Business analysts have taken on a broader role than documenting requirements. They now shape delivery outcomes by working across teams, clarifying priorities, and connecting technical work with business goals. Their focus on evidence and collaboration means they guide decisions and keep projects aligned from the start.
Shorter delivery cycles put pressure on teams and organisations to act quickly and move faster. Business analysts help keep delivery on track by asking targeted questions, identifying assumptions early, and drawing on data, customer insight, and domain knowledge. Their presence in agile teams is now standard practice. In fact, the Australian Government’s APS Data, Digital, and Cyber Workforce Plan 2025–30 identifies business analysts as a core competency for digital transformation, with 70 per cent of public sector agencies reporting critical shortages in data-related roles.
Analysts now work alongside stakeholders and end users from discovery through to testing and release in both government and industry, which gives them the continuity and context to reduce risk, prevent delays, and identify issues early. This article explores the evolving role of business analysts, what organisations are looking for, how analysts can adapt their skill set, and why demand is growing across industries.