From the category archives:

Problem Solving

Great business analysts solve business and technology problems through discovery, facilitation, and by creating alignment.

Managing ambiguity – a key business analyst competency

February 3, 2010 by Adriana Beal

Editor’s Note: In this post, Bridging the Gap columnist, Adriana Beal helps us stretch our perception of a key competency for any business analyst — managing ambiguity. I’m happy to announce that Adriana will be also be contributing to The Promotable Business Analyst by authoring a key section on assessing your competencies. I’m excited to [...]

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Business analysis and motorcycle maintenance, more in common that you may have thought.

August 9, 2009 by Laura (Brandau) Brandenburg

I recently picked up a favorite book to re-read it for probably the fourth or fifth time. My first reading was during my junior year in high school and my second reading shortly followed the first. Then the third a few years later. And here I am picking up an old favorite with a new [...]

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Don’t forget to share business context with your technical team

February 4, 2009 by Laura (Brandau) Brandenburg

Let’s assume you’ve done your homework and scoped a project that drives business value.  It’s easy to take a deep breath, kick back, and relax…waiting for the implementation of these great ideas to see themselves through to completion. But your work as a “bridger” is only half-way done. The task at hand is to engage [...]

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The gnarly part: How to drive through complexity to create successful projects

January 26, 2009 by Laura (Brandau) Brandenburg

Just about every project has a gnarly part, a time when making it through to the end successfully seems like a distant dream.  It’s important to be aware that you are in the gnarly part of the project, trust that this happens to everyone, and explore multiple paths forward.
The “gnarly part” might seem an odd [...]

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10 ways to discover what the problem really is

November 13, 2008 by Laura (Brandau) Brandenburg

Finding and solving the real problem bridges the gap between business and IT.  A clear sign of a poorly identified the problem is irrational disagreement.  You’ve been in these meetings: one person posits a great idea, another shoots it down immediately, and participants voice conflicting opinions about said idea.  This conversation quickly degenerates and you [...]

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