A reader wrote to me with questions regarding a development project that he thought involved too many requirements and too little flexibility around requirement priorities. (You’ve never heard of such a thing before, right?) 

By adopting the General Contractor mindset and the practices described in this article, you move from “requirements writer” to builder of business value. The next time someone questions the need for a BA, invite them to imagine a skyscraper with no contractor on site. Once they picture the chaos, they will hand you the hardhat—and the authority—to orchestrate delivery the way only a seasoned GC‑style Business Analyst can.

In business analysis, success is not only measured by the projects you complete but by the respect you earn along the way. Institutional respect may give you power, but interpersonal respect gives you influence—and the most successful professionals know how to harness both.

As you continue to advance in your career, remember that the real leaders aren’t just those with the most impressive titles, but those who inspire the deepest respect. By building both forms of respect strategically, you’ll not only advance your career but also create lasting impact in your organization.

In today's business world driven by data, companies rely more and more on precise, well-managed, and protected data to stay ahead and meet regulatory requirements. Business analysts (BAs) are crucial in connecting business objectives, data governance plans, and cybersecurity measures. Their ability to comprehend technical and business factors allows them to create data governance strategies that guarantee data quality and availability while also protecting it from changing cybersecurity risks.

How do you ask the right question?  Would it surprise you to know that perhaps the best way of asking the right question is to keep your mouth shut and not ask anything at all?

That previous statement might require some explanation.  What I'm talking about here is the pause.  It is the space between your response to someone's question, response  or comment and the space before the next question you are asking or comment you are making.