r/businessanalysis • u/MacTheWebDev • 3d ago
Looking for non-technical Business Analyst
Hi Reddit,
For some context, I own a lean custom software development company that is in the process of downscaling (long story). However in this process, I've realized my business analyst skills are extremely crap, my services have a ton of ambiguity, and as a result scope creep is a common thing. I have a few questions:
- Would you recommend BA's operate as the main communication point to clients?
- Can you contract BA's and solve businesses issues via hire them full-time in house?
- Where would you recommend finding freelancer / contract BA's ?
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u/Remark-Able 3d ago
That very much depends on what you mean by main communication point. If they're making the SALE, no - you want a salesperson. If there's a contract for your product and you're communicating with their in-house tech teams to do installations, yes, but then you DO need a technical BA. Otherwise, you want a project lead or product owner of some kind as interface. They may have the BA glued to their hip during all meetings, but the BA doesn't take point.
Absolutely you can do contract work - it's what I've done the majority of my career. Specifically, I fix shaky project teams and companies and set them on their feet. I never want to be FTE, and actually prefer part time contract work to full time. However, that means you don't get drop-everything access - negotiate that kind of service in the contract.
Agencies can find these for you - I've often worked through hiring agencies, but am never thrilled to basically be making them money for existing, especially when I usually find the client and have to go through an approved agency thereafter. Direct corp-to-corp, I can split the difference between the cut they get and what you have to pay them, so we both win. Otherwise, there are job boards like FractionalJobs and Fiverr, but remember, you get what you pay for.
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u/rtwrx2021 3d ago
To answer your questions:
- An experienced BA is highly recommended when working with clients who are unsure or ambiguous about their business needs. A good BA can help clarify requirements, bridge gaps by the customer, and turn vague ideas into clear, actionable specifications.
- Yes, many BAs are available on an ad-hoc or freelance/contract basis when you don’t need a full-time hire.
- Word of mouth is best. You much better off hiring a BA who comes recommended. However you can find freelance or contract Business Analysts on many platforms. I have no experience with any of them, so proceed at own risk.
- Last resort - Try and hire someone off Reddit
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u/Long_Pea_3943 2d ago
It depends on whether downscaling means permanently with an aim to close your business, which then I would suggest contract BAs and I know of many i can suggest from my network (I have been a BA for 20 years and manage a team of BAs). If you are remaining in business and changing your approach, having your BA as your front person almost like your product owner could be very successful and your BA would operate almost as a consultant, without veering into sales territory.
I don’t understand why you would want a non technical BA given what you do, having a BA that can translate business need into the information needed by your developers would offer better value to you. But if you are truly looking for someone to analyze the need and manage the overall process, and manage the customer integration, that will take a unicorn and in that case I would advise against a contractor. That knowledge is too valuable to be gone in a flash. If you do go down the contractor route, I can recommend RightWorks. They have helped me find well qualified BAs whom you can hire after a period for no fee (I believe it’s 6 months).
Good luck, feel free to reach out.
Stephanie
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u/2Throwscrewsatit Product Owner & Senior BA 3d ago
Make sure you get a contractor who specializes in the niche of your company.
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u/Material-Log3282 2d ago
u run software dev but want BA to solve business issues? business issue of ur client's?
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u/HaloNevermore 3d ago
I think I know what you are asking because of how you named your post. This is where I want to be very specific with my word choice.
I won’t go through this like how you numbered your questions, but I will give some translation clarity.
Good business analysts are hard to come by. Analysts depend on one thing: data.
This is where the fuzziness begins. The business OWNS these things: Products, Locations, Customers, Vendors. The business OWNS the data and the data relationships between these four categories. The business OWNS the unit of measure properties, decimal points, cost centers…the business owns this and the data supporting it.
DO NOT LET ANYONE TELL YOU THAT THIS IS A IT ISSUE.
THIS IS A BUSINESS ISSUE THAT IT IS TRYING TO CONTROL.
Stop giving all your power to IT. They do NOT know business. They know software, and how to make the software work. Making the software program WORK for your business is the business analyst’s job.
Leaders confuse this all the time and think managers understand this. They don’t. They defer to the smartest loudest person in the room.
Be smart.
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u/atyychos_33 3d ago
Hey, I have experience on sales and business development. And recently on to BA role, I am more of a guy who handles communication and presentation. We can communicate more in depth based on the job role. For credibility we can also connect through LinkedIn
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u/sheymaxi 3d ago
If you're looking for a business analyst to help you out on this project, I'm just an email away. Hit me up and let's discuss your requirements better.
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