Every business in the 21st century needs a professional to bridge the gap between its tech capabilities and organizational objectives. This bridge is crucial in ensuring cohesion between these two critical business aspects, in addition to improving a company’s profitability, competitiveness, and relevance despite the constant changes in the business environment.
This is where a business analysis manager comes in. More often than not, the best business analysis managers have undergraduate degrees in business management, finance, or accounting, plus specialized CBAP certification. It is incredibly important to obtain the best business analyst courses before you embark in building your lucrative career.
Role of a business analyst manager:
The primary role of a business analyst manager is to ensure the effective and efficient utilization of technology to achieve organizational goals by satisfying customers’ needs and keeping the company’s profits high. They also need to remain abreast of all the changes taking place in the business environment. Consider CBAP training online to help you achieve the necessary skills for your dream job.
How to build a career as a business analyst manager
Get the requisite education
To be a successful business analyst manager, you need to have an undergraduate degree in business management or any similar field. A Masters degree in business analytics and units in operations research, project management, and predictive analytics will also do well for a competitive edge.
However, to stand out from the crowd, consider getting some specialized CBAP (Certified Business Analyst Professional) courses. These courses are highly recommended by the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) and are an excellent investment for an aspiring Business analyst manager. They will teach all the necessary hard skills you need in the advanced creation of business solutions, documentation, and useful planning.
Other skills needed
You may also require some skills in computer programming and coding languages to have a reliable liaison with the IT department of your firm. Proficiency in Microsoft Office will be especially crucial for managing documentation.
As a career manager, you will have to be profit-driven, result-oriented and very practical. You need critical thinking to conduct research and accurately analyze data, problem-solving skills to identify and get the best solutions to any issues within the company, and leadership and communication skills to enable you to lead and supervise the employees and BA team adequately. Objectivity will be vital in making tough business decisions.
Get some work experience
To get a job as a business analyst manager, you need to have solid experience in the field of business analysis. Get as many hours as possible in the business analysis setting as possible; volunteer, get summer internships, attend summits, conferences and seminars to acquaint yourself with the gurus of the field.
7 Most common interview questions for a Business analyst manager
1. What is the role of a business analyst manager in the organization?
This question’s main aim will be to determine if you are a fit for their organizational culture. Here, the panelists will be listening out for your expectations in your role as a business analyst manager, to see if you are precisely what they need.
2. Your qualifications are excellent, and so is your work history and accomplishments. However, many candidates are as great. Why should we hire you?
This is one tricky question that is laced with land mines. Do not assume your fellow applicants’ qualifications or even slam them. Again, avoid focusing on the benefits the job will have for you, for instance; ‘I really need the job,’ or ‘I am interested in learning more about your company.’ Instead, focus on the strengths that make you a great employee and how these strengths will be beneficial to the company.
3. Provide us with suggestions for an adequate use case model
In your interview, you may be asked to prepare an actual plan for work to test your skills in that area as well as your communication skills and work ethic. To ace this question, you need to carry out plenty of research into the company to ensure the plan you propose fits their needs and style of work.
4. The field of business analysis management is incredibly dynamic; as such, what have you done with regards to personal development in the last year?
This question allows you to expound on all the professional and personal steps you have taken to get yourself an edge over other applicants. Have you attended any seminars, training programs or obtained additional certifications? If you haven’t, list some non-work activities or even hobbies you have taken up. Here, show that those opportunities have shown you the value of being a goal-oriented go-getter with excellent work ethic, time management, and self-motivation.
5. What experience do you have regarding this business analyst manager position?
Here, talk about all the experience you have accrued over the years in the business analysis area. If you do not have much experience, talk about any volunteer opportunities and internships you have undertaken. Be passionate and confident despite your experience, as interviewers are known to value confidence.
6. What does a user-centered methodology mean to you?
This question is used by panelists to test your understanding of ‘user-centered methodology.’ To answer this question, do not give a rehearsed definition straight from Google or a book, as the panelists need what it means to you. Include your perception outside the term, and again, be sure that the definition you offer fits the organization’s needs.
7. What is your management style?
While answering this question, avoid labels like progressive, laisez-faire, or persuasive; these can be interpreted to mean anything. Instead, use action words like delegating responsibility, mentoring, leading, and supervising, among others to describe your management approach. This will show the panel that your approach is flexible and can fit any situation that arises.
Conclusion
A career as a business analysis manager is one of the most lucrative, challenging and fulfilling careers to have. Every progressive business needs a competent and qualified business analyst manager to translate their projects and ideas into profitable ventures in rapidly changing markets.
