Kristóf Kovács
Business analysis is the art of turning ideas into working software.
You have a great idea for a project or a start-up. But how do you make sure it doesn't get derailed by other people's mistakes? You typically have concerns about:
On one hand, stability.
- You want it to be easy and intuitive to your users.
- You want stable foundations, so we don't suffer from an-hour-a-day downtimes.
- You want it to be scalable, so we don't have to redo it just when we start growing.
On the other hand, agility.
- You want the cheapest reliable solution.
- You want to go to market fast, so nobody can overtake you.
- You want to be flexible, so we can change fast, as your market develops.
It's a delicate balance. Then there are the devil's details...
Which computer language is the best fit? PHP, Java, Python, Ruby on Rails? What architecture? What database to use? MySQL, Oracle or Postgres? Or should we use one of the shiny new NoSQL databases? Which JavaScript framework, jQuery, MooTools, Dojo, or SproutCore? Web-hosting per month can cost anywhere from $4 to $15000, there must be more to it than simple overpricing?
And you don't want the developers accidentally cripple your enterprise by building on something with a business-unfriendly license.
On the business side, what are your most important features, and how those overlap with what can be implemented quickly? Should you commission the application ready-made from a contractor, or should you hire your own developers? Should we start with a minimum viable product?
A business analyst is who answers these questions for you.
All it takes is a few sessions talking to you and your team; learning as much as possible about the project, the business plan, and picking your brain about the intended market and future directions.
Then, depending on your needs, the functional and quality-of-service requirements, the use cases, a mock-up, a prototype, a feasibility analysis, a project cost estimate gets written. A good business analyst can also assemble your team and/or handle your contractors, and act as a project manager during the course of your project.
Having me as your business analyst takes only an investment of €49/hr.