What is the primary purpose of business analysis?

The primary purpose of business analysis is to identify business needs and determine solutions. This process involves understanding an organization's goals and challenges, gathering and analyzing relevant information, and ultimately providing recommendations that drive improvements. Business analysis serves as a bridge between stakeholders and the solutions that can address their requirements.

By identifying business needs, business analysts work to ensure that any proposed solutions align with strategic objectives and address specific issues effectively. This could encompass a broad range of activities, including identifying gaps in processes, defining requirements for new systems or products, and evaluating potential solutions in terms of feasibility and impact. The focus of business analysis is broader than just individual functions like marketing or productivity; it’s about understanding and fulfilling the overarching needs of the organization.

This foundational role is critical in ensuring that resources are directed toward the most beneficial projects and that stakeholders' voices and requirements are considered in decision-making processes.