Business Analyst Blog with tips, techniques and resources for every BA.
I once attended a supposed brainstorming session in which only 3 of the 8 participants got round to contributing to the discussion. They had prepared a list of recommendations based on their findings and all they did was reel out their discoveries. A meeting should not be incorrectly tagged as a brainstorming session if it's not going to be conducted as such.
Read MoreIIBA's Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) Certification is one of the most recognized certifications for Senior Business Analysts. The exam is based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK®) Guide, which contains accepted practices in Business Analysis. Preparing to take your CBAP exam may seem like a herculean task; it can be quite daunting but it doesn’t have to be. Through this post, I’ll share the tips that helped me pass the CBAP exam. We all have different approaches to learning but here are some key points that can help you prepare for your CBAP Exam.
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Logical fallacies can be described as mistakes or errors in reasoning. Recognizing logical fallacies in yourself and others will help to sharpen your critical thinking skills. Practise identifying these logical fallacies in everyday situations.
Read MoreOne day after a lecture, I walked up to my Professor, Dr. Tony Cornford to autograph a copy of his book which I had just purchased. He signed on it and here are his words: “Don’t believe everything.” I didn’t really think much of it until I stumbled on the book again after 3 years. And then it struck me.
Read MoreAs a first step in rising up to the call of producing high quality requirements and turning the tide of ICT projects, this post points out the tricky nature of requirements and mistakes that can be avoided when compiling requirements specification documents.
Read MoreEvery software project is unique and there’s no guarantee that the approach or strategy that works well for one project will work for another. There are however, some basic guidelines business analysts can adopt in order to add value to software projects.
Read MoreUsing the analogy of werewolves, the monsters of folklore who transform from the familiar to the horrific, Brooks describes software projects. The familiar software project can easily be transformed into a monster of missed schedules, overrun budgets and defective software. Unlike werewolves that can be laid to rest with a silver bullet, software projects are a different ball game.
Read MoreIn gathering requirements, analysts tend to focus more on functional and non-functional requirements. This is largely because in the end, that’s how we get paid – by delivering systems that work the way stakeholders want them to. In the midst of tight deadlines and limited resources, it’s easy to delay gathering transition requirements until all solution requirements have been gathered. In extreme cases, leaving transition requirements until you’ve got “everything else covered” could easily lead to disaster.
Read MoreAs Business Analysts, we are referred to as “knowledge workers” because we “think for a living”. The more knowledge and experience we have, the more our perceptions evolve. Our perceptions are important because they determine the decisions we make. In order to increase our ability to generate effective ideas and make decisions that work, we must continue learning in the face of dynamic projects.
Read MoreAsking questions effectively doesn’t always come naturally. For most, it’s a skill that needs to be perfected. Stakeholder interviews are effective platforms for posing questions on issues and expectations. They also provide an opportunity for business analysts to seek clarification on existing requirements. What do you need to know to get the right results?
Read MoreOne of the unique benefits of a requirements workshop is that it allows the Business Analyst resolve conflicting business requirements, analyse stakeholders and obtain instant requirements validation all in one go. Find out how to get the most from your workshops.
Read MoreKey BPM Lessons from Value-Driven Business Process Management: The Value-Switch for Lasting Competitive Advantage by Peter Franz & Mathias Kirchmer.
Read MoreLook around you. Visual communication is everywhere - from presentations at work to directions on the street. Today’s generation now leans towards a different mode of learning. There's a pervasive preference for videos, pictures, flashcards and presentations. Communication is now achieved visually more than ever. Engage your stakeholders visually.
Read MoreThe difference between Business Process Management (BPM) and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) can be quite fuzzy. I’ll start with my understanding: BPM is a practice while ERP is one of the many technologies that can support that practice. With that being said, BPM can be achieved with or without technology though having a Business Process Management System (BPMS) and/or an ERP can enhance your ability to do BPM.
Read MoreGetting prepared is key to landing that job of your dreams. You need to not only act the part, but also be the part. Have it at the back of your mind that it’s the interviewer’s job to recruit a BA. The job is there for the taking and it’s your responsibility to convince the interviewer you’re the best one for the job.
Read MoreRecruiting Business Analysts is almost as difficult as preparing to be the right business analyst for the job. To be a successful business analyst, you have to examine yourself through the eyes of your employer. What do you want to be? What does your employer want you to be?
Read MoreSelecting a Business Analyst Training Provider can be quite confusing. There are a host of providers available online, and choosing one is usually not so straightforward. And it shouldn’t be.
Read MoreView a compilation of free business analyst training courses online.
Read MoreAccording to the International Listening Association, most of us are distracted about 75% of the time we are in conversations or meetings. For a 1-hour meeting, your effective listening time is approximately 15 mins. Can you do better than this?
Read MoreAs soon as I decided that Business Analysis was it for me, the first thing I did was to scour the Internet for popular BA sites, templates, blogs and forums that would add value to me. I’ve listed my Top 6 Business Analyst Blogs/Websites. Each site has its purpose so, depending on what you’re looking for or what stage of your career you're in, you may prefer one to the other.
Read MoreThis business analyst blog contains practical insights into business analysis, software testing and business process management. I will be sharing business analyst tips, CBAP Certification tips, lessons learnt and insights into all the things I've learnt during my BA career.
