Hi everyone!

Something slightly different this month. Not your typical Jimmy article digging into a business analysis related topic. Instead, I had a crisis and decided to write all about it.

Long story short: I'm breaking up with the business analyst title.

It's not you, it's me. 💔
Why I'm Ditching the Business Analyst Title after 10+ Wonderful Years

I know it's absurd to be this emotional about a job title, but here we are.

Full warning though, unlike most of the articles I write, this isn't even really trying to be helpful. It is just me getting some stuff off my chest. Also, ChatGPT is telling me that this is a rambling mess with terrible transitions and that I'm basically "doing writing wrong" so it's also got that going for it.

But if that doesn't scare you off, welcome to a front row seat to my existential crisis over the business analyst title!

And buckle up, she's a long one.

Is the business analyst role dying?

I don't know if I think the role is dying. I think think the role is in a state of decline. That's different.

I think it's harder to be taken seriously as a business analyst than it used to be. That business analysts aren't seen as a leadership role. That you're often not included early enough in the process to make an impact. That the role is getting smaller and more specialised.

But that's not to say that you should immediately throw in the towel if you're currently a business analyst. I loved my time in the role and there's no reason why you shouldn't either!

But if you ping me to chat about it I'm no longer going to give you the "business analyst is the best role in the world" speech. I'm retiring that particular pep talk.

What’s next?

Actually, very little changes in many respects!

I'm not planning on throwing the baby out with the bathwater – business analysis is and will remain my core skillset – but I'm looking up and out for ideas and inspiration. A touch of UX research here, a bit of design there, a drop of product ... the world is suddenly my oyster!

And if I'm honest, I never really limited myself to only talking/thinking/doing business analysis so in lots of ways this is just the status quo, but now made explicit.

So what's next is more of the same. I'll keep writing about stuff that interests me, keeping talking about things that interest me both here and on LinkedIn, so I'm guessing (and hoping) that you won't notice much difference.

And I'll let you know when I settle on a title that fits!

As always, I would love to hear your thoughts on this (or anything else), so do reply to this email, DM me on LinkedIn, or send me a letter via pigeon. 

I cannot tell you how much I like hearing from y'all!

And until next time, stay excellent! 💖
Hannah