What do you do if you're unsure of your expectations and responsibilities as a Business Analysis intern?

Starting a new role can be daunting, especially when it's an internship in business analysis. You're expected to learn quickly and contribute to the team, but what happens if you're not quite sure what you're supposed to be doing? This article will guide you through the steps to take when you find yourself in this position, ensuring you can clarify your role and meet your employer's expectations.

1 Seek Clarification

If you're unsure about your role, the first step is to seek clarification from your supervisor or mentor. It's important to ask specific questions about your daily tasks, the scope of your projects, and the metrics by which your performance will be measured. Don't hesitate to request a written summary of your responsibilities; this can serve as a reference and help you stay on track. Remember, asking questions shows initiative and a desire to perform well, not incompetence.

Add your perspective

Abiodun Bayewu

Business Analyst || Business Analytics || CRM Facilitator.
Report contribution
Clarify expectations and responsibilities by scheduling a meeting with your supervisor or mentor. Discuss project objectives, deliverables, and key learning goals. Seek feedback regularly, ask questions, and take initiative to learn and contribute. Utilize resources like training materials and online communities for support and guidance.

Like
Emin Huseynov

Senior Business Analyst | Agile, Business Analysis, MBA
Report contribution
- Before meeting with your supervisor or mentor, list down specific areas where you need clarification. This could include daily tasks, project scopes, expected outcomes, and performance metrics. - Prioritize questions based on urgency and importance to ensure that you cover the most critical points first. - Refer to your list of questions to guide the conversation to ensure you cover all areas where you seek clarification.

Like

2 Understand Expectations

Understanding the expectations for your role is crucial. Engage in discussions with your team to grasp the broader business goals and how your work aligns with them. This will give you context for your tasks and help you prioritize effectively. Additionally, familiarize yourself with the business analysis framework being used, whether it's SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis, PESTLE (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Legal, and Environmental) analysis, or another model, so you can understand how your work fits within the company's strategy.

Add your perspective

3 Document Processes

Documenting processes and feedback is a key part of a business analysis intern's job. Keep detailed records of meetings, decisions, and instructions. This not only helps you track your progress but also serves as evidence of your contributions and can be useful for future reference. Your documentation will also demonstrate your analytical skills and attention to detail, both of which are highly valued in business analysis.

Add your perspective

Emin Huseynov

Senior Business Analyst | Agile, Business Analysis, MBA
Report contribution
- Create separate folders or sections for each project you’re involved in. Within each project, organize documents by meetings, decisions, and significant instructions or milestones. - For meeting notes, decision logs, and feedback, use or develop standardized templates. This ensures consistency and completeness of information across different projects. - Before any meeting, note down the agenda and any specific questions or points you want to address. - Take notes, capturing key discussions, decisions made, action items assigned, and any deadlines or next steps agreed upon.

Like

4 Leverage Resources

As an intern, you have access to a wealth of resources within the company. Use this to your advantage by reaching out to colleagues for insights or attending workshops and training sessions. Additionally, leverage online forums and professional networks to connect with experienced business analysts. These interactions can provide valuable tips and real-world examples that can enhance your learning and performance.

Add your perspective

5 Build Relationships

Building strong relationships with your coworkers is essential. It's through these connections that you can gain mentorship, support, and insights into the company culture and politics. Networking within your team and across departments can also open up opportunities for collaborative projects that can enhance your skills and expose you to different aspects of business analysis.

Add your perspective

6 Reflect Regularly

Lastly, take time to reflect on your experiences. Regular self-assessment allows you to recognize areas where you excel and identify opportunities for improvement. Set aside time each week to review your goals, the feedback you've received, and your overall progress. This reflection will help you adjust your approach as needed and continue to grow as a business analysis professional.

Add your perspective

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

Add your perspective

What do you do if you're unsure of your expectations and responsibilities as a Business Analysis intern?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Seek Clarification

2 Understand Expectations

3 Document Processes

4 Leverage Resources

5 Build Relationships

6 Reflect Regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Analysis

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

More articles on Business Analysis

More relevant reading

What do you do if you're unsure of your expectations and responsibilities as a Business Analysis intern?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Seek Clarification

2 Understand Expectations

3 Document Processes

4 Leverage Resources

5 Build Relationships

6 Reflect Regularly

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Analysis

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

Explore Other Skills