Ever wonder what a Business Analyst actually does from start to finish in a tech project?
If you’re thinking about switching careers or stepping into tech without coding, understanding the BA’s role across the project life cycle is key.
Spoiler: Business Analysts are involved in way more than just writing requirements.
As a Business Analyst trainer, I can tell you this: The BA is the glue holding the project together. From the first stakeholder meeting to post-launch evaluations — BAs are there making sure everyone speaks the same language and the solution solves the actual problem.
Let’s break down what that looks like across each Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) phase.
Why It Matters
Whether you’re applying for BA jobs, preparing for interviews, or joining a real-world project, you’ll be asked:
- “What’s your role during the planning phase?”
- “How do you support developers in the execution stage?”
- “What do you deliver during testing?”
If you know how to answer these, you’re already ahead of 80% of new BAs.
Business Analyst Responsibilities in Each Phase of the SDLC
- Initiation / Planning
- Requirement Gathering & Analysis
- Design
- Development / Execution
- Testing / QA
- Deployment / Go-Live
- Maintenance / Post-Implementation
Now let’s zoom into each one and see what a Business Analyst actually does.
1. Initiation / Planning Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Understand the business need or problem at a high level
- Identify and engage key stakeholders
- Assist with defining project goals and objectives
- Help estimate time, budget, and scope boundaries
- Conduct initial feasibility or gap analysis
Example:
Imagine a hospital wants to digitize its appointment booking system.
The BA will meet with hospital management, IT leads, and frontline staff to understand what’s currently broken — and what a “better future” looks like.
2. Requirement Gathering & Analysis
BA Responsibilities:
- Conduct interviews, surveys, workshops, or observation sessions
- Define business requirements clearly and concisely
- Break down functional vs. non-functional needs
- Identify pain points in the current system
- Create artifacts like BRDs (Business Requirements Documents) or User Stories
Example:
For a retail company launching an inventory app, the BA would talk to store managers, warehouse staff, and vendors to map out current inventory pain points and how automation could help.
This is where communication and listening skills shine — even more than technical knowledge.
3. Design Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Translate requirements into functional specifications
- Collaborate with the UI/UX team to validate workflows
- Review wireframes, mockups, and screen flows
- Ensure stakeholder expectations are reflected in the design
- Participate in design walk-throughs and approvals
Tip:
A strong BA acts like a bridge here — helping non-technical business users understand what the design will actually look and feel like.
4. Development / Execution Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Act as a point of contact for developers when requirements need clarification
- Handle change requests if new needs arise
- Keep the Product Owner or PM informed of any scope shifts
- Ensure the team builds what was agreed upon (and nothing extra!)
Example:
If a developer doesn’t understand what “auto-calculate delivery cost” means, they’ll ask the BA — not the client.
This is where your attention to detail and communication clarity really matter.
5. Testing / QA Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Help QA write test scenarios based on requirements
- Participate in User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Validate that requirements were implemented correctly
- Log, track, and communicate bugs or missed functionality
Note:
You’re not just verifying “it works” — you’re checking if it works as intended and solves the original problem.
6. Deployment / Go-Live Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Assist with release notes and user manuals
- Train end users or create training documentation
- Support the business team during go-live
- Monitor for any last-minute issues or rollback needs
Tip:
This is where BAs wear their “empathy” hat — making sure real users don’t feel lost or frustrated with the new system.
7. Maintenance / Support Phase
BA Responsibilities:
- Collect feedback from users post-launch
- Propose enhancements based on user behavior or performance data
- Analyze change requests and prioritize feature updates
- Track business impact and report outcomes to stakeholders
Why It Matters:
Some of the best insights come after go-live. A BA is never “done” — the role evolves with the product and users.
Summary: A BA’s Role is Dynamic — and Crucial
| Phase | What You Do as a BA |
|---|---|
| Initiation | Understand the business need and scope |
| Requirements | Gather, document, and validate user needs |
| Design | Ensure workflows reflect what users need |
| Development | Clarify questions and manage change |
| Testing | Confirm solution meets business requirements |
| Deployment | Support users and guide adoption |
| Maintenance | Analyze performance and suggest improvements |
Final Thoughts: Why U.S. Employers Love Strong BAs
In the U.S., Business Analysts are in huge demand because they reduce project risk, improve efficiency, and help teams build the right thing the first time.
Whether you’re in healthcare, finance, education, or even retail, there’s a place for your skills — and the BA role is the fastest-growing non-coding tech job out there.
Ready to Learn the Role Step-by-Step?
At QA Online Training, we train non-tech professionals across the U.S. to become confident, certified Business Analysts.
What you get:
- Live training (not just videos)
- Real-world project work
- Resume + interview help
- Career support for U.S.-based job seekers
