Article: IT Should Stop Trying to ‘Surprise and Delight’

As BAs / Architects, I think we see this a lot. Personally, it makes me sad, because I know there are many more efforts of higher value if only we didn’t focus on trying to “Surprise and Delight”.  Summary points: 1) Organizations Should Seek to Meet Customer Service Expectations, Not Exceed Them. 2) Low Customer Effort is the Key to Meeting Service Expectations.
http://www.executiveboard.com/blogs/customer-service-in-it/

What is Business Analysis?

Project Managers and Business Analysts have roles that blur together and are often confusing. So what is it that a BA does?

“…a Project Manager will deliver, on time, on budget and in scope, the perfect set of concrete shoes; but without a Project Manager, a Business Analyst might never deliver at all. … If [an] outcome doesn’t provide value for an organization we have concrete shoes. And here is our sweet spot for business analysis as a discipline. Yes I said discipline. It is time to stop thinking about business analysis as a role, title or profession. Business analysis is a disciplined way of approaching any decision so as to provide value to further an organization’s objectives. The objectives of an organization are fulfilled through its strategy. …”

http://theglobalba.blogspot.ca/2013/09/the-future-is-no-more-uncertain-than.html#!/2013/09/the-future-is-no-more-uncertain-than.html

Business Analysts ask “is this of value to the company?”

The value of a Business Analyst is asking “is this of value to the company?” Without someone to ensure the value of a project a project manager will take and complete what is given to them. It is often said that a Project Manager will deliver, on time, on budget and in scope, the perfect set of concrete shoes. The skillsets are complimentary as often a Business Analyst needs a project manager.  Even analysis requires project management.

http://www.batimes.com/articles/the-value-of-a-high-performing-business-analyst.html

http://www.iiba.org//ba-connect/2013/oct/future-no-more-uncertain.aspx