5 Strategies to Ensure that you are the Best Business Analyst EVER

Are you a business analyst looking to increase your effectiveness? Are you struggling to make an impact in your role? If so, then you're not alone. Unfortunately, many business analysts find themselves overwhelmed by their tasks and unable to make the progress they desire.

But there are ways for us to become more effective in our roles and easily achieve our goals. I want to walk you, very briefly, through a few strategies I have employed over the years to train myself to be more effective in my day-to-day tasks as a BA. These strategies will help you become more efficient and productive in your job.

So read on to learn how to maximise your contribution as a Business Analyst!

Understand the Business's Objectives and Goals

As a new business analyst in an organisation, it's imperative to take the time to understand the objectives and goals of the business. This can include familiarising yourself with the company's mission statement and values, reading about the company in the news, and of course, the age-old go-to, reading as much documentation as you can. Sigh! Haven't we all done that? Ad Nauseam?

The best thing that you can do, though, is talk to the people around you. During the first few days or weeks, ask your manager, or people close to you, to introduce you to others in the organisation. Reach out to people in the tearoom or kitchen, introduce yourself, tell them who you are and then ask about them. You will be surprised how much you can learn about an organisation by speaking to people in the tearoom whom you might never talk to again!

Develop a Systematic Approach to Collecting and Analysing Information

You need an organised approach to collecting and analysing information, whether process steps, business requirements, technical or data requirements.

Thus, developing a systematic approach to collecting and analysing information is crucial for business analysts to support decision-making processes effectively. Of course, there are many ready-made approaches, methodologies, or "systems" that you can adopt (Google is your friend) – but it is paramount that whichever method you choose fits your personality.

Wherever you land with your approach, these are the general steps that you must include:

1.?The first step in this approach is to clearly define the problem or question at hand, as this will guide the information-gathering process.

2.?Next, it is essential to identify the sources of information, both internal and external, that may provide relevant data.

3.?Once the sources are identified, the analyst must determine the required data points and how they will be collected. This may involve surveys, interviews, workshops or even data analysis software.

4.?Once the information is collected, it must be organised and analysed in a meaningful way, and

5.?Finally, the analyst must interpret the results and use them to inform business decisions or make recommendations.

By following a systematic approach, business analysts can ensure that they collect and analyse information in a structured and comprehensive manner, leading to more informed and effective decision-making.

Utilise the Right Tools for Effective Analysis

As a Business Analyst, you need to be proficient at your art, with the correct set of tools, templates and technologies available, to be effective in your role. Be sure to build your toolkit over the years and add to it during every project you are involved with. Beg, borrow and steal from your mates, making sure only to include those tools that fit your style. There is no worse sin for a BA than to adopt a tool or a template from a colleague you are not fully invested in. It only makes for bad mistakes later on. So, make it yours before committing it to your toolkit.

Some of the most commonly used tools include spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel, which allows analysts to organise and manipulate data. Data visualisation software, such as Power BI, is also often used to create visual representations of data to help analysts identify trends and patterns. One of the most commonly used drawing tools is MS Visio, a tool that should be in everyone's box for presenting workflows or business processes.

Finally, agile project management software, such as Jira or Azure DevOps, is crucial if you work in an agile environment to manage sprints, user stories, and tasks.

In addition, run-of-the-mill communication and collaboration tools, such as email, instant messaging, and video conferencing, are essential for working with stakeholders and team members. Also, don't shy away from specialised software that may be used for tasks such as data modelling or statistical analysis.

By using the correct tools, tools that you gathered, created, got familiar with, sorted, sifted and added carefully to your toolkit, you will find that you can more effectively gather, analyse, and communicate requirements and insights that support decision-making within your organisation and thereby making yourself a reliable resource instead of just another BA.

Communicate Results Effectively with Stakeholders

I was always taught that a BA is the "translator" between "Tech" and the "Business". While this was most certainly true back when business users more than often worked in non-tech environments (like a post office clerk or bank teller) and "Tech" was hidden underground in hermetically sealed catacombs, locked away with 8kB computers the size of the Chrysler Building, things have changed in the 21st Century. Users are now a lot more tech-savvy, having had decades of PCs and laptops on their desks and smartphones in their pockets, available 24/7 at their back and call. That means we as BAs have to be, and work, a lot smarter. Instead of jotting down a few notes during interviews and later creating a few punch cards to hand to the techs to be coded in some obscure machine language to spit out the new and improved invoice format for next month's billing cycle, we now have a whole new kettle of fish to deal with.

So, communicating results effectively with stakeholders is critical to the modern business analyst's job. Our Options Papers are powered by Spider Diagrams, our PowerPoint slides are peppered with graphs and graphics, our Excel spreadsheets shine bright with pivot tables, formulas and charts, our Business Process maps are BPMN'ed to a tee, and our Business Requirements Documents are MoSCoW'ed, RACI'd and colour-coded for special effects.

While these tools can help stakeholders better understand complex data and provide insights into requirements and processes, it is also essential to tailor the message to the audience (know-your-audience!), using language and terminology easily understood by non-technical stakeholders. Providing context around the results is also essential, explaining how the findings relate to the larger business objectives and goals.

Additionally, providing actionable recommendations based on the analysis can help stakeholders understand how the results can inform decisions.

Finally, it is vital to actively listen to stakeholders' feedback and questions, as this can help identify areas that may require further analysis or clarification. By using these effective communication strategies, business analysts can build strong relationships with stakeholders and help ensure that their insights are used to inform effective decision-making.

And finally-finally, do ALL of this within your project's timelines. For example, when providing a document for review, give a date and time you want the feedback to be provided. Remember, no feedback is also feedback.

Stay Up-to-Date on the Latest Trends and Technology

Finally, one of the most important things a business analyst can do is to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and technology. This includes reading industry publications, attending conferences, participating in online forums, and networking with other professionals in the field. By doing so, you will remain ahead of the curve and ensure that your toolkit always stays current.

Here are a few resources that I find helpful from time to time:

1.?Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK): This is a comprehensive guide developed by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) that outlines the best practices and techniques for business analysis.

2.?Business analysis podcasts: There are many podcasts available that focus on business analysis, such as The Business Analysis Podcast, The BA Zone Podcast, and The Analytics Show.

3.?Business analysis blogs: Many business analysts share their knowledge and experiences through blogs, such as Bridging the Gap, Modern Analyst, and Requirements Quest.

4.?Online courses: There are many online courses available that can help business analysts improve their skills and knowledge. Some popular platforms for online learning include Udemy, Coursera, and LinkedIn Learning.

5.?Professional organisations: Joining a professional organisation such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) or the Project Management Institute (PMI) can provide access to resources, networking opportunities, and industry insights.

6.?Online forums: There are many online forums and communities where business analysts can connect with peers and discuss industry-related topics, such as BA Times and BA Wiki.

7.?Online industry publications: Business analysts can stay up-to-date with industry news and trends by reading online publications such as CIO, Business Insider, and Harvard Business Review.

By following best practices, but most of all following best practices that work for you, you can be mega successful at what you set out to do and make a lasting impact on your organisation. From mastering the art of information gathering to staying up-to-date on industry trends, you owe it to yourself and the organisation that signs your pay cheque to hone your skills, you're your knowledge up-to-date, and most of all, to be successful. With the right approach, you can help your employer unlock the potential of their employees and take a leading role in driving strategic decision-making.

Go on, do it. It is your life, after all.