alexpapworth's Comments

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : FREE white paper - Demystifying use cases - is here

Fri, 5 Mar 2010 09:21:51 +0000

Thanks Felicia - I'm glad you found it useful. It's good practice for a BA to really focus on your stakeholder needs. If you consider each stakeholder's area of interest and involve them in a way which reflects this, you will get much betetr engagement and can be more confident that the use case model is correct and complete. Conversely, if you treat the stakeholders as a group and don't differentiate between them, their engagement will be poorer.

Practical Analyst : On Schedule, As Designed and the Stakeholders are Thrilled!

Mon, 1 Mar 2010 12:26:13 +0000

Congratulations! This is what it's all about

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:47:30 +0000

Thanks for the feedback Vivienne. I have never seen the CBAP advertised either! It is very early days in the UK. However, larger employers of BA's will recognise it. It will differentiate you from the competition and is something you can emphasise. As a fellow contractor (without a CBAP!) I also recognise that the ISEB has more recognition in the UK. In my view, you demonstrate your commitment to professionalism by actually persevering with getting accreditation of whatever flavour. I am on the board of the IIBA (UK chapter) and am trying to set up events outside of London as we need to move away from that (justified) view that it is London-centric. Domain knowledge can also help significantly whether it is from education or experience. You, as an individual, have to make the judgement on which direction to take and when. Let me know if you are interested in the IIBA - we are planning an event in Nottingham in the second quarter.

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free white paper - Demystifying Use Cases

Thu, 25 Feb 2010 16:32:50 +0000

Thanks Vivienne. It's a very common mistake (which I have made!) to treat use cases as an opportunity to describe the system as a series of functions and to break those down into smaller parts. Some of the biggest advantages of use cases are lost when this happens.

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Demystifying use cases - a white paper

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 20:31:47 +0000

Thanks Tebogo - I'm glad you found it useful. Did it leave you with any questions I can answer? Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Ask BAMentor

Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:56:45 +0000

The short answer is that it is recognized to a degree. It is certainly taken by candidates from outside the UK and it has been adapted so sections ofthe course related to UK corporate structures are optional. The Business Analysis Diploma is more widely recognised internationally than the Foundation or Practitioner level qualifications. However, it is VERY likely that most prospective employers will not have heard of it outside the UK Good luck with internships and volunteering. I think that would really help. Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : About

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:42:14 +0000

Thanks Ragav Feel free to add comments and start discussions on whatever article you find interesting/would like to know more about I would love to have more debate Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Ask BAMentor

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 19:39:59 +0000

Hi Chaitrali In my view, technical knowledge is not necessary to be a BA. It can be useful but is not necessary. Some employers are looking for a hybrid (i.e. they want someone who can cover off the BA role and, perhaps, deliver some web pages also). Although I was a developer 14 years ago, I deny all knowledge and this has never held me back. Obviously, when I am looking for my next contract I always skip job ads requesting knowledge of HTMl, CSS, SQL etc. What is useful is knowledge of typical project work, especially the roles of the different people and the lifecycle. For example, business case followed by analysis followed by design then system test, user acceptance testing and implementation followed by support. The next most useful thing is domain knowledge. By this, I mean knowledge of the particular industry you wish to enter. In some industries, this is a pre-requisite. It will always give you a head start over other candidates. The only other training I can recommend is that which gives you a recognized certificate. Internationally, this would be the CBAP but you would require 5 years' experience so this wouldn;t apply for you. The other alternative in the UK is the ISEB as this is well recognised I hope this is of some assistance. My first recommendation for you, however, is that you review your CV to determine if it highlights your experience and presents you in your best light. You should be in a strong position for junior roles with 3.5 years experience. The best way to improve your prospects is by by getting real world experience as a BA and learning on the job. Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Tue, 2 Feb 2010 11:17:38 +0000

Thanks for the comment Bill. What do you mean by exam simulator? Does it test your competency as a BA? I'm not sure that I understand. Please post a link when it is available and explain further please.

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : How Business Analyst Mentor will help your professional development in 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:42:39 +0000

Thanks Renee I'm glad you're enthusiastic about my course. Enthusiasm is definitely a prerequisite for a successful student! You can get on the waiting list for the course in this week's post - http://businessanalystmentor.com/2010/01/25/how-t...

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : How to make eLearning that captivates

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 10:38:41 +0000

Thanks for the comment Linda. I'm reassured this is what you have found. For those who don't know, Linda's been providing a CBAP Exam Prep course for a year. It has been extremely well received and I know that this is down to her single minded focus on making her students successful. Follwow this link if you want to find out more - http://cbapmentor.com/index.php?option=com_virtue...

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : How Business Analyst Mentor will help your professional development in 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 08:50:26 +0000

Thanks Keith. Keith is one of my test students and also a colleague and friend. As Keith is someone I know well (unlike most of my other test students) I know he will tell me as it is. I need this to guarantee the course is of the highest quality. Let's just hope we remain friends ;-) The approach I'm taking will mean I support existing BA's but the material I am developing will also help those who want to enter the profession. I believe use case modeling should be in every BA's toolkit if they model IT systems regardless of whether they have a few year's experience or of are trying to enter the profession. This course will be beneficial for newbies too. I'll be introducing you to the course over the next few weeks when you can decide for yourselves...

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Thu, 10 Dec 2009 14:24:39 +0000

Thanks for taking the time to provide feedback John. You are right about BA's taking responsibility of their own development. You should certainly look to your employer for support and guidance but, if you don't take ownership, YOU are the only one who will lose out. I've taken note of the ABAA and I'm sure that the IIBA isn;t the only game in town. Can you (the reader, not John) suggest similar organisations across the globe?

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : The key to successful communication as a business analyst

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 11:50:42 +0000

Great example Hansa!

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Rules of thumb for business analysis

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 11:49:45 +0000

Thanks Hansa This is a good point although I'd just caveat that you should make sure there is value in producing the particular documentation. But, as you say, many of these things are not documented. If you don't keep an accurate audit trail, you can revisit the same point several times. It can also resolve disputes further on down the line

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Five techniques to successfully manage scope

Wed, 4 Nov 2009 19:19:34 +0000

Very true Craig Sometimes it can feel like it's only you who cares about the scope. If that's the case, you're not engaging the business and ensuring they both make the decisions and own the results. The person who holds the purse strings and the stakeholder who will have to live with the system SHOULD be very motivated to ensure the right decisions are made. Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 21:02:12 +0000

Hi Tebogo thanks for your generous words. It's a pleasure to hear from someone with such enthusiasm and very satisfying to hear you're acting on my advice. I am confident you will reap the benefits. Regards Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:59:03 +0000

Hi Nicole I'm really glad you've found this useful. I'm sorry you've missed the dates for the study group. I shall be releasing my first training course early next year so watch out for that. It will be a common sense, jargon free approach to delvering expert use case models. I think this study group will carry us through to the new year. Good luck! Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Free eBook - Blueprint for Success starting a Business Analyst Career

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 20:54:11 +0000

Hi Tayo if you want the ebook, just provide your email address in the article at the top of the page Alex

businessanalystmentor.com: destination site for business analysts : Five techniques to successfully manage scope

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 10:54:11 +0000

Great comment Robert and my apologies for the very slow reply. I did reply last week whist in transit but my battery died on me! I agree that effective project governance is a must - businesses are not democracies and although it is important that voices are heard, there must be a decision making process that everyone buys into. I think you are really referring to agile approaches in your latter comments. I think, in general, that Agile has a set of principles at it's core that make a lot of sense. However, for the working business analyst, we are not often not in a position to influence change in an organisation to the degree that makes this approach possible. We should and MUST continue to educate the organisation we work for but, the reality is that we often have to work within the constraints of the project approach dictated by our business/ in house methodology. This means that we have to do the best we can to manage these scope conflicts. We must to continue to educate the business/management on the risks (or facts) you have outlined to promote an iterative approach but often, we will still have to do what we can within the constraints of our situation which is what this article explores. However, it is important to bear in mind that having several iterations does not come without a cost. Business are besieged with continual change and accompanying implementation costs both monetary and psychological (e.g. training, lack of user buy-in). Of course, there are ways to mitigate this but it is yet another factor to consider i this complex debate.