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New Post 3/14/2012 6:44 PM
User is offline MikeCurtin
2 posts
No Ranking


How did you gain experience and knowledge when starting out? 

 Hi all,

I have been in a Business Analyst (loose definition) role for almost a year. I have no formal BA training but have a Bachelor of Business in Ops Management so have some basic business skills.

I work for a small company and have been doing lots of different things but many of them are not BA related and I feel I need to get more exposure to the types of things a BA actually does so I can gain some marketable skills. 

I just wanted to know how people who are pretty well established managed to become competent in BA methodologies etc? Did you train specifically as a BA? Did you receive mentoring?

As it stands I am a bit frustrated with the lack of training I am receiving and find I am struggling to pick things up on my own.

Thanks.

 
New Post 3/15/2012 12:07 AM
User is offline KJ
243 posts
6th Level Poster


Re: How did you gain experience and knowledge when starting out? 

Dear Mike,

I have a proposal for you, why not let the people on this "forum" mentor you. Lets agree to catchup every 15th of the Month for reviews, for the next 12 months. 

So the first thing you'd do is to determine whether doing this is worth your while; so you'd do a "business case". For guidance and a starting position consider the information at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Business_case .

To make it easier and less personal, consider that you have a department called -- "the Mike Curtin Business Analysis Department". This department will become the BA dept of excellence in the organization and your objective is to raise the level of BA skills in the department over the next 12 months. Mentoring by a group of "remote" practitioners is an option. The question is, is this option feasible and worth the effort?

Now by the 15th of next month, you'll have considered all the options and you'll make a "go/no-go" decision.

If you decide its a "no-go", then at least you'll have gained experience in creating a business case.

If you decide its a "go-er", the we'll do the next steps, which we'll define with you for the benefit of the "Mike Curtin Business Analysis Department".

So, in the meanwhile, read the book "Seven steps to mastering Business Analysis".

warm regards,

K

 
New Post 3/25/2012 5:52 PM
User is offline MikeCurtin
2 posts
No Ranking


Re: How did you gain experience and knowledge when starting out? 

 Hiya

Sorry for late reply. Thanks for the feedback I think this is a good exercise for me to complete. I tend to be a bit of a worry wort and doubt my abilities quite a bit.

I would probably not be your run of the mill BA. I am a bit quieter than most, which I think actually helps with listening to stakeholders.

I will get back to you on the 15th with my decision.

 
New Post 3/26/2012 1:31 AM
User is offline KJ
243 posts
6th Level Poster


Re: How did you gain experience and knowledge when starting out? 

No worries, Mike!

looking forward to hearing from you around 15 April!

warm regards,

K

 
New Post 10/14/2012 10:38 AM
User is offline Bernie Hittner
19 posts
9th Level Poster


Re: How did you gain experience and knowledge when starting out? 

 There is no hard and fast rule on how to become a successful and competent BA. All you need to do is to keep your eyes open and your brain alert to grab every opportunity that comes your way. If you are not getting enough opportunities in your present company then I would suggest you to shift into some other company where you feel that you would develop better. There is always scope for something new. If you don't want to leave the company then have a free talk with your employer about your displeasure, may be he would understand you and employ you at a more suitable position where you can learn lots and lots of things. And on top of it, ModernAnalyst is there to help you out.

 
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