BA Maturity, 10 year look back
15
Business Analysts and BA Communities - the journey so far and future developments Karen Hanley Head of Business Analysis The LateRooms Group Nov 2012 karen.hanley@laterooms. com 1
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Slides from Karen Hanley's talk in Manchester on the 6th November 2012
Transcript of BA Maturity, 10 year look back
Business Analysts and BA Communities- the journey so far and future developments
Karen Hanley
Head of Business Analysis
The LateRooms Group
Nov 2012
1
BAs and BA Communities
- the journey so far and future developments
2
Looking back over the last 10 years • Key developments in the evolution of the Business Analyst (BA)• BA capabilities and experience• BA professional development• BA career paths• BA organisational structures• Challenges faced by BAs and BA communities.
The future of BAs and BA communities – where will we be in 10 years?
Key developments in the evolution of the BA.
3
1) Systems Analyst -> Business Analyst• BA role covers ‘high level’ project scoping to more detailed IT requirements
specification, plus a range of other analysis methods.
2) Recognition of the Business Analysis profession• Organisations are more aware of the value of business analysis and the ‘change
agent’ role of BAs on transformation programmes.• Creation of a professional body representing BAs (IIBA).
3) More career development opportunities• BAs employed in a range of public and private sector organisations.• Professional development and accreditation options.
4
BA Capabilities and Experience
Analysis methods
Soft Skills Business Knowledge
Leadership
Strategic alignment Target Operating Model
Root cause analysisGap analysis
Project scoping and feasibility.
Solution options and recommendations.
Cost/benefit analysis Organisational impact
analysisE2E project lifecycle
AgileLean
Customer journeysProcess analysis
(BPI/BPR)IT requirements / NFRs
Use CasesData modelling
Prototypingetc.
Stakeholder engagement Relationship building
FacilitationInfluencing skills
NegotiationConflict management
Managing expectationsEmpathy
etc.
Creative thinking to conceptualise business
ideas and support innovation.
Understand key business drivers, market sector,
competitor activity, etc.
Understand different business functions,
e.g. Marketing, Finance, Contact
Centre, etc.
Plan, prioritise and lead analysis activities
across the portfolio to meet strategic goals.
BA resource – matrix management of
demand and supply aligned with portfolio
priorities and roadmap.
Governance and oversight of BA
community activities.
Line management of a team of BAs.
Professional development of the BA
community.
BA Professional Development
BAProfessional
Family
IT Professional
Family
Good ‘A’ levels, Degree, etc.
BCS Chartered
IT Professional (CITP)
BCS/ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis
IIBA Certified BA Professional
(CBAP)
7500 hours
IIBA Certification of Competency in
Business Analysis
(CCBA)
3700 hours
BCS IIBA
5
BA Career Paths
Senior BA
BA
Principal BA
Lead BA / BA Manager
(more common)
Senior BA Head of BA (growing number)
Director of BA (rare)
Senior BA Contract BA
BA
COMMUNITY
HYBRID
BA / Designer
/ Architect
Solution Designer
BA / PM Project Manager
Senior
Consultant
Principal Consultant
Managing Consultant
BA Practice Lead
Business ArchitectBUSINESS
Business Manager, e.g. Marketing, Contact Centre.
Operational
Analyst
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BA Organisational Structures
Programme / project line management
Solution Design line management
BA line management
7
Challenges faced by BAs and BA Communities (and achieving successful outcomes)
8
1) Challenging requirements• Business benefits are the basis of challenging but may be difficult to influence. • Most successful BAs – confidence to manage risk and drive the right outcomes.
2)Engagement of key stakeholders in an agile environment• In the absence of key people, BAs may ‘cross the line’ as proxy product owners and
make decisions without a full understanding of user behaviour, etc.• Most successful BAs – recognise boundaries of their role and influence participation.
3)Professional recognition• BAs lead change and solve complex business problems; may not be recognised. • Most successful communities – promote their value and establish credibility quickly.
The future of BAs and BA Communities – where will we be in 10 years?
9
Two questions for the future
What will differentiate businesses? Organisations that make the right decisions at the right time.
What will differentiate BA communities? BAs are recognised as experts who facilitate objective decision making and lead organisational change programmes to deliver solutions for the business. A difficult balance – need to be impartial and also part of project teams. In mature markets, agile / lean methods and business knowledge likely to differentiate. BA specific enablers - professional development, organisation structures, etc.
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BA Capabilities and Experience
Analysis methods
Soft Skills Business Knowledge
Leadership
Strategic alignment Target Operating Model
Root cause analysisGap analysis
Project scoping and feasibility.
Solution options and recommendations.
Cost/benefit analysis Organisational impact
analysisE2E project lifecycle
AgileLean
Customer journeysProcess analysis
(BPI/BPR)IT requirements / NFRs
Use CasesData modelling
PrototypingEtc.
Confidence to advise, guide and challenge
business thinking – a trusted advisor.
Ability to influence objective decision
making in organisations.
Stakeholder engagement Relationship building
FacilitationInfluencing skills
NegotiationConflict management
Managing expectationsEmpathy
etc.
Creative thinking to conceptualise business
ideas and support innovation.
Understand key business drivers, market sector,
competitor activity, etc.
Understand different business functions,
e.g. Marketing, Finance, Contact
Centre, etc.
Experience of Board level decision making.
Plan, prioritise and lead analysis activities
across the portfolio to meet strategic goals.
BA resource – matrix management of
demand and supply aligned with portfolio
priorities and roadmap.
Governance and oversight of BA
community activities.
Line management of a team of BAs.
Professional development of the BA
community.
BA Professional Development
BAProfessional
Family
Good ‘A’ levels, Degree, etc.
BCS Chartered
IT Professional (CITP)
BSC/ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis
IIBA Certified BA Professional
(CBAP)7500 hours
BCS IIBA
IIBA Chartered BA Professional
IIBA Certification of Competency in
Business Analysis
(CCBA)
3700 hours
12
BA Organisational Structures
Programme / project line management
Solution Design line
managementBA line management
BA Director
13
Finance Director
14
BAs and BA Communities
- the journey so far and future developments
Looking back over the last 10 years• BA profession has moved forward in ‘leaps and bounds’.• Role of a BA and the value that BA communities bring is better understood.• Some great opportunities for BAs to enhance their skills and develop their careers.
The future of BA communities – where will we be in 10 years?• With the right enablers, the BA profession should continue to grow and mature.• A stronger track record of demonstrating credible leadership and solution delivery.• BAs recognised as experts in facilitating objective decision making and a key differentiator for successful organisations.
Any questions?
Your views on the future?
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