A common misconception about business analysts is that they have a very defined role, when actually, they can wear many different hats in the software development process. In this Tech in 2, Senior Consultant Scott Kerns shares why having a multi-faceted business analyst can have a broad impact on your team, client and project.
Cross-Utilization For Business Analysts
Business analysts are always ready to put on many hats it seems. It just comes with the job. I think a business analyst should be willing to learn and willing to do whatever will bring value to their client. One of the hats that they tend to wear most often is the project manager hat. The project manager is more responsible for keeping the project on track, while reporting the status of the project to the customer and other stakeholders.
Business analysts should always be looking to expand their skill set. Whether it’s in a soft skill set such as a scrum master or project manager, or a more technical skill set, such as quality assurance or development.
Cross-Utilization Brings Flexibility, Value
I think the biggest benefit is flexibility. You know the customer can feel comfortable coming to the business analyst with something that they would normally go to a project manager for and I think it also gives the development team a broader perspective of the overall project. For example, my development team is one of 12 development teams on our project. As a business analyst, it’s very easy to just stay focused on what my team needs. However, when I put on the project manager hat, I realize what the overall scope of the project is and what the project needs. This can oftentimes take priority over what my team is doing.
Adaptation in Software Modernization
Traditionally, capital investments were very concrete (ie building a factory on the river because you needed water to power the mill), but nowadays in software development, things are easier to change. In this Tech in 2, Director of Solution Engineering Jackson Stakeman shares why adapting your strategies to accommodate for change is key and why you should employ the Wayne Gretzky method of skating to where the puck is going to be.
Modernization in the Insurance Industry
Platform modernization is becoming an increasing priority for insurers, particularly for tenured insurers with legacy applications. In this Tech in 2, Client Services Partner John Suminski discusses the many benefits of modernizing in the insurance industry and why keeping applications current is so important.
Three First Steps to Cloud Modernization
Modernizing in the Cloud allows you to reduce tech debt and take advantage of the benefits of modern technology. In this Tech in 2, Principal AWS Consultant Jeff Pabian shares the three first steps you should take if you want to modernize in the Cloud.
How Sparq Uses Generative AI
Sparq began using generative AI tools in early 2023, when we started offering it to our customers as an option on their projects. In this Tech in 2, Chief Engineering Officer Janet Pierce shares where we've found the most success with AI, the productivity gains we're seeing and how other organizations can get started with it.