Blueprints for Success: Episode 37 with Pamela Paterson

Hosted by Deirdre Caren on Agora Insights' Blueprints for Success: Business Analysis - Business Analysts' Role in AI, Interviewing Stakeholders, How to Search the Job Market

Introduction

I had the pleasure of speaking with international best-selling author Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP - a business analyst with a fascinating journey from journalism to the world of business analysis. Pamela shared her thoughts on the evolving role of business analysts in the age of AI, effective stakeholder interviewing techniques, and strategies for navigating the job market. She also gave us a sneak peek into her upcoming book on stakeholder interviewing, which applies journalistic methods to enhance the process.?

Let's get started..

Background?

Pamela Paterson, MS, CBAP, PMP, is an international best-selling author and a senior IT consultant in business analysis and project management. She is also a seasoned business analyst, speaker, and project manager with a diverse background in journalism. Her career spans over a decade, during which she has taught project management at the college level and worked with various organizations to help them navigate the complexities of requirements gathering and stakeholder engagement. Pamela’s unique blend of skills allows her to effectively bridge the gap between business needs and technical solutions. She is passionate about sharing her knowledge with the business analysis community and is the author of several books, including the upcoming Stakeholder Interviewing?and Creating Requirements for Software Projects: A Business Analyst's Guide.

We chatted about Pamela's diverse background in journalism and how it has equipped her with unique skills that are so valuable in business analysis. These include her deep understanding of how to gather and synthesize information, which is crucial for uncovering the requirements that drive successful projects.?

Three Key Topics

1. Business Analysts' Role in AI

Pamela emphasized the significant impact of AI on our profession. While AI tools are becoming more prevalent and can assist in refining requirements by identifying duplicates and fuzzy language, she reminded us that the human element is irreplaceable. "A skilled interviewer will always be able to beat a computer at eliciting information," she noted. This highlights the importance of maintaining our interpersonal skills as we embrace technology. As business analysts, we must adapt by enhancing our ability to build relationships and trust with stakeholders while leveraging AI to improve our efficiency.

"You can bring a lot of value to the organization and the project if the project leadership is familiar with business analysis." - Pamela Paterson?

2. How to Think When Interviewing Stakeholders

When discussing stakeholder interviews, Pamela encouraged us to adopt a visionary approach. She advised thinking about the entire information lifecycle and where the gathered information will ultimately be used. This mindset allows us to ask better questions and engage stakeholders more effectively. Furthermore, Pamela highlighted the value of preparing stakeholders for interviews by discussing the format and expectations in advance, which can lead to more productive conversations.

"It's really important that we think in a visionary kind of way about where all of this information that we're getting is going to end up." - Pamela Paterson

3. How to Search the Job Market

For those in our community entering the field of business analysis, Pamela provided practical advice on navigating the job market. She encouraged aspiring analysts to leverage their existing skills and backgrounds to identify entry points, particularly in industries like healthcare. "Find the easiest entry point and know if there is a market for that," she suggested. Utilizing platforms like Google Jobs can help us research demand and identify relevant keywords to enhance our job searches. Staying connected with the community is essential for learning about emerging trends and in-demand skills.

"I always try to encourage people to take a look at what they have and then think about the closest entry point to where they are." - Pamela Paterson

Ten Learning Points

1. Embrace AI: Understand how AI tools can enhance your work while focusing on maintaining human connections.
2. Develop Strong People Skills: Hone your interpersonal skills for effective communication and stakeholder engagement.
3. Visualize Information Flow: Think about how information will be used downstream to ask better questions during interviews.
4. Prepare Stakeholders: Discuss interview formats and expectations with stakeholders beforehand to ensure smoother interactions.
5. Leverage Your Background: Use your existing skills and experiences to find opportunities in business analysis.
6. Conduct Market Research: Regularly review job postings to identify in-demand skills and tools in your industry.
7. Network with Professionals: Engage with other business analysts to share insights and learn about emerging trends.
8. Stay Informed: Keep up with advancements in technology that impact the business analysis profession.
9. Be Open to Learning: Pursue certifications and ongoing education to deepen your expertise.
10. Adapt to Change: Be flexible in your approach as the role of business analysts continues to evolve.

Conclusion

Pamela's insights underscore the critical need for business analysts to balance technical expertise with strong interpersonal skills. As we navigate the rapid changes impacting our business community, embracing continuous learning and adaptability will be essential for our ongoing success. Her emphasis on the human element in stakeholder engagement serves as a powerful reminder that relationships and effective communication remain at the heart of our work.

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Contact Deirdre Caren on LinkedIn?

About Pamela

Pamela is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experiences, actively engaging with the business analysis community through conferences and webinars.?

Connect with Pamela on LinkedIn.

Explore Pamela's books on her?Amazon Author Page.

Pam the Writer

"Writers and cats have one thing in common: sitting in the same spot for hours." ? - Pamela Paterson - Extract from "Take me back to Cairo". ?