How Tackling Transformation Can Advance Your Career
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Business Analysis is rapidly evolving as we adapt to a changing economy. In this issue of BA Lens our contributing writers explore how business analysis plays an important role in rising fields like cybersecurity, business data analytics and product ownership.
In But I Have this Graph..., Melody Borman Hicks examines how business analysis looks beyond pure data and numbers and helps rein in the project focus to concentrate on the real business needs. Businesses and government agencies and not-for-profit groups, all utilize data and analytics to identify customer demographics, detect trends in customer behaviour, and predict customer actions. Borman Hicks digs deeper to discuss the risks when organizations place expediency above the role of business analysis and too often the outcomes are disappointing. Find out how you can escape the “shiny toy syndrome” and find out how business analysis functions strategy analysis and stakeholder engagement can improve efficacy and increase added value. Avoid the hit-or-miss approach to achieving business goals by ensuring business analysis is included in the mix.
Product Ownership vs. Business Analysis: Déjà Vu explores the ambiguity that exists between the roles with a unique perspective on how to delineate these roles. Libby Vincent uses a 90s movie reference to explain the modern role ambiguity. Don’t worry if you haven’t seen The Matrix, her analogy is straightforward. Basically, she says that “the introduction of Agile development methodologies changed our perceived reality; we updated our operating context”. She emphasizes the importance of understanding the difference in your potential to add value through these three lenses to achieve the harmony of a high performing team: Perspective – Product Ownership tactical analysis vs Business Analyst strategic analysis; Stakeholder – Product Ownership customer vs Business Analyst business; and Responsibility – Product Ownership decisions versus Business Analyst recommendations. Libby breaks down this rivalry down to one simple question: which role do you feel more comfortable doing?
In Cybersecurity Skills That Make You In Demand author Paul Stapleton shares his views on the role of business analysis professionals in cybersecurity and shares three tips to help BAs excel in this field.
Most importantly, he stresses that business analysts need to understand how COVID-19 affected cybersecurity, secondly understand how you can help make it safer for clients and employees to work virtually, and lastly why you need to know how to train end users in the safe use of technology. Following these three tips will help cybersecurity analysts guide their organizations successfully through the pandemic. IIBA and IEEE’s new eLearning cybersecurity resources based on ISO standards allow you to test your comprehension through interactive knowledge checks for a robust online learning experience.
The Tao of Innovation takes a closer look at how Agile can be effectively used to make organizations more competitive. Dr. David Bishop explores some of the challenges encountered with technology development processes and how Agile Worx can help business analysis professionals address these challenges.
Whether you already find yourself at the centre of change or want to learn how you can leverage your skills and experience in a new role in data analytics, product ownership or cybersecurity you will find some interesting insights, advice and opinions on how you can champion change in this editions articles.
I hope you enjoyed this edition of BA Lens. If you are interested in writing for BA Lens or have a topic suggestion for our next issue, please submit your article outline to brand@iiba.org.
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