Killer Combination – Business Usability Analyst

“We need business analyst to define the process, at the same time we need usability person to help him out in smooth user experience”, so why can’t we have both in one? What is the problem with that apart from big human ego coming to picture, UX guys saying “why take the headache of getting into business”, BA’s saying “Boss not my expertise”.

Strange but if you analyze this both have many similarities in their tasks which they are doing and there is just a thin line of difference which both can forgo and come ahead. Being an UX person myself, I have interacted with many product teams and decision makers to understand the in-depth requirement of the product/app, and many a times I do interact with BA’s and mostly I get fully equipped with domain and the entire process, which is essential for usability person to have. Now comes to documentation and process flow definition which is also one of the step in UCD and we do that. So point has come wherein Usability Analysts or consultants can take up or can say automatically converted to Business Analyst, is this overstatement?  Some may feel debatable, probably for larger programs, it may be a tough ask for UX to fit in the role of BA, but for medium size programs, they can surely put on the shoes of BA.

Now the point is can a BA do a vise versa. Hmmm difficult to answer that but over a period of time I think it is better for business analyst to have knowledge of usability jargons, its methodologies, processes, even though they know all these, but sometimes ignorance or tight schedule keeps them away from usability.

I am keen to explore on my role as Business analyst as well as excel in UX as I always try to do.     

Windows phone scores 10 on 10 on User Experience

Lumia which I have is absolutely treat for me. I am just bowled by its performance and it has exactly what I need from a smart phone, right from configuring my office mails to Gmail to social network FB. Now almost all smart phones has this, what make it a different is :

1.       The main screen has all updates like a synopsis with a touch

2.       Choose what you want in the first screen, rally innovative design

3.       Market place is cool and not that busy as of Android

4.       Lastly installing/uninstalling application or game is made so simple

5.       Photo gallery is appealing and easy to use with lots of inbuilt features of enhancing the photo

Now the cons, it comes with inbuilt memory slot, cannot increase it further, contacts transfer happens only through Nokia to Nokia mobiles or from Windows LIVE contacts.

But overall I am very happy with the same, I think statement like better than iPhone would be appropriate here (at least for me), but have to wait and watch for some more time.

Setting up Usability process

So how does one start the exercise of setting up usability as practice in a IT company. That's very tough job sensing that IT companies drive mainly on tech focus, and on top of it customers demand where is UX? many are forced to hire external agency, but have to shell out hell a lot of money for that.

Some assumptions that ppl have about usability is and very common statement they pass

Usability process is too costly

We don't need usability as we always listen to what our customers say?

and commonest of all...... You guys are techy people how come you guys will solve users problem.

So all these assumptions and keeping all these considerations, I decided to take it and started the exercise of building a strong UX practice and educating management team, sales team and our delivery teams with series of presentations explaining what UCD is all about and how is it beneficial for the client and also for our company. To make it possible I have gathered all the templates, practical examples, case studies, ROI facts and geared up for the same.

Absolutely Loving it.......