I have been working as a Business Analyst (BA) in business consultancy and IT for over twenty years. I have seen how important it is to analyse the problem space to ensure that customers get what they really want.
Problem-solving and people
My role as a BA enables me to combine my love of problem-solving with my desire to help people optimise the skills, processes, and organisational challenges around technology-driven change.
For me, the most rewarding part of being a BA is helping people solve problems that will have a real impact on their customers. I interpret what people want and put it in a language that is easy to understand and supports the business. This skill is constantly evolving; you never stop learning.
I joined Triad in December 2024, having previously worked for a range of high-quality IT and consultancy companies. I am currently working on a large project for the Met Office to deliver visualisation and templated production tooling to their Operational Meteorologists as part of the Supercomputer programme.
Getting stuck in
As a BA, I get involved in all phases of the software development lifecycle. My job is to ensure that there is evidence-based analysis behind the decision-making and that delivery is aligned and delivers real business needs. This is often more easily said than done, as projects and programmes inevitably change size and scope during their delivery timescales.
It’s fun engaging with stakeholders across the more strategic aspects of project and programme delivery. Helping them define and refine their vision, mission, and roadmap. And supporting the value conversations around change management, benefits realisation, and knowledge sharing.
Staying current
The Triad Technical Community of Practice is a great source of support and knowledge. It is a group where I can exchange ideas with other specialists and learn from their experiences.
Outside of work, I stay current through involvement in various interest groups and have been lucky enough to attend BA conferences that regularly share new techniques and ideas. Of course, every new project brings unique challenges and different ways of doing things, so one must continually adapt one’s approach and thinking.
What I have learned
I did not set out to become a BA. It just happened. Over time, I have taken on more responsibility and seniority. I realised that I enjoyed analysing problems and helping people. Times change remarkably quickly, but if I could go back and give my younger BA self, my advice would be:
- Build a holistic view – There is rarely a single source of truth. Ensure that your view and analysis are grounded in multiple sources to make a holistic judgment. That way, you can make better-informed decisions.
- Trust your instincts – I often sense when something is correct or not quite right. There is an element of common sense involved in Business Analysis that can easily get overlooked under the pressure of delivering on time, cost, and quality.
- Learn from those around you – Your peers and colleagues are a source of knowledge and great insight. It is also always good to bounce ideas off them and have other pairs of eyes to look at a problem. Moreover, I am constantly surprised by the different experiences and insights they bring, and this helps to inform better recommendations and actions.
- Ask lots of questions – It is always worth seeking clarification and confirmation of understanding, particularly in technical or complex areas. I have always believed in getting someone to explain things simply and clearly in non-technical terms, even if they have subject matter expertise.
Working at Triad has given me the space to do work I am proud of alongside great people who are always up for solving problems together and are truly collaborative. That creates a positive environment where everyone can deliver their best work while thriving in being themselves.
If you have a question for Simon or the Triad team, please get in touch.
