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June 04, 2005 
Does Agile Software Development do away with Business Analysts?
I've been exploring career directions - and I must admit, this question has haunted me for a while. Fearing the answer to be "yes", I forged ahead, wading through blogs, and meeting with colleagues to find out how they work.
My conclusion: Agile Software Development transforms the role of the Business Analyst.
But this is not surprising - one of the main things that happens when working Agile is a realignment of responsibility with accountability. Customers become responsible to state and prioritize their requirements - and Agile processes hold them accountable for these things. Development teams become wholly responsible for delivering the required functionality - and are held accountable for its quality.
The Business Analyst may find herself floating between these two responsibilities. She must navigate this territory with care - our old way of working often meant taking on accountability from these two groups, a step backward when working Agile. I believe that the BA can become a facilitator - enabling Customers and or Developers to get their jobs done. In some organizations, this role is called "Agile Coach", and may be played by a BA, a Developer or anyone passionate about enabling the work of the team. While not every team needs a coach, it can be an important role - particularly when newly adopting Agile.
There is a balancing act required to do this... my blog covers a few scenarios derived from discussions with my Toronto colleagues.
A BA not interested in coaching could also retrain as a Developer or move into the Customer camp as a Product Owner or Product Manager. Fear not, there are still many ways to help build great software!
Related articles can be found in the following categories:
Howto
I also maintain a page of references and recommended links to materials related to agile methods.
Posted by Deborah Hartmann at June 4, 2005 08:16 AM
