In a typical software project, which option best summarizes what a Business Analyst does and what their main responsibilities are?

Introduction / Context:
The Business Analyst role is central to successful software and systems projects. While developers focus on building solutions and testers focus on validating them, the Business Analyst works to understand what the business actually needs, to document those needs, and to ensure that the technical team delivers solutions that align with them. This question asks you to select the option that best describes the core responsibilities of a Business Analyst, distinguishing them from unrelated tasks.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are discussing Business Analysts in the context of software or information systems projects.
• Business Analysts interact with stakeholders, including business users and technical teams.
• The focus is on requirements, communication, and analysis.
• Non related tasks such as building maintenance or logo design are outside this role.

Concept / Approach:
A Business Analyst is responsible for eliciting requirements from stakeholders, analyzing and refining these requirements, and documenting them in a clear, structured way. They often use techniques such as interviews, workshops, and observation to understand current processes and desired improvements. They then translate this understanding into business requirements, functional requirements, and user stories. Throughout the project, they act as a bridge between the business side and the technical side, clarifying questions, prioritizing features, and helping ensure that the delivered solution meets business goals.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that the Business Analyst role focuses on understanding and documenting business and functional requirements. Step 2: Recognize that a key responsibility is to communicate between stakeholders and the technical team. Step 3: Look at the options and choose the one that explicitly mentions eliciting, analyzing, documenting requirements, and acting as a bridge. Step 4: Eliminate choices that describe writing low level kernels, handling building maintenance, designing logos, or monitoring hardware only, as these are not typical BA responsibilities. Step 5: Confirm that the remaining option matches standard descriptions of the Business Analyst role in project methodologies.

Verification / Alternative check:
Guides such as the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge describe the BA role in terms of requirements elicitation, analysis, documentation, and communication. Job descriptions also highlight the responsibility to work with both business users and developers. There is no emphasis on tasks such as office procurement or logo design for this role. This confirms that the selected option is the accurate summary.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B is wrong because writing low level drivers and kernels is typically a systems programmer or software engineer task, not a BA responsibility. Option C describes facilities management, which is outside the scope of business analysis. Option D is related to marketing or graphic design. Option E focuses on hardware monitoring only and includes no interaction with stakeholders, which conflicts with the core BA role of communication and analysis.

Common Pitfalls:
Some people confuse Business Analysts with project managers or developers. While these roles may overlap in small teams, each has a distinct focus. Another pitfall is underestimating the importance of communication skills for BAs; their value lies not only in understanding technical details but in facilitating clear understanding across diverse stakeholders. Remember that a BA is primarily a requirements and communication specialist rather than a pure coder or administrator.

Final Answer:
A Business Analyst primarily elicits and analyzes requirements, documents business and functional needs, and acts as a bridge between stakeholders and the technical team throughout the project life cycle.