Being a business analyst is a journey filled with challenges and triumphs, where the treasure is not just data but insights that transform businesses. Fundamentally, we do our best not only to understand information but also to think of how we can use that information to lead transformation, efficiency, and improvement. In this article, we’re looking at some of the most sought-after competencies vital in navigating the intricate world of business analysis.

Data and analytics can provide invaluable insights into how your business is performing. Experts like Mark Stiffler say that leveraging data and analytics can uncover new growth opportunities, strengthen existing processes, and increase your overall efficiency. In this blog post, we'll discuss eleven tips you can use to leverage data and analytics to improve your business processes.

Selecting vendors for software implementation projects can seem like a complicated process but it doesn’t have to be with the right tips in mind. This article discusses tips for vendor selection you should know about.

Business process modeling notation, or BPMN, is how BPM professionals communicate the design of a specific process, be it simple or exceedingly complex. Various steps in any process may come up. Notation helps a business process management (BPM) professional identify these at a glance and describe what needs to be done at any given point during the process based on element types.

Are you thinking about initiating a digital transformation campaign in your company?

If so, you may be worried about what could go wrong and the challenges that possibly lie ahead. You've probably heard about the many unsuccessful stories, and you're right to be concerned.

To bridge communication gaps, understand why establishing a good rapport is vital. Then, apply these methods to building relationships with your most important stakeholders.

For many teams, careful planning and data-driven examination of the challenges they face are paramount to success. There is power in information and analytics, but their potency can be a double-edged sword, especially if you're prone to analysis paralysis.

How can we aim for, or even define, business success, if we don't know what it is? Critical success factors (CSFs) are an important element in business, and essentially entail identifying what really matters. In this blog post, we will explain exactly what critical success factors are, and take you through some of the different types.

This article discusses four online survey platforms that provide free survey management features which can be used with either the internal or external customers of a business.

The value proposition is the reason why customers turn to one company over another, and can be viewed as the collective attribute(s) or a bundle of services/products that satisfy the unique needs of the specific customer segment a business serves.

Are you looking to create a business model canvas? The following tools have been provided as an initial starting point.

Companies - startups in particular, have to keep up with innovation and need to spend their time wisely. Business plans tend to take time, significant effort and resources to prepare. The Business Model Canvas is the lighter and more agile version of a business plan that can help businesses define what they are about. It is suitable for both new and existing businesses.

It pays to learn from history – the losses and successes of other business.

So, what exactly is a business model and what should you know about innovating your business model?

The new normal of online working is bound to introduce new habits and opportunities for new learnings for business analysts looking to navigate the tides of the post-pandemic workplace.

So, if you’re a BA charged with preparing a business case or identifying benefits for one, here are some key facts to be aware of:

Most software development and process improvement projects involve introducing new ways of working as part of implementation. Creating a procedure document users can follow thus becomes a key activity for business analysts that needs to be completed so that system users can perform their duties using the new system or process on day one.

A well-written business requirements document (BRD) forms the basis of successful project documents and can be used to verify that all stakeholders are on the same page regarding their requirements. Three words that are often misunderstood and therefore misused in requirement documents are shall, should and will… Guest Post

Moving from the traditional/waterfall approach to an agile approach certainly involves a mindset shift that may not always come naturally or even easily for Business Analysts. This mental shift comes with implicit obligations of adopting new ways of working.

Though the Agile Methodology is used heavily in software development domains, it has since spread into different sectors. With Agile comes a growing emphasis on equipping the development team, e.g. your software developers, content writers, engineers, designers, etc. with the information, tools, and direction they need to produce a tangible output within a fixed period of time, that is, sprints of typically 2 weeks. Guest Post By Greg Kellner

Business Analysts are often required to write business cases to justify whether or not a concept/product is viable. Business cases can be of varying lengths and structure. Taking on such a task can seem intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be. Here are four basic but easily forgotten tips that will make the process easier, and result in a winning business case.

In order to keep your business competitive, drive growth, ensure continuous improvement and enhance profits, a Business Intelligence (BI) strategy is essential. But a BI strategy is not just about technology or choosing the right platform. Like any part of your business, BI requires strategy, planning, buy-in, execution and continuous review. In this blog post, we will look at the key steps to implementing a business intelligence strategy.

Once you embark on a new business analyst job or project, chances are that you will try to avoid past mistakes and look for ways in which you can deliver better results. 

A lot can be said for this motivation. The beginning of a project is usually an opportunity for a fresh start. Regardless of how advanced your business analysis skills are, or how mature your processes are, there is always room to do better. Guest post by Jason Hartman.

If you’ve worked as a Business Analyst for a while, you’ve probably encountered stakeholders who appear quite economical with information. You know there’s more to the issue than they’re letting on. The key question is, how can you get stakeholders to open up when conducting elicitation events like interviews or workshop sessions? 

Most of my time, especially at the tail end of software development projects, is spent preparing user guides for end users. I try to be creative by including screenshots and business process models so that readers can completely understand what the automated processes are about, and how the supporting business applications work. As a BA, you may find yourself in a situation where you need to prepare user guides for end users. 

Ready to plunge into the networking space? Professional groups on LinkedIn offer an effective platform for you to share ideas, stay on top of trends, explore opportunities and advance your career as a Business Analyst. 

Here is a selection of LinkedIn groups you should explore:

Transferrable skills are a core set of skills and abilities, which can be applied to other jobs and industries. Though most examples you will see are related to soft skills like communication, listening, leadership, etc, transferrable skills extend beyond these and it’s extremely important to identify them when thinking of a career change or advancement.

If you’re ready for socializing and networking or just looking for professional development opportunities, here are some business analysis events to get you started in 2018. So, go ahead and save the dates:

When you are unable to speak your mind for fear of upsetting others or not playing along with the team, there are far ranging consequences.

Failures can come from any aspect of an organization and they may be interconnected. A failed software implementation may have happened for multiple reasons. For example, bad project management, inaccurate requirements, poor training, etc

The financial health of a business is its lifeblood. Every decision, from small operational costs to large-scale investments, hinges on the company's ability to maintain financial stability. In today’s competitive business environment, the ability to make informed financial decisions is more crucial than ever.

Businesses in the digital age depend on data to improve their goods and services and increase sales. Data science is the study of extracting meaningful information from massive volumes of data obtained from several sources due to increased data usage.

Medical laboratories serve as hubs of innovation, where scientific theories come alive through groundbreaking discoveries. Their success depends not only on the minds at work but also on the design of the laboratory itself. Crafting an environment that successfully integrates cutting-edge technologies, ensures safety, and prioritizes researchers is both an art and a science.

In today's data-driven business landscape, understanding the essence of business analytics is not just a choice; it's a necessity. This introduction serves as a stepping stone for beginners entering the realm of data-driven decision-making.

If you are looking for a future-proof career, consider becoming a data analyst.

Business Improvement (BI) consultants are professionals who help businesses improve their performance. They can work in various industries and have a variety of specialties. So, what exactly do they do? In this blog post, we will discuss the different services that BI consultants offer and the benefits of working with them.

While most of us used to drive to the office to complete our work, safety protocols concerning COVID-19, including the need to socially distance, have led many companies to transition to a remote workforce.

Business analysts are one of the most in-demand positions now, with businesses worldwide looking to incorporate data into their decision-making process. As data analysis for business gets more popular and companies increasingly adopt a data-driven approach, the opportunities for business analysts grow.

As a business analyst, you should already know it is not the concepts behind a business that impact its ultimate success. When you have the right personnel in prime positions, you have the potential to build a truly innovative and competitive company. Just as important, though, is how these disparate professionals function together.

Though there are many opportunities available, you will want to land the best offers. Make sure to catch the attention of the recruiting team of the companies you are eyeing by creating a resume that stands out from the competition. To help you out, here are several tips on how you can write an impressive resume for IT jobs:

A Master’s in Business Administration can be just what you need to set yourself apart from your competition and build an essential foundation to help you with your every business and career goal. It is not, however, for everyone. You need to be 100% certain that an MBA is right for you, that you have chosen the right MBA concentration, and that the institution you have chosen offers the proper support, information, and resources to help you with your ambitions.

Starting a new job is always full of both excitement and uncertainty. While you may think about how much you will miss your ex-coworkers or may be concerned with how HR will respond if you ever need to contact them in the future, you also need to look forward.

So, to take advantage of evolving business analytics, you need to first understand the role of future generations and how changing demographics influence business technology. We explore these topics here.

As a business analyst, you need to provide solutions to your organization's problems to enable positive change. Whether it’s planning or designing successful strategies, you’ll feature in different aspects of the enterprise.

In today’s data-driven world, there is an increasing demand for statisticians. However, a professional with a master’s degree in statistics has an edge and can use their advanced knowledge to get ahead in many industries. Besides a career as a statistician, master’s graduates have a range of options to explore, which can offer good earning potential and job satisfaction.

Do your career plans include becoming a business analyst? If so, it's essential to know two things right off the bat. First, business analysts are in-demand professionals who work with clients to identify solutions to their business problems.

Scrum has become incredibly popular over the last couple of decades as a framework for product development and project management. Although you can adopt Scrum without having official qualifications or certifications, having the right credentials is evidence and proof that you are proficient in using this framework and understand the practices and principles involved. There are several different credentials out there now, though, so how do you go about choosing the right one?

All resumes should start with a tailored resume introduction. A resume objective is a type of resume introduction that summarises in a few lines why you would be the perfect person for the job. Guest Post By Samuel Johns

More and more companies are beginning to make positions available for business analysts. This is because the role of a business analyst has grown over the years to cover a wide range of responsibilities.

This article discusses 3 roles of a business analyst with respect to system implementation in the insurance industry.

Business Analysts need to consciously work on developing and improving the skills they have acquired on the job. Negotiating is one of those transferrable skills that will never go out of style as you will always need to work with stakeholders and other professionals across projects to get the best outcome possible.

Business analysts play a critical role in businesses as they contribute to the development of products, services, processes and practices within businesses.

There’s no question that it is a competitive world out there when it comes to finding the perfect career. Sure, networking can help you find that perfect job, but it takes a lot more than just good contacts to land a job in any industry.

The complexity of web development should never be underestimated. Wide-scope projects like these are like fitting together pieces of an enormous and complicated jigsaw puzzle. When you think about the variety of components that need to slide seamlessly together, it takes a lot of careful thought and strategy to make it a success.

One of the most significant gifts of life is access to education. Education leads us to career choices. Being a successful business analyst requires you to have a specific set of skills at your disposal to adapt well to any environment - including one that is continuously shifting beneath your feet.

Business analysis is an exciting field and one in which certification is desirable, not just to prove your skills but also to find jobs in higher ranks. In this article, we'll take a look at some common certifications and a few reasons why it's a good idea get certified.

Business analysts, regardless of their domain, should make an active effort to ensure continued professional development. To hone your BA skills and move your career forward, here are five strategies to consider adopting as part of your professional development goals.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has significantly altered organizations' knowledge management landscape. As data volumes soar and the pace of business accelerates, traditional methods of capturing, processing, and sharing information prove increasingly inadequate. AI emerges as a transformative force, enabling smarter decision-making and seamless information flows.

With the global e-commerce sector on track to hit an impressive 18.81 trillion in value by 2029, firms around the globe are swiftly adjusting to the evolving landscape of digital commerce. This significant surge highlights the critical need for adopting streamlined, consumer-focused business methods, especially for entities looking to broaden their operational territories beyond their home countries.

In the realm of progress and digital evolution, Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) have become a key component for companies aiming to remain competitive and enhance their processes. Effective API management offers several opportunities for discovering new business avenues and achieving success across diverse sectors.

Did you know that businesses lose an average of 20% of their annual revenue due to poor data quality? That's a staggering statistic that highlights the importance of proper data integration and management. In today's digital age, organizations are generating vast amounts of data, making it essential to have effective strategies in place to organize, analyze, and utilize this information efficiently.

Updating a legacy system is a big step, but it may provide tremendous value to your business if your current system is no longer meeting your needs. Continuing to employ old technology might result in extra costs and make staying competitive more difficult for your company—so consider making the switch now.

In the contemporary business landscape, where data is as valuable as currency, the role of business analytics cannot be overstated. Harnessing the power of data to drive strategic decision-making is what sets apart successful businesses from the rest.

Explore the uses and benefits of private proxies in market research. We examine how these private proxies provide more effective web scraping activities.

Imagine a world where buying a loaf of bread forced you to purchase an entire tray of sandwiches, including all the fillings you neither need nor want. This absurd scenario was once akin to the experience e-commerce retailers faced when setting up their online stores. They had to buy a one-size-fits-most tech stack from a single provider, making the launch of their online presence relatively easy but also burdening them with elements they didn’t require.

A simple and robust security feature, fingerprint authentication is an excellent means of adding extra security to your digital devices. It is a barricade against scammers or individuals with the pretense to penetrate your personal space.

Building an e-commerce website is a must if a business is to establish a solid online presence. With the internet and social media becoming essential to consumers’ and businesses’ lives, making your brand and products available online is an excellent way to expand your reach to a global audience.

There are some great apps that can help you stay on top of your work and stay ahead in a competitive job market. We have gathered various apps that can help meet your professional needs.

Whether you are running a business organization, managing a project, or working on data analysis tasks, being handy with visualization tools is crucial. Among the many data visualization tools, area charts are essential for displaying quantitative data over time.

Did you know that the translation industry has a market value of $39.37 trillion as of 2023 and is expected to grow at 2.07% for the next five years? With companies expanding trade, negotiation, and business beyond borders, communication in different languages is becoming critical. With technology at the forefront of innovation, translation tools, and software are now more sophisticated than ever. In this article, we’ll look into the top trends in translation technology and how they benefit business translation services.

In the realm of physical security, we often find ourselves caught in a web of different systems, each performing a distinct role yet functioning independently. While these systems have strengths, operating in isolation can create inefficiencies and vulnerabilities. What if we could take a different approach, one that not only streamlines operations but also fortifies our defense? 

These EdTech tools can provide personalised learning sessions and increase the accessibility of education, making it easier for students to master difficult competencies.

In the digital age, data is the lifeblood of business. It informs decision-making, drives strategy, and provides valuable insights into customer behavior. As the volume of data grows, however, so does the challenge of making sense of it all. This is where 3D rendering comes into play, offering a powerful tool for data visualization that can enhance analysis and drive business growth.

With so many options out there, however, choosing the right web scraping tool can be overwhelming but fear not, we've got you covered. In this article, we'll explore the top five web scraping tools for 2023, from free options to paid subscriptions. So, let's dive in and find the perfect tool for your data-gathering needs.

The customer support software Tidio can be a beneficial tool for many businesses, but it may not be the optimal solution for your company. Luckily, there are several alternative options that can enhance your customer support experience and lighten the load for your customer service team.

Software testing must include visual testing to ensure programs meet the desired visual design requirements. However, visual testing can pose significant challenges in agile development environments due to the fast-paced nature of development cycles.

In this digital age, data analytics is quickly becoming one of the most essential skills to have. Recently, AI-powered chatbots have become extensively popular, being used by various people around the world.

With the rise and adoption of cloud computing, the number of brands using SaaS is skyrocketing. It’s not even surprising, considering that it’s a cost-efficient method for businesses and an easily accessible service for customers.

Choosing the right hosting for your website can be overwhelming. All the options available have their benefits and drawbacks. This article will explore the best type of hosting for any small business website.

By definition, mapping software is a technology that enables businesses to visualize and analyze data on a geographic map. In recent years, mapping technology has become increasingly popular for its benefits and advantages to small businesses.

Managing human resources becomes more difficult as the workforce grows. Use these top 8 AI-powered HRMS software to simplify HR operations.

Having easy access to the internet and various online systems has greatly improved the quality of modern life. However, the digital world is not immune to the adage that no good thing exists without a weakness. Even with all the benefits the internet has brought to us, it can be difficult to safeguard your information. Because of this, there has been a rise in the number of cyberattacks.

Amidst the rising price of fuel and nationwide zero-emission targets, switching from a petrol or diesel-powered car to an EV has never been a more attractive option for UK road users. Transformative planned changes to legislation are set to open up the doors for self-driving cars and level the legislative playing field for drivers, with a rollout expected by 2025.

Business projects often involve many moving parts that companies must track to ensure success. This calls for project portfolio management (PPM), which, if done correctly, will increase the efficiency and productivity of all the projects in an organization.

When it comes to project management, no matter the size, you’re going to want to make things go as smoothly as possible.

Agile and waterfall methodologies are some of the widely deployed techniques in the project development and management world. Each approach finds use cases in different sectors, and both are deployed by small and large businesses alike. 

Without project management, it would be impossible to be efficient and complete projects on time. The responsibilities of a project manager include project planning, initiation, execution, monitoring, and finally, closing.

It's more than obvious that project managers have many responsibilities and need to improve their skills constantly to be successful in their jobs.

Most businesses are adopting Agile frameworks for project management because the principles provide an iterative approach. Kanban and Scrum are some of the popular Agile approaches that can help your team accomplish goals.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of Kanban, a workflow management method designed to:

So, what’s the best way to ensure all stakeholders understand and engage with program objectives? For large programs of work involving a multitude of stakeholders, having a high-level description of what the future organisation looks like after the program has been delivered will ensure stakeholders are engaged and encourage them to participate.

A lot of benefits can be had from using the right framework when running a project. You prevent scope creep, complete projects at a faster pace and may even reduce costs, amongst a host of other benefits. This article touches on a number of these frameworks and their characteristics.

A lot of people claim there’s a significant difference between DevOps and Agile. Agile is the description of a set of processes and principles, or a set of values guiding how to run software development. DevOps, on the other hand, refers to the umbrella vision of what was once disparate functions of an organization, from development, testing, to other operational functions and how the automation magic can redefine the business.

Are you looking to put your BA skills to work in an Agile setting?

This post outlines a number of Agile certifications you could explore to prove you have the required knowledge required on Agile-based projects.

The term, Agile, in software development refers to a group of development processes based on solving problems through collaboration across teams. It is a framework that encourages developers to work together, stay accountable, and constantly seek improvements. Using Agile is a way to compete in a world of constant demand. 

This article discusses 3 main approaches used by scrum teams to manage work and prevent scope creep, which other teams may learn from, whether organised as scrum teams or not.

There are some activities, also known in scrum terminology as “ceremonies” which support the scrum team in delivering on its objectives. All these activities are important to scrum teams and should be fulfilled to ensure team performance is at its peak. They are:

One of the quickest ways to prove your competency as an agile business analyst is getting certified. Though having experience on agile teams is valuable, it’s also worthwhile going the extra mile to formalise that experience by getting certified. Certification is also a great path for those without experience on agile teams to get their feet wet.

Kanban is an agile methodology that involves constant communication amongst team members to ensure obstacles are minimized, especially while projects are ongoing. It also involves matching the amount of work in progress to the team’s capacity. 

Kanban is an approach to work that aligns with the agile framework. Principles surrounding the implementation of Kanban are as follows:

Scrum teams embrace certain core values to ensure their team’s health and success. While these values may also be embraced by factions of an organisation that do not necessarily form part of scrum teams, these values are typically at the centre of any scrum team.

Scrum is one of the most widely used frameworks aligned to Agile and is adopted extensively across software development teams.

This article highlights some characteristics of scrum teams you should be aware of if you are a business analyst and you find yourself working as part of a scrum team: