B2T Training » BA development

Cloud Computing

Barbara — Fri, 24 Sep 2010 19:25:21 +0000

I attended two presentations this week from two very different speakers on two different topics but heard a common message in both. Cloud computing is on the rise and here to stay!

The first speaker was Lee Spelman, a managing director of JP Morgan Asset Management. Her talk was on the economic outlook and investment strategies. Her personal expertise is in the technology sector and she recommended companies building cloud computing solutions are a good investment. She noted that non-technology companies should not have to be technology experts to use technology. Cloud computing allows users to have less hardware and infrastructure locally, instead accessing what they need via a cloud.

The second speaker was Michael Hugos, author of Business Agility: Sustainable Prosperity in a Relentlessly Competitive World, during the IIBA Books, Authors webinar series. Michael also predicted the rise of cloud computing, and subsequent outsourcing of corporate technical support call centers.

Both of these predictions make sense as mobile devices become the norm. Users don’t need to know where their data is stored, or where their application software is physically stored.

This, like every technology innovation, has implications for business analysis. I honestly don’t know a lot about cloud computing but am going to spend some time learning more about it. It is very likely someone will ask me about it and I want to be able to have an intelligent conversation. This is a good example of how BAs need to stay current with new trends in both technology and their industry. As BAs we must be educated enough to have a conversation about any new innovation and how it might better support our business stakeholders. As with all of our analysis work we don’t need to know “HOW” to build it, but we do need to know “WHAT” it is.

Webinar: Have You Had Your Senior BA Moment?

Kupe — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:08:35 +0000

The more experienced a business analyst becomes the more they become invaluable to organizations. In today’s business environment many senior business analysts are underutilized and under-challenged. For managers of business analysts, this webinar will provide practical tips and recommendations to organize your team to maximize BA performance. Understanding how to fully utilize the senior business analyst will help grow the individual as well develop the junior business analysts. For the business analyst, this webinar will provide ways to use the skills of a senior BA to make a direct impact on your team and organization. During the webinar everyone will complete a self assessment to get a sense of their level of BA experience and knowledge.

Learning Points:

The key characteristics of a senior business analyst
How a BA organization structure can impact BA performance
Effective utilization of senior business analysts in an organization

Webinar: What?! You Don’t Want to Be a PM?

Kupe — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 14:03:07 +0000

As you progress in your career do you know your options? Many companies have linear career paths for business analysts where they grow up to be project managers. Although business analysts and project managers share some skills, the business analysis role has a very different focus than the project manager role. Some business analysts do want to be project managers and there should be a career path available. But, it should not be the only one.

Learning Points

The real difference between a PM and BA
Leverage project management skills to make yourself a better business analyst
Build a great PM and BA partnership
Career paths beyond project management

WIBADD is really Great!!

Barbara — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:03:49 +0000

Tuesday the Wisconsin IIBA Chapters hosted a BA Development Day called WIBADD! What a great event. Over 400 BAs gathered in the Alliance Energy Center in Madison, Wisconsin to share their experiences and knowledge. The event was extremely well run and provided everyone with lots of networking opportunties. Door prizes included two WI game systems and lots of gift cards. Kathleen Barret, President and CEO of the IIBA gave the keynote address advising BAs on how to manage their careers. She noted that this was probably the largest gathering of BAs ever anywhere in the world! Go Wisconsin!!