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

When we have a strong belief about something or a bias towards a particular opinion, we consciously or unconsciously seek out evidence that validates what we already believe. When we come across contrary evidence, our default behaviour is to ignore it, diminish it or in some cases, conclude that it’s wrong prematurely without exploring its merits.

Here is a list of the most popular 2017 posts, as determined by BAL readers. This list is based on the number of page views recorded for each post.

Imagine a component in your car requires a fix. You approach your mechanic and he gives you a quote. This quote (assuming you’ve never had to pay for this part before and you have no prior knowledge of how much it costs) becomes the reference point from which you begin negotiation. This reference point is called an anchor and its effects can be seen in everyday situations.

I particularly find the concept of feedback analysis quite versatile because it can be applied to one’s professional development as well as the concept of implementing business projects successfully over time. Feedback analysis can give insight into your performance, whether as an individual or as a team.

If you’re a manager in charge of a business analyst team or any team in charge of achieving key business objectives, this article discusses useful insights on how you can trigger and sustain critical thinking. Guest Post By Micheal Gilmore.

It’s common knowledge that people tend to resist change as much as they can. However, without change, there can’t be progress and BAs would certainly not have that much to do. When working on large projects, change requests from stakeholders are to be expected. Successful project managers and analysts know how to manage them without bringing the project to a standstill.

Do your career plans include becoming a business analyst? If so, it's important 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 such as these are like fitting together pieces of a very large 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. From design to production, the entire process needs to be bespoke in order to meet the requirements of your client. This is where a business analyst can step in to save the day.

One of the biggest gifts of life is access to education. 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.

A great resume can increase your chances of getting shortlisted in any recruitment process. Here are five resume writing tips that can make your CV stand out as a BA. 

If you landed on this page because you Googled something along the lines of “What it takes to become a business analyst,” then you've arrived at the site with all the information you need to know on what it's all about and how to become one. 

This article focuses on giving a few crucial pointers to those who would like to pursue a career as a business analyst. 

Communicating effectively with stakeholders and BA teams is one of the most essential skills a business analyst can possess. Written communication, in particular, is of vital importance, as there can be no room for error. Any details that must be communicated clearly are best written down, so as to avoid any confusion.

To become a successful business analyst, you require a set of skills that suit the requirements of the role. Moreover, you need to be adaptable to the highly dynamic modern-day business environment. The following three skills define a good business analyst and you should be able to highlight these skills when you are on the job as well as at job interviews.

One of the most important skills business analysts must have in their arsenal is effective communication. In a field where details are key and a wealth of information is shared on a regular basis, productive communication is key to success. Here are a few tips to hone your communication skills.

Not everyone is great at networking. In fact, for some, networking events are completely outside of their comfort zone. Like everything else however, knowing what to do and how to do it can reduce your uncertainty and give you the plunge you need to get started.

If you want to land your dream business analyst job, you should create the perfect resume.

Sometimes, it’s pretty difficult to understand what you should include in your resume and what you should remove from it. Check out the following recommendations. Guest Post By Sylvia Giltner

To be a good business analyst, one must have a clear-cut idea of what is required of them regarding their roles and responsibilities. A business analyst is an intermediary between customers and the company’s technical team. Below are 3 basic responsibilities of a business analyst. 

Lean & Six Sigma methods are preferred by most organizations for process improvement efforts and ensuring the successful completion of projects. Applied initially to manufacturing industry processes, Lean & Six Sigma can now be used in almost every domain of an organization for continuous process improvement.

If you want to choose a career that offers ample earning potential, interesting work and growing demand from employers, operations research analysis is one of the fields to consider. Demand for operations research analysts is growing at an astounding rate of 27 percent. Sponsored Post Submission

When an analyst leaves their fingerprints on the performance of a business, the legacy they create can be powerful and memorable. So, what does it take for a Business Analyst to leave a legacy behind in the companies they work? Guest Post By Negotiation Experts

Companies over time, have become increasingly reliant on the insights drawn from data analysis by data scientists. There is also a corresponding increase in the use of systems to  crunch data and predict trends. 

What’s the difference between the Business Analyst and Data Scientist role, one wonders?

Are you looking for a change in career? Exploring the trends below will help you understand which business analysis specializations are in demand. Sponsored Post By Samantha Collins

As part of executing software development projects, the business analyst participates in the following project-related activities: Sponsored post by Samantha Collins

When interviewing stakeholders, it’s important to take time to listen actively to what is being said to avoid missing key requirements. Being an active listener requires concentration and effort. Follow these tips, and you’ll be able to listen more actively during your engagements with stakeholders:

There are several solutions to consider when it comes to protecting your privacy online, with VPN and proxy servers being the most prominent ones. Both serve a specific function: they mask your real IP address and prevent websites from tracking you. Which is better? How do the two compare? This article addresses these questions.

Software has evolved into an absolute necessity for companies focused on maximising efficiency. The increased number of deployed information technology (IT) solutions can be counterproductive, however, if not implemented effectively or adequately monitored following implementation.

We've put together a quick guide to automated software that can help you go from basic insights to worthy marketing strategies in no time.

There are several ways you can use caching in your system, and it's important to know what data access strategy you're going to implement. Your chosen data access strategy will significantly affect your application or system design because it dictates the relationship between the data source and caching system. Before choosing one, you should first analyze the access pattern of the data to determine the suitable strategy.

The name of the game is big data and winning the game means employing tools that will help turn big data into insights that can push your business forward.

Collaboration software really has come a long way over the years. It’s making the world of virtual networking easier to navigate and also reshaping how teams work with one another.

The digital transformation of businesses also introduces the potential for increased revenue while decreasing the company’s costs simultaneously. Let’s take a look at how the optimization of internal processes can be implemented with a business process management system.

With the advent of big data, the power to make informed business decisions based on historical data is now possible. Given the progress made in data processing technology and the increasing adoption rates of cloud computing, smart devices, and in-memory data grids (IMDG’s), now is as good a time as ever to leverage big data and analytics tools to understand the behavior patterns of customers, stakeholders, and competitors.

As Artificial Intelligence moves from fiction to fact, companies have no choice but to integrate it into every aspect of their business to remain relevant. Whether it’s for marketing, R&D, or project management, Artificial intelligence is enhancing job efficiencies by taking over repetitive tasks and processes. The world is now looking to scale up business solutions with the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI).

A complete migration to the cloud isn’t necessary, however, and there’s a way to start your organization’s digital transformation journey while retaining the computing platforms that continue to serve you well.

Text to speech converters nowadays are becoming pretty sophisticated with different languages and features. Different companies are including all kinds of unique features into their platforms. Professionals tend to find this particular technology useful, especially when it comes to taking notes or creating documentation.

AI or artificial intelligence is being extensively used across multiple domains. There are obviously a number of reasons to implement Artificial Intelligence when developing websites. This article touches on the various pros and cons of AI and also looks at the use of AI in the web development of apps that cater to investigation and spyware systems.

The average cyberattack costs Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) over $200,000. For many small businesses, this can be an entire year’s worth of overheads like salaries, rent, utilities and other key expenses.

These head-spinning technological wonders, if embraced, have the potential to impact the world in big ways. However, commercializing deep tech poses a lot of challenges. We’ll discuss these challenges later in this post. But first, a primer on deep tech.

There are many uses of AI in the business world, and understanding how best to utilize advanced technologies is a progressive step towards gaining competitive advantage. With that in mind, let’s take a look at one of the most popular and prevalent technologies in the last few years, its advantages and uses: artificial intelligence.

Artificial Intelligence, the term which first originated in the 1950s, has now emerged as a prominent buzzword all over the world. More than 15% of companies are using AI and it is proving to be one of the most powerful and game-changing technology advancements of all time.

There are some things that no software suite or app can do, no matter how well-implemented. Creativity, strategy, high-level analysis; these things require the human touch, and all software can do is help with the process. What implementing automation tools can do is to take repetitive tasks off your plate, leaving you free to do the things only you can do while ensuring everything else gets done consistently and comprehensively.

Software as a service (SaaS) is a software delivery model where a third-party provider hosts apps and avails them to clients over the Internet. Based on current trends, it is projected that more than 80% of apps will be delivered via SaaS by 2022. It’s generally regarded as a category of cloud computing.

This article highlights top five IT certifications for IT professionals that have made inroads into diverse industries and are definitely worth having on your CV in 2020 and beyond. It’s worth noting that the top four certifications are either in cloud or security. This article is based on Global Knowledge’s list of 15 Top-Paying IT Certifications for 2020, following their IT Skills and Salary Survey.

Sadly, there isn’t a silver bullet for stopping common security breaches from affecting your business. The fact that new cyber threats come up every day can make limiting this risk tough. Implementing internal controls, however, can give you a better chance of protecting your business from this risk.

Most businesses, especially small businesses, think their inventory stocks and books are manageable with a simple pen and paper or a spreadsheet. This isn't true, however. Inventory management software is critical to both small and large businesses. The software can help in automating key processes and keeping inventory within an accessible and organized space.

The last three years have seen Natural Language Processing (NLP) rise into one of the most dominant domains in data science. Aided by discoveries from companies such as Google, NLP has seen an evolution in accuracy, speed and even methodology relied on by computer scientists as they strive to tackle complex problems. Guest Post By Edward Huskin

By now it’s difficult to deny the impact big data is having on businesses of all kinds. We’ve explored how big data is altering the future of business before, and some of the changes discussed at that time – the arrival of automation, the expansion of the Internet of Things, and so on – are becoming relevant even more quickly than many anticipated. Already today, the most forward-looking companies are embracing extraordinarily sophisticated technology for the purposes of streamlining operations and maximizing productivity.

Not a lot of people realise, but the first email was sent all the way back in 1969. This wasn’t over the internet, and it didn’t include the rich text format available today, but it was still a huge step forward in the world of digital communications. That was also when this form of communication got its name, with email being an abbreviation of “electronic mail”. Emails have changed a lot over the last few decades, and more and more people are using them all the time, but could emails already be making a descent? Let’s find out.

Nowadays, businesses are constantly on the hunt for ways to transform how they operate. In order to make the business more efficient and productive however, strategic planning and process improvement are key. By planning in advance and analyzing the bespoke needs of the business, it will become clear what changes need to be made. 

For any application’s success, quality assurance must be involved all through the development stages of the mobile application. Whether you have an in-house testing team or you are planning to outsource, it is important to involve QA right from the initial stages of analyzing requirements to releasing the completed product. It can however be tricky to know where to start. This article outlines a step-by-step guide for your mobile application testing process.

We are living in a world where technology is entrenched in every aspect of our lives. These days, most industries rely on technology to deliver services and products to their clients more efficiently and effectively. Forbes has even gone as far as reporting that the primary reason for any industry's success—no matter what it entails—relies heavily on not just how it has adapted to technology, but also on how it continues to adapt to technology in the years to come.

Regardless of the industry, running a profitable business always comes with its fair share of challenges. Not only do you need to take care of running the company’s day-to-day operations, you also need to control costs, hire the right people, build and scale your IT infrastructure, while keeping everything running like a well-oiled machine. Productivity should, however, be a key consideration when implementing IT infrastructure – staff should be able to work from any location and link to company resources from wherever they are based.

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.

Are you looking to implement a project based on an agile approach?

Let’s explore some of the notable tools out there that support agile project management.

Are you a business analyst or project manager looking to understand change management in detail or thinking of switching your career to change management?

Are you on the hunt for free project management courses? These courses can help you develop your project management skills, earn professional development units to retain your project management certification and also get you up to speed with trends in the project management profession.

When it comes to project failure, it's rarely ever attributable to a single reason. When a project is going nowhere quickly enough, you can often see the signs. Often, there are too many unpleasant signs. Regardless of the reason behind the failure, a decision will need to be made quickly on when to pull the plug.

 Here are some signs you should be aware of:

At the heart of every project are key questions every project manager should be able to answer, no matter how small or large the project is. Answers to these questions can help set direction for the project and lay the foundation for a successful project once it commences.

There are so many project management apps out there in the market that it might seem tedious figuring out which is best for your company’s needs. This article highlights three popular project management apps you can explore. Guest Post By Frank Hamilton

I finally passed my PMP exam today with an “Above Target” rating in all 5 process groups. Attaining the PMP certification is a journey I was on for quite a while, I must say. I set the goal a couple of years back but was too busy to do much about it. It feels fulfilling now that it’s done and dusted. I’ll outline in this post, what helped and what didn’t, especially for those on the path to getting certified. I hope this helps.

As a project manager, you will be expected to come up with project plans. While plans certainly have their downfalls—they are hypothetical, constrain future ideas, and are perpetually out-of-date—they certainly have their uses. In fact, your company or client will need to review the project plan in order to determine when tasks will be completed, how much the project may cost and validate the project deliverables/scope. Guest Post By Ben Aston.

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: