What do you do if your business analysis methods are questioned by feedback?

Embracing feedback, even when critical, is pivotal for personal and professional growth as it enables us to gain diverse perspectives, enhancing performance. Recently, my supervisor critiqued my data validation methods. Initially, it was disheartening after putting in significant effort. However, by taking their critique on board, I identified areas for improvement. Openness to learning is also vital for business analysts. For instance, while we are not coding experts and we’re usually not expected to know how to write code, it’s still important to understand the logic behind the execution of a piece of code, it still impacts our jobs.

I believe, actively soliciting and listening to stakeholders' feedback shows that you care what they think. This, in turn, will help foster a sense of trust, transparency, and collaboration, all of which are essential for building strong stakeholder relationships. In my current job, when I engage stakeholders in developing a business model, it can create a collaborative environment that encourages open communication, fostering active participation and idea-sharing as opposed to times when decisions are made in isolation, resulting in missed opportunities for diverse perspectives and potential stakeholder buy-in.

I recently worked with a healthcare AI startup struggling to monetize its diagnostic tool. After researching the market, I suggested a subscription-based model. However, the CEO raised concerns about scalability, leading us to pivot to a hybrid model incorporating both subscriptions and pay-per-use options. Through collaborative workshops and clear communication, we ensured everyone was on board with the changes and successfully implemented the new model, fostering innovation within the company.

Maintaining flexibility in business analysis is crucial for navigating the dynamic business environment. For instance, while working with a fintech startup, I initially proposed a freemium model to attract users. However, after receiving feedback from the marketing team about the competitive landscape, I adapted our approach to include a tiered subscription model with added premium features. This adaptability ensured we met the startup's needs effectively, demonstrating our commitment to delivering value and responsiveness to feedback.