I like use cases. There, I said it, and I’m not sorry. Use cases have fallen out of fashion in recent years, being largely replaced by user stories on agile projects. The two techniques can coexist and complement each other, however.  Use cases offer several advantages that user stories lack. This article describes some of the many benefits that use cases can provide and why every business analyst (BA), product owner (PO), and software development team should include them in their tool kit.

Business Ecosystem Modeling (BEM) is one such approach that enables organizations to map, understand, and leverage the intricate web of relationships within their ecosystem to drive value. In the context of Enterprise Analysis as outlined in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), BEM becomes an essential tool for business analysts to guide strategic decision-making, ensure alignment with organizational goals, and navigate the challenges of the modern business landscape.

Regardless of the definition, decades of research show that team dynamics and qualities can sway project outcomes. Whether success is about productivity, efficiency, quality, or scope attainment, at the end of the day, it’s the team that would invest the effort to meet these expectations. Research on teamwork reveals that successful teams are psychologically safe, foster shared accountability for the outcomes of their endeavor, exercise reflective practices to facilitate continuous learning and improvement, and embrace diversity and inclusion, among other things. In this article series, we will learn how these team qualities foster a high performance environment and why they are relevant in the context of software development.

As Generative AI (Gen AI) continues to make its mark in multiple industries, the demand for business analysts capable of steering AI initiatives in the right direction has never been greater.

Consider the case of an international shipping company that specializes in the door-to-door transportation of luggage and sporting equipment for traveling customers interested in avoiding the burden of dragging their heavy suitcases across the globe.

The company was hoping to leverage conversational AI to improve efficiency, accuracy, and personalization of services across the customer life cycle.

Imagine walking into a store and hearing your favorite song playing in the background. Instinctively, you feel more at ease, more inclined to browse, and perhaps even to buy something. This subtle influence on your behavior is no accident—it is an example of priming at work. Now, picture leveraging this same psychological phenomenon to enhance the effectiveness of business analysis. Welcome to the world of priming, where a well-placed word or image can shape perceptions, drive engagement, and ultimately lead to more successful projects.