Classically, the role of the business analyst is to enable change within the organisational context. Through identifying areas of efficiency, cost effectivity and opportunities of increased productivity, new and existing processes and business applications are improved, while offering solutions that uncover new and hidden value to stakeholders. Yet, since the transition to the cloud many organisations are questioning the relevance of the business analyst. Let’s consider what they can offer in this fast-paced digitally transformative environment.
1. Architecture
You’re well organised and the way things are works for you. But your business is growing and you’re ready to upscale. You are ready for the move to the cloud. Business analysts will work with organisations to re-architect your organisation on to the cloud, utilising the expertise of various stakeholders, such as SME’s, business owners, system designers and integration architects.
A wide spectrum of variables need to be considered, such as structural procedures, organisational policies, application stability and security, along with business needs, to identify the best cloud approach. Cost benefit analysis, estimation and risk management are just some of the frameworks guiding their decisions.
2. Transitional Requirements
Transitional requirements, though often seen as the least necessary of the five stages, it is perhaps one of the most important. Transition requirements are identified as the capabilities of the solution, as well as the conditions it must meet to facilitate the transition from the current state to the future state. Essential for seamless integration, happy stakeholders and a collaborative experience during transition to the cloud, identifying transitional requirements consolidates and secures need and prioritisation.
3. Non-Functional Requirements
Including brainstorming, use cases and NFR analysis, identifying these requirements will allow the architects to order what they will be working on and delegate tasks to the project teams to fulfil. Defining the non-functional requirements will enable organisations to seek the best advice and consult from its cloud service providers, as well as agreeing SLA’s, contingency plans, pitfalls and cost benefits.
4. Communication
Obviously, a move to the cloud is a multi-layered and complexed process. Communication is therefore the key to a successful transition, involving many stakeholders, project managers and teams of developers. Often, this is down to the level of professionalism and expertise of the integration solutions architects you work with. But to ensure the smoothest possible transition to the cloud, it is vital to create a comprehensive plan that outlines:
– Communication flow
– Channeling
– Who the stakeholders are
BA’s can provide excellent communications plan through workshops, brainstorming sessions and interviews with stakeholders.
5. Solution Evaluation
Evaluation is essential and may include identifying the value of the solution being delivered, or what’s in the way of the solution for its full value potential to be realised. This can be done preemptively through proofs of concept, or posthumously through KPI’s and use cases and scenarios.
No doubt, migrating to the cloud is a mammoth project, but one that can and should be delivered efficiently, effectively, and as enjoyably as possibly. Future proof your organisation through your transitional journey to the cloud. Get in touch with us for more information on our consultancy services and tailored cloud integration packages for unique business challenges.