I was recently talking with a project manager who insisted every BA must be a business domain expert. I disagreed, suggesting a strong BA can learn the business by asking the right questions and studying the work. As we discussed this further, he agreed the BA should learn the specifics of the business and doesn’t necessarily need to be hired with industry knowledge. We realized our disagreement was really over WHEN the BA learns the business. For the project manager, he expects the BA to come to the project with the knowledge already in hand. He expects business requirements are already understood and the collecting of requirements (PMBOK® task) will be very straightforward. He does not have money or time in his project budget for the BA to learn the business. He wants the BA to immediately begin the Product or Solution scope and functional requirements.

At another company BAs are also expected to learn the business before their project work begins but when I asked if they are given time outside a project to perform this analysis the answer was no. All of a BA’s time must be allocated to a project. They expect BAs to learn the business in their spare time or on their own time.

I believe these attitudes reflect a lack of understanding of the complexity of our business domains. When an IT manager thinks a BA can learn a business area in his or her spare time, the manager assumes the business processes are simple or straightforward. Very few are. As BAs we need to constantly be educating our management (supervisory and project managers) about the sophistication of our business users and their work. We need to help the IT organization appreciate both the complexity of the business areas and the importance of capturing this complexity in business models. Only our deep understanding of the business will assure our projects deliver true business value.

Learning the business and representing it in business models and requirements is a critical success factor for every project. Business models are reusable, increasing productivity on future projects. They also need to be updated as the business changes. I would recommend an IT cost center for BAs to spend time learning business domains outside projects rather than within the context of a specific project. BAs who spend time with the business people on a regular basis also see opportunities for improvements and may suggest new projects.

When are you given time to learn your business?

Executives develop strategies and overall goals for success.  These strategies and goals get realized through implementing projects.  Business Analysts have the critical role and responsibility to ensure the solution implemented via the project meets the company’s goals.  Are you feeling it? 

Besides having a good grasp of the techniques available to you as a BA there are two strategies of your own you should employ to make a positive impact.

1)      Lift your head out of the details and look where you are going.  Every now and then make sure your project is still aligned with the company goal(s) it is supporting.  If it is not, raise a flag to make the PM, your manager, and the business sponsor(s) aware.  You and your team should make adjustments to get the project re-aligned or push to have it canceled.  Stopping a project that no longer supports a company goal is a success, not a failure.

2)      Use the support network around you.  In the fast paced environment we work in there is not enough time for you to come up with solutions to the challenges you will encounter on your own. You do not have to do this alone.  At your company you are surrounded by an endless number of subject matter experts, other BAs, project managers, and a wealth of technical knowledge.  That is just the beginning. Look outside of your company and join and participate in local professional organizations like the IIBA.  There is no need to stop there.  Why stay local, when you can go global?  There are so many online communities where you can connect, interact, and learn from like minded people around the world.  Communities like BA Times, Modern Analyst, and a number of LinkedIn groups are great place to get answers to the business analysis questions you need answered.  Think about how valuable you are to a company by not only bringing your knowledge and expertise, but also bringing expertise from around the world.

Being a part of the future success of your company is wonderful.  Even though there is a lot of pessimism with the current economy it is an exciting time to be a business analyst.

To our success,

Kupe

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