Business Technology Consulting

In my previous two-part posts I discussed where the BA fits into the organizational structure.  Even Jeff Welsh notes how application software development has changed over the years and requires a team approach for successful implementation of IT business solutions.

But you are sitting there saying we are a small to medium size business (SMB), my entire IT staff is 10 or less, I do not have a Business Process Orgranization (BPO) or Project Management Office (PMO); where should the BA fit into my organization?

SMBs need to utilize the BA role within their project delivery methodology.  If the role is not being fulfilled then there is higher risk of failure of the project in that it does not meet the needs of the business.  I have worked on many small-to-medium IT staffs and can attest to the fact that when resources are few that people wear many hats.  There were projects where I served as the project manager, business analyst, developer and trainer.  On smaller staffs, where only one or two of the people will be doing the duties of the BA, it is even more important to make sure that those people are easily accessible by the business units that they support.  Have them sit in the vicinity of those business units instead of in the IT Department.  I still feel that the BA is an IT function and should report to IT management as opposed to business management, but making the BA readily available and accessible to the business adds value to their role and gains buy-in from the business people to assist the BA with their duties.

So when making the organizational chart keep the BA in the IT Department; but when divvying up office space, make room for the BA near the business unit(s) that they are to support.