What is the main function of a Business Analyst (BA)?

The primary role of a Business Analyst (BA) is to bridge the gap between stakeholders and technical teams by translating business needs into functional requirements. This involves gathering and analyzing input from various stakeholders to understand their needs and expectations. The BA then documents these requirements in a way that developers and project teams can understand and act upon. This translation is critical in ensuring that the final product aligns with the business objectives and delivers the intended value to the organization.

This role requires a deep understanding of both the business processes and the technical possibilities, enabling the BA to effectively communicate and advocate for the needs of the business throughout the project lifecycle. By doing so, the BA ensures that any solutions developed not only meet technical specifications but are also relevant and beneficial to the organization's goals.

In contrast, other options focus on specific tasks or roles that are not primarily the responsibility of a Business Analyst. Finalizing project budgets is typically handled by project managers, implementing software falls under technical or project management roles, and handling marketing strategies is the domain of marketing professionals rather than a Business Analyst.