I'm Not Dead Yet!

[ncpackard]

Well,  another year another post.

Yup, it's been over a year since my last post.  I tell ya, two small children keep you busy.

Work has been tough - way too much going on, no one held accountable.  Requirements - What are those?  Just churn.  "When in danger when in doubt, run in circles scream and shout."

The bright spot is the rest of my team.

Comments

[stealthdozer]

"When in danger when in doubt, run in circles scream and shout."

That's my line! (Glad to see it put to good use!)

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it seems to me a BA's role is essentially a stratigic one. How much does corporate politics influence the BA field? Is it better to tell people what they want to know, or what they need to know?

The Strategic Analyst

[ncpackard]

Nope, you are right on - at least in my intepretation of the BA function.

Unfortunately corporate politics influences what BA's can provide significantly. It is usually very difficult telling someone what they do not want to hear. Often, by virtue of the position we (the BA's) inhabit we have a tremendous view of all the warts within a company. The trick becomes how to tell the people who can do something about it in a way that they will listen. The art comes in when I can convince someone that my solution to a problem is really theirs.

In many respects it is much like lighting design - If I do my job well it is unnoticed, but highly influencial.

~than

[rentagurkha]

Honestly, I think Paul sees the word "requirements" and assumes that we mean software instead of looking at the actual definition of the term in the BABOK (which is quite a bit broader). Now, our use of the word isn't unprecedented even in the process community, but I've seen that particular misreading before. I've contacted him about it with the hope that he'll go back to it with the correct understanding and see how it does in fact apply.

Process and the BA

[ncpackard]

rentagurka, thanks for responding! It's nice to be able to have a discussion with you about these issues.

Interesting to know that Paul has had a similar conversation before.

How can we (the IIBA) bring together these potentially rival movements and consolidate under one banner - that seems like it would be most beneficial to all concerned. Based on my experience the dicipline of process is not any better understood than the dicipline of analysis.