Unlocking Business Outcomes Through Clarity, Alignment, and Collaboration
Laura Brandenburg, ACBA, CBAP
Practical Business Analysis Training | Helping business analysts, product and project professionals solve business problems with software and advance their careers with practical, real-world online training
My name is Laura Brandenburg and as part of the BA Force Multiplier group, I get to tell you stories about how business analysis, coaching, and teaching has made people’s lives better. With decades of experience, I certainly have some stories to tell!
Achieving ROI on a Business Intelligence Project
As a business analyst, my role goes beyond optimizing systems—it’s about helping people do their jobs better. One of my most interesting projects was working with a team after they implemented a Business Intelligence (BI) platform. Initially, the team thought they had the right tools in place to make decisions based on data, but after a few months, it became clear that the data they were getting wasn’t telling them what they actually needed. Key stakeholders were frustrated—they couldn’t trust the reports, and some critical information was missing entirely.
I worked with stakeholders to understand the gaps. Their proprietary software wasn’t capturing the right data at the right time. By updating both the business processes and systems, we ensured the platform delivered accurate, actionable insights.
What made this so rewarding is that it wasn’t just about fixing technical issues—it was about empowering the team to understand their process, trust their data, reduce frustrations, and focus on more meaningful tasks.
I also was able to reduce a lot of the friction between the business and tech teams. It turned out, these issues had been discussed before, but no one took notes, analyzed the options, and presented possible solutions. So that time and effort was wasted while everyone assumed work was being done. This was degrading the trust the business had in the tech team as a whole.
I was able to show that with good business analysis practices, the tech team was more than willing and able to deliver the desired outcomes effectively, and relationships improved as a result.
Using an ERD to Break Down Communication Barriers Between Technical Teams
On another project, I found myself facing a communication gap that nearly derailed a key project. The project involved integrating with a new web-based system with a legacy system and database. However, months into development, no one had addressed how the new system would connect to the old one.
This lack of communication between the two technical teams—one managing the legacy system and another, a third-party team, building the new product—posed a major risk. With no clear model of how the two systems would talk to each other, I created an Entity Relationship Diagram , which revealed several discrepancies in the data models.
Through several collaborative sessions, we resolved these issues, ensuring both systems would integrate smoothly. The model helped me keep both teams of developers on the business needs. It became a key touchstone for defining the functional requirements related to the integration and helped the teams align on how customer data would flow between systems.
This experience taught me the importance of facilitating communication between teams, especially during system integration projects. By stepping in to bridge the gap, I not only helped avoid a major project risk but also enabled the technical teams to work more effectively. Relationships between the teams improved, and we delivered a functional system.
The Value of Business Analysis
Back in 2009, I authored a business analysis manifesto, which is still relevant today.
Out of chaos, we create order.
Out of disagreement, we create alignment.
Out of ambiguity, we create clarity.
But most of all, we create positive change for the organizations we serve.
Business analysts lead teams from the inside out.
We create positive change for our organizations. We inspire others to follow us on our path toward positive change. We help everyone understand exactly what that change is and how they can contribute to it. We help teams discover what the change should be.
Whether it is at work, consulting, coaching, or teaching, WE MAKE LIVES BETTER.
In my work as a business analyst trainer, through my company at Bridging the Gap, I am dedicated to helping you unlock new opportunities in your business analysis career with practical, real-world online training through The Business Analyst Blueprint? training program .
In doing so, I’ve seen business analysts gain confidence, step into more impactful roles, tackle complex and challenging projects, and improve every area of their professional lives.
Their title might be director of technology, product owner, product manager, requirements analyst, business process engineer, VP of operations, development lead, team lead, project manager, or CTO. The title is rather irrelevant. The activities of creating alignment around a clear understanding of “done” that creates positive change is what it means to be a?business analyst .
I firmly believe that on every successful project you’ll find a business analyst.
YOU ARE EMPOWERED TO BE A FORCE MULTIPLIER TO EVERYONE AROUND YOU.
YOU ARE NOW A FORCE MULTIPLIER!
Do you know of stories where Business Analysis, coaching, training, empathy or shared enthusiasm helped someone? We want to hear YOUR STORY! Join the story and share YOUR stories in the LinkedIn group BA Force Multiplier - I am IN! or contact me directly via LinkedIn and we can chat!
Who Is Laura Brandenburg?
Laura Brandenburg, ACBA, CBAP, internationally-recognized leader known for helping mid-career professionals start and succeed in business analysis careers. She is the founder of Bridging the Gap, the best-selling author of How to Start a Business Analyst Career, and the creator of The Business Analyst Blueprint? framework and training program.
Laura brings nearly 20 years of experience in the business analysis profession, filling several different full-time business analyst positions, as well as contributing as a consultant, hiring manager, trainer, and career coach. She believes that we build our profession one business analyst at a time, and her life purpose is to help others achieve more confidence and live their best life.
Find out more about Laura, her training, and take advantage of tons of free business analysis career resources at her website: https://www.bridging-the-gap.com
领英推荐
Who are the BA Force Multiplier Leaders?
A group of world-wide Business Analysis leaders who have banded together to bring you this message: Each one of us has the ability to raise the people around us UP through speaking, training, leadership, encouragement and so much more.
We want YOU to become a Force Multiplier for those around you.
Do YOU want to contact a BA Force Multiplier Leader? We provide coaching, training/education, business consulting, speakers, podcasts, and authors of publications. Here is the link to the website BAForceMultiplier.com or you can contact one of us directly below:
Past Articles: BA Force Multiplier Resource Library
Want more stories on the value of business analysis and agile coaching? We are creating resources for you. Here are the initial articles in the BA Force Multiplier series.
Senior Business Analyst, BA Mentor, Business Consultant.
1 个月Laura, thank you!!!! It inspired me ;)
ACBA | AAC | ECBA | Business Analyst & President of the IIBA Ireland Chapter ????
1 个月Fantastic examples of the value of business analysis ????????????. Thanks for sharing Laura Brandenburg, ACBA, CBAP ??. These stories emphasise how BAs are instrumental in bridging gaps, ensuring clarity, and driving alignment - ultimately leading to more successful projects and empowered teams ??. I can certainly relate to the challenges of communication between teams. When business and technical teams fail to communicate effectively, misunderstandings can undermine trust. A Business Analyst serves as the bridge between these groups, translating requirements and solutions into a shared language. This role is essential in minimising friction and ensuring that both sides feel heard, respected, and aligned toward common objectives.
Senior Business Analyst |?? LinkedIn Top Voice | Agile | MBA- Business Analytics | Helping aspiring Business Analyst to break comfort zones??
1 个月Laura Brandenburg, ACBA, CBAP Thank you for sharing this insightful article. I agree with the manifesto. Jst to add BAs are also Peacemakers??
Founder of Passionate Business Analyst ? CBAP? ? Mentor ? Coach ? Director of Global Communications @ IIBA Ukraine Chapter ? Speaker ? Senior Business Analyst ? IT ? Agile ? BPM
1 个月Great stories; thank you for sharing them. The ROI part resonates with me a lot because not many projects/initiatives involved calculating the success or having any KPIs. It is important to remember and share that Solution Evaluation is probably the most important part of any project.
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and CFO Services for Small Businesses
1 个月Business analysis bridges gaps between teams, unlocking clear communication and driving project success.??