4 interpersonal skills you must build to become a hyper-productive business analyst

Like a shadow to the project manager and that, one with a strong identity, Business Analysts are the wheels that run a big machinery that an organization is.

But, becoming a hyper-productive business analyst is not something that happens at birth. Like all high caliber professionals, they are molded with time and practice. The training provided in Business analyst certifications and practical experience is what steers them forward.

 Here is how you too can become a hyper-productive business analyst. All it takes is a little effort in the right direction. Allow me to explain the ‘how?’.

Skill #1: Keeping a tab on time management and organization skills

No surprises there. A business analyst must have complete control over his schedule. Which in turn calls for impeccable time management skills. Here is how you can manage time effectively as a minute-calculating business analyst:

• Plan & prioritize things-to-do for the week in advance with fixed time slots. This includes client meetings, developer reviews and everything else in between.


• Don’t be an email slave. Read. Take immediate action, else delete it.


• Not every phone call needs your attention. Find out what kind of calls can wait and what not. Your client calls definitely cannot wait. Be available for them always.


• Folders! Folders! Folders! A cluttered system can drive you nuts; especially when you need a file that is long overdue. Practice file organization as a way of life. 


• Make best use of Google calendar (It’s free!). Use it to schedule meetings and send invites to participants. Set email alerts for better organization.

Skill #2: Attention to smaller details with big picture in mind

Missing a column in the daily work report might seem trivial. But with days, weeks and over a period of months, this trivial mistake will have a snowball effect that will disrupt operations with great velocity.

What if the column was meant to reveal how much actual man-hours was spent by a technician for a fixed time project?

Losing a client will be so easy with ‘trivial’ mistakes like that. That is why a BA must pay necessary attention to tiny details that matter a lot. Remember, even the tiniest screw matters in running a machine efficiently.

 Skill #3: Conducting fruitful meetings

‘Meetings are boring’, said a friend of mine. That’s because nothing realistic is discussed to arrive at fruitful decisions. Don’t be that kind of a person!

Every meeting must have a purpose and it should be conducted to achieve it. Tell all participants what is intended to achieve with the meeting well in advance so that they come prepared for it.

Meditate on this quote from Jack Welch, Former CEO of GE and a world celebrated business leader. 

Secondly, keep it short in number (no: of participants) and duration. Jeff Bezos, Founder & CEO, Amazon.com considers long meetings to be unproductive. He further suggests - “Never have a meeting where two pizzas couldn't feed the entire group.”

Skill#4: Talk + Write + Body language = Excellent communication

Talk well using positive sounding words. The motive must be to exchange idea or information with all stakeholders. While the stressful job nature is understandable, harsh and rudeness will bring short-term benefits but will ruin the team work culture in the long-run. Practice to talk like a leader who is motivating. Use as much as positive words as possible during reviews and random conversations.

A BA must also practice fluent writing, both in technical writing and daily correspondences to ensure proper communication of ideas, requirements and instructions. Follow this old age thumb rule - “Before you act, listen. Before you react, think.” Before you put anything in paper - think if your reaction will still be correct even after 5 years from now.

Body language! A slouching Business Analyst will be a sore sight. He/she will demotivate team members and can lead the team efforts spiraling down to alarming levels. A brisk, open and formal body language while conversing, negotiating or even while debating for or against an idea is a must have for any business analyst.

Summing up everything for your quick reference:

• Learn to manage your time well. Use organizing and scheduling tools to have complete control over your schedule.


• Pay attention even to small things that can amount to big results. Find out where mistake prone areas and devise strategies to eliminate them.


• Conducts quick, small and effective meetings that bear fruits. Keep the quorum small in number and the duration just enough for brainstorming and conclusion.


• Use a positive speech formula. Adopt healthy body language that is inspiring and positive. Throw negativity out of your system.

Above all, sign up for some Business Analyst certifications. BA certification training programs can polish your skills to finesse.