The title “Business Analyst” places clear emphasis on understanding “The Business”. When
Business Analysts were consistently derived from the line of business operations, many felt
(not necessarily correctly) that the Business Analyst would have a solid understanding of
business. As the relationship between Information Technology and their business partners has
changed, so has the ability to consistently identify and recruit knowledgeable business people
into the analyst ranks. Today it is not uncommon to find organizations in which the Business
Analyst has no line of business experience. This lack of direct business knowledge can result
in products which are incompletely or incorrectly specified, test plans which miss critical
issues and implementation strategies which are doomed to chaos.
Furthermore, in many larger organizations, functions have been segregated to the extent that
the Software Business Analyst does not perform the Business Analysis; it is done by the
Financial Analyst. For smaller firms, where individuals "wear more hats”, the Software
Business Analyst will be expected to be thoroughly conversant with the business issues and
processes.
Business knowledge comes in two flavors: Financial/Accounting knowledge and Industry
knowledge. This Knowledge Category will provide specific practices and approaches for
financial knowledge and guidance on understanding, finding and applying Industry
knowledge. This CBOK uses the phase “business” and “organization” interchangeable to
include both For Profit Businesses and Not-For-Profit enterprises as well as Federal,
Provincial /State and Local Governmental entities.
Knowledge Category 4 examines the knowledge, skills and attitudes which are fundamental to
understanding the policies, procedures and practices used to accomplish operational
objectives. The category is divided into seven areas of understanding which are then further