https://modernanalyst.com RSS feeds for Business Analyst Community & Resources | Modern Analyst 60 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6533/The-Analysts-Compass.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=6533 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6533&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6533/The-Analysts-Compass.aspx In business analysis, the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) serves as a comprehensive guide, offering structured methodologies and best practices. However, it is crucial to remember that "the map is not the territory," a phrase coined by the Polish-American philosopher and engineer Alfred Korzybski. He used it to convey the fact that people often confuse models of reality with reality itself. While BABOK is a valuable resource, it is not an absolute authority. Business analysts must exercise flexibility and critical thinking, adapting the guidelines to fit the unique context and needs of each project. Next, we explore why the BABOK should be seen as a guideline rather than a rigid rulebook. Transform VA Sun, 30 Jun 2024 20:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6533 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6450/The-Importance-of-a-Business-Analysis-Approach.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=6450 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6450&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6450/The-Importance-of-a-Business-Analysis-Approach.aspx The business analysis approach forms the backbone of successful projects. It provides a roadmap for stakeholders, enhances communication, mitigates risks, and ensures alignment with business objectives. While investing time in planning may seem burdensome, it significantly reduces the risk of project failure. Emphasizing the significance of a well-defined approach and encouraging its implementation is the responsibility of business analysis professionals to deliver successful outcomes in their projects. adrian Mon, 19 Feb 2024 05:57:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6450 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6379/Unlocking-Peak-Performance-The-Understated-Value-of-Flow-in-Business-Analysis.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=6379 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6379&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6379/Unlocking-Peak-Performance-The-Understated-Value-of-Flow-in-Business-Analysis.aspx In the realm of business analysis, Flow is not a mere luxury but a powerful tool for achieving excellence. By understanding the principles of Flow and implementing strategies to cultivate it, business analysts can unlock their full potential, leading to more innovative problem-solving, enhanced stakeholder engagement, and increased productivity. Flow is the secret sauce that can turn the intricate dance of business analysis into a harmonious symphony of success. So, embrace the Flow, and let your business analysis endeavors reach new heights. Transform VA Sun, 12 Nov 2023 07:56:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6379 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6324/AI-Citizen-Development-Fueling-Business-Transformation-beyond-Cost-Cutting.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=6324 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6324&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6324/AI-Citizen-Development-Fueling-Business-Transformation-beyond-Cost-Cutting.aspx During a recent open roundtable, industry experts gathered to discuss the advantages of integrating AI and citizen development during times of inflation. These discussions shed light on how AI-powered automation, in the hands of business analysts turned citizen developers, can revolutionize resource management, uncover cost-saving potentials, and foster operational efficiency. The panel also emphasized the significance of citizen development in fostering innovation, agility, and a sense of ownership within the workforce, empowering business analysts to spearhead transformative changes within their organizations. adrian Sun, 16 Jul 2023 22:15:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6324 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6184/4-Effective-Tips-to-Win-Stakeholders-and-Influence-them.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=6184 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=6184&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/6184/4-Effective-Tips-to-Win-Stakeholders-and-Influence-them.aspx As a business analyst/project manager/scrum master, one needs to use their leadership skills and influencing ability to balance between the stakeholder’s expectation and the project goals hand in hand.  Here is a typical stakeholder interaction chart for a business analyst.. adrian Mon, 26 Dec 2022 15:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:6184 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5999/An-Introduction-to-Business-Process-Normalization.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5999 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5999&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5999/An-Introduction-to-Business-Process-Normalization.aspx Business analysts, process analysts, systems analysts, and process owners use Business Process Normalization to more effectively elicit and perceive, unequivocally define, and model sound, modern business process structures, and workflow configurations. Proficiency with this analysis technique benefits their process management, digital transformation, and regulatory compliance projects. Transform VA Sun, 27 Feb 2022 13:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5999 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5922/The-First-Principles-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5922 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5922&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5922/The-First-Principles-Business-Analyst.aspx As BA's our fundamental job is to understand the business problems proactively, determine the consequences of not solving them, and then define a solution that eliminates or alleviates the problem. When given our directives: (i) a problem exists- define it (ii) provide a solution to that problem- describe it (iii) a change is required in the business to solve the problem- realise it. We must have effective tools in our arsenal, and a sure way to see beyond the bars on the window is to understand the fundamental truth of the situation and reason up from there. A first principles mindset could be that dominant tool to understand the seed to reap the fruits, enabling us to be the change agents that improve business processes and add value. Transform VA Sun, 21 Nov 2021 10:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5922 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5908/Then-and-Now-BPM-to-Low-codeNo-code.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5908 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5908&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5908/Then-and-Now-BPM-to-Low-codeNo-code.aspx BPMS has evolved and has come a long way over the past one or two decades. It's quite interesting to take a peek into the BPMS journey then and now. Business needs and technology, both have gone through a huge change in the meantime. Right since the earlier days of BPMS, I always found working in this space quite an intriguing thing. The very capability of BPM to model, design, automate, run and track any process seemed to be extremely useful. Transform VA Mon, 06 Sep 2021 05:42:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5908 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5872/Your-Quintessential-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5872 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5872&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5872/Your-Quintessential-Business-Analyst.aspx How can we ensure that as Business Analysts, we are seen as an essential service for our organisation? It was a really interesting question. I thought I should elaborate on my answer I gave and write this article. I thought it will be helpful for: a) Business Analysts to understand how they can operate within their organisation during this stressful time and b) Companies to realise the value of Business Analysts and how they can use them to their advantage. I wish to focus on explaining the reasons why a company should hold on to Business Analysts and leverage their skills in a way that will help them through these economically challenging times due to the pandemic. Transform VA Mon, 28 Jun 2021 01:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5872 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5850/Role-of-a-Business-Analyst-in-Software-Handovers.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5850 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5850&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5850/Role-of-a-Business-Analyst-in-Software-Handovers.aspx Software handovers between teams and individuals in any ecosystem can be a minefield, often threatening to disrupt continuity and harmony across teams and organizations. In most cases, handovers result in knowledge loss, which in turn leads to chaos and time wastage when a critical issue hits the system. As a business analyst (BA), you will invariably be a part of the process, both at a junior and senior level. It is better to be fully aware of the complexities and pitfalls associated with taking part in a handover. You’ll eventually be able to apply some best practices to navigate around it (some of mine i hope and some of yours based on your context and area of operation). Transform VA Sun, 06 Jun 2021 20:23:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5850 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5754/An-Object-Oriented-Analysis-Of-The-BABOK.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5754 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5754&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5754/An-Object-Oriented-Analysis-Of-The-BABOK.aspx Consider the situation where you are the business analyst who is planning project work according to the BABOK guidelines. The project manager wants to plan their time spent on business analysis activities. You produce a report of the BABOK that shows tasks that the project manager is expected to contribute to. This article describes an analysis I performed of the Business Analysis Body Of Knowledge v3 (BABOK). The result of this analysis is a model contained in the Visual Paradigm modeling tool. This model captures 461 pages of the BABOK, from the Business Analysis Key Concepts chapter through to the end of the Techniques To Tasks Mapping chapter. adrian Mon, 11 Jan 2021 04:37:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5754 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5745/How-Much-Money-Have-Business-Analysts-Saved-You-This-Year.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5745 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5745&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5745/How-Much-Money-Have-Business-Analysts-Saved-You-This-Year.aspx Business Analysts save their companies money, in big and small ways, every day. Is your organization aware of the savings your Business Analysts (BAs) have provided? Few BAs brag about their successes, most are toiling away inside departments and projects, without a direct line of communications to their executives. But executives would be wise to search out these individuals and their managers to quantify these successes and use them to upskill others within their organizations.  Drawing on our experience with our consulting clients, large and small, we will share some specific examples of the business analysis value proposition. adrian Mon, 14 Dec 2020 13:09:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5745 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5733/Whats-in-a-BABOK-Name.aspx#Comments 2 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5733 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5733&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5733/Whats-in-a-BABOK-Name.aspx Am I the only person who has a problem with the BABOK requirements classification schema terms? In spite of having retired from a 48-year career in IT, I still write articles about requirements. I’m tired of apologizing in those articles for using the ‘old’ terms rather than the BABOK terms. Transform VA Sun, 06 Dec 2020 05:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5733 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5730/The-Secret-is-in-the-Wings.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5730 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5730&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5730/The-Secret-is-in-the-Wings.aspx I could not help but observe in awe the agility of this monstrous wing. My mind could not stop analyzing how an airplanes uses the agility of its wings to control the pressure of the air that flows through them and manipulates the latter to enable it to navigate its journey into the skies.  The aeroplane does not change the physical or scientific formation of the air, but it changes its wings to adapt to this natural phenomenon. How intriguing. Adaption. Agility.  adrian Sun, 29 Nov 2020 11:02:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5730 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5728/The-Art-of-Letting-Stakeholders-Have-Your-Way.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5728 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5728&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5728/The-Art-of-Letting-Stakeholders-Have-Your-Way.aspx Study after study in behavioral science show that certain approaches are more effective than others when we’re trying to convince others to see things our way.  Leaders in many industries, including the public sector, have learned the wisdom of using the latest evidence of what influences behavior and applying those insights to solve practical issues.  As a result, behavioral insights have now been successfully used to convince people to reduce their energy consumption, contribute a larger amount to their retirement fund, eat healthier food, and more. adrian Tue, 24 Nov 2020 03:47:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5728 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5603/Remote-Business-Analysis-Interviewing-and-Facilitating.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5603 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5603&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5603/Remote-Business-Analysis-Interviewing-and-Facilitating.aspx Business people call remote meetings virtual or on-line sessions, or simply conference calls. For many years we have been utilizing this form of communications to save time and money. Due to the global virus pandemic, remote meetings are now not just convenient, but a necessity for maintaining social distancing. Fortunately we have technology that assists us in managing these remote sessions to not only hear the stakeholders, but see them as well. However, remote stakeholder interviewing and meetings have their additional challenges beyond face-to-face encounters. Regardless of the technology used, we need to be keenly aware of these additional negative risks and pursue mitigations. Transform VA Mon, 07 Sep 2020 05:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5603 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5635/Introducing-Business-Knowledge-Blueprints-Achieving-Shared-Understanding-Using-Concept-Models.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5635 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5635&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5635/Introducing-Business-Knowledge-Blueprints-Achieving-Shared-Understanding-Using-Concept-Models.aspx In the computer age, we’ve limped along literally for a human lifetime without blueprints for business knowledge and the vocabulary used to communicate it. How well is that working out? If you have any doubt, do a quick internet search on all the problems associated with ‘data quality’ and their costs. Or look at the still dismal success rates of IT projects. Or consider how much sharper your decisions could be if the data were better. A business knowledge blueprint, whose core component is a concept model, permits you to deeply analyze your concepts, your vocabulary, and your business knowledge. In this post, Ron explains all the critical reasons you need that blueprint. Transform VA Sun, 30 Aug 2020 05:21:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5635 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5654/From-an-Intermediate-to-a-Strategic-Senior-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5654 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5654&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5654/From-an-Intermediate-to-a-Strategic-Senior-Business-Analyst.aspx It is strange how something that is supposed to be simple is actually so complex.  Something that is supposed to be a matter of linear career progression can actually end up in a state of a continuous loop, with no way of terminating such a loop.  A point of stagnation and frustration. This is a quandary facing many intermediate business analysts. They do not know how to shift gears and move one notch up and be senior business analysts - who play a strategic role in helping their business stakeholders bring their strategies to life through the right initiatives. Transform VA Sun, 09 Aug 2020 23:35:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5654 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5416/What-happens-when-the-BA-and-UX-worlds-collide.aspx#Comments 3 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5416 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5416&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5416/What-happens-when-the-BA-and-UX-worlds-collide.aspx Are you a Business Analyst (BA) wondering what User Experience (UX) Design is all about and how your involvement in a design project is likely to impact your usual role? If so, I’ve also been pondering the same question for some time. adrian Mon, 19 Aug 2019 01:10:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5416 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5352/4-Things-To-Consider-Before-Hiring-A-Business-Analyst-For-Your-Project.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5352 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5352&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5352/4-Things-To-Consider-Before-Hiring-A-Business-Analyst-For-Your-Project.aspx I like to compare a business analyst to an architect. While the architect asks questions about design, budget, and personal preferences of a person who wants to build a house; similarly, the business analyst interacts with business owners to know and understand their needs.   A business analyst also produces requirements which clearly state the needs of a business and ensures that those align with its business processes, just as an architect would draw up plans and have an agreement with the owner before reaching out to builders. Transform VA Sun, 19 May 2019 19:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5352 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5197/Framing-a-New-Piece-of-Work.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5197 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5197&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5197/Framing-a-New-Piece-of-Work.aspx Sometimes I find it difficult to explore new pieces of work in a structured way. When given a new challenge / piece of work it’s easy to jump straight into a solution. However as BAs we first need to understand the problem area better. Transform VA Sun, 16 Dec 2018 23:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5197 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5155/Demystifying-Strategic-Thinking-in-Business-Analysis.aspx#Comments 3 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5155 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5155&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5155/Demystifying-Strategic-Thinking-in-Business-Analysis.aspx One of my former business analysts on the team asked me this question recently; ‘I am really over being a BA. How do I move into strategy?’ I got to the realization that she was associating ‘strategy’ with a job title which consists of certain tasks.  In my view, it appears as if for some business analysts, before becoming strategic, they have to be given a title ‘Strategic Business Analyst’. This I believe is the mystery that surrounds ‘strategy’ and ‘strategic thinking’, making it appear as a destination to reach, at some point. Transform VA Mon, 12 Nov 2018 15:26:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5155 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5113/Business-Analyst-What-Is-Your-Mission.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5113 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5113&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5113/Business-Analyst-What-Is-Your-Mission.aspx Every profession in a sophisticated business structure has a certain mission attached to it. This mission includes the job duties and deliverables, but that’s not all. The only way to really encapsulate the essence of what the profession of a business analyst is all about is to understand the Business Analyst Mission. In other words, the Business Analyst Mission is definitive of the value created by business analysts. Transform VA Sun, 04 Nov 2018 21:18:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5113 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5144/Managing-Requirements-is-an-Art-Mastered-by-a-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5144 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5144&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5144/Managing-Requirements-is-an-Art-Mastered-by-a-Business-Analyst.aspx In a classic business analyst universe, requirements are the soul of all the work a business analyst does. If a business analyst fails to identify and translate the right requirements, they’re out of a job. This is the reason why a successful business analyst is always good at requirements handling/management process. What makes requirements an essential part of a BA’s job? For a business analyst, requirements are defined as the logical and essential steps which needs to be fulfilled in order to achieve a successful end-state or a solution to a stakeholder’s business problem. These requirements drive the solution and are the key elements of any successful solution implementation. Business analysts are the ones who not only ensures the expected solution is delivered, but they’re also the owner of the requirements handling/management process. Business analysts identify the right requirements and help them convert into a form consumable by delivery teams to deliver the expected outcome in a timely manner. The requirements management/handling process consists of 4 basic steps: Discovery, Analyze, Draft and Implement. 1.     Discovery Requirements discovery is a phase in which we identify, gather and scope the requirements. This phase builds the basic requirements framework for delivery. To identify and gather requirements, a business analyst uses various requirements elicitation techniques like observation, shadowing, protocol analysis, apprenticeship, prototyping, focus groups, scenario’s, background research and many others. These techniques are aimed towards gathering information related to a business problem and/or a solution that business stakeholders are trying to achieve. Requirements identification is a highly interactive activity, which relies on the involvement of the right stakeholders. Elicitation activities continue while a business analyst traverse through other stages/steps of requirements gathering. It is very important for a business analyst to not only identify but to scope the requirement. Requirements are driven by information collected by various elicitation methods; however, the relevancy of the requirement needs to be determined. The simplest way to do so is to perform some of the elicitation techniques repetitively. Look for facts via secondary support of documents or information from another source just to verify. Chart your scope based on the overall direction of the information flow and the end-state which stakeholders are trying to achieve. Scoping cannot be definitive in the business analyst’s landscape. It’s a loose boundary which needs to be flexible enough to account for other business or priority changes. Loose boundaries do help the business analyst in defining a playground where they need to operate for a successful outcome. 2.     Analyze The most important activity of the requirements handling process is to analyze a requirement. Analyzing a requirement will provide us with a definite outcome along with the complete information on achieving that outcome. There can be various types of analysis like strategic analysis, functional and technical analysis. Strategic analysis is performed by understanding the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats provided by implementing this requirement. It helps a business analyst to understand the priority and criticality of the requirement which also determines how essential it is for a business to implement those requirements. Functional analysis provides an ability to understand the requirement from the end user perspective.  It is performed by interacting with people who’re impacted by the implementation of requirements. This provides unique opportunity for a business analyst to shape the solution in a way that accommodates the minimal, easy to adapt change to the end users or the impacted. Technical analysis is performed by further breaking down functional requirements into a series of small implementation steps which a delivery person can understand. It is the delivery person/team who needs to deliver the technical solution. It is important to not miss any aspect of functional requirement to be translated into technical requirements which is a supporting pillar for successful solution implementation. Depending upon the type of analysis, we determine the type of requirement. Upon successfully analyzing and understanding the type of requirement we start drafting requirements into various artifacts. 3.     Draft Once a business analyst has understood the type of requirements and its expected outcome, business analyst can draft those requirements in their respective artifacts. There’re various artifacts such as business requirements document and/or specification requirements document and user stories which are authored and owned by a business analyst while there’re some other like project charter, technical design document or anything alike to which a business analyst contributes actively. Drafting of requirements take the utmost time as the translation needs clarifications and numerous back and forth interactions. Once a requirement drafting is complete, it’s time to walk them through with the entire team. 4.     Implement The first step of requirements implementation is to arrange for a walk-through of freshly drafted requirements where the audience includes all stakeholders including delivery team. This walk-through session helps with course correction of requirements if there’s a miss while drafting them. Also, requirements walkthrough is a common platform where in the stakeholders and other team members have the opportunity to ensure alignment of the requirements to the desired end state. Once the requirements are defined and finalized, business analysts have to ensure continuous requirement refinement for successful delivery. This is the final step of requirements management process. Once the requirement has been identified, scoped, analyzed, drafted and confirmed, business analysts have to keep their eye out for on-going business changes, these changes may affect any of the existing requirements and their desired outcomes. As business changes are constant, the impacts on the already drafted requirements is constant. There is a small deviation of requirements which can still be managed by refining the requirement and updating them, but then if the deviation requires additional effort for which the cost involved is high, then changes are to be considered for enhancement. This decision must be evaluated by a business analyst before taking appropriate actions accordingly. At this stage, all the requirements are the guiding principle for the delivery team to deliver the solution. Requirements Handling/Management Process is the one, a business analyst has to master to be considered as successful. Author: Nimil Parikh, Business Analyst Nimil Parikh is a new generation business analyst who transforms business processes by leveraging IT tools and applications. He has over 7 years of experience modeling, analyzing, measuring, improving, optimizing and automating business processes. He adds value by his ability to context switch while providing cross-functional business solution and ensuring timely delivery by managing and streamlining business processes and driving strategic leadership. He is known to introduce IT business transformation and ensure successful implementation. Nimil possess MBA from San Jose State university, MBA Marketing and Information technology engineering from India. Nimil lives in Campbell, California. He enjoys challenges and believes in making things right. Reach him via email – parikhnimil@yahoo.co.in   Nimil Parikh Sun, 21 Oct 2018 21:22:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5144 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5093/Why-Defining-the-Business-Need-is-Critical.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5093 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5093&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5093/Why-Defining-the-Business-Need-is-Critical.aspx In order for any project or initiative to be successful, an agreed upon business need must be determined. This need may present itself as a problem or an opportunity. Business Analysts must be able to guide the business in articulating which of these is the catalyst for the initiative prior to starting any BA work. Projects without a clearly defined business need get drawn out due to issues such as increased stakeholder conflict, poorly defined requirements, and excessive rework. So, to save you some pain and effort, below are some reasons why defining the business need is a critical starting point for any organizational change. Transform VA Mon, 30 Jul 2018 02:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5093 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5083/Lets-explore-Business-Analysts-Toolbox.aspx#Comments 2 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5083 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5083&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5083/Lets-explore-Business-Analysts-Toolbox.aspx Chaos! Stress! Everyday mess! Isn’t this an everyday situation for a business analyst? If not, either you’ve job satisfaction or you’re not being introduced to the real world of business analysis. A person might possess great skills, however, (s)he might not be able to utilize skills without the right mix of tools and environment. A toolbox enables a person to implement the skills in the most efficient way. Possessing necessary tools is just the one part of it. Another is the knowledge to utilize the right tools at the right time to cater the solution and ensure timely committed delivery. What are these tools? How do we map the usage of tools to the given circumstance? How can we efficiently utilize the tool? Does it depend on the solution or the approach? Nimil Parikh Sun, 08 Jul 2018 12:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5083 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5067/Who-is-a-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=5067 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=5067&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/5067/Who-is-a-Business-Analyst.aspx In a large firm, a business analyst (BA) organization makes an effort to identify, analyze and provide a solution to the above questions. A BA organization is a prime pillar in optimizing resources to provide maximum value out of it to the business. A BA organization consists of business analysts in various roles like Product Manager, Program Manager, Project Manager, Business Analyst, Business Systems Analyst, Business Systems Consultant, Business Process Analyst etc.  The prime objective is to analyze business to maximize value addition. To understand more about the BA organization, it is important to understand what is business analysis Nimil Parikh Sun, 17 Jun 2018 22:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:5067 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3871/BDD-An-introduction-to-feature-files.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3871 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3871&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3871/BDD-An-introduction-to-feature-files.aspx The purpose of this article is to explore feature files. Feature files are documents that contain those Gherkin scenarios & requirements – they can be very useful to teams working on BDD projects. Feature files may be a key deliverable for BAs.  Feature files are where BAs store requirements & can create the bridge between requirements and automated tests (more on that later). Transform VA Sun, 26 Nov 2017 12:48:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3871 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3752/Fast-Track-Product-Management.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3752 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3752&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3752/Fast-Track-Product-Management.aspx The paradigm shift towards agile and lean product development has brought collaboration between large cross-functional team in the spotlight. The existing literature is already mature explaining clearly how benefits can be reaped fast by executing a clean transition to agile delivery by enhancing the performance of the new cross-functional teams. However, in parallel, the time spent in endless meetings by product owners, business analysts, engineers, product managers and many others involved in the product creation, has grown exponentially. This leaves key product people with little or no time to do the critical activities they are employed for. Transform VA Mon, 10 Apr 2017 09:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3752 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3750/You-Have-Got-to-Be-Lazy-to-Be-an-Effective-Business-Analyst.aspx#Comments 4 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3750 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3750&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3750/You-Have-Got-to-Be-Lazy-to-Be-an-Effective-Business-Analyst.aspx You see, I am a business analyst (BA), and more precisely the lesser-spotted, lazy beta alpha, the evolutionary pinnacle of my profession, at the tip of the BA spear. While the work of throwing or stabbing with the spear requires an effort by the arm that wields it, I prefer the sharp bit to do the work for me. In other words, doing as little as possible apart from…well, being sharp. While the sharp bit does all the work I am able to still the get the glory and recognition of a job well done. While the spear tossers return with painful shoulders, weary and, hopefully sometimes with a degree of success. adrian Sun, 02 Apr 2017 22:27:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3750 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3726/Differences-Duties-and-Responsibilities-of-Business-Analysts-and-System-Analysts.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3726 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3726&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3726/Differences-Duties-and-Responsibilities-of-Business-Analysts-and-System-Analysts.aspx A business analyst is a person who analyzes, organizes, explores, scrutinizes and investigates an organization and documents its business and also assesses the business model and integrates the whole organization with modern technology. The Business Analyst role is mostly about documenting, verifying, recording and gathering the business requirements and its role is mostly associated with the information technology industry. Bhairav24 Sun, 19 Mar 2017 21:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3726 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3613/Building-Organizational-Business-Analysis-Excellence-A-Practitioner-Guide.aspx#Comments 2 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3613 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3613&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3613/Building-Organizational-Business-Analysis-Excellence-A-Practitioner-Guide.aspx Business analysis is an indispensable function in all business organizations, performed at myriad forms and scales.  Maintaining high quality of business analysis consistently is a challenge to many organizations. Inconsistent business analysis output quality results in undesirable project outcomes, poor decisions, operational disjoints and missed opportunities.  This article uses an actual case to discuss how low quality business analysis impacts an organization and what improvement initiatives the organization implemented to address the problems. Transform VA Mon, 29 Aug 2016 04:07:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3613 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3489/Get-with-the-BABOK.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3489 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3489&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3489/Get-with-the-BABOK.aspx Gathering and documenting requirements to develop software is often seen by business analysts as their core task. Actually, they are there to deliver value to the business—everything else is secondary. Transform VA Thu, 07 Apr 2016 01:31:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3489 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3341/Business-Analysis-Core-Concept-Model-BACCM.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3341 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3341&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3341/Business-Analysis-Core-Concept-Model-BACCM.aspx In my view BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) v3.0, by introducing the BACCM framework, has provided the world of BAs the equivalent or extension of the famous triple constraints (scope, time and cost) that once revolutionized the project management world. BACCM, in fact, encapsulates the triple constraints and goes beyond by empowering the BA in their daily task to ask fundamental yet powerful questions at every stage of business analysis work. Transform VA Mon, 07 Sep 2015 15:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3341 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3332/Techniques-to-Prioritize-Requirements.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3332 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3332&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3332/Techniques-to-Prioritize-Requirements.aspx Large software systems have a few hundred to thousands of requirements. Neither are all requirements equal nor do the implementation teams have resources to implement all the documented requirements. There are several constraints such as limited resources, budgetary constraints, time crunch, feasibility, etc., which brings in the need to prioritize requirements. Transform VA Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:17:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3332 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3014/How-to-Get-Long-Term-Value-from-Business-Analysis-Work-Products.aspx#Comments 5 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=3014 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=3014&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/3014/How-to-Get-Long-Term-Value-from-Business-Analysis-Work-Products.aspx Whether it’s a requirements document for a solution enhancement or a stakeholder analysis for a business case, the information cultivated by the Business Analyst can often have use beyond its initial purpose. How can we make BA work come alive for the entire organization? Transform VA Mon, 11 Aug 2014 04:05:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:3014 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2922/Planning-the-Analysis-Phase-using-a-Work-Breakdown-Structure-WBS-and-a-WBS-Dictionary.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2922 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2922&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2922/Planning-the-Analysis-Phase-using-a-Work-Breakdown-Structure-WBS-and-a-WBS-Dictionary.aspx In order to plan the analysis phase of a project, the business analyst (BA) identifies all the analysis tasks and the associated risk, cost, time and resources. The BA then uses this information to develop a schedule for accomplishing the analysis. To assist in this planning, the BA can use a renowned project management tool: the Work Breakdown Structure (WBS). Transform VA Mon, 07 Jul 2014 00:50:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2922 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2866/The-Initial-Conversation-with-Your-Project-Manager.aspx#Comments 2 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2866 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2866&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2866/The-Initial-Conversation-with-Your-Project-Manager.aspx As a business analyst (BA), what would you say during the initial conversation with your project manager (PM)? First, do not assume that the PM knows what to expect from a BA. In fact, this is your opportunity to set expectations and explain your value added to the project. Transform VA Sun, 08 Jun 2014 07:08:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2866 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2895/2014-Trends-in-Business-Analysis-and-Project-Management.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2895 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2895&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2895/2014-Trends-in-Business-Analysis-and-Project-Management.aspx The close of one year tends to encourage us to reflect on what has occurred in business analysis and project management during the past year and think about future trends. As we reflect on the past, we thought it might be interesting to review some of the trends we’ve seen over the last five years and when we spotted them as trends Transform VA Thu, 13 Mar 2014 04:24:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2895 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2905/Beyond-the-Business-Analyst-Role-Whats-Next.aspx#Comments 3 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2905 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2905&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2905/Beyond-the-Business-Analyst-Role-Whats-Next.aspx What if you want to use your business analysis skills, but don’t want to be in BA management or a team leader role? What if you want a different kind of role, but one that still uses your business analysis skills? Are there other roles out there for a skilled Business Analyst? The answer is yes! Transform VA Mon, 03 Mar 2014 11:00:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2905 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2865/Lead-Business-Analyst-Are-You-Ready-for-the-Challenge.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2865 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2865&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2865/Lead-Business-Analyst-Are-You-Ready-for-the-Challenge.aspx While a Business Analyst Manager has primary responsibilities of developing a team of Business Analysts and potentially best practices within the organization, the Lead Business Analyst’s key responsibilities also include ensuring the success of the execution of the Information Technology project, specifically the Business Analysis portion. Transform VA Mon, 03 Feb 2014 00:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2865 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2789/Effective-Requirements-Planning.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2789 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2789&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2789/Effective-Requirements-Planning.aspx Requirements Planning is an important part of the requirements development process that is often overlooked. Requirements Planning is the brains of requirement development and enables successful execution of the requirements phase.  Developing a Requirements Approach is a way to capitalize on the following benefits of effective requirements planning... Transform VA Mon, 18 Nov 2013 01:40:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2789 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2764/The-Six-Secrets-of-Highly-Successful-Business-Analysts.aspx#Comments 4 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2764 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2764&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2764/The-Six-Secrets-of-Highly-Successful-Business-Analysts.aspx Business analysts are jacks-of-all-trades -- and masters of some... unfortunately, many BAs fall short. They often spread themselves too thin, lack the requisite confidence to speak with authority, or don’t understand fully the important role they play. Transform VA Mon, 21 Oct 2013 09:30:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2764 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2753/Are-You-BA-or-BOT.aspx#Comments 11 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2753 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2753&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2753/Are-You-BA-or-BOT.aspx Do you know? If not, should you? I’m using BA as an abbreviation for Business Analyst (really, though, it’s one who performs business analysis regardless of the title) and BOT for “Business Order Taker” (also an abbreviated term for ROBOT). They are different in the way they approach business analysis. Transform VA Mon, 14 Oct 2013 00:39:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2753 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2714/Father-and-Business-Analyst-Two-Sides-of-the-Same-Coin.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2714 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2714&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2714/Father-and-Business-Analyst-Two-Sides-of-the-Same-Coin.aspx I became a father two years ago. Shortly thereafter, I realized that many of my professional skills were readily transferable to my new role at home: Goals and expectations setting, listening, perseverance, flexibility and facilitation. But it would take a tense encounter with 18-month-old some time later to understand that my problem-solving skills as a dad were far more applicable to the workplace than I had ever imagined. Transform VA Wed, 28 Aug 2013 07:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2714 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/1855/Managing-Requirements-from-a-Business-Analyst-or-an-Enterprise-Architect-perspective-using-BABOK-20-andor-TOGAF-9.aspx#Comments 3 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=1855 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=1855&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/1855/Managing-Requirements-from-a-Business-Analyst-or-an-Enterprise-Architect-perspective-using-BABOK-20-andor-TOGAF-9.aspx Many BAs are using the  BABOK which contains information about a Requirements Management process, from identifying organizational situations that give cause to a project, through to starting the requirements gathering process, to delivering a solution to the business or a client. TOGAF 9, from an Enterprise Architecture viewpoint, also provides some techniques to gather requirements to equally deliver business solutions. This paper illustrates the two processes, defines the mapping between the two approaches and identifies gaps in each. speeditonline Wed, 22 May 2013 16:51:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:1855 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2594/Business-Analysts-Can-Enable-Innovation.aspx#Comments 1 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2594 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2594&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2594/Business-Analysts-Can-Enable-Innovation.aspx If business analysts are to enable innovation, we must learn to decode the wishes of our customers into requirements that drive toward what the solution must achieve, without specifying how to achieve it. We can do this by formulating our requirements in abstract, technology-neutral descriptions, learning from patent claims how to achieve this difficult balancing act. Transform VA Mon, 20 May 2013 05:01:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2594 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2591/Bloomfire-Independent-Analyst-Evaluation.aspx#Comments 0 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2591 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2591&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2591/Bloomfire-Independent-Analyst-Evaluation.aspx The web has opened a flood of learning resources for enterprises. It has reduced costs, extended learning channels and increased learning efficiencies. However, these benefits are only available to businesses that understand the new ways that we are absorbing and spreading information. By incorporating important elements of social curation and automation, Bloomfire remains a step ahead of the curve. It offers the advantages of reduced costs with increased employee engagement and productivity. The solution has created a tool for knowledge sharing and adoption and carved a new vertical of its own. Transform VA Thu, 16 May 2013 05:16:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2591 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2593/Humanizing-Business-Analysis-Visualizing-Meaning-through-Business-Concept-Maps.aspx#Comments 5 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2593 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2593&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2593/Humanizing-Business-Analysis-Visualizing-Meaning-through-Business-Concept-Maps.aspx Business Analysis is the first link in the chain. Unfortunately many times it is also the weakest link. Probably because we have never considered the most important issue: Business Analysis is a people-oriented process. Why then do we behave like engineers with our UML diagrams and so forth? Furthermore, many people believe that Business Analysis is just a matter of describing the business as it is – which is completely wrong: Good Business Analysis is full of insight and is forward looking. The process itself can be meaningful, eye opening and creative. Transform VA Mon, 13 May 2013 04:20:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2593 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2520/Business-Analysts-Are-You-a-Van-Gogh-or-a-Sagan-Art-or-Science.aspx#Comments 2 https://modernanalyst.com/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/RssComments.aspx?TabID=115&ModuleID=572&ArticleID=2520 https://modernanalyst.com:443/DesktopModules/DnnForge%20-%20NewsArticles/Tracking/Trackback.aspx?ArticleID=2520&PortalID=0&TabID=115 https://modernanalyst.com/Resources/Articles/tabid/115/ID/2520/Business-Analysts-Are-You-a-Van-Gogh-or-a-Sagan-Art-or-Science.aspx Successful business analysts have a mixture of many talents -- some more tangible than others – making Business Analysis both an art and a science. This article explores each area (art and science) and the types of skills necessary to be successful. Transform VA Mon, 04 Mar 2013 01:04:00 GMT f1397696-738c-4295-afcd-943feb885714:2520