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Domain Expertise and the Business Analyst: How Vital Is It?
Some say it’s critical. Others say it doesn’t matter. What do you think?
The question of how essential domain expertise is to a business analyst (BA) is a recurring debate in the BA community. One school of thought maintains that domain knowledge is not critical. A skilled BA, the thinking goes, can walk into nearly any project situation and do an effective job, relying on previous experience and a rich tool kit of techniques. The counterargument avers that an analyst who has deep subject matter knowledge can be far more effective.
I have experienced both situations, from inside a company as an employee and outside as a consultant. This article offers some thoughts about when domain knowledge is valuable, when it’s essential, when it’s not necessary, and when it can actually pose a risk. What's your perspective on this issue?
Domain Experience Matters!
I began my career as a research scientist at Kodak for a few years before transitioning into software development. Then I developed applications for other scientists and technicians in the Kodak research labs. I found that my experience in chemistry and photographic science was highly valuable as I worked with researchers to understand their requirements…
