Category: Business Analysis
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How a BA could be your IT Project’s most valuable player?
“What do you do?” I was a little hurt when a life-long friend asked me this question, after all, I remembered that she is a Director of HR. “You know what I do. I’m a Business Analyst.” I replied. “No, I know you’re a Business Analyst silly,” she said, “What does that mean? What … do you do?”…
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How Business Analysts Can Deal With Cultural Differences
Many businesses are increasingly operating in a global work environment; using the best teams and people from a variety of regions and countries to complete their projects. In this way they can draw on strengths from certain groups and also minimise costs. Consequently more and more people are working with remote colleagues and collaborating with…
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Let’s All Learn from the Business Analysts
Business analysis involves defining, scoping and prioritising initiatives (usually projects) and, particularly on complex projects, is an essential first step and then a continuing process as requirements change along the way (as they nearly always do). Thorough business analysis ensures the goals and objectives of the project are clear, which helps keep the project on…
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Why IT Projects Shouldn’t Be Sheepish About BAaaS
Picture a Project Manager, a full team and a Business Analyst … on every project. IT Project Nirvana. Budgets are tight so often it’s the latter that either gets sacrificed, usually merged into someone else’s role. Many Project Managers have in the past, had parts of their job description that look more ‘BA’ than ‘PM’,…
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Where does an IT Project Manager’s job end?
Originally published on CIO.com Traditionally a project is judged complete when it is transitioned into service. Maybe it’s time to re-evaluate this endpoint. A CIO asked me this recently because his team was expressing an interest in extending their role so that they could assess their project ‘from the other side’. Traditionally, as a PM…
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How To Hire Best Fit IT Talent. The 7 Step Strategic Partner Checklist
Zappos CEO Tony Hsieh once estimated that bad hires had cost his firm company “well over $100 million”. Almost half of hiring/HR managers (41%) believe that bad hires have cost their firms “thousands” and the U.S. Department of Labour puts the price of a bad hire at least 30% of the employee’s first-year earning. However,…
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Skills that are Vital for Business Analysts of the Future
Although the field of Business Analysis offers a lot of exciting opportunities for those seeking employment, the best opportunities only go to those who not only have the required skills, but also the skills of the future. The growing importance of business analysis is not hidden from anyone. In the ever-changing business and regulatory environment,…
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Successful Kick-Off Meeting Tips for Business Analysts
The initial meetings that are held before a project is finally given the green light t go ahead can set the tone for everything that follows so, as a business analyst, make sure you understand what constitutes a successful kick-off meeting for your next project. And make sure you are well-prepared by following these tips…
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Creating a Self-Organising Team
All business analysts should be aware of the modern management philosophy regarding self-organising teams. This is where individuals are empowered to influence the decision-making process on a project and have the authority to change their workload as required. The reason this approach has become popular (not to mention effective) is mainly because it improves efficiency…
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Emotional Intelligence for Business Analysts
Emotional intelligence is important in all aspects of our personal and work life and without it we may never reach our full potential. You may be able to solve complex problems, but if you can’t interact well with colleagues then you are limiting your opportunities. Emotional intelligence has four key area: emotional perception, emotional reasoning,…
