What do the best BAs do differently? It’s a hot topic I’ve been discussing with industry leaders who are members of BA-Cube.
You may be surprised to learn the qualities that set the best BAs apart, aren’t tactical skills related to requirement tools or methodologies (scrum, agile, lean).
If you’re ready to fly, focus on developing these four qualities in yourself and your team!
Communication Skills: Strong communication skills are an obvious requirement for great BA work, but high-performing BAs continuously refine their communication strategies and techniques. They distill information into visuals, and present information differently based on the needs of each audience.
Inquisitiveness: Curious BAs ask good questions, always look for a better way to do things, and push (gently?) to find missing information when things don’t add up.
Growth Mindset: BAs with a growth mindset are open to feedback, like to experiment with new techniques and enthusiastically mentor others.
Comfort with Ambiguity: Clarity and consensus are rare in our daily work. That’s why the best BAs develop their ability to lead stakeholders, team members, customers and even executives through ambiguity. High-flying BAs know they don’t need to be the expert, but they use their analysis skills to guide the experts through the fog.