“Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value.” by Albert Einstein
Discovery and innovation are such an important aspect of the Business analyst role and yet we don’t always realize it. Every aspect of Business Analysis aims to define that a new solution to a problem or a business need. Our overarching aim is to provide value to the business by expressing their needs in a way that enables the discovery of true solutions to real problems. Dare I say our roles are to make the discoveries of where more value can be found…
Yet we don’t describe ourselves in terms of value innovators or discoverers.
In this blog, I would like to highlight some ways you can become a genius Business Analyst by simply adding ‘value’ as a guideline within your role as a Business Analyst. not:
Define Value
Every small task we perform as a Business Analyst (BA) should point back to a goal, which aims to add value to the business in some way. You should consider what is the value is that you are adding each and every day when you walk into the office. Simply ask yourself that, how is what I am doing now, adding value to the business?
An example may be that you are the part of a requirements elicitation activity, where everything you are working on relates to defining the requirements. Make sure that every requirement you discover, define or elicit that the value of that requirement is understood and in the alignment with the overall goals of the business or initiative.
Measure Value
How would you know that what you are doing is adding value to the business (yes or no) if you are not able to measure it? Make sure you can measure it.
Sometimes defining performance measures for a solution component or a requirement in itself is quite difficult simply because it either seems too small or too deeply buried amongst all the detail. Take a step back and work out where does this piece of work is fit into the bigger picture? Which goal does this piece of work align with this and try and find a way to define a performance measure that way.
A very effective way to find a measure is for you to ask your stakeholders how would they measure the value that the specific piece of work that you are busy with will add to the overall business goals. Once you know that, how you can measure your efforts, you are ready to demonstrate value.
Demonstrate the Value
You may ask, as a Business Analyst (BA), why would I care about demonstrating the value that I am adding with my piece of work? The more you care about the value you are adding with the efforts you put into your work (work with efficient and effective way), the better the quality of the content of your work will become. You will become really good at it to identify opportunities to add value to the business with everything you do and before you know it, people come to you to find the business value, they will come to you because you are a great Business Analyst.
5 Qualities That’s Make You A Great Business Analyst
What leads a business analyst (BA) from simply “good” to “great?”
Education and credentials play a role. The software helps. But that’s not it. Consider: If you were a business owner, would you want to work with someone who (not good in conversation) stumbles through a conversation?
What about the person who commands the room and the moment their foot passes the threshold? They have a way with words. The kind of way that gets a right to the point. When they tell a scenario story it doesn’t consist of a bunch of fluff no one cares about. They know whats the matters and they start with it.
That person, if they jump into a business analyst (BA) career, has the capabilities of being fantastic. Combined a few other qualities or features and they’d be overflowing with work and offers.
Here’s we look at five qualities every great business analyst should have.
1. Impressive Communication
Imagine that hiring a business analyst who mumbles every time they speak. They refuse to hold face-to-face meetings (neglecting or ignore), even with stakeholders, because they’re too shy. Or their emails are so short and curt they need to more clarification it requires twenty back-and-forths just to confirm a deadline. That’s an analyst who can’t communicate. Would you trust him to improve the business? Likely not.
Great business analysts (BA) know effective communication isn’t an option; it’s a necessity. For any given project, they will converse with managers and employees on the phone, through email, and in-person. Any hiccups in these discussions are create more work for everyone involved.
2. The Ability To Solve Problems
A problem occurs within the company. Maybe a hiccup in the operations or a change in process management is needed. Regardless of the issue, a business analyst (BA) is called in to fix it. How? Well, that’s up to the analyst.
Solutions aren’t always simple. Analysts know they will need to run through multiple the operations and relevant scenarios before finding one that fits. Because businesses are intricate. They require many working parts (processes, customers, management, employees, etc). One solution could be good for one of those groups, but very deadly to another.
You don’t want a business analyst (BA) who immediately implements the first solution that hits their brain. You want someone who has examined the problem from every angle imaginable. Someone who has spoken to all parties involved for valuable input and feedback. And someone who sees the success of your company as their personal success too.
3. Critical Thinking
Finding the ideal solution doesn’t “just happen.” The answer doesn’t appear at the bottom of their favorite coffee mug or in the middle of a dream, right before waking up (even though it’d be nice if it were that simple!). No, analysts rely heavily on their ability to think critically.
Sometimes, the reason behind a problem isn’t the true reason at all. It’s easy to say, “I need this to work because it’s not!” Sure, it’s true. But it’s not the core reason.
Maybe the manager needs this (the team) to work because they’ve been having complications on a project. The analyst must speak to everyone involved to understand why this need exists and how they can help both the team and the manager equally. Otherwise, production and profits hit a standstill.
Looking at the problem from the surface will only provide shallow or ineffective results.
4. An Analytical Mind
You don’t have to be born with it. But you need to appreciate and use different forms of analysis. With so many different types of analyses, it’d be easy to drown in an overload of information. But a great business analyst understands when using PESTLE is superior to value chain analysis.
To truly dig into a problem or assess a proposed solution, analysis helps to strategically break it down into easily understandable pieces of information. It can help outline a scenario and build a framework for an effective solution. For a business analyst, the various types of analysis are a staple in their tool belt.
5. Process Modeling Knowledge
Some forms of analysis use visual or process modeling. It’s a visual representation of information, often depicted in a graph or diagram. It’s common in process management where various processes of a business must be visually displayed for easy understanding. It may be a requirement, depending on the job. But it’s also important to grow these skills because some people respond better to visual information than audio.
It is so easy to become engrossed in detail and deliverables that we don’t look up often enough to ask questions around the value we add as Business Analysts. Keep in mind that the business stakeholders are ultimately only interested in again in business value. That is why as the Business Analyst, the better you become in demonstrating business value, the more successful you will become in what you can deliver as a Business Analyst. MCAL Global provide you the best business analyst training The Master Business Analysis Training is our flagship business analyst course. We have trained 1000s of professionals on the business analysis processes, concepts, tools, techniques, best practices, business analyst certification, and software tools via this program. Through active feedback collected from individuals & corporates, we have perfected this business analyst course via numerous updates and revisions to deliver the best possible results for individuals or corporates.