How to Make the Career Switch from Development to Business Analysis

Making the transition from development to business analysis is a commonly considered career move for many IT professionals. While strong technical skills are a great starting point for a career as a business analyst, you may want to concentrate on learning soft skills including communication, organizational and team building skills as well. Considering the career prospects associated with business analysis, it’s a good idea to make a systematic and planned move.

If you are a developer looking to make the transition to business analysis, here’s an easy four-step approach to follow.

1. Understand the Role of a Business Analyst and Learn to Think Like One

The first step involves understanding what businesses do and how they operate. Read up on business strategy, operations, finance and HR. Making the transition to a business analysis role requires a change of mindset into one that involves looking at the bigger picture.

2. Identifying and Developing Key Behavioral Skills

A business analyst role requires a completely different set of skills in comparison to a developer role that involves writing program code. A developer typically works internally with a team – and sometimes on their own – while a business analyst needs to interface with a number of people like customers, managers, suppliers and sponsors. Focus on fine-tuning your communication, organizational, planning and problem-solving skills.

3. Leverage Your Technical Skills While Demonstrating Interest in a Business Analyst Role

Developers can transfer their technical skills, including coding and knowledge of technical systems, into their new role as business analyst. More often times than not, these translate into dynamic assets as you execute your new duties. By expressing your interest in potential business analyst roles, you are likely to be considered a top candidate for any openings that arise within the organization – and your technical skills can be a differentiator against other candidates.

4. Focus on a Business Specialty and Build the Necessary Skills

Find an aspect of business that you already have prior experience in to help you get a head start. For example, if you have expertise in developing software for payroll, concentrate on developing business analysis skills in payroll systems.

How to Make a Seamless Transition to a Business Analyst Role

As with any career transition, you need to make the switch in a planned and systematic manner. Thorough research of business analysis skills, combined with a personal skill assessment, will help identify potential gaps that you need to fill.  One of the most crucial steps involves a change of mindset and perspective. Volunteering to execute business analysis type tasks will help you transition into a new role and transform into a full-fledged business analyst.

As leading recruitment experts in the technical and IT industry, nTech Workforce is happy to discuss potential career transitions with you. Contact us today for information about open job positions that align with your interests.