A “mindset” is the established set of attitudes or habits a person brings to various situations.

Mindset influences how we think and act in various situations. It is important to maintain a flexible, adaptable view of how business analysis can be used to create desired value. Every situation is unique, and there is no single analysis approach. There are a variety of techniques, processes, and tools that can be used in different combinations, depending on the context.

It requires habits, attitudes, behaviours, and practices to confidently approach a situation where it is impossible to know exactly what needs to be done. An empowering mindset can be developed with a deliberate practice focused on:

• the value to be created;
• how to think about the outcomes to be created;
• adopting appropriate business analysis principles;
• deciding how to approach the work;
• actively developing foundational competencies;
• being able to use some foundational techniques.

Collectively, these provide the business analysis professionals with the ability to:

• prioritize value delivery;
• empathize with impacted stakeholders;
• collaborate to build allies for change;
• assess context and adapt to realities;
• constantly learn from stakeholders;
• simplify building and sharing of knowledge;
• reflect on feedback and adapt;
• strive to create high-quality outcomes;
• deliver measurable value rapidly.