identifying problems, thinking about them like a critical thinker, and suggesting realistic solutions are built within this kind of role. Be it solving a technical issue or suggesting some change in the process, analytical thinking is profoundly important for succeeding in this field.
Relevant Academic Qualifications Most ICT Business Analysts are bachelor's degree holders whose field includes Information Technology, Business Administration, or Computer Science. Some may take things further by pursuing advanced degrees in business or technology. Specialized training in business analysis is also another plus.
They are not compulsory but are still important in the industry. These include Certification for Business Analysis Professionals (CBAP), It certifies an individual as an international-level expert of high professional standing in the discipline of business analysis. Agile and Scrum Certifications: Such certifications increase a candidate's chance of employability since most ICT Business Analysts work in an Agile environment.
There are very positive work prospects for ICT Business Analysts as demand is going to shoot up for them because most companies are digitizing operations these days. This particular job has great importance in the industries like finance, healthcare, government, and IT service. The employment forecast of the near future is, therefore, going to show that demand for skilled analysts will not drop; hence, it assures a stable and quite rewarding career.
The actual salary of an ICT Business Analyst depends on the experience, geographical area, and industry. Generally, an ICT Business Analyst in Australia and New Zealand could expect a salary of about AUD 80,000 to AUD 120,000 to get the right person with enough experience and expertise.
There is a different future for ICT Business Analysts, especially when organizations will keep moving towards the computerized world. Such technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and automation will pave the way even more brightly for ICT Business Analysts innovating and leading the charge on digital transformation projects.
Indeed, there are countless reasons why you would want to be or aspire to be an ICT Business Analyst.
Most probably, this is the real reason why the presence of such demand is noticed for these professionals and also a considerable amount spent on competitive technology by corporations; so, this area seems to be somewhat permanent from a job security perspective, at least.
The flexibility offered by ICT Business Analysts is found while working in sections across finance, health care, retail, or even the government. It continuously opens up career paths toward the top of the hierarchical ladder, such as project management, IT consultancy, strategic leadership positions, and so on.
Solving business problems in terms of technology could prove most moving because you feel that you are contributing something big to the organization. That does say that most ICT Business Analysts will typically boast good job satisfaction because of all the effects that their work has on the companies themselves.
Although they may require more than a bachelor's degree in business, information technology, or a related field, generally, such entry-level education is the requirement to become an ICT Business Analyst. Many universities have such specialized programs in business analysis, besides many short courses and programs in this area that are offered online.
Hands-on experience is essential. Most aspiring ICT business analysts start their careers at an entry-level position or an internship where they can build on technical and business knowledge. Gaining some experience in business process analysis or project management will increase your edge.
Joining professional organizations such as IIBA provides networking opportunities with industry experts who are up-to-date with current trends and best practices. Conferences, webinars, and workshops are excellent quantities for learning and career development.
The ICT Business Analyst has challenges, even with so many positives:
Simply put, managing and juggling different needs and expectations from a slew of stakeholders can get complicated. Some business owners may have had their ideas on what the technology should achieve, and it then falls to the ICT Business Analyst to manage these expectations and try to align them accordingly.
In the fast-paced global technology scenario wherein it operates, an ICT Business Analyst should have full awareness of relevant advanced tools, current trends, and best practices to ensure that any recommended solution stands upon the most modern and relevant technology standards.
The ICT Business Analyst opens an avenue to a dynamic and rewarding career, mainly for individuals who cherish working within the business-technology interface. This profession is being called the backbone for the success of any modern organization because digital transformation is at the peak of demand today.
The ICT Business Analyst opens an avenue to a dynamic and rewarding career, mainly for individuals who cherish working within the business-technology interface. This profession is being called the backbone for the success of any modern organization because digital transformation is at the peak of demand today.
While both take a look into the business processes to proposed enhancements, the ICT Business Analyst works with technology-specific solutions to solve business issues, while the Business Analyst may look at a wider set of non-technology-specific solutions.
ICT Business Analyst makes sure that the technology being implemented serves the needs of the business and is feasible and provides enhancement; he aligns the expectations of the stakeholders and also helps to get the projects delivered on time and within budget.
ICT Business Analysts can work in many sectors. However, those common would be IT Services, Finance, Healthcare, Government, and Education working in a heavily technology-oriented environment.
