Why early business analysis engagement is critical—not optional
When organisations set out to define or refresh their ICT strategies, the focus tends to gravitate towards technology choices, architecture models, and roadmaps. While these are undeniably important, there’s often a missing ingredient that undermines success before the strategy is even implemented: business analysis.
The Common Mistake: Leaving Business Analysis Too Late
In many cases, Business Analysts (BAs) are brought into the picture only once projects are approved and mobilised. By then, major decisions have been made, stakeholder expectations have been set, and delivery teams are racing to meet milestones. This late engagement limits the ability of business analysis to influence direction, leading to common issues such as misaligned solutions, misunderstood requirements, and under-realised benefits.
Why Business Analysis Matters at the Strategic Level
Business analysis isn’t just a delivery discipline—it’s a strategic capability. In the context of ICT strategy development, BAs bring a structured lens to exploring the “why” behind proposed changes and ensuring that technology investments are grounded in real business needs.
Early business analysis supports:
- Clarification of business drivers and goals
BAs help surface and validate the true needs behind strategic aspirations, ensuring the ICT strategy is focused on outcomes, not just outputs. - Stakeholder alignment
Through structured engagement, BAs identify divergent priorities and bring stakeholders to a shared understanding of the desired future state. - Problem definition before solution selection
One of the core principles of good analysis is to define the problem before jumping to solutions. This avoids the all-too-common trap of chasing the newest technology without a clear purpose. - Option evaluation and feasibility insight
With a business-focused lens, BAs can help assess the viability, desirability, and practicality of strategic options, balancing ambition with what’s realistically achievable.
The Role of Business Analysis in Shaping an ICT Strategy
Integrating business analysis into your strategy development process means embedding it in key activities such as:
- Reviewing current state processes and systems to uncover inefficiencies or duplication
- Identifying data and integration requirements across business units
- Mapping pain points and opportunities across customer and employee journeys
- Supporting the development of business cases grounded in evidence and measurable benefits
- Helping prioritise initiatives based on value, risk, and readiness
This proactive approach results in a strategy that’s better informed, more realistic to implement, and easier to gain organisational buy-in for.
Shifting the Mindset: From Project Support to Strategic Partner
To unlock the full value of business analysis, organisations need to stop treating it as a downstream, project-centric discipline. Instead, BAs should be engaged early as thinking partners in the development of ICT strategy, transformation programs, and investment roadmaps.
This shift not only improves outcomes but helps position business analysis as a key enabler of digital change, rather than a back-office support function.
In Closing
ICT strategy is ultimately about driving purposeful change. Purposeful change needs more than a well-drawn roadmap—it needs insight into the business context, clarity of purpose, and strong stakeholder alignment. These are exactly the strengths that Business Aspect brings through our early and embedded approach to business analysis.
Whether you’re developing a new strategy, refreshing an existing roadmap, or setting the direction for transformation, our consultants work alongside you from the outset, bringing the structure, insight, and engagement needed to shape strategies that deliver real business outcomes. Get in touch to explore how Business Aspect can support your organisation from day one.
Reach out to us if you would like to discuss how Business Aspect’s Business Analysts can drive change and shape strategy in your organisation.