Hello all

As background I have a long career modeling in the software world but am a newbie with regard to business analysis.

I am 4 weeks into a new project where the PM has assigned the creation of process flows for the current state analysis to the user reps on the project team. With one exception after 4 weeks I've found myself doing the flows myself as the output from users has been either not forthcoming or required so much rework it was quicker to do myself. If I had time I'd have no problem training the business but the project deadlines are tight.

With the future state phase bearing down I'm now wondering whether I should revisit the user rep process flow training. My gut feel is no as my experience is that employing expert users outside of their field of expertise rarely works.

Am I making the right decision here? I do wonder whether process modeling (in BPMN) is an exception to the rule.

Thanks in advance

Hi timdeboer 

I agree with craigwbrown. My current experience with a project that I have been brought on board to perform a gap analysis on requirements implemented by internal project staff has identified the following three factors:

1. Their level of experience and expertise in business analysis and overarching project management methodologies,

2. The availability of experienced business analysts and IT project managers to provide supervision and guidance, even if it is just in a consultative capacity, and

3. Their availability in terms of time to devote to the project. If the person playing the role as business analyst performs other higher priority and time consuming tasks this will impact on the successful outcome of the project. The initial stages of definition, design and implementation of a new system requires full time dedication.

My blog post Should Business User Representatives, or Internally Sourced Project Staff, Perform the Role of a Business Analyst? fully describes this.

thanks

Alexandra