Is it possible for Business Analysts to shift seamlessly between agile, traditional, hybrid, waterfall and package software projects? Yes! BAs can build a toolkit that promotes success in every environment, and honestly, that Swiss-Army skill set is a necessity for modern BAs.
As the BA role evolves, organizations need adaptable requirements gurus. BAs need to be flexible in their approach. They need to step into the mindsets of other team members. They need to be product owner proxies, systems analysts, strategic BAs, and everything in-between.
Whether you’re using use cases, user stories or traditional requirement templates, make sure your toolkit has these three tools to boost adaptability:
- Value Flashlight: A ruthless focus on value. Shine the value flashlight on every project decision: requirements approach, requirements documentation, feature prioritization, backlog management, product delivery, etc.
- Value Extractor: Extreme collaboration and facilitation skills that get get stakeholders focused on end user value and pull meaningful, relevant dialog from every stakeholder.
- Value Ax: Chop requirements into increments of value. No matter what approach your project uses, good requirements have a WHO, WHAT, WHY, WHEN. They take context, people, data, process, and rules into consideration.
If you want to build an adaptable toolkit, we can help! Our Better Requirements workshop increases requirements skills from any level to a better place. The workshop provides a fresh look at the Business Analyst role, new techniques to inspire collaboration, and expert strategies and advice for working in changing and complex environments.