Alice Leroy
2020 was a challenging and transformational year for humankind. Many businesses experienced unprecedented levels of digital transformation due to the harsh advance of COVID-19. Companies had to employ various strategies to combat the pandemic and keep their businesses afloat. Most of the changes companies engaged in to fight the pandemic have turned into lifelong commitments as most of these proved to improve their performance.
Before the pandemic, companies had difficulty incorporating new technologies into their business operations as it demands a lot of time, commitment, and sacrifices. But COVID-19 made it obligatory for businesses to take measures that reduce physical contact between people. Hence, the only option for companies was to immediately switch to advanced digital approaches to carry out their operations. But unfortunately, most companies have difficulty keeping up with the switch because these developments come with a high cost in terms of needed skill and an efficient workforce.
How the Pandemic Forced Companies to Adopt Digital Transformation
Companies, keeping in focus the safety of their customers and employees, have introduced technologies that prevent and discourage physical contact. As a result, the internet saw a significant boost in searches for digital technology by business owners, which included keywords such as contactless business operations, work from home, etc.
Companies invested heavily in product delivery and mobile apps that promote e-commerce and videoconferencing to remain relevant and competitive in the market. In addition, organizations prioritized digitizing their supply chains to ensure safe interactions with employees and customers. Because of the challenges involved with this drastic shift, most companies had to hire specialists to assist with digital transformation.
Impact of Business Analysis on Digital Transformation
Due to the rapid rate at which companies are pushing to adopt new technologies, most companies can’t make the changes required without the assistance of Business analysts. With the help of business analysis professionals, organizations have overcome the challenges of digital change since the pandemic. BA professionals assist companies to keep up with the new, faster rate of digital transformation. They also enable technological assistance to create products and services that will serve organizations across all sectors during this time of intense digital transformation.
Business analysts engage with end-users, business owners, and product managers to determine how data-driven changes to processes, services, products, hardware, and software can add value and improve efficiencies. They must explore those ideas and evaluate them against functionally flexible, technologically attainable, and financially beneficial methods. An experienced Business Analyst is essential for bringing about digital transformation to maintain a company’s market value. Organizations depend on such trusted advisors for guidance in improving products, services, processes, and software through data analysis. Business Analysts are agile workers who straddle the line between business and IT to help bridge the gap and improve efficiency.
BAs are experts in understanding business competition and current market trends and helped recommend the most effective technological tools to meet customer needs during the COVID-19 pandemic. They also have the experience and knowledge to implement digital transformation. Technology companies need the assistance of business analysts to create products that impact the digital world. For example, Technology companies often turn to BAs as they collect pertinent data to help with creating better products. Therefore, technologically strong companies must make room for business analysts on their product development teams.
The digital landscape of the near future will not be the same as it was before the pandemic. COVID-19 sped up the rate of digital transformation and altered companies’ technology requirements. As the technological environment changes faster, business analysis proves to be crucial for technological transformation. As companies have started looking for ways to implement rapid digital changes, Business Analysts have become the most trusted source of assistance.
Although the pandemic affected many industries, digital transformation has created new business operation approaches and opportunities, which the companies continue to incorporate positively.
