How do you use online tools to collaborate with other BAs?

As an IT managed service provider in Arizona, we understand the importance of selecting the right online tools for collaboration. We offer cloud-based platforms like Google Workspace or Microsoft 365 for real-time collaboration and secure document storage. Our tools include essential features like chat, video conferencing, screen sharing, and feedback mechanisms to enhance communication and collaboration. We also provide email services and antivirus and cyber security services to protect against cyber threats. Our priority is to ensure the security of our clients' data at all times. With our IT managed services, you can focus on your goals and leave the technical details to us.

Business Analysis tools for collaboration are about facilitating groups through decision-making and problem-solving at many levels including detailed decisions like requirements. In addition to the features mentioned above, BA work requires visuals, creating models, text structures, voting, and collaborative methods of "workshopping". Participants need to be able to react to, contribute to, edit, and move things around, to get through a collaborative group process together, facilitated by a skilled BA. Electronic "whiteboards" that allow these capabilities are a huge advantage to getting high-quality work done efficiently as a BA. Tools like Lucid Charts, MURAL, and Miro and their capabilities are especially helpful for this kind of work.

The importance of tools is a given, but the crucial point in my experience is the human skills and behaviours of the facilitating BA. Making a session edutaining & engaging for all involved is the key way to truly understand the process, or problem you are trying to understand. Some of the best sessions I have been part of have been rawthentic, scrappy but fully participated in. Our job is to then make that into a professional output, using our other skills. Too often I have seen sessions run with numerous tools, but the facilitator is not working at the speed of thought. All the gear, but no idea. Bedside manner counts for a lot & needs to be included in the abovementioned skills & toolkit.

One effective way to achieve this is by using a RACI matrix, which helps define the different roles involved in the project, such as who is responsible, accountable, consulted, or informed. In addition, documentation and communication of these roles and responsibilities are essential to ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities and avoids confusion. As an advocate of managed IT services, I recommend partnering with a reliable service provider to help implement and manage the collaboration tools and strategies, ensuring that they align with the organization's objectives and requirements. This can provide a streamlined and efficient workflow, freeing up your team to focus on their core responsibilities and achieve their goals.

A RACI for a collaborative online meeting needs to be about the roles within the meeting. What decisions will be made in this meeting? Who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed for each decision? Who do we need in the meeting to make this happen, and who needs to contribute (vs. listed) at what level to get to a good decision? Make this visible and transparent before and throughout the meeting so that everyone can hold each other accountable to their roles with transparency.

In my view, cloud storage is essential for effective online collaboration, especially when creating a collaboration plan. This plan outlines goals, expectations, tools, and methods, and cloud-based platforms like Google Docs or Confluence allow real-time collaboration and secure storage of project-related documents. Cloud storage is crucial for ensuring that everyone has access to the latest version of the plan and keeping all files organized and up-to-date.

Your collaboration plan should include elements of: - Individual thinking time (silent brainstorming and reflection) - Small group talk after individual thinking (breakouts) - Then, large group discussion, and assessing readiness to make decisions. This can all be done within 20-30 min as a decision cycle. In the interest of speed, many skip the first two parts and go straight to a large group conversation. This often leads to decisions getting reversed, or more meetings later and delays due to a lack of consensus as participants think about it after the meeting. They were missing the individual space to think and small group space to process their points of view and others without the big group pressure.

As an IT managed service provider with two offices in Arizona, we believe in building strong relationships with our clients. Our team members visit client locations to understand the issues in person and provide customized solutions. Additionally, we offer face-to-face meetings, phone calls, online chats, and video conferences to ensure effective communication and collaboration. We prioritize building trust and rapport with our clients by communicating openly, showing respect and appreciation, and addressing concerns or conflicts promptly. We also believe in getting to know our clients on a personal level, such as by sharing interests, hobbies, and backgrounds, and by having informal chats and social events online.

Collaboration with our IT managed services team can help refine and optimize your IT department. Even if you do not have an existing IT staff, there is no need to hire one. Our team can effectively and efficiently handle all of your IT-related needs at a much lower cost. We have a dedicated team available 24/7 to handle any issues that may arise, ensuring that your business operates smoothly and without interruption.