Common responsibilities
A business analyst in a typical oil and gas company will have several responsibilities. To begin with, they will work closely with technicians and engineers. The relationship will serve as a mode of documenting analysis used to assess completion effectiveness. It will also assist in the generation of technical requirements documents for teams in product development. The candidate will also serve as a liaison between product development teams and a company’s business units.
The analyst may also be required to simultaneously manage multiple projects while providing support for any production issues. For a candidate to be successful in such a position, they need to be flexible, open-minded and have the ability to adapt to a dynamic environment. Such positions are usually filled at a level that is commensurate with experience.
Requirements
The requirements for a business analyst will vary from one company to another. This is because each oil and gas company has their own unique operating procedure. All the same, a bachelor’s or higher degree in engineering will be needed. In the United States, most companies would prefer such a degree to come from a 4-year accredited university. Other requirements would be ability to thrive/succeed in a fast-paced environment, dependability and self-motivation, excellent time management and communication skills as well as excellent problem solving skills.
When it comes to experience, each company will have its own set of guidelines. The current requirement is 3 – 5 years working in a similar position. Though this is the case, it does not necessarily mean candidates who do not meet the criteria are automatically disqualified. If a candidate has one year experience and performed exceptionally well during their tenure in a former position, they may be considered by a company.
Other responsibilities/requirements
The candidate will be responsible for contributions to specific technical initiatives and projects in an effective/efficient manner. A good business analyst should possess technical, business and financial knowledge regarding software development, business processes and associated technology tools.
In some companies, the analyst may be assigned a leading role on a minor project. The role will be determined by various factors such as the candidate’s experience, former employment achievements and any other requirements the employer may deem necessary. If a candidate is offered such a role, they will assume the role of a technical contributor and business lead. The analyst must then know and work toward procedures and policies required in the said department.
An analyst is expected to collect technical specifications and business requirements as necessary. Additionally, they should support existing applications systems and perform detailed analysis. Skills are also inclusive of competent estimation of tasks that can be expressed in terms of hours as well as time lines with dates due.