04 May 2012

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.     

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