A user story is a concise, informal description of a feature or functionality from the perspective of the end user. It provides a concise and user-centric way to capture requirements, focusing on the needs and expectations of end-users. In this post we will delve into detail on how a user story is structured using an example. Context: The sales team at XYZ Company is currently using a CRM system to manage their customer relationships and sales processes. However, they are facing challenges in effectively tracking and managing customer interactions, which is impacting their ability to n ..read more

As we start 2024, what habits do we, as Business Analysts, want to leave behind to make room for new and better habits? The Skilled Business Analyst puts forward four habits that BAs need to leave behind in 2023! Not planning Business Analysis work Imagine starting a road trip without a plan – you might get lost, face delays, and not reach your destination smoothly. Similarly, for Business Analysts, not planning your work can lead to missed deadlines, missed stakeholders, and missed requirements. Planning is like a roadmap, helping you get through analysis and requirements with the right stak ..read more

Business Analysis is a field that is full of acronyms, which can be overwhelming for newcomers to the industry. Acronyms are used to represent complex ideas and concepts in a shorter form, and they are commonly used in business analysis to save time and space. Some acronyms are well-known in the industry, while others may be specific to a particular organization or project. Understanding these acronyms is crucial for effective communication and collaboration between business analysts and other stakeholders. In this post, we will introduce some of the most commonly used business analysis acrony ..read more

  In order to effectively gather requirements, facilitate communication between stakeholders, and ensure that project goals are met Business Analysts need to understand the framework of the selected methodology that is being used in their organisation – Waterfall or Agile. This blog explores these two approaches in the world of project management. We’ll break down what makes Waterfall and Agile different, how teams work, and when it’s best to use each method. Waterfall: Limited Interaction: Waterfall projects involve customer input primarily during the initial requirements gathering pha ..read more

Are you looking to kick-start your Business Analysis career? Do you enjoy problem-solving, creating value, implementing change, building stakeholder relationships, and bringing clarity to complex situations? If you answered yes to these questions, then join the Skilled Business Analyst this July, where we will help you prepare for the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis. Why train with The Skilled Business Analyst? The Skilled Business Analyst is an IIBA Endorsed Education Provider Live online instructor-led courses Qualified Professional Instructor CBAP certified with over ..read more

  Analysis paralysis can happen when a Business Analyst spends too much time analyzing data, requirements, or potential solutions and becomes unable to move forward with the project or provide actionable recommendations. It often happens when there is a lot of information to process or a lack of clarity on the problem or business goals. In this post we discuss tips to overcome analysis paralysis: Don’t aim for perfection: Recognize that you may not have all the information you need to make the perfect decision. Aim for a good decision that meets the business objectives and be prepa ..read more

It’s that time of the year again when we get to pause, reflect, and look back on 2023. In this article, The Skilled Business Analyst presents four key trends that shaped the Business Analysis profession in 2023. 1. The rise of AI There is no doubt that AI has changed the world of work. Business Analysts are leveraging tools such as ChatGPT to assist with requirements documentation. • While these tools offer significant benefits, they do not replace the role of the Business Analyst. • Business Analysts are still critical to understanding customer needs, analyzing complex business problems, and ..read more

Prioritization is key for features and requirements! From MoSCoW to RICE, there are various techniques to help prioritize requirements and features. Whether it’s categorizing requirements by priority, understanding customer needs, or assigning weights, the goal is to ensure that the most critical items are developed first. In this post we briefly discuss the 4 common prioritization techniques: MoSCoW: MoSCoW is a prioritization technique that stands for Must Have, Should Have, Could Have, and Won’t Have. It involves categorizing project requirements or features into these four categories bas ..read more

As a business analyst, collaborating with your team and stakeholders is a critical part of your job. Effective communication and collaboration help ensure everyone is aligned on project goals, requirements, and timelines. In this blog, we will explore four must-have collaboration tools for business analysts. Miro – The Visual Collaboration Platform for Every Team | Miro Miro is a collaborative online whiteboard that enables teams to work together on a shared canvas in real-time. As a business analyst, you can use Miro to create and share diagrams, flowcharts, and other visual aids to help st ..read more

As Business Analysts we wear many hats and perform many roles. In this post we discuss the multifaced role of a Business Analyst (BA) from Change Agent to Influencer! Change Agents: We play a critical role in driving change within an organization. We act as catalysts for change by providing expertise and facilitating communication amongst our stakeholders. Problem Solvers: We are skilled at identifying and solving problems within an organization. We use techniques and tools to gather and analyze data, identify root causes of problems, and develop solutions that address those problems. Val ..read more