methods & tools used by great ba s. what’s a great ba look like?

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METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BAS

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Page 1: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BAS

Page 2: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Page 3: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

DEFINITION: “GREAT” BAResearch & Survey Said

“Collaborative. Partner with PM. Passionate. Great facilitation skills. Brave. Use the right tool. Creative problem solver. Know how to ask the right questions to get the root cause. Solid analytical skills. Conceptual Modeling Skills. Excellent communication skills. Can define needs at the 10,000 foot level as well as in great detail. They mentor.

They take the initiative. They can figure it out. They remain neutral. Develop great probing questions. Their meetings are productive and well attended. They are well liked by

the business and by IT. They have the background needed to lead change. They can synthesis a lot of information

quickly. They make everyone feel comfortable. They just have it. They serve the organization. They are flexible.

They stay out of the drama. They produce solid deliverables all of the time. Able to step into Project

Manager role. Expressive. Professional. Accountable. Solid conflict management skills. They meet deadlines. No

surprises. Great at UAT – understands testing concepts….….. ”

Page 4: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO DEFINE?

BAs must master a significant number of competencies and appreciate when and how to use those competencies while working with ever changing technology and people.

Page 5: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Five Families of BA Competencies Requirements Identification 

• Problem Solving  • Analytical • Elicitation • Knowledge/Background

Facilitation • Presentation Style• Diplomacy/Neutral• Ability to engage others• Meeting management

 

Professionalism• Appearance• Punctuality• Formality• “It” Factor

Communication Skills • Listening • Verbal • Writing • Visual

 

Relationship Management• Credibility• Cross Organizationally• Conflict Management • Collaborative

Page 6: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

NO WONDER IT’S A CHALLENGEBecoming a Great BA

Page 7: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

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Page 8: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

FIVE COMPETENCY FAMILIESGet out your BA Career Dial

Page 9: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Requirements Identification• Problem Solving – The ability to apply various thinking

styles and methods to develop viable solutions

 

• Analytical – The ability to break larger items into elemental parts and, through applied reasoning, uncover and validate truths

• Elicitation – Draw out requirements and capture the correct level of detail representing the real business need

 

• Knowledge/Background – Exposure to multiple business and IT disciplines

Page 10: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Facilitation• Presentation Style – Pace, depth of information, comfort

level, use of materials/tools 

• Diplomacy/Neutral – Maintaining the appearance of being neutral even if you harbor a bias and when you might be influencing a decision

• Ability to Engage – Draw in participants and create a desire within each one to participate fully

 

• Meeting Management – Organized, time management, prepare participants, address human factor

Page 11: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Professionalism• Appearance – Appropriate level of dress and grooming

for the culture 

• Punctuality – Self and deliverables arrive on time

• Formality – Proper level of etiquette displayed within both personal behavior and deliverables

 

• “It” Factor – Your personal magic. How you consistently “show up”, your confidence, humility and likability.

Page 12: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Communication Skills• Listening – Accurately receive and interpret audible

messages

• Verbal – Clarity, pace, grammar, stress and tone, thoughtfulness, humility, confidence

• Writing – Grammar, punctuation, spelling, formatting, clarity, level of detail, humility, geared toward the receiving audience

• Visual – Ability to add clarity through the appropriate use of visual aids/diagramming technique(s)

Page 13: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Relationship Management• Credibility – Widely considered a trustworthy resource  

• Cross Organizational – Ability to establish a network of contacts that spans the organization

• Conflict Management – Prevent oneself and others from engaging in conflict, coupled with the ability to lead others away from conflict and towards collaborative resolution

 

• Collaborative – Work well with everyone (EI) and willing to step into additional roles as needed

Page 14: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

TAKE A LOOK AT TOP RESPONSESGood Vs. Great BA

Page 15: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GOOD VS. GREAT BA

“Great BAs have ‘it’ but I’m not sure how

to define it.”

Number 1 Response:

Page 16: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

The “It” Factor?

• Confidence with humility• Genuine interest in others• A personal mission or "why" that is bigger than them - passion

• Attractive personality - likable• Trustworthy

It’s about how you are “being”

Page 17: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

How You are “Being” Impacts• How smoothly your day flows• How quickly, efficiently and effectively you're able to

transform challenges into accomplishments• How you are received and perceived by others

How you are “being” is how you choose to use and impact the energy around and within

you.

Page 18: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Great BA “Being” Traits• Charming• Passionate• Flexible• Courageous• Empathetic• Relentless• Optimistic• Confident• Humble• Professional• Helpful

• Present• Genuine• Trustworthy• Reliable• Calm• Realistic• Honest• Engaging• Vulnerable• Creative• Driven

Page 19: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

EXERCISEYour desired BA state(s) of “being”

Page 20: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Define Your Desired BA “Being” Traits• Get out a sheet of paper

• On the left side, write down the names of BA’s and other people who inspire you

• On the right side of the paper, list traits you admire about the people you listed

Joe HenryJenny JayBob JannyMary MannLonnie Jane

Loyal ✓✓Courageous✓✓✓Truthful✓✓Compassionate✓Kind

Page 21: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Define Your Desired BA “Being” Traits• Look at the list of traits and think about each trait one at a

time. Ask yourself:• Is this how I want to be perceived and received?• Am I inspired by BA’s and leaders with this trait?

• If you answer “yes” to either question, circle the trait.

Joe Henry Loyal ✓✓Jenny Jay Courageous✓✓✓Bob Janny Truthful✓✓Mary Mann Compassionate✓Lonnie Jane Kind

Page 22: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Your Desired BA “Being” Traits

CreativeFair

TruthfulCalm

Positive

“These are my desired states of Being. I will consciously choose these states throughout my

day because I am a great BA.”

• Take out a 3X5 card

• Across the top of the card write:

• List the traits you circled

HonestBrave

CuriousCalm

Passionate

Page 23: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Great BAs have inspirational ways of being.

Page 24: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GOOD VS. GREAT BA

“They come up with viable creative options when others are stuck.”

Popular Response:

Page 25: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Creative Problem Solvers

• Care – passionate – motivated• Exposed to and aware of current state• Come at problems from different perspectives• Overcome “functional fixedness”

Page 26: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

EXERCISEOvercoming Functional Fixedness

Page 27: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Overcoming Functional Fixedness

Mount the candle to the wall so that when it’s lit, wax doesn’t drip onto the table.

Page 28: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Overcoming Functional Fixedness

Mount the candle to the wall so that when it’s lit, wax doesn’t drip onto the table.

Page 29: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Overcoming Functional Fixedness

Page 30: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Great BA’s can identify viable creative options.

Page 31: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GOOD VS. GREAT BA

“Great BAs are able to effectively

manage conflict.”

Popular Response:

Page 32: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

How People Approach Conflict• Confrontation• Avoidance• Compromise• Accommodation• Collaboration

Page 33: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Conflict Resolution StylesHigh Value

Low Value High ValueRELATIONSHIP

TASK/GOAL

CONFRONTATIONAVOIDANCECOLLABORATIONACCOMMODATION

COMPROMISE

Page 34: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Conflict Resolution StylesHigher

Lower HigherCONCERN FOR OTHERS

CONCERN4 SELF

CONFRONTATION

AVOIDANCE

COLLABORATION

ACCOMMODATION

COMPROMISE

Page 35: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Additional Tips for Conflict Management

1. Separate the people from the problemBe soft on the people - address the problem

2. Focus on the task or goal, not the person’s positionWhen you hear things like “It can’t”, “It won’t”, “we need”

When you see people close down, turn away, look upset

3. Identify options for mutual gainLook for ways to advance common goals

Develop multiple options and decide later

Page 36: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Managing conflict effectively is a competency of great BAs

Page 37: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GOOD VS. GREAT BA

“Great BAs lead well managed meetings.”

Popular Response:

Page 38: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Definition of Great Meetings• Objective is realized• Time contract is kept• Everyone leaves happy & whole

Page 39: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Set Meetings up for Success• Define the specific purpose of each and every meeting

prior to building the agenda, then build an agenda

• Engage the SME’s to lead talking points• Agree together on the needed time allotment for each topic

• Set everyone up for success!• Meeting(s) before the meeting• Get ahead of potential conflict

• Meeting rules are covered as part of opening house-keeping items

Page 40: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Simple and Effective Meeting Tool

Meeting PAL’s

• Purpose: Explain why the meeting is taking place and what you hope to accomplish.

• Agenda: List planned topics. Identify who is leading the discussion. Time box duration.

• Length: X hour(s)/minutes

Page 41: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Sample PAL

Purpose: To define business rules specific to year-end accident claims processing

Agenda

Review accident policy – Sally Joe. 10 min.

Review quarter-end business rules - John Bee. 5 min.

Review state and federal requirements - John Bee. 15 min.

Define year-end processing business rules – Paula Mau. 20 min.

Length: 50 min.

Page 42: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

Great BA’s lead well managed meetings.

Page 43: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GOOD VS. GREAT BA

“They have an extraordinary balanced set of competencies.”

In Summary

Page 44: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

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Page 45: METHODS & TOOLS USED BY GREAT BA S. What’s a Great BA Look Like?

GET OUT THERE AND BE GREAT!

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