A software development project can seem daunting at first, with many ideas discussed, various stakeholders, and tight deadlines. Business analysts add structure to understand client priorities and streamline processes that lead to valuable results.

In short, business analysts are there to deliver on client expectations, and that’s exactly what Simona does here at ddroidd. Simona’s passion for agile approaches and dedication to finding robust, tailored solutions means she can put her clients’ needs first.

What Does a Business Analyst Do?

As a business analyst, I bridge the gap between business-minded clients and tech-savvy developers.

My main duties involve understanding what a business needs from the development team. Based on these needs, I can formulate a solution that is both appropriate for the client and realistic for the developers.

Having studied law and with a background in customer-facing positions, I am adept at putting myself in my clients’ shoes to fully understand their priorities, requirements, and concerns. Acting as a proxy product owner, I anticipate clients’ needs to find a forward-thinking solution

How to Get the Most out of a BA

A business analyst’s day-to-day work sees them liaising between client stakeholders and developers, researching new topics, and drawing up documentation, such as user stories, to guarantee a successful end-product and satisfied client.

What can clients do to help you work more effectively for them?

Be responsive and be decisive. We work alongside our clients at every step — especially when working agile. It’s a type of partnership. We’re happy to handle any modifications to ensure the best final product, but communication is key to guarantee we’re all on the same page, working towards the same goal.

What Are Agile Methodologies?

I’ve always been drawn to agile approaches, they’re practical for clients and developers alike.

Agile methods centre around a collaborative effort. Unlike the linear (or waterfall) approach, agile teams are self-organised and focus on meeting common goals. This reduces the need for micro-management and prioritises solution-finding.

As a BA, I value agile ways of working because it gives me the autonomy to effectively analyse client needs and pain points throughout the project and implement adaptations efficiently.

What is Behaviour Driven Development (BDD)?

ddroidd has been championing an innovative, agile approach called “Behaviour-driven Development” in a recent green energy project. The core elements of this method are collaboration and communication within the team.

At times, software development can hit miscommunication between clients and development teams, leading to bottlenecks due to misunderstandings about priorities and practicalities. Equally there can be misunderstandings by the clients as to the technical challenges of certain functionality. BDD aims to change this.

With BDD, business analysts and software developers work together from the project’s outset, saving time down the line. The team can also offer opinions and suggestions at every step to guarantee clients get the product they want and need.

BDD enables me to work even more efficiently at ddroidd. I am constantly thinking of the “why” behind every decision, analysing the added value of each element. This means we’re always working towards a specific business objective in mind. BDD’s a client-centric approach that also benefits the development team.

How Does BDD Benefit Clients?

I am a customer-first analyst who strives to put clients’ needs and priorities at the forefront of my work. BDD is an effective way of achieving this, with a range of benefits for businesses:

• Streamlined: BDD is designed to speed up the development process, delivering business-critical functionalities first. Everyone works with the same requirements and criteria in mind to perform efficiently together, making BDD a great option for time-sensitive projects.
• Customer-focused: Just like business professionals, BDD focuses on achieving business goals at every stage of the process. This ensures that no effort is misplaced on features that don’t contribute to achieving these objectives, resulting in a product that actually works for clients.
• Adaptive: Requirements are constantly changing during software development projects. With BDD, scenarios are easy to update, keeping everyone on the same page, unlike linear approaches with complex change-management processes.
• Cost-effective: With business objectives and strong communication driving this approach, clients are guaranteed a solution that works for them. With little room for misinterpretations, there’s less time spent on modifications and bug fixes further down the line.

What Can Clients Expect when Working with ddroidd?

We’re not afraid to challenge needs to ensure our clients get the best possible solution that works for their business.

Clients are always looking for ways to expand their businesses in the digital sphere. However, there are different stakeholders with an array of visions on how this should happen. As a BA, I gather all the priorities from each department and present them clearly and concisely to prioritise their needs.

I also ensure that clients don’t waste time (or money) by introducing them to the MVP agile approach. Instead of investing time and effort into a complicated infrastructure that isn’t necessarily the best option, this approach involves initially offering a basic product. The team can then build upon this idea to align it with clients’ needs and wants for a tailored, optimal final solution.

Above all else, clients can expect collaboration — especially when working with agile methods. The ddroidd team works closely with clients, communicating effectively and empowering them with the knowledge they need to make the best business decisions.

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