The Bridge and Beyond: Business Analysis Extends Its Role and Reach

Once charged mainly with defining and communicating requirements, business analysts (BAs) are increasingly expected to contribute everything from decision support and return-on-investment (ROI) measures to new product development ideas. This elevated profile within organizations and across industries is in part attributable to IT´s organizational role changing from an often costly requirement to a potentially huge bottom-line booster. It´s also fueled by a growing knowledge of how to better build and maintain the bridge between the IT and business worlds. While requirements remain the focus, business analysts are now expanding into all stages of solution design, development, and implementation.