Template blanket

A go-to move when joining a new company or project is to ask for the template.

There’s a feeling of security in a blanket.

The intention of a template is to safely guide an individuals expertise when creating a piece of work. It’s intended to be a home for relevant content that has been driven out through the thoughtful use of appropriate business analysis techniques.

The trouble is templates aren’t always used that way. Because, templates have an unintended built-in trap.

Template-driven analysis is a rut, that:

  1. Pedestals the production of documentation
  2. Distracts from considering the job at at hand
  3. Becomes the completion of a ‘one size fits all’ form
  4. Encourages the use of content fodder
  5. Builds silos across the organisation
  6. Keeps the analysts roots firmly in B.A. 2.0
  7. Dumbs down the value of business analysis
  8. Stagnates the careers of many

Templates don’t mean to be bad. But when they’re misused, they’re horrid.

This is business analysis

A quick scour of the web will surface many definitions of what business analysis is. All technically correct, but all quite raw (a product of the 70-year squeeze).

In this day and age, it’s time to narrate the story differently.

This is business analysis…

Business analysis is helping someone to solve their problem or seize an opportunity.

Seeking to understand the stakeholders’ perspectives, desires, and world-view.

Focusing on satisfying the need for products and services that meet people’s requirements. 

Building relationships that create meaningful change and make a positive difference.

Business analysis is a force of change. A business analyst is only effective if they create change.

Do work you’re proud of.

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