This article details the role as an offshore business analyst and the changing role of offshore business analysts.
With the rise of outsourcing and companies shifting their focus to increasing efficiencies at lower cost, more BA functions are being created abroad. It’s not to say that all jobs are sent offshore, but we definitely see companies being more receptive to not restricting a business analyst role to just a customer-facing role. The outsourcing world has now evolved towards the hybrid model (outsourcing model onsite/offshore and in some cases nearshore for strategic reasons). In fact, I know many companies that mandate a 40:60 rule for deals when it comes to projects. 40% on-site and 60% offshore to better leverage offshore capacities and of course better manage project margins. Organizations, project managers, and leaders often struggle to increase numbers abroad and reduce numbers onsite (70:30) more or less for the sake of margins.
Traditionally, in the IT and ITES sector, overseas roles were restricted to development. The growth of India’s Offshore Development Centers (ODCs) in software export zones are a testament to this fact.
How does it impact you as a business analyst?
If you’re a developer or programmer, this could be your golden opportunity to move up to a BA role. Today there is a huge gap between the demand for BAs and the supply of quality BA candidates in the market. While organizations are looking for quality resources that can transition from being mother coders and software developers or testers to taking on the roles of designers and solution providers. While requirements gathering may be a part of your role, BA roles are expanding to include more responsibilities on behalf of optimization.
If you’re a programmer or developer looking to scale up to the role of a BA, keep in mind that the task is not simple. In the past I have received emails from readers, who simply send me their profile and ask me to do some magic to get them a BA position. People always tend to take the easy path. With a business analyst role, this is a “no-no.”
If you want to be a business analyst, you must be willing to put in the effort to scale from your current role and expand your area of responsibilities with limited or no supervision. You will need to think outside the box (Think outside the box as they say in the Taco Bell ads) and seek to add value to the project and organization. These are sure ways to success. I’d rather stick to these time-tested methods than try my feet on shortcuts.
What can you do to better position yourself as a business analyst?
Simple – Expand. Take on more responsibilities in your offshore role. I know it’s easier said than done. But that is your only solution to move up the chain and become a business analyst. Also keep in mind that a business analyst role comes with its own challenges, responsibilities and, of course, rewards. If you are looking to be an offshore business analyst or are currently in an offshore business analyst role, then some tips below might help you.
- Communication challenges: An offshore business analyst is often affected by the communication network. Being offshore is both an advantage and a disadvantage. It is an advantage because it is more affordable which translates into more options and opportunities. This is a disadvantage because you never really know what the client is thinking, how they are reacting to your comments and what is lost in the translation and interpretation over the phone.
So you, as an offshore business analyst, will need to put twice as much effort to manage customer perception as an onshore business analyst. Make no mistake: On-site business analyst roles are just as difficult, if not much more difficult at times. I could be a perfect example. As someone who has been the face of the project for the client, getting chewed up and crushed in handling perceptions but swimming to save face, I had the privilege of being a business analyst/management consultant on site and abroad. Listening and communicating is your core to being great in a position abroad. Work on it.
The effectiveness of the process is always in question based on the complexity of the business requirements, but with time and effort we could evolve to be better at the offshore business analyst role.
- Process standardization – Traditionally, it is only the development and testing phase of projects that were normally done offshore. But things are gradually changing. Now customers require even requirement gathering to be done abroad via telephone and other virtual modes of communication. Although it is quite challenging, it is well adapted by the industry. If you are an offshore business analyst, look to standardize your requirements gathering process. Based on your industry and previous project experience, create effective questionnaires that can help the client answer as many questions as possible to provide clarity on scope and requirements. If you don’t understand an answer, make sure you do what’s necessary to get clarification from the customer. Never assume an answer regardless of how logical the answer may seem.
- If you want to be really proactive, I would actually go a step further and start distributing questionnaires to industry leaders and your past clients in your respective industry seeking their input on current challenges in a specific area. This would turn out to be a great contribution to help launch your product or service to the customer. I’m also sure the client appreciates the fact that you’re still thinking about him and his problems even though you’re not working on his project right now.
Organizations are now looking to close the gap between the supply and demand for business analysts by promoting senior programmers and solution designers to take on the responsibilities of business analysts. Are you ready for this?
Your resume, experience and knowledge could make the difference between becoming a BA or staying a programmer. Visit the services page on our website: “The Smart Consultant” to understand what we can do to help you with your resume and transition into the business analyst role of your dreams.
As always, I wish there was a perfect black book to help you. But there never is.
For those of us who believe that a BA role is necessarily just meeting with clients and gathering requirements, I hope this article is a wake-up call. Welcome to the ever-changing world of business analysts.
For more information on business analyst certification, see the IIBA website.
If you are an offshore developer or a BA or BA working on the site, please share your thoughts and experiences via the comment section of my blog.