Common Mistakes New Business Analysts Make (And How to Avoid Them)

Stepping into the role of a Business Analyst (BA) is both exciting and overwhelming. You get to solve problems, communicate with different teams, and contribute to building something valuable. But let’s be honest — at the beginning, it can feel like you’ve walked into a room full of unspoken rules.

When I started my BA journey, I made mistakes. Lots of them. But those mistakes helped me learn faster and become better at my job. In this blog, I want to share the most common mistakes I’ve seen (and made) as a new Business Analyst, and how you can avoid them.

1. Assuming the Requirements Are Clear

One of the biggest traps for a new BA is assuming that if something was said once, or written down, it must be clear to everyone. Spoiler alert: it's not.

Even a single sentence like “Allow users to log in with social media” can mean different things to different people. Which social platforms? How should the data be handled? What happens if the login fails?

What to do instead:
Ask clarifying questions. Repeat back what you heard. Write detailed requirements, and validate them with stakeholders and the tech team.

2. Not Asking “Why”

Many new analysts focus too much on the “what” and “how” — and forget to ask “why?”

Asking why helps uncover the real purpose behind a request. It helps you understand the business goals and whether the feature being requested is even needed in the first place.

“Why do we need this button here?”

“Why are we targeting this group of users?”

These questions can save hours of work and even help prevent bad decisions.

3. Skipping Stakeholder Validation

Silence doesn't mean agreement. Just because no one objects doesn't mean everyone is aligned.

In many cases, especially with busy stakeholders, people may nod during meetings but later say, “That’s not what I meant.”

What to do instead:
Always confirm. Summarise decisions after meetings and share notes for validation. Get a thumbs-up on critical requirements or flow changes before moving forward.

4. Not Documenting Discussions

“I’ll remember that,” you say after a meeting.

A week later: “Wait, what did they decide about the dashboard filters?”

Trust me, it’s not about having a great memory — it’s about reducing confusion and saving time. When things get complicated (and they will), documented discussions become your safety net.

Tip:
Keep a shared doc or folder. Even a simple bulleted summary helps.

5. Writing for Yourself, Not for Your Readers

Many beginner BAs write documents they understand — but forget that other people need to read and use them too: developers, testers, business users, even future analysts.

If your documentation is full of jargon, assumptions, or vague steps, it creates frustration and delays.

What to do instead:
Write like a teacher. Use plain language. Add diagrams if needed. Think about who is reading it, and make their job easier.

6. Ignoring Edge Cases

“This is a small detail… let’s ignore it for now.”

That tiny “what if” you skip? It might be the root of a bug two weeks later.

Edge cases — like what happens when a user enters invalid data or when a server is down — often feel unimportant in early discussions, but they’re where the real-world problems hide.

Always ask:
“What’s the worst-case scenario here? What could go wrong?”

Pro Tip: Be Curious. Always.

Ask the “obvious” questions. Ask them again if needed. Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t understand” — because curiosity is your best friend as a BA.

Final Thoughts

Business Analysis is a craft that grows with time. It’s not just about writing documents or attending meetings — it’s about bringing clarity to chaos, connecting people, and constantly learning.

Mistakes are part of the process. The good news? You’re not alone, and you’re allowed to ask, rethink, and improve.

Let’s keep learning, one “why” at a time.