Why Every BA/PM should go through the course - UXD - User Experience Design

Traditionally there is no discipline as Business Analysis in any curriculum - either in Engineering or Business Management. Most of the Business Analysts and Product Managers come from Business Management schools where they do not learn anything about how to facilitate Analysis & Design of a solution from technology & business standpoint. All learn from their experience, self learning and from peers/seniors about this discipline which i believe is far more valuable. And i believe it is true for most of the jobs however more so for the discipline of Business Analysis and Product Management. 

Business Analysis/Product Management is as much art as much it is science. As it includes facilitating lot of groups and coming to a consensus for the right solution and for right reasons. It involves lot of analytical skills as lot of thinking is needed to provide with the insights, data and facts to different communities and let them know the side effects of each and every solution. The right solution should have the lowest side effects to their customers, users and business possible with highest value. 

User Experience Design - Covers most important aspects of the analytical skill part. It provides with the thought provoking approach & comprehensive coverage of product requirements.  The Elements of User Experience - User Centered Design for the web  covers it in the form of 5 elements to be understood and explored in order to design an application which is useful.  These elements cover from abstract to concrete set of requirements from conception to completion. 

This is a must read book. And more easily so - there is a course called 'User Experience Design' based on 5 elements of User Experience which provides amazing insights into examples and principles.  This provides as a great guide for every Business Analyst, Product Manager, Architect and Designer.  This provides what is to be considered in order to build a good product which is usable, useful and loving.