A huge challenge I always run into is the confusion about the difference between the business architect and business analyst.
I want to start by talking about what they mean to me because they are two very distinct roles and are equally important.
A capability is the ability to do something – they are what is needed to perform business activities and I am not talking about technology!
A capability is broken down into a number of functions and functions relate to “how to do it”.
So going back to the Architect versus the Analyst
An Architect works with capabilities and capabilities must be looked at from a strategic level and not 300+ business requirements.
An architect does not “solution”. They stay at the strategic level, connect the dots and work very hard to pinpoint what the senior executives are trying to do… the risks they are trying to address, and the advantages they are trying to create.
An Analyst works with functions within the capability.
The analyst designs the solution, and work in the operational space. The analyst focuses on business requirements and is an expert in a specific silo or area.