Systems Analyst vs. Business Analyst as A Career Choice

When asked about the difference between a business analyst (BA) and a systems analyst (SA), a typical answer is that a business analyst gathers business requirements from stakeholders. Systems analysts, sometimes called business systems analysts, break down high-level business requirements into more specific functional requirements and provide a detailed specification to the development team.  

In reality, these two roles are more complex.  

While both the business analyst and the systems analyst bridge gaps within an organization, the BA serves as a conduit between business needs and technological capabilities. They are tasked with understanding and translating business requirements into actionable tasks. For this purpose, they need to have a keen understanding of business processes and be able to communicate effectively with both the client and the product team. 

On the other hand, the SA typically steps in once the requirements have been established. They receive and interpret the analyzed and processed information from the BA, focusing on how to leverage technology to meet these requirements. Their role is deeply technical, involving the creation of system design artifacts and working closely with the product team to build the desired solution. They need to have a comprehensive understanding of software systems and be proficient in system design and data modeling. 

In essence, while the BA's role is more business-oriented, focusing on identifying what changes need to be made or what needs to be developed, the SA's role is more technology-focused, centering on how to implement these changes effectively within the existing system architecture. 

BA vs SA: project roles 

The decision of whether to include a BA or an SA largely depends on the nature of the project.  

If the complexity resides within the business processes and objectives, a BA is crucial. Conversely, if the complexity is within the solution itself, an SA is vital. 

When projects involve a high degree of technical complexity, the expertise of an SA becomes indispensable. A BA, while skilled in many areas, may not possess the depth of technical knowledge required to navigate such complexities. 

In the context of larger product teams of 20+ members, such as backend and frontend developers, QAs and DevOps, the requirement for analysts increases proportionately. For such teams, employing two BAs or a combination of a BA and an SA is advisable. A single analyst may be overwhelmed by the volume of work required to support a larger product team effectively. 

Looking into the future, business analyst roles will likely lean towards the product management and product ownership sides. Systems analysts will have the option of embracing the systems, solutions and enterprise architecture directions depending on how deeply they want to dive into technical implementations.  

From a systems analyst to a business analyst: a personal journey 

I initially started as an SA, which offered me a wealth of knowledge from a technical standpoint. I was exposed to various aspects such as architecture, development patterns, microservices and integrating various products. This experience was enlightening and provided me with a strong grasp of technical intricacies. 

However, I found that in every project, there was a persistent question: how does the business operate, and what are its needs? This curiosity about understanding the business motivated me to venture into areas I was previously unfamiliar with. 

Transitioning to a BA role, I found myself becoming a partner to stakeholders. I became more attuned to their concerns, objectives and challenges. The BA role provided an opportunity to be involved in product strategy, which I saw as a significant steppingstone for anyone aspiring to develop their career in product management. 

Though the SA role was enriching, the BA role resonated more with my interests and career aspirations, providing a more holistic view of both the business and technical aspects of a project. 

If, like me, you opt for business analysis as your career path, explore our open business analyst jobs today and join EPAM for an opportunity to contribute to top projects.