ARE YOU FULLY UTILIZING YOUR BUSINESS ANALYST?

Are you familiar with the term, ‘Requirements Analyst’?  It is sometimes used interchangeably with the term, Business Analyst (BA).  Granted, Business Analysts are the go-to project resources for in-depth requirements analysis, communication and tracking, but these same skills benefit far more activities within a project than only those centered on requirements.  According to Adrian Reed, Principal Consultant and Business Analyst at Blackmetric Business Solutions Ltd, the Five Top Trends in Business Analysis for 2018 are as follows:

  • Increased Focus on Organizational Agility
  • Recognition of the breadth of the Business Analyst’s Role
  • Early Engagement Becoming the Norm and Outcomes Matter Most
  • Focus on ‘T-Shaped’ BAs that have deep analytical and organizational understanding as well as a broad appreciation of a range of different disciplines
  • BA Activism in the Community

Let’s focus on trends 3 and 4 above.  Reed recognizes that the BA’s analytical and communications skills are transferrable – they don’t apply merely to one situation or one process group within a project.  In fact, Requirements Analysis is only one aspect of what an experienced Business Analyst can contribute to a project.  Just as BAs successfully work with stakeholders to identify requirements, they can work with stakeholders to identify and document, among other things, the Business Need and the project Goals and Objectives as well.  In addition, the analyst can take away essential knowledge from these endeavors to apply to later activities.

Having performed in a Business Analysis role for a variety of financial and insurance organizations over many (I’m hesitant to say how many!) years, I am excited that key stakeholders, as well as project managers, are recognizing the importance of the early onboarding of Business Analysts, with ‘early’ being defined as a point in the project prior to creating the Business Requirements Document.  As a BA, my first exposure to many projects was at the Kickoff meeting, after the Project Charter and much of the project planning activities had been completed.  I believe, without question, these projects would have benefitted from my analysis and documentation skills during Initiating and early Planning processes and I would have gained greater insight into the project to use in the Requirements documentation process and subsequent activities.

Because some leaders are still working to define the BA role within their organization, I would encourage the definition to reflect the variety of skills BAs can contribute to the entire project lifecycle.  For those organizations that have a clearly defined BA role, I would suggest you review your definition to ensure that you are fully utilizing your BA resources.  Both the Business Analyst and the project team will benefit from the BA’s expanded role.

If you are trying to decide when to bring your full-time or Business Analyst Consultant into a current project, NOW is the time to maximize results by taking advantage of the analytical, communication and leadership skills the BA has to offer.

So, to answer the question:  ARE YOU FULLY UTILIZING YOUR BUSINESS ANALYST? You are if you are enhancing project success if you are extending you BA’s analysis, communication and leadership skills to ‘early’ (pre-Requirements) project activities.

At iSeek, we can provide valuable business analysis support and guide you toward full utilization of your Business Analyst.

 

To learn more, contact us today; stay tuned to our blog for future insights.

September 11, 2018 Organizational Alignment Comments Off on ARE YOU FULLY UTILIZING YOUR BUSINESS ANALYST?

Organizational Alignment? What does that mean?

Too often I’m asked to explain organizational alignment (OA). So, this is the first of a blog series to educate and enlighten readers on “Organizational Alignment” and its many disciplines. At its core, OA simply means ensuring your organization is performing at an optimum level. More specifically, ensuring all aspects of your organization, including business process, technology, workforce, and IT, are properly structured to meet the goals of your organization.

According to entrepreneur André Lavoie, Alignment should be thought of as a playbook for your entire company. This means that the company and all of its resources must work together, as a team, to achieve success. The most challenging part of the process of aligning your organization is knowing what needs the most attention and where to begin.

Alignment starts with communication. Your company’s vision, mission, and strategic goals must clearly be communicated to your employees, regularly and consistently, so they understand what you are trying to accomplish and their contribution. Start by asking yourself these questions:

Can your employees verbalize the vision and mission of your organization? Does your workforce know and understand the strategic growth goals of the company? Does each employee know exactly how his or her role contributes to the sustainability and growth of your business? Are your business processes consistent with your strategic goals?

If you answered no to any of the questions above, then your organization is not aligned for optimal success. Alignment is a necessary business strategy. The disciplines of Organizational Alignment are proven to greatly benefit organizations and significantly increase their value proposition.

To learn more about the benefits of Organizational Alignment and how iSeek Solutions can light your path to success, contact us today; subscribe to our blog and stay tuned for future insights.

October 2, 2017 Organizational Alignment Comments Off on Organizational Alignment? What does that mean?

Why is Project Failure Acceptable?

I often say that project management is in my DNA.  For me, it’s a lifeskill; not just a profession. That bit of insight might help you understand my passion in the pursuit of excellence.

The Project Management Institute (PMI) defines a project as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.” Project management success is measured by the ability to deliver expected results while managing budget (money set aside for the endeavor), time (estimated time to complete the project) and scope (what must be done to produce the expected results with quality). While the project management process is considered a professional methodology, most of us operate under these same constraints in our personal endeavors as well. Hence, project management as a lifeskill.

The concept is simple and doable. Project management principles and disciplines are well-established and applicable to all types of endeavors, regardless of size and complexity. Success is obtainable. So why is project failure acceptable?

While pondering that question, here are a few statistics to consider:

  •  The United States economy loses $50-$150 billion per year due to failed IT projects. (Source: Gallup Business Review)
  • Fewer than a third of all projects were successfully completed on time and on budget over the past year. (Source: Standish Group)
  • 75% of business and IT executives believe their projects are “doomed from the start.” (Source: Geneca))
  • 80% of project management executives don’t know how their projects align with their company’s business strategy. (Source: Changepoint)

A few of the most common project challenges:

  • Poor Strategic Planning
  • No Business / Technology Alignment
  • Ineffective project sponsorship
  • Insufficient requirements gathering and scope definition
  • No formal Portfolio, Program and Project Management Methodology
  • Lack of “Industry Best Practice” tools and processes
  • Under-staffed and/or under-skilled resource pool
  • Inflexible technologies
    • Poor scalability
    • Lack of interoperability

Some of the mysteries behind Business and Technology MIS-alignment:

  • Insufficient visioning and planning
  • No “B/I” Governance
  • Poor communication between business and IT executives
  • Lack of flexibility and collaboration
  • No vendor management/oversight

So, why is project failure acceptable?  It is NOT!!!

At iSeek Solutions, we understand the complexities of today’s business and IT challenges. Our experts provide tools and facilitate processes you need to choose the best methodologies to meet your business and IT goals. We partner with you to:

  • Visualize, articulate and plan successfully
  • Manage multiple demands during times of change
  • Facilitate collaboration
  • Optimize resources

Project failure is not acceptable! Let iSeek Solutions help you ensure project success in 2017 and beyond.  Contact us today. Subscribe to our blog and stay tuned for future insights.

January 31, 2017 Organizational Alignment Comments Off on Why is Project Failure Acceptable?

Effective Communications Between Business and Technology

Recently, I served on a panel at an IT conference. The topic of the panel discussion was “Bridging the Communication Gap Between Business and Technology in the Workplace”. The panelists represented three distinct areas of the market. One panelist was VP of IT for a company in the construction industry. His IT staff is relatively small. The other panelist was SVP of Enterprise Data Services for a very large financial institution. She manages a large staff of 70+ people. Then there was me – the President of a “Boutique” Business Management Consulting firm, who works with clients of all sizes and in various industries. So as you see – the panel was very diverse, which allowed us to examine the issue from many points of view.

Of course, we covered the basics like business to technology collaboration in strategy & roadmap development, ensuring alignment and inclusion, and creating a comprehensive communication strategy. All of which the panel agreed are essential to “bridging the communication gap”.

Additionally, however, a lot of key points were made around the area of “seeking to understand”. What does that entail? Seeking to understand is simply asking questions, actively listening and clarifying answers to ensure a mutual understanding. These basic actions are referred to as “Elicitation” or “Soft” skills, which are traditionally associated with Analysts, but when it comes to successful communication, we’re all Analysts!

Let’s break this down further using a simple non-IT example, like building a new single-family housing community. Building the single-family housing community is the high-level strategic objective. Applicable parties [inclusion], collaborate to round out the strategic vision. Then the plans are communicated to participants of the project.

Let’s say you’re the architect on the project, and you’re working with a potential buyer of one of the homes to be built. Your objective is to “seek to understand” the potential buyers needs and desires for their new home. Through “elicitation”, you’ll ask the buyer a series of questions to help determine the type of house you’re architecting.

The first set of questions might include:

What style of home – Craftsman, Ranch, Bungalow, etc.?
Single- or multi-level?
How many bedrooms? Bathrooms?
Open floor plan?
Desired square footage?
Basement, crawl-space or slab?
Etc.
After a few interviews, you, the architect should have elicited enough information to draw-up an initial plan, which is presented back to the potential buyer to ensure mutual understanding of the buyers needs and desires for their new home. “Elicitation” is an iterative process that takes place at each phase of the project to continuously maintain a mutual understanding.

The concept is the same regardless of industry, and there are many “elicitation” techniques. We “seek to understand” to define the project scope, understand the genesis of a new request, or peel back the layers to determine the root cause of an issue. We then review our findings, our understanding, with the requestor (client/stakeholder/business partner) to ensure we’re aligned and in agreement on the success criteria.

For some, “elicitation” skills come naturally, and others find it outside their comfort zone. For those of us that fall in the latter category, you’ll be thrilled to know that these skills can be learned! This whole notion of “seeking to understand” using “elicitation” or “soft” skills is such a critical component in bridging the communication gap between business and IT, that companies like Bridging the Gap have developed an entire curriculum designed to teach us to find ways around obstacles that deal with political agendas, communication, collaboration and attitudes.

Whether you’re in IT or the Business, and regardless of your role, an Analyst, Architect, Product Owner or Developer, you too are responsible for building a relationship of trust with your colleagues, on both sides of the isle, and ensuring the message being communicated is mutually understood.

Seeking to Understand. iSeek is adept at using “Elicitation”, “Soft” skills and various other approaches to facilitate customer-focused solutions and bridging the communication gap between business and technology. To find out more about our tools and techniques, subscribe to our blog and stay tuned for future insights, or call or e-mail us today!

November 8, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on Effective Communications Between Business and Technology

Business Collaboration: Embracing the Holistic Approach

Are you acting as a “trusted partner” by viewing your customer holistically?

Within your existing customer base, are you maximizing business opportunities?

In her book, Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy, Harvard Business School Professor Amy C. Edmondson says, “In today’s complex and volatile business environment, corporations and organizations also win or lose by creating wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts. Intense competition, rampant unpredictability, and a constant need for innovation are giving rise to even greater interdependence and thus demand even greater levels of collaboration and communication than ever before. Teaming is essential to an organization’s ability to respond to opportunities…”.

The phrase from Edmondson’s book that so clearly resonates with me is “corporations and organizations also win or lose by creating wholes that are greater than the sum of their parts…”

Most businesses specialize in certain spaces. Affording us the opportunity to perfect our craft and be leaders in that space. However, none of us are “all things to all clients”. Most of us, however, have former colleagues or reputable network acquaintances or service providers that also specialize in certain spaces, different than our own. A teaming agreement or partnership with a reputable colleague or small business entity broadens your reach, increases opportunities within your existing customer base and “creates wholes that are greater than the sum of your parts”.

Embrace the Holistic Approach. It’s a WIN-WIN-WIN proposition for you, your client and your colleague(s). iSeek has had very effective partnerships that broaden our reach, yet remain consistent with our guiding principal of customer-focused solutions. To find out more about our holistic approach, subscribe to our blog and stay tuned for future insights, or call or e-mail us today!

September 13, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on Business Collaboration: Embracing the Holistic Approach

Strategic Envisioning: 4 Steps to Unlocking the Power of Imagination

Strategic envisioning. If the phrase sounds unfamiliar, you’re not alone. Many executives understand the need for a mission statement, but overlook the need for a strategic vision that unlocks the power of your team’s collective imagination.

Developing a Vision

In an article in Inc. magazine, columnist James Kerr asserts that developing visionary skills …”can improve your ability to anticipate and impact the future.” I couldn’t agree more. A well-crafted vision helps you imagine the future and forge an aspirational path for others to follow.

Ready to create a powerful vision? Here are a few guidelines to facilitate the process.

1) Think about alternative ways of doing things that could differentiate your company from others like it. Always ask yourself “Why not?” when new
ideas are presented. Now is the time to discard “this is the way we’ve always
done it” thinking!

2) Leverage ideas from your most creative people, even – or sometimes especially – if their ideas differ from yours. Disparate ideas based on similar values can combine to form the most impactful solutions.

3) Revisit your vision at regular intervals. Unlike the mission statement, which may stay the same for many years, envisioning is a process. A vision that evolves with the times is more resilient than one that stagnates.

4) Don’t attempt to measure the progress of your vision in numbers; evaluate it instead as you would a piece of art. A well-designed vision is a broad, creative look at the future of your company and its achievements – not a bullseye.

To gain additional perspective, I recommend the article mentioned above, as well as this article at fastcompany.com. To find out how iSeek can help, call or e-mail us today!

June 15, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on Strategic Envisioning: 4 Steps to Unlocking the Power of Imagination

Why Hire an Interim Executive?

Business challenges, particularly those involving change, can cripple even the most successful enterprise. In an effort to make smart decisions, many CEOs and boards of directors grapple with how to navigate complex situations. One approach in particular is growing in popularity: hiring professional interim executives – often through management consulting firms – to bridge existing gaps in knowledge, skills, and leadership.

What Traits Should an Interim Executive Have?

While they vary widely in skills and abilities, the best interim executives have a few traits in common – they are dynamic and proven problem-solvers who get things done. Whether you’re experiencing a reorganization, an acquisition, or another pressing challenge, the ideal candidate has the skills, personality, and energy to help transform obstacles into opportunities.

Avoid This Common Mistake

A common mistake is to approach the interim executive search as a temp-to-hire situation. While it may work in some cases, an individual seeking a permanent position may have different priorities than a professional interim. Unlike executives hired for the long haul, the interim comes onboard to address an immediate but temporary need. In most cases, a decision has been made that requires leadership from an expert well versed in a particular area, such as change or crisis management.

So if someone has the required skills, what’s the difference? In our experience and others’, the professional interim may be less influenced by company politics, obsolete policies, and personal considerations that could affect his or her future in the organization. By definition, these experts expect and desire to share knowledge, transition leadership to another individual (or team), and basically “work themselves out of a job.” This introduces a degree of objectivity that could ultimately be the key to your success.

Can an interim executive help you through challenging times? Read this article in Fortune magazine for additional insights. To learn how iSeek can help your company overcome difficult challenges, call or e-mail us today!

May 17, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on Why Hire an Interim Executive?

Organizing for Success: 3 Reasons to “Get the Right People on the Bus”

Have you noticed how executives tend to set company direction and then try to mold existing employees to fit the required roles? Have you also noticed how often those companies need to reorganize? The reason is simple: they’re getting it backwards!

Think of your company as a bus and your highest executive as the driver. Using that analogy, leadership expert Jim Collins makes this observation: “Leaders of companies that go from good to great start not with “where” but with “who.” They start by getting the right people on the bus, the wrong people off the bus, and the right people in the right seats.”

So How Do I Begin?
When facing any business challenge, remember these simple truths before you map out a direction:

1) If the people on the bus came along because they like the stated destination, what happens when you need to change your plans? Will they resist the change and become unproductive? Invite people on the bus who simply want to work with the other great people aboard. That will contribute to a more pleasant and successful trip!
2) If the right people are on the bus, there’s no need for elaborate motivational schemes. The right people are self-motivated and expect to produce exceptional results.
3) If the wrong people are on the bus, nothing else you do matters. You might head in the right direction, but the success you seek will elude you. The right vision with the wrong people produces mediocre results, at best.

Want more information? I highly recommend Jim Collins’ informative video series. To find out how iSeek can help you organize for success, contact us today! If you like this blog post, please share and subscribe!

April 19, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on Organizing for Success: 3 Reasons to “Get the Right People on the Bus”

4 Qualities to Look for in a Management Consultant

Today’s business challenges aren’t getting any easier. Markets are complicated, competition is fierce, and technology is constantly changing. An expert management consultant can help you navigate rough waters, but how do you find the right one for your needs? Here are some basic traits to look for in your ideal match.

Ability to Listen

Your initial few minutes with a consultant can be very telling. Observe their ability to listen and understand your unique objectives, issues, and pain points. The ideal candidate will elicit communication, extrapolate key obstacles, and encourage collaboration among staff, peers, and executive leadership. This process will help get to the root of your challenges before problem-solving even begins.

Creative Problem-Solving Skills

It’s often easier to diagnose a problem than it is to truly solve it. The best consultants can describe how they’ve applied creative thinking to solve issues similar to yours. Candidates should be able to clearly articulate how they approach a variety of challenges and design innovative, pragmatic solutions that advance their clients’ business goals.

Values that Reflect Your Enterprise

As in any profession, management consultants have a wide range of business and personal values. When you bring in an expert from outside your company, you’ll want to make sure they embody the traits you admire. Do they value quality of service as much as the bottom line? Do they take employee satisfaction seriously? Talk to their references and read between the lines as they describe their role in previous engagements. It should soon become clear whether you would be proud to have this person set an example for your staff.

Excellent Interpersonal Skills

The best consultants not only solve problems, but also communicate effectively, build relationships, and maintain trust. Make sure you will feel comfortable discussing confidential information about your business with every candidate. Also consider whether your staff will relate well to their approach and disposition. These relationships can significantly impact the success of your engagement, and ultimately, your organization’s future.

To learn more about the qualities of a great management consultant, I recommend this article in ConsultingFact.com. To find out if iSeek is the match you’re looking for, call or e-mail us today!

March 16, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on 4 Qualities to Look for in a Management Consultant

The Art & Science of Business Solutions Architecture

The role of the business solutions architect is emerging as a critical force in the transformation of today’s enterprise. If the term is new to you, you’re probably wondering what it means and how such an expert can move your business forward. Let’s explore.

WHAT DOES A BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT DO?
A business solutions architect, also known as a business architect, works with organizational executives to develop structures, processes, and technology plans for continuous improvement within an enterprise. Responsibilities may include:

Analyze the effectiveness of existing organizational structures, systems, and workflows
Create business capability maps that model what your business will do to reach its objectives
Work closely with the IT organization to ensure technology aligns with business strategy
Help determine whether to insource or outsource a capability, or whether to undertake a specific investment or acquisition
Provide risk assessments and compliance recommendations
Identify cost reduction and revenue-generation opportunities
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS ARE NEEDED?
So why is it important to view this role as both an art and a science? According to Computer Weekly, “Business architects have a rare combination of business domain knowledge, process experience, transformation talents, methodology skills, and a winning personality that helps with communication and business change management.”

Sound like a tall order? It can be! Add that to the fact the position is often best suited to someone looking for a limited-term commitment. That’s why more businesses are choosing to hire an experienced consultant to help them navigate 21st century business imperatives.

Want to know more? Sources such as the Architectures Center of Excellence serve as a hub for information and collaboration to advance this growing profession.

Can your business benefit from a business solutions architect? E-mail or call us and let’s discuss! If you like this post, please let us know, subscribe and share using the buttons below!

February 16, 2016 Uncategorized Comments Off on The Art & Science of Business Solutions Architecture