How can you develop your Business Analysis skills while working full-time?

Stay curious, even if you contribute in one area in your job, try to understand the entire process (end to end). This will give you an opportunity to practice process mapping. By analyzing your process maps and the task owners, it will give you a good understanding of inefficiencies or gaps that you can improve. Effective process mapping is a critical skill every BA should have.

Business Analysis is a skill that is devoid of timing and the work you are doing.. when I say this what I mean is you do not need time to practice business analysis. What we need for business analysis is keenness to question whats happening and how if you were working on it would you address. Business Analysis is a philosophy and skill that is inherently there in all of us - what we miss is using this appropriately in our daily life - which again is both personal and professional! Practice facilitation, negotiation and collaboration in your day to day activities (even sometimes in your daily life) and the skills would automatically transition to help in getting better at business analysis.

Business analyst profession is a journey that demands patience and perseverance. Firstly Focus on basics of business analysis if you want to learn it. For ex - A business analyst must be proficient in documenting the things. A business analyst fail to document fail to deliver the project. Secondly step by step learn about some basic technical things as you are at forefront of client. Thirdly decide which domain you want to pursue so start gathering knowledge about that domain just because generalist will only be focusing on delivering but a perfectionist will focus delivering it perfectly.

In my journey, I've discovered 3 most effective strategies: 1- Microlearning: Utilize bite-sized learning opportunities during breaks or commutes. Mobile apps, YT and short courses help you absorb knowledge incrementally. 2- Mentorship: Seek a mentor or coach who can provide guidance, share real-world insights, and tailor your learning to your career goals. 3- Cross-Functional Collab: Actively engage with colleagues from different departments to apply and expand your skills in a practical setting. One invaluable approach I've found is maintaining a dedicated learning calendar. Block time for skill development, stay consistent, and celebrate milestones. Balancing full-time work with skill growth is achievable and offers long-term benefits.

There are a couple of ways: 1. Look for opportunities to stretch and apply your skills. Volunteer for other tasks or express a desire to learn something new on the job. 2. Attend a study group or join an online community where you can learn from others. 3. Find a mentor, either in your current organization or online. They can help you unlock your skills and potential.

Hands-on experience is the best resource to learn and grow as a Business Analyst. If you're a new BA, you can seek mentorship from the senior BAs in the community. You can set monthly goals/milestones related to grooming yourself. Also, it's a great practice to share your learnings with the community. You can manage your own blog or any medium that you're comfortable with and build your own brand. It will be resourceful to future BAs in their journey.

Just like how athletes or musicians set aside time to practice and train before an important performance, the same can be applied for business analysis jobs as well. Regular time should be given to improve your skills.

If you dont apply and make use of what you have learnt then you will soon forget what you learnt and will have to put in double the effort and relearn everything again. So it is best to practice your newly learned skills.

I successfully transitioned into Business Analysis through self-study and engagement with leaders in the field on Linkedin while starting a full-time entry-level position as a Salesforce BA at Capgemini. In addition, I have been a member of the IIBA since July 2023, connecting and learning with other professionals in chapters around the world and contributing to Linkedin articles on BA in the hope of earning the BA Top Voice badge.

You need to set clear goals, engage in self-study, and join professional organizations. Seek mentorship, and practice applying your learning at your job. Enhance soft skills, and network. Stay informed about industry trends, request feedback, and consider personal projects to gain practical experience. Effective time management is crucial for balancing your career and skill development, leading to continuous improvement in your BA abilities. Additionally, while working, don't hesitate to reach out to the BA on any project for guidance and mentorship; collaborating with them can provide practical insights and valuable opportunities to learn and grow in the field.

I think that no one is busy, it is just how you manage priorities. Planning and goal setting is important here. Be detailed on what you want to do - it could be as little as putting a few hours per week to read about BA articles or progress that BA handbook that you are itching to finish. You can also attend internal/external workshops from time to time, or utilize whatever learning tools you have in your organization. Regardless of the means, these will keep your skills refreshed and help that BA mindset steady.