10 reasons why projects fail 1. Lack of user (Stakeholder) input 2. Incomplete requirements or specifications 3. Changing requirements and specifications (not being able to handle them) 4. Lack of executive support 5. Technology incompetence (gaps) 6. Lack of resources 7. Unrealistic expectations 8. Unclear objectives 9. Using the wrong methodology 10. Not being on […]

Affinity Diagram An affinity diagram is a tool used to organize ideas and data. Business Analysts commonly use this tool to allow large numbers of ideas to be sorted into groups for review and analysis. The affinity diagram can help BAs define issues related to a problem or opportunity. Start with Posting a Topic or […]

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring – Tasks and Artifacts Here is a simple table for figuring out what tasks and artifacts/deliverables might be required from the Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring phase.  This table could be used as part of your BA project checklist. Task Artifact Plan business Analysis Approach Business Analysis Approach Conduct Stakeholder Analysis […]

Requirements Package: Top 50+ list Have you ever been asked to produce a Requirements Package and wanted to know what to put in it? Here is a list of items that can be used when creating a Requirements Package: Appendix Approvals and sign-offs Approved Abbreviations and Acronyms Assumptions Attributes Business information Requirements Business Process Requirements […]

Interaction Skills Interaction skills are very important to a Business Analyst. As a Business Analyst, our interaction skills should support us when working with any number of stakeholders, and allow us to work as part of a team or as an individual to help reach critical decisions. While most of our BA work typically involves […]

Think Agile in a Traditional World As a certified Agile Practitioner, I want to help my clients make the best decisions at the best value. Agile has many advantages over traditional methodologies. However, many large organizations are stuck with waterfall or Traditional plan-driven methodologies, either because it was the way things were always done, it […]

The Transparent BA Do you ever ask yourself the following questions? “What now?” “Should I let my manager know what I am doing or just finish my work and then ask if I did it correctly?” “Why should I let someone know what I am doing?” You should not always assume people know what you […]

Action Plan for the Business Analyst – Action Items Separate the categories or requirements in requirements templates. Include assumptions and constraints in requirements documents. Have peers check to determine if the requirements are high quality and complete in breadth. Create a defect checklist for all templates that lists common requirements errors. Document all requirements-related terms, […]