This post details in the role as an offshore business analyst and also the changing role of offshore business analysts.
With the boom in outsourcing as well as the focus of firms shifting to add efficiency at lesser price, more BA roles are getting created offshore. Not saying that jobs are now being sent offshore, but we undoubtedly see firms being more open to not limiting a business analyst resume role being just a client facing role. The world of outsourcing has now evolved to the hybrid model (on website / offshore model of outsourcing and in some instances near shore for strategic reasons). In reality I know lots of firms which have as a mandate for bargains a 40:60 rule when it comes to jobs. 40% on-site and 60% offshore to better influence the capabilities offshore and naturally manage the job margins better. Organizations, project managers and leads regularly fight to raise the offshore numbers and cut back the on-site quantity (70:30) or so within the interest of margins.
Usually within the INFORMATION technology along with the ITES sector, the international roles were limited to development. The growth of Offshore Development Center's (ODC) in India in the application export zones are a testimony to this fact.
How does it affect you as a business analyst?
Should you be a developer or possibly a programmer, then this might be your golden opportunity to scale-up to a BA part. Nowadays there's a huge difference between the interest in BA and the reserve of quality BA candidates in market. While organizations are searching for quality resources that can scale up from being only programmers and software developers or testers to bring up the jobs of solution designers and solution providers. While requirement gathering may be one component of your own function, BA functions are expanding to include more duties within the name of optimization.
If you are a developer or even a programmer seeking to scale-up to the role of the BA, remember, the undertaking is not simple. I got in the past had emails from readers, who just send me their profile and ask me to do a magic to get them into a BA part. People always tend to take the easy solution. With a business analyst job, it is a "no no."
If you wish to become a business analyst information, you are required to be agreeable to put in the efforts to scale-up from your present part and broaden your area of responsibilities with limited to no oversight. You are going to need to think from the box (Think beyond the bun as it says in Taco Bell adverts) and look at adding value for the project and organization. These are sure shot ways to success. I would rather adhere to these time-tested techniques than trying my feet on short-cuts.
What can you do to position yourself better as a business analyst?
Simple - Scale up. Accept more obligations in your international role. I know it is easier said that done. But that is the only remedy to go up the chain to become a business analyst. Please also remember a business analyst function comes with its own challenges, duties and of course rewards. In case you are looking to become an offshore business analyst or are now in an offshore business analyst job, then a couple of tips below may help you.
-- Communication Difficulties - An offshore business analyst often gets hit within the net of communication. Being offshore is both an edge along with a disadvantage. It is really an advantage because you are more affordable translating to more alternatives and opportunities. It's a dis advantage as you can't really know what the client is thinking, how he/she is reacting to your own opinions and what's lost in translation and interpretation on the telephone.
So that you as an offshore business analyst will need to put in twice the number of work to manage customer perception than an onshore business analyst. Make no mistake - Onsite business analyst functions are equally difficult if not substantially harder at times. I could be a perfect example. As someone who has been the face of the job for the customer, being chewed and smashed in managing perceptions yet swimming through to save face, I had the privilege to be an on-site and an international business analyst / management consultant. Listening and communication is the core to be great with an offshore job Click Here.
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