A day in the life of... a Technical Business Analyst

The Business Analyst Team serves as a key link between our technical developers and the end users. Our role is to help clients navigate their journey towards achieving optimal technical and business solutions across a variety of use cases. 

Day-to-day, we collaborate with Project Managers, Technical Leads (TLs), Solution Architects, and Technology Account Partners (TAPs) to deliver projects and Proofs of Concept (POCs) for clients. We also act as a key point of contact for end users, ensuring a smooth transition and adoption of their new solutions. 

Meet Esse... 

I joined Quantexa as a Technical Business Analyst in August 2023, after working on various systems implementations as a Systems Analyst and Management Consultant. I've always worked cross-functionally, bridging the gap between technical and business needs. 

Outside of work, I love running — my friends joke that “Esse is either out for a run, or about to go out for a run”. Running helps me unwind and de-stress. I also love hiking (although we unfortunately only have a hill in Singapore), so I make the most of vacations to explore new trails abroad. 

How do you normally start your working day? 

I’m an early riser and typically start my day at 6 a.m. with either a run or a strength workout. It’s my way of energising before the day ahead. After which I enjoy a cup of iced Americano paired with either a slice of homemade sourdough or a yogurt and fruit cup, right before jumping into my morning stand-ups. 

How would you describe a typical day? 

A typical day involves attending daily stand-ups and meetings with clients, usually from IT and Compliance teams. My project work ranges from querying data and collaborating with internal Quantexa teams, to refining our solutions through UI adjustments and engaging with end users to ensure the solution meets their needs—and that they’re actively using it! 

In addition to project work, I often focus on internal Business Analyst tasks like creating knowledge-sharing materials, offering support to other projects in need of BA expertise, or contributing to BA Academy Reviews for external partners. 

A meal with some BAs in APAC!

What do you enjoy most in your role, and what are the most important attributes of a Business Analyst? 

What excites me most about my role is the opportunity to bridge the gap between technology and business, ensuring that our tech teams deliver solutions that meet our clients' business needs.

The most essential attribute of a Business Analyst is the ability to translate complex technical and business concepts for both technical and non-technical stakeholders. This cross-functional communication is key to success. 

What are your main goals as a Business Analyst? 

• Facilitate the alignment of technology with business objectives
• Advocate for end users, ensuring that their requirements are met while controlling scope
• Take ownership of project aspects such as Data Quality Analysis (DQA), Document Data Model design, Score Design, Entity Resolution (ER) Tuning, and User Interface (UI) refinements. 
• Validate the solution’s effectiveness by engaging with investigator teams and refining the system for measurable impact

How would you describe a typical day using Quantexa? 

A typical day using Quantexa involves exploring the UI for manual ER tuning—whether through Networks or Entity Lab—or identifying potential UI refinements. I also work closely with end users, gathering feedback to ensure our solution addresses their needs.  

What are your most memorable moments at Quantexa? 

Some of my most memorable moments have been the times spent traveling to Malaysia for client meetings. Though we had our share of late nights, the camaraderie within the team made the experience truly unforgettable. 

The project team celebrating a successful demo over lunch in Malaysia!

What excites you most about your industry or role? 

What excites me most is the tangible positive impact our solutions have. Seeing a project go live that helps detect Money Laundering is incredibly rewarding and sets Quantexa apart from the typical system implementations I’ve been part of in the past. 

What advice do you have for someone just starting at Quantexa? 

The learning curve at Quantexa can be steep, and even now, I’m still learning every day. Be patient with yourself, don’t hesitate to ask questions, and take the time to go through training and documentation thoroughly to grasp the full potential of the solution. 

What is your favorite area of the Quantexa Community? 

I enjoy reading posts on best practices. They offer insights into the experiences of colleagues, the lessons they’ve learned from their projects, and strategies to deliver high-value results efficiently.