10 Top Tips on Building a Community of Practice

In our first article we looked at the reasons for establishing a centralised Community of Practice. In this second of three articles we provide insights how to build a Community of Practice.

These top tips have been distilled from the output of two BA Manager Forum workshops: in 2017 with Sarah Bullen and Sandra Sheppard and in June 2022 in a session led by Craig Rollason and Andrew Leigh. We hope you find them useful.?

TIP 1: Ensure alignment with your organisation’s strategy and context?

It’s important to ask the right questions at the outset. Is a BA Community of Practice a good idea right now? What strategic issues will your Community of Practice help address? Early alignment to overall strategy helps enormously with any rationale for your practice.??

TIP 2: Make sure that the critical factors for success are in place?

Before you decide to build a Community of Practice, make sure that it is feasible. According to Craig Rollason, to order to build a community of practice you need:?

• senior leadership to understand the BA role;?
• a desire for change within your organisation, preferably expressed in financial terms;?
• someone prepared, able and tasked to build the practice.??

TIP 3: Make a business case?

Use your own BA skills to define the benefits/business outcomes from your Community of Practice.?

“Look at your organisation and how many BAs work there. How many are staff and how many are contractors? Think of the cost of too many long term contractors. Make a business case supported by the finance director if necessary. Mentor the BAs on your team.” ?- Andrew Leigh.

TIP 4: Find out what stakeholders want in order to achieve ‘buy in’?

People are far more likely to ‘buy in’ to the concept of a BA Community of Practice if they have been consulted before it is launched. Some people send out a survey to stakeholders, others find that a personal approach is more effective, to build people’s trust. Others use an event or goal to show their organisation what a BA team is capable of.??

"Context is key. What do the stakeholders want from BAs? Once I helped create a BA Practice by setting the team a goal for creating an IIBA event. This created visible outcomes and a success story for the business leaders to see. You can't create a successful CoP without enthusiasm and passion." - Delegate

TIP 5: Create ‘terms of reference’ at the outset?

Set out your purpose, objectives, outcomes and scope at the outset. Be clear and consistent as to what you will do and, just as importantly, what you won’t do.???

TIP 6: Create a BA Service Framework?

It is up to you to communicate to your organisation what your BA team can offer, and a BA Service Framework is the ideal way to do this. It makes it clear to the organisation what your team will and will not do, addressing stakeholders’ expectations from the start and defining boundaries. As a model, consider using Debra Paul’s BA Service Framework in the book Delivering Business Analysis . You can also view a webinar relating a case study on establishing a service framework at https://youtu.be/PMPDQaWmI4k ??

TIP 7: Build allies??

Sometimes people who are initially sceptical about a Community of Practice can become your strongest advocates. The best way to build allies is to help solve problems. For example PMOs may have data or insights on the impact of poor BA delivery that a practice might address.?

TIP 8: ‘Sell’ your service through stories and case studies?

Your Community of Practice will only grow if you promote, through roadshows or a brochure of your services. Stories can be very persuasive, share case studies that show success and real-world examples of how BA work has helped organisations.?

TIP 9: Encourage your BAs to train and grow to reach their potential?

Try to foster a growth mindset in your BAs. Encourage lifelong learning and keeping up with the latest developments.?

"We check to see if our BAs are too much in their comfort zones. Some like to stay with what they like to do, you have to be pragmatic. Other BAs need variety. The leader of the team has to listen to the BAs and let them lean into their competencies and strengths. Equally the leader has to encourage them to train and grow." - Delegate

TIP 10: Be passionate?

As you build your Community of Practice, make sure you listen to and engage with the ideas of your BA team and of stakeholders. Enthusiasm and passion go a long way. People need to believe in your vision, and see that you are serious about it.??