Business Analyst with a quality perspective

Integrating quality into the software development process should be a priority from the outset. The experience gained in testing can be a valuable foundation for other roles in software development, especially for business analysts. The shift from checking if something is right to defining what should be right emphasizes the close connection between these roles. The targeted handling of test data also plays a decisive role, especially in the complex data warehouse environment. Business analysts can significantly improve their view of quality by putting themselves in the shoes of other roles and thus gaining a more comprehensive view of the development process.

Podcast episode on the topic

In this episode of Software Testing, I welcome Philipp Huber, a business analyst who used to work as a tester. We talk about how his testing experiences influence his current role and the importance of building quality into the software development process from the beginning. Philipp shares that as a tester he always checked if something was right, whereas now as a business analyst he defines what should be right. We also discuss the importance of test data and challenges in the data warehouse environment. Finally, Philipp gives valuable tips on how business analysts can improve their quality view by taking the perspective of other roles.

“I really try to teach the testers what it’s all about. The testers should also challenge me, because even business analysts make mistakes.” - Phillip Huber

Philipp Huber looks back on 15 years of experience in the field of data warehousing. Starting with test automation and testing, he later took on tasks in all areas of the data warehouse lifecycle. He has specialized in business analysis for several years. He works for an international financial services provider in Vienna as an IT business analyst.

Highlights of the Episode

• In data warehouse projects, the combination of business analysis and testing experience is particularly valuable.
• Integrating the test view into the analysis work is important to better understand edge cases and details.
• The combination of production-related data and synthetic data in tests is an effective approach.
• Job rotation is a good way to gain a better understanding of the work of other team members.
• Using AI tools such as ChatGPT to generate test cases and for inspiration can be helpful.

From tester to business analyst

Moving from a tester role to that of a business analyst offers an exciting development opportunity within software development. While testers ensure the quality of applications, the business analyst’s job is to define what should be right, rather than just checking if something is right. This perspective makes it possible to not only look at functional aspects, but also to analyze borderline and special cases at an early stage - a skill that is often carried over from the testing phase.

The importance of quality in the development process

In modern software development, it is essential to be flexible and to understand the roles that other team members play. A holistic view of the software development process is essential to ensure the quality of the final application. Business analysts should take particular care to ensure that requirements and specifications are formulated precisely enough from the outset to withstand subsequent testing. A solid quality of requirements analysis forms the basis for the success of the entire development process.

Challenges and solutions

One of the biggest challenges in requirements management is to formulate requirements in a way that is understandable for everyone involved. The importance of direct communication between developers, testers and business analysts cannot be underestimated. Clear written documentation of the most important points is also crucial. When working with complex data structures, for example in the data warehouse environment, it is important to actively involve testers in the requirements process and encourage them to critically scrutinize specifications.

Test data management in the data warehouse

Another important aspect in the data warehouse environment is test data management. One approach to creating test data constellations is to use Excel macros. Although Excel may seem unprofessional at first glance, this approach has proven to be effective and has been well received by the specialist departments. In this way, both synthetic and production-related test data can be created to ensure high data quality.

Tips for aspiring business analysts

Job rotation is a recommended method for prospective business analysts to expand their own expertise. Temporarily taking on a different role, be it as a tester or someone from the specialist area, helps to gain a better understanding of the different perspectives within a project. This understanding helps to significantly improve the quality of your own work and promote a better exchange with other project participants.

Frequently asked questions about business analysis and software testing