Tools & Techniques
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The Business Analyst Balancing Act
BA's must balance the risk of missing requirements against that of paralyzing the project until [...] -
Classic Business Analysis Articles
I was sorting through some of my bookmarks and articles I've accumulated over time via [...] -
Business Analysis Can Kill a Project (In a Good Way)
Scrapping an ill-fated project before it gets started can be as valuable as seeing a [...] -
Passing Thoughts on Business Analysis II
A few more passing thoughts on business analysis. [...] -
Four Key Knowledge Areas for Business Analysts
Four key knowledge/capability domains that are especially important to the business analyst. [...] -
The IIBA: Timely or Premature?
Welcome to Practical Analyst, a site specializing in practical insight for business analysts and project [...] - More from Tools & Techniques
Requirements
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Give ‘em Pictures!
One of the surest ways to ensure project success is to get "pictures" in front [...] -
Time Travel for Context-free Use Cases
Yes, sometimes we BA's need to think of creative ways to help us withhold the [...] -
More on Separating Rules from Use Cases
Keeping business rules out of the flow of events makes a use case easier to [...] -
Use Case Basics: Keeping it Simple
A few simple tips for identifying and documenting use cases. [...] -
Could requirements analysis be automated?
Could systems and software be used to take the place of the requirements analyst? [...] -
Structured Analysis & Big, Thick Documents
Great book on modeling & systems analysis and yet another critique of "big, thick documents." [...] - More from Requirements
Soft Skills & Professionalism
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Communication: Are you the king, or a guard?
In this scene from Monty Python and the Holy Grail, the king is giving the [...] -
Congratulations, You’re Ignorant!
The more we learn, the more we realize we don't know. [...] -
Your Name is Safe in My House
A friend of mine once told me of an uncle whose "byline" - for lack [...] -
Google Wave for Business Analysis
The social web is abuzz with news on the upcoming Google offering, Google Wave. [...] -
It’s All About the Teams
As an industry have we been missing the mark by focusing so much on process [...] -
IT’s Interest in Business/IT Alignment
Bob Lambert says IT should take the initiative in solving problems of business/IT misalignment, [...] - More from Soft Skills & Professionalism
Methodology
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Agile Teamwork – what BA’s need to know (Guest Post)
Agile team members must know something about teamwork and this means understanding a lot [...] -
“Cascade”: Q&A with David Wright
Cascade: Better practices for effective delivery of information systems in a multi-project environment. [...] -
Agile and Traditional Methodologies Compared…. Again
This post is spurred by a few articles I've read recently which have only served [...] -
Agility vs. Bureacracy (and other thoughts)
How long will "Agile" remain agile? [...] -
Does Your Paperwork Add Value?
That it's required doesn't mean that it adds value. [...] -
Choosing Between Agile and Classic Management Methods
"[T]he determination is made by evaluating project environments and organizational stakeholders." [...] - More from Methodology
Other Recent Articles
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Bookmarks & New Favorites (09-38)
a few of the articles I found “bookmark-worthy” over the past week.
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Business Analyst “Blueprint for Success”
Alex Papworth has released a free e-book for new and prospective business analysts, entitled Blueprint for Success as a New Business Analyst.
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More Business Analyst Link Love (09-28)
Here are some worthwhile links to help fill your brain with business analysis.
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Thinking of Becoming a BA? Q&A with Laura Brandau
Laura and I chat about her new book on what it takes to become a business analyst.
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Escalation and Infinite Regression
Fancy words for pretty common ways simple projects can quickly morph into gargantuan ones.
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What’s in a Signature?
Is there such thing as a peaceful, amicable “sign-off”?
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Patterns and the Evolving Business Analyst
Let’s focus on what I consider the capstone to development and “evolution” as an analyst; the ability to learn, recognize and apply patterns.
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Business Analysis Link Share (09-24)
Here’s some “light reading” on some interesting analysis topics to kick off your weekend.
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Requirements Are the Keystone
Requirements are the keystone of a successful project implementation.
- All Recent Articles