A business analyst consultant is a professional who provides advice to managers on a contract or permanent basis. Business analysts come in a variety of shapes and sizes. A business analyst consultant may be an expert in information technology, supply chains, human resources, or any other aspect of the business. It’s a competitive field, and the most successful analysts have a strong background in their field, as well as formal business analyst training.
Despite having their own regular staff of specialized area managers, many large and successful companies still hire a business analyst consultant to provide a fresh perspective and develop new ideas and frameworks in collaboration with the department’s full-time manager. In this role, his or her responsibilities may overlap with those of an auditor to some extent, as one of their primary objectives is to find ways to reduce waste and improve efficiency. Instead of prescribing a single solution once problems have been identified, the consultant suggests alternative approaches and models for consideration.
Smaller or developing businesses, as well as businesses looking to expand in new directions, tend to rely more heavily on the services of a business analyst consultant. In this case, a business analyst consultant’s advice could be critical to the success or failure of the company’s new venture. Companies frequently hire a business analyst consultant with IT experience to help them find new suppliers and markets on the Internet, for example. A business analyst consultant may be given full projects to manage on their own, with little to no direct supervision; as a result, successful consultants are typically self-disciplined.
A business analyst consultant works in a field that is both financially rewarding and highly competitive. Because many traditionally-trained business managers lack expertise in this area, those with a technological background are likely to have the best job prospects. Furthermore, many technology professionals do not have the necessary management training to make recommendations on how to best apply technology to business planning. Whatever specialization a business analyst consultant has, he or she can assist filling in or bridging such knowledge gaps in an organization.
The ability of a consultant to compete successfully in this field is heavily reliant on his or her portfolio and educational background. Business analyst training comes in a variety of forms. Additional business analyst certifications offered professional associations can be seen as advantageous in addition to having a relevant bachelor’s degree, which is a basic requirement for most employment in the field. A certified business analyst professional (CBA or CBAP) will frequently be a member of the professional association that granted his or her designation, allowing them to take advantage of the association’s networks and reputation.