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BAs and POs: Are You Asking the Right Questions?
Note: This blog post is an update to a previous blog post Five High-Impact Questions Every BA Should Be Using. It's been updated to address how we are working right now. The Current Situation Let's face it, we are under so much deadline pressure that it seems like we...
What is a Modern BA?
The Definition of a Modern BA A Modern BA is a BA who leads a group through a problem solving and solution process with the customer/user at the center of the analysis, knowing that all other details will follow. A deeper dive into what constitutes a Modern BA is a...
How do BAs and POs figure out WHAT SKILLS to learn and develop?
Business Analysis and Product Ownership is a new role for many, and for those that have been doing it a long time, it has changed! All of the changes in our industry, including technologies, agile, and digital approaches, in addition, to customer-centricity, leaves...
Acceptance Criteria – Is It Your Team’s Pain Point?
I have been hearing from so many Business Analysts, Product Owners, and teams that writing good acceptance criteria is a big challenge! And, if this resonates with you; you're not alone! Why is this such a common pain for teams today? I see a lot of mediocre to...
The Top 10 Business Analysis Skills For 2022 and Beyond
In 2022, we see an even greater need to ensure this can be done in a remote/virtual environment; this means upskilling your remote BA skills. Remote BA skills include learning to collaborate in a virtual modeling environment and facilitating online meetings where virtual modeling tools are used for the purpose of getting deep conversations going.
Agile Teams Need More Than User Stories To Build Great Products
A Tale of Two Teams Let’s take a look at backlog refinement from two approaches: Team A A customer provides the team with feedback on their website ordering process and says, “I want a button on my email receipt for my order to “view shipping details”. The team...
Common User Story Mistakes Teams Make and How to Fix Them
An error doesn't become a mistake until you refuse to correct it. John F. Kennedy As a product ownership expert and coach, I see teams make a lot of the same mistakes that compromise the very progress they are trying to make. The paradox here is, these patterns and...
Velocity & User Stories – Too Many Teams Are Looking At It Wrong!
I want to provide another lens on what velocity can mean to teams and one that I have found really resonates with executives as organizations measure whether or not agile is really making a difference and delivering more agility to the organization. Predominantly, It’s about using velocity as a means to get closer to value delivered, rather than simply a speed metric. After all delivering software fast does not equal delivering software that is valuable or meaningful and advancing organizational results.
The Top Professional Skills Today – How You Can Leverage Them as a Modern BA!
Earlier this year LinkedIn posted the most in-demand skills for 2020, and Business Analysis was the biggest mover, it went up ten spots to #6! And, being a BA isn’t just about Business Analysis
The Top 7 Ways BAs Can Add Value To An Agile Team
If you are like most Business Analysts (BAs) today, you are either on an agile team or know that it is coming soon! Being present on a team is vital to achieving the intentions of the team. Sometimes we walk away from meetings and conversations and think, oh snap! I...
Three Key Differentiators for Business Analysis and Business Data Analytics
Everyone seems to be confused about these terms. Is it Data Analytics, Business Data Analytics, Business Analytics, and Business Analysis? And, rightfully so, they all sound alike and in many industry articles, they simply sound the same or at least interchangeable....
Six Ways Business Analysts Can Be The Bridge Cyber Security Needs
Last weekend was a heatwave in southern California and I spent some time at the beach to cool off. I packed my cooler, grabbed my beach chair, and umbrella. My beach bag carefully appointed with SPF, a hat, towel, sunglasses, and reading materials. I was ready for a...
