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Problem-solving With Post-it Notes - Business Analyst Tools for Success

Sometimes the best solution is the simplest…in this case it’s the humble but powerful Post-it Note!

Here are our tips for using “sticky notes” as a major part of your problem-solving toolkit.

(Well, there were some problems with the live stream….but no worries, all it NOT lost! We always make a backup copy, just for times like this…)

[thebazone]

Recommended Books for Business Analysts - Business Analyst Tools for Success

Working as a Business Analyst requires a wide spectrum of skills, problem-solving abilities, and continual learning.

These are a few books we recommend to all of our Business Analyst friends - to help expand your knowledge and give you new understanding and ideas that you can bring to your projects.

Check out the video at the end of this post for more information about each book!

As promised...here is the list, with links! (Amazon links are affiliate links so if you use them - I get a few pennies. But hey, pennies add up! ;-) )

Recommended Reading for BAs

The Inside Scoop on Working on Software Development Projects

Peopleware: Productive Projects and Teams 3rd Edition by Tom DeMarco & Tim Lister https://amzn.to/318GiHd

The Nuts and Bolts of Software Design

Everyday Information Architecture by Lisa Maria Martin https://abookapart.com/products/everyday-information-architecture

Responsible Responsive Design by Scott Jehl https://abookapart.com/products/responsible-responsive-design

Mobile First by Luke Wroblewski https://abookapart.com/products/mobile-first

HTML5 for Web Designers by Jeremy Keith & Rachel Andrew https://abookapart.com/products/html5-for-web-designers

CSS3 for Web Designers by Dan Cederholm https://abookapart.com/products/css3-for-web-designers

The New CSS Layout by Rachel Andrew https://abookapart.com/products/the-new-css-layout

The Requirements Documentation Process

Practical Design Discovery by Dan Brown https://abookapart.com/products/practical-design-discovery

Just Enough Research by Erika Hall https://abookapart.com/products/just-enough-research

Designing the Requirements by Chris Britton https://amzn.to/2WhtvhQ

Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big Ideas Behind Reliable, Scalable, and Maintainable Systems by Martin Kleppmann https://amzn.to/2Wgw9EK

Communicate Your Processes/Designs

How to Draw Almost Everything: An Illustrated Sourcebook Paperback by Chika Miyata https://amzn.to/2WpfG64

Pencil Me In by Christina R Wodtke https://amzn.to/2IgnMUC

The Art of Explanation: Making your Ideas, Products, and Services Easier to Understand Paperback by Lee LeFever https://amzn.to/2WJtQ1c

Communicating Design: Developing Web Site Documentation for Design and Planning (2nd Edition) by Dan M. Brown (Author) https://amzn.to/2ESR7nj

Up and Coming Topics

Conversational Design by Erika Hall https://abookapart.com/products/conversational-design

Ambient Findability: What We Find Changes Who We Become by Peter Morville https://amzn.to/2WorEwH

Design for Real Life by Eric Meyer & Sara Wachter-Boettcher https://abookapart.com/products/design-for-real-life

Designing for Situation Awareness: An Approach to User-Centered Design by Mica R. Endsley https://amzn.to/2XrEMgS

[thebazone]

Business Analyst Workflow Solutions: Organized File Sharing For BA Teams

A Little Folder Structure Planning and Organization Goes a Loooog Way

Let's talk about creating an organized folder structure for your Business Analyst Team.

This something that is rarely talked about but on-so-important! We are going to walk you through the structure that we use - for every job - so we know it’s proven to work! And you can adapt it for yourself!

It will give you a basic shared drive folder setup for not only your BA team, but your PMO, and QA!

AND make sure you stick around, because we’ll tell you where you can get your very own copy to impress your friends and co-workers.

Why Does a Consistent Folder Structure Matter?

Working as a Business Analyst is fast-paced job...we just don't have time to waste trying to find something - AND it's always in the last place you look.

And juggling multiple projects at once compounds the problems.

If you get hit by a bus, or win the lottery, someone needs to pick up your work - Quickly!

You’re hard drive dies...and so does your documentation

The solution? Create a shared drive for your team and adopt the same structure for your individual work drive.

We're sharing our practical, efficient, intuitive, and easy to use solution and we’re going to show you how to create it.

This is our proven solution that can quickly be adjusted to fit any project.

The Benefits of Folder Structure Planning and Organization

Gives you control by limiting access to finalized work (PMO team).

Makes you more efficient, by creating Master folders, where you can access to most the recent version, without having to find the last project you worked on to get it.

Standardizes your process.

Of course, you have to make it a habit for it to work.

Ready to dive in? Check out the video below...

And visit: https://www.thebazone.com/shareddriveguide for a free copy of the structure we showed you in the video!

[thebazone]

Mastering Daily BA Challenges: Educating the Client About Expectations (and avoid Misconceptions!)

Usually we focus on educating ourselves as business analysts, learning all about the the client and their products and services etc, improving our requirements processes, and so on...but now let's take a few moments to talk about educating the client.

Just because a client has "been around forever" and has been through many projects, we shouldn't assume that they really understand what we business analysts do, or why we do it.

There's lots of possible reasons for this:

they never thought to ask

they were afraid to ask because they might "look stupid"

they think they already know

they've work with BAs who weren't as experienced or simply weren't very good at the job (it happens!)

Because of this, is should be a standard part of your process to explain to the client (and the rest of your team, as needed) exactly what will happen at each step of the process.

And then, as you move through the process remind them, gently, what will happen.

Why Should I Educate Clients?

The goal here is to remove obstacles, misconceptions, and incorrect expectations that limit our ability to successfully communicate and collaborate with the client.

It's that simple...and that difficult.

If you've been a business analyst for any period of time you've no doubt worked with a few clients that:

have no idea of what a business analyst does or,

don't understand how we do it or,

they think they have an idea of what we do but it's all wrong or,

that we are just notetakers (UGH!)

And that's just to name a few!

Best Practices For Working With Clients

Let's talk about some of the things you can do to educate/re-educate or simply help the client to collaborate with you...

First, being prepared - if there's already a statement of work in place make sure you read and understand it. If it's an industry specific type of project that you're not already familiar with, research and read up on it so you can speak the same language.

Next, use any preliminary meetings to begin to introduce your process, open the lines of communication, and set expectations for all.

Anticipate questions and have a standard set of answers prepared. These don't have to be on paper, just having them in the back of your mind is fine. Refer to related examples from previous projects...tell those stories to help everyone understand your answers (people ten to comprehend and remember the stories more than just a dry recitation of facts!).

As the project moves forward, always be listening for teachable moments where you can start to layer on the foundation you built in those early sessions. Reinforce those initial points and then layer on the details each step of the project require.

As you move along you'll start hearing about they like and don't like/understand, new "requirements" that no one mentioned before, and other (real or perceived) pain points. This is where you'll want to rephrase what they are saying, draw them out, and respond to let them know you hear them, understand, and can address their concerns. This will help the client to feel at ease and is an important step in continuing to build trust.

But it is critical to not blindly agree to everything just to make them feel better! it is our job as BAs to assess whether their requests and goals are realistic. Instead, assess all of that and work to identify what they need versus what they want. Then be very transparent as you communicate what the options are; explain and outline that process and do it in relatable language - this is not the time to throw a lot of business analysts technical terms at them.

Take the time to walk them through this - explain that "this is how I think it should work and is there anything you think we should add" which will get them engaged and make them feel included in the decision-making processes.

Ongoing Client Education Results in More Successful Projects

These types of always about engagement education and engagement education clarification help clients to see you as the professional you are, ensure their expectations are in-line with the project plan, and result in more successful projects.

Watch the video below for more information on this very important topic.

And, as always, please feel free to reach out with your questions, comments, and success stories!

[thebazone]

Do you have a method to your madness? 😁 https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEfnLpB1Hy/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ilt2jxkb9z69

[thebazone]

LOL #Repost @hard.decoder No comments. 😑😶😝👨‍💻

[thebazone]

Yep! #Repost @simplifytomultiply Are you making time for continuous improvement? Improving processes? Finding new ways to eliminate areas where you struggle? Remember, “progress, not perfection”... you’d be surprised how quickly small changes can compound🚀. #growth #growthmindset #entrepreneur #leadership #leader #wisdomwednesday #wisdomquotes #progressnotperfection #kaizen #processmanagement #projectmanagement #continuousimprovement #consultant #businesscoach #smallbusiness #success #coach #10xyou #simplifytomultiply #selfmanagedbusiness #productivity #automation #innovation

[thebazone]

Business Analyst Success Secrets: Communication Tools

 The right tool for the job!

[thebazone]

Business Analyst Success Secrets: Format & Structure - The BA Zone Live!

Presenting your information in the best possible light!

Join us as we continue our discussion about clear communication!

The format and structure of your message is just as important as the message itself. In this show we share our favorite tips for successful communication...

Don't struggle alone - we're here to help!

Questions? Comments? Need help with something?

Leave us a comment below, use our contact form...whatever works best for you!

[thebazone]

🌟 Business Analyst Success Secrets: Grammar 🌟

What to know a secret?

 Promise to keep it between us? 

 The Secret to Business Success is...

Making good grammar a part of EVERYTHING you do!

(OK, yes, of course, there's really no one, single secret to success - but this is a BIG and IMPORTANT piece of the success puzzle!)

Press play to check out the whole discussion, then let us know if you have any questions!

[thebazone]

Business Analyst Success Secrets: Vocabulary 

Clear communication is the foundation of success for any Business Analyst. Being able to understand and be understood is an absolute requirement!

What is Workplace Communication?

Workplace communication refers to the process of sharing information between one person or group and another person or group in an organization. This includes documentation,  emails, text messages, voicemails, notes, etc.

Why is Vocabulary Important for Communication?

Clear, concise, and accurate conveyance of information helps you quickly and easily share ideas and ensures that everyone understands all goals and expectations. This prevents misunderstandings that can cost time, money, and business.

Ready to learn more? Press play!

[thebazone]

MVP - Tinker, most valuable pup! #businessanalyst #businessman #tinkerandmurphy #puppiesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #businesswoman #projectmanagement

[thebazone]

How to Become a Successful Business Analyst (BA)

What does it take to be a successful BA? Do you have what it takes?

Every person has a mix of things that come easily to them, and things they have to work harder at. Combine that with the things you enjoy, and the things are less interesting to you, knowing yourself - is an important step in life.

This also applies to work. Let's face it, we spend a lot of time at work, so finding work that is a good fit for who we are is going to make that time a better experience for everyone involved!

In this session that is exactly what we talk about. Check it out, and let us in the comments if you have any questions, ideas you want to share, etc. And join us every Tuesday at 9PM et on periscope.tv/thebazone OR facebook.com/TheBAzone/ OR search for us on YouTube OR thebazone.com/watch-live/

[thebazone]

#businessanalyst #businesswoman #businessowner #lifequotes #positivevibes #learning

[thebazone]

Don’t let them get your goat! #businessanalyst #workday #businesswoman #humpday

[thebazone]

Listen and Learn #businessanalyst #lifequotes #positivevibes #learning

[thebazone]

I distinctly heard cookie! #dog #dogbath #businessanalyst #businesswoman #tinkerandmurphy #funnydogs #pet