Business analysis

A Business Analysis is all about defining goals, observing limitations and creating a roadmap from the existing business towards those goals with the observed limitations in mind.  While all that might seem abstract, it's the shortest and most comprehensible way to define what the complex concept of BA is about.  The long story is one of plowing through documentation of the existing IT infrastructure, interviewing stakeholders and end-users, managing expectations to management, understanding legislation, external requirements, etc.  The list goes on and every BA is different and the strategy to tackle the analysis should be very much aligned with the company culture and politics.  Understanding and applying this is a martial art rather than an exact science.  What works in one business might fail in another, therefor a good Business Analyst should be agile to adapt to the situation at hand.