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New Post 5/23/2008 8:59 AM
User is offline sham_malik
1 posts
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How to interact with a "Proxy" Business Analyst? 
Modified By sham_malik  on 5/23/2008 10:02:37 AM)

Hi

This is probably my first post, so let me introduce myself. I recently joined a Public Sector body in the UK and this is my first BA role. As I am still in the process of learning more about this discipline and learning about the organization's CRM system I have found myself at a slight disadvantage when it has come to involve me on a project which essentially involves the re-write of the said system.

I have been asked to attend a series of workshops where the Business Analysis (i.e; the Requirements Engineering and Modelling) will be carried out by the supplier that have been entrusted in managing the infrastructure along with maintenance and ongoing developments over the last 5 years. This supplier will also be asked to tender a Statement of Requirements which essentially is part of my overall remit.

I have been told that my role is one of an mediator to ensure that the supplier understands the end-user's requirements, which is fine but the fact is that a number of experienced key users will also be at the workshop. I also know that a number of these users have a good working relationship with the supplier (and their consultants), therefore my question is what sort of value if any can I add to this process?

Obviously on a personal level it will be a good way for me to learn more about the CRM. However, this project is not about making sure the BA is comfortable with Oracle CRM, it's about ensuring that the business needs can be met by the development. I just feel from that perspective I will not be able to contribute much to the process. I would appreciate any advice that the more experienced BAs amongst you can provide.

Thanks

Sham

 

 

 

 

 
New Post 5/23/2008 1:53 PM
User is offline Chris Adams
323 posts
5th Level Poster






Re: How to interact with a "Proxy" Business Analyst? 

Sham,

You can add a lot of value!  It's great that your company is getting key users involved with the vendors consultants.  But not all consultant or business analysts are equal.  There are several big risks that seems to occur in the majority of projects.  These risks are what you should focus on avoiding.  I will start with one of them here.  Others can jump in for some of the other risks.

One of the biggest risks to a project has to do with how users communicate requirements to analysts, consultants, or developers.  The users start giving a bunch of so called requirements.  They should be stating the business needs (what),  but what they are really communicating is how they think the system will work.  If the analyst or consultant is not paying attention, they will document this how as the business requirement.  This is NOT the business requirement.  Projects that go down the path of developing a system that the user thinks they want, instead of solutioning and designing a system based on basic business needs end up developing a working system that the user is unsatisfied with at best.  The developers say, "but that's what you asked for".  The users say, "No, what I meant was this other thing.  This system isn't doing this or that which I need". At this point the business requirements start to come out.  And now the cost to implement that feature will be as much as 100 times more than if it was done right the first time.

To avoid this, everytime the user mentions what they think they need ask youself "WHY".  If their initial statement doesn't answer "WHY", then they didn't give you the business requirement. 

If you ask them "WHY"and they give you a different answer, you now need to ask  "WHY" again.  You still may not have the business requirements.  The rule of thumb is ask "WHY" 3-5 times for each perceived requirement.  By then you have probably undercovered the true need.


Chris Adams
Core Member – ModernAnalyst.com
LinkedIn Profile
 
New Post 6/4/2008 3:56 AM
User is offline Craig Brown
560 posts
www.betterprojects.net
4th Level Poster




Re: How to interact with a "Proxy" Business Analyst? 
Modified By Adrian M.  on 6/4/2008 2:43:44 PM)
I'll chip in an opinion also;
 
The BA's role in this contest is a faciliative one at the first level - ie getting the client and developers speaking to each other in a way they both undersand (the traditional "BA as a translator" model.) In this role make sure they really do understand each other by asking a lot of clarification questions and by making sure lots of diagrams and elaboration of ideas happen. Many assumptions are made by all parties. You job is to eliminate as many of them as possible to allow for clear and precise communication of requirements and solution intent.
 
Beyond this first level there are often silent stakeholders (legal, regulatory, finance, external groups, and so on) that won't have a voice in the workshops. Go find out what their stakes, needs and wants are. See how they fit with your project's requirements as established after the meeting.
 
The next level in your role is in ensuring strategic alignment. Why is your business there in the first place? What is the mission and vision? How does your poject contribute to these goals?
 
Lastly, clients rarely stick around for the whole development cycle, so you as the BA are also the "requirements manager" and should take accountability for delivery over the while development lifecycle. That means once the client leaves the meeting room you now advocate their needs, chase up any clarifying information, act as a validation point for developers etc. Obviously to do this well you need to know the business unit well. (In a perfect world you'll spend a week working in their operations area to get a feel for ground level issues.)
 
I hope this helps,
 
Craig
 
 
New Post 6/6/2008 1:03 AM
User is offline Hoogy
2 posts
No Ranking


Re: How to interact with a "Proxy" Business Analyst? 

In addition to what the previous posters came up with, your position as a newby gives you the advantage to look at things with a independent, fresh look. For you it will be easier to 'think outside the box' whereas the experienced users with good relationships with the supplier may have lost their objectivity along the way. This is exactly why your role in this will be of great value. Apart from that, since most of the people will know you are new to this, no-one will be bothered if you keep on asking questions so you will develop your knowledge in no-time :-)

Good luck on your project.

Frank

 
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