Why Change

What’s the big deal about managing stakeholders? Why is it sometimes so difficult?

In this presentation, we focus on understanding the stakeholders and their needs. Recognizing different types of stakeholders is key. As their needs, level of interest, and power differs, so should our approach. The presentation includes tips and ideas on how to build trust, overcome resistance, and manage expectations. The emphasis is on applying a business analyst mindset in dealing with stakeholders.

We wrap up with do’s and don’ts of stakeholder interaction and communication, and if desired, can build in time for a round-table discussion and Q&A.

The concept of the business analyst mindset, first outlined in the author’s book, is central to this presentation. We look at the key challenges of business analysis and discuss how to approach them with the right mindset. From solving the right business problem to taking responsibility for a shared understanding of requirements, to being part of the solution – the focus is on what makes a business analyst successful.

The presentation will touch on each of the twelve BA mindset principles, providing practical advice on how to follow them in day-to-day life on a project.

The session will include interactive elements such as online polls for feedback and contributions from the audience.

The concept of the business analyst mindset, first outlined in the author’s book, is central to this presentation. We review the twelve principles of the BA mindset and how they help analysts achieve excellence. Then, the discussion moves to the business analysis pitfalls. We analyze some common pitfalls, their unwelcome consequences, and how these can be mitigated by applying the principles of the BA mindset.

The discussion includes real-life examples and invites an open dialogue about challenges and barriers that business analysts may face, and how to overcome them – with the right mindset.

Models are efficient (and often underused) business analysis tools. Visual representation of key concepts helps to create a shared understanding of the business problem, and eventually – of a proposed solution. While process flows are key to capturing and modelling business processes, there are other diagrams that analysts should have in their toolkit.

In this session, we will review several business models and when to use them:

• context models
• use case diagrams
• decision trees
• state transition diagrams

The focus will be on the purpose, key elements, and best practices for each model.

The session will include interactive elements such as online polls for feedback and contributions from the audience.

Business analysts play a key role in solving business problems. These problems cannot be solved without addressing data and analytics requirements, so analysts need to understand and be able to tackle data challenges to be successful. 

Key messages:

• Data is what connects business processes and parts of an organization
• The future of process improvement is in embedded analytics
• Defining data and analytics requirements is essential to solving business problems

Business problems cannot be solved without understanding data. Yet, many projects face challenges because of data issues – poor data quality, lack of understanding of business data and insufficient enterprise data integrations.

Addressing data requirements is an integral part of the analysis process. In this session, you will learn when and how to use three key data analysis techniques:

• Data dictionary
• Conceptual data modelling
• Data mapping

Five Why’s is a well-known method of root cause analysis. Ask “Why?” five times, or more if necessary, until you get to the root cause. 

This method is relatively straightforward when you can pinpoint a single root cause. But what if you are dealing with a complex problem? What if it caused by a multitude of interconnected reasons?

This is where a fishbone diagram can help. A visual and flexible tool, this diagram can be used by business analysts to facilitate challenging root cause analysis workshops. Its easy-to-understand structure lends itself well to virtual collaboration workshops.

In this workshop, we will analyze a business situation and build a fishbone diagram in collaboration with the participants.

As organizations and individuals embrace and transition to Agile ways of working, the role of the Business Analyst has evolved significantly, requiring fresh guidance, concepts, and techniques. How will the Agile BA mindset drive motivation and behavior, especially in challenging professional situations?

This session will highlight:

• What is agility and its core values
• How to apply BA mindset principles in agile environment
• How to move from traditional to more agile ways of working

There is more demand than ever for business analysis professionals. But what does it mean to be a business analyst? What they do all day?  What are their responsibilities? Do they just “gather” requirements?

In this session, we will focus on key aspects of being a BA:

• Required skills and competencies
• How to “do business analysis”
• Where do requirements come from
• What are the deliverables of the business analysis process
• What makes a business analyst successful

Any organization that changes and evolves must perform business analysis. How do you develop your business analysis function? How do you assess the maturity of your BA practice?

How do you support the professional growth of practitioners who play a vital role in enabling successful change? This talk will provide practical tips and ideas for developing high-performing business analysis practices.

It is time to upskill and consider future career paths. And for organizations, it’s time to empower your employees to expand their knowledge and expertise.

The webinar is for aspiring business analysts and professionals considering a career change. It will answer the following questions:

What is business analysis?

What do business analysts do all day?

What are the BA job responsibilities?

What types of companies hire business analysts?

What resources are available to you to learn more?

What are the next steps to take if you would like to become a business analyst?

The session includes a Q&A section to answer questions from the audience.

How does business analysis happen?  In this webinar, we discuss the business analysis process and answer the following questions:

Where do requirements come from?

How exactly do we “do business analysis”?

What are the steps in the business analysis process?

When does business analysis end?

What are the deliverables of the business analysis process?

This webinar will answer the questions:

• What is the product of business analysis?
• What artifacts are used to capture requirements?
• What are the outcomes of the business analysis process?
• What deliverables is the business analyst accountable for?

We will also discuss how a versatile business analyst can use different tools for different purposes and audiences, and supplement user stories and requirements by other requirements artifacts.

The webinar incudes many visuals and examples and encourages participants to include these artifacts in their professional portfolio.

This session provides an overview of the core business analysis activities, and tools & techniques used to support them. The discussion will then focus on:

• Tips for asking questions
• Immersion
• Artifact analysis
• Root cause analysis
• Process analysis
• Modelling
• Capturing and sharing business requirements

The discussion will include real-life examples and invite an open dialogue about challenges and barriers that business analysts may face, and how to overcome them – with the right mindset and the right tools.

The session will include interactive elements such as online polls for feedback and contributions from the audience.

Business Analyst Mindset – the Science and the Art: conference session — Balkan BA Conference 2021 (Nov 25-27, 2021). Missed it? Watch the video.

BA on the Street hosted by IIBA Bluegrass Chapter – October 15, 2021 at 12 pm EST. Missed it? Check out the video.

3 Data Analysis Techniques Every Business Analyst Should Know — breakout session, IIBA Phoenix Business Analysis Development Day (Sep 15, 2021). Missed it? Watch What Business Analysts Need to Know About Data on YouTube.

What does it mean to be a business analyst? — webinar hosted by IIBA Bluegrass (Sep 14, 2021). Missed it? Watch Is business analysis for me? on YouTube.

The Role of Data in Business Analysis: IIBA member-only webinar on July 28, 2021. Missed it? Check out my post on Data Analysis in Business Analysis.

Pivot Your Career to Business Analysis: How to gain business analysis experience, prepare your resume for a career pivot, and what to expect from interviews and hiring assessments. 3 webinars held in May – June 2021. Missed it? Watch the recording on YouTube.

What Business Analysts Need to Know About Data: 90-minute workshop at the upcoming BA & Beyond 2021 Conference on March 19, 20201. Missed it? Contact me to run it for your organization.

Is Business Analyst career for me? – webinar hosted by INVORG – December 3rd, 2020 at 1-2 pm EST. Missed it? Watch this video.

Success in business analysis – with a mindset: a webinar hosted by the IIBA New Zealand Chapter –  November 10 at 12 pm (November 9 at 6 pm EST). Missed it? Watch this previous webinar recording on YouTube.

Business Analysis Tools & Techniques: a webinar hosted by the IIBA Pittsburgh Chapter – October 5. Missed it? Watch this previous webinar recording on YouTube.

Avoid Common Business Analysis Pitfalls: a breakout session at the Business Analysis Development Day in Phoenix (BADD in the Desert) – September 16th. Missed it? Get all BA Pitfalls posters with your copy of Business Analyst Mindset Digital Toolkit.