You may be tempted to pass through this section of the study material quickly, but I suggest you stop and absorb the true scope of the underlying competencies in order to gain a much deeper and more well-rounded understanding of what this chapter is trying to teach you about business analysis as a whole.
This chapter outlines the core behaviors, observable characteristics, and inherent—and sometimes assumed—knowledge and personal attributes that underline the entire practice of business analysis.
Although these underlying competencies are not necessarily unique to business analysis, they are described here to help you fully appreciate the fundamental skills and knowledge required to be a genuinely successful business analyst.
There are six main categories of underlying competencies to be aware of, shown in the following diagram:
The list of competencies includes the following:
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving
- Behavioral characteristics
- Business knowledge
- Communication skills
- Interaction skills
- Tools and technology
Let's now dive into more detail about each category of the underlying competencies and understand what they mean and include.