Analyst’s corner digest #13
Top stories published in March — April 2023
Hi there!
Welcome to another edition of Analyst’s corner digest. Hope you are not superstitious, because this is the 13th issue of our digest; and some people somehow have an issue with this number. Anyway, we all possess analytical minds here so it shouldn’t be a problem. Touch wood ;)
This month was big on advancements in AI, and it is reflected by our authors exploring topics like “can AI help with business rules and non-functional requirements?”, “what is the biggest breakthrough and future of ChatGTP?”, and “will AI replace humans?”. Lucky us, the answer seems to be NO so far, but AI sure enough it going to alter the way we do work and arrange our lives. Interesting times!
On enterprise architecture front, we’ve got an amazing recipe of how to set up Enterprise architecture in your company. Written by a person who has done it before (many times), it is a piece not to overlook — not every day you get advice from people with first hand experience like this.
For aspiring BAs, we’ve got a whole range of articles exploring how to start your career, get prepared for the interview, receive more calls from recruiters and more; as well as a collection of crucial skills for BAs. Managing stakeholders, developing requirements, negotiations and saying no; and finally — how much of technicality is enough for a BA? That’s something to think about…
Enjoy reading.
— yours, Igor
https://www.analystscorner.org/
AI & Machine learning & Data
1) Few people understood the highest breakthrough of Chat GPT
by Fabrício Laguna — The Brazilian BA
This weekend at a family party, my uncle José (now over 70 years old but still very attentive and in tune) asked me: “As you work in the technology area, answer me one thing: Is this Chat GPT thing really all that? Or is it just a fad?”
It is possible that you have already come across a similar question, or are even asking yourself the same question. I’ve been experimenting with this new technology a lot since it was made publicly available and the theme interests me. I have exchanged ideas with several professionals, read articles about it, and try to keep myself updated. So I didn’t sit on the fence and answered. “Yes, uncle! It’s going to revolutionize the use of technology, but not necessarily about what people are looking at right now. Chat GPT is not just a turbocharged Google and much less a Digital Oracle as many people are seeing it. It is an example of how we will interact with all technology things in the future.”
2) Chat GPT knows how to differentiate rules from requirements. Do you?
by Fabrício Laguna — The Brazilian BA
I asked my newest assistant Chat GPT to describe some requirements and some rules for an application. The answer was very good and adequate; better than most of the requirement specs I see.
Many professionals make a huge mess when it comes to differentiating requirements and rules in the context of software development. The example I’m going to share here, generated by Chat GPT, may help you to understand that difference.
But first, let’s understand each one of these concepts.
> Keep reading…
3) Leading the way: Key qualities and experiences for effective analytics team leadership
by Nilimesh Halder, PhD
In today’s data-driven world, businesses rely on analytics teams to derive valuable insights and drive informed decision-making. Effective leadership is crucial to the success of these teams, as it fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth. In this article, we will explore the essential experiences and qualities someone should possess to successfully lead an analytics team, along with examples and explanations.
> Keep reading…
4) The amazing ChatGPT functional and non-functional requirements
by Fabrício Laguna — The Brazilian BA
Requirements analysis is an essential step in the development of solutions, especially for software systems, as it defines what the system should be able to do and how it should behave in different situations. One of the main aspects to be considered in requirements analysis is the distinction between functional and non-functional requirements.
I recently published an article about the difference between requirements and business rules with examples proposed by ChatGPT. The result was quite didactic and some people asked me to do the same with functional and non-functional requirements. Thus was born this article that you are reading now.
> Keep reading…
5) The billion dollar question: will artificial intelligence/machine learning replace humans?
by Rupa Mahanti
The good news and the short answer is NO.
The question also reminds me of the following statement made by writer and publisher, Elbert Hubbard: One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.
6) The future of artificial intelligence (AI) from the perspective of a data scientist
by Nilimesh Halder, PhD
As a data scientist, I am well aware of the significant impact that artificial intelligence (AI) has already made on the world. AI is rapidly changing the way we live, work, and interact with our environment. In this article, I will provide insights into the future of AI, including its potential advancements and its associated challenges.
Enterprise architecture & Agile
1) How to Set Up Enterprise Architecture for Your Organisation
by Shashi Sastry
Senior IT leaders of companies (and, on happy occasions, business heads) regularly ask me how to set up enterprise architecture in their organisations. Sometimes they enquire informally, and at other times, through proposal requests. Having established enterprise architecture for several companies, I am sharing my method for anyone interested in learning or using it.
To teach anything, telling is okay, showing is excellent, and doing is best. I can only tell here, so look for chances to see or do EA.
> Keep reading…
2) The psychology of business analysis in agile software development
by Mishal Chowdhury
In agile software development, I’ve learned that understanding human behavior is the key to conducting effective business analyses. When it comes to how people approach problems, communicate, and work together, human psychology is a major factor. Business analysts can become more productive in agile software development by having a deeper understanding of human motivations and behavior. This article examines the psychology of business analysis in agile software development and how it can be applied to produce the best results.
> Keep reading…
Business Analysis Skills & Career
1) Does domain really matter while switching to a BA role?
by Bhavini Sapra
- Is domain knowledge an essential prerequisite for switching to a BA role?
- How many domains do I have to study before attending an interview?
- Which domain has the highest demand in the market?
If these are some of the questions in your mind, then you’re in the right place.
This is another huge concern among aspiring BAs, especially when they are in their preparation phase. There are so many different domains and industries looking for a business analyst.
2) Top BA skill — Stakeholder management: how to turn difficult stakeholders into allies
by Obi Nwokedi
Before I start, it’s important to first understand that while you may encounter a few really difficult people, most are just temporarily difficult and as soon as their issues are managed, it all becomes easier. When you think about it, it’s all a bit more of ‘expectation management’. Ideally I‘d rather call this stakeholder engagement, with expectation management as a subset of it.
As a business analyst, one question you’ll be asked at almost every business analyst job interview is: “How do you manage difficult stakeholders?”
3) Transitioning to a business analyst role
by Sergiu Pocan
Evozon encourages employees to learn and grow continuously, explore new avenues, and better themselves. That includes supporting colleagues that want to try different roles than the ones they currently occupy. As such I’ve worked with developers, testers, people in human resources, and project managers in our company to transition them to the role of business analyst. And I would like to share my experience with you.
4) Game theory and business analysis: A strategic approach for agile teams
by Mishal Chowdhury
gile methodologies have become a buzzword in software development thanks to their ability to deliver value quickly. As a lead business analyst with over 8 years of experience, I’ve witnessed how agile methodologies have helped software development teams adapt to change and collaborate more effectively. The process of developing optimal solutions can still be improved, and game theory is one strategy that can do so.
Game theory is the study of strategic decision-making in competitive situations. It’s about understanding how people behave in situations where they have conflicting objectives and using that knowledge to create optimal solutions.
As a business analyst, using game theory can help in various ways.
> Keep reading…
5) Say No To Everything: The Diplomatic Act of Pushing Back
by Obi Nwokedi
As a business analyst, especially on a new project, it can be tempting to take on every request that comes your way in an effort to be seen as a team player, or to impress the bosses, or to ensure that the project moves forward smoothly. With experience, however, you will learn that this over-committing can lead to burnout, missed deadlines, and overall project failure.
6) Should a BA be technical enough to survive in the IT industry?
by Bhavini Sapra
- Is it necessary to be 100% technically sound before applying to a BA role?
- Do you always have this confusion between technical and functional BAs?
- Do you always assess your technical expertise and are not sure how much is too much for a BA role?
More articles
- How to get more interview callbacks as an aspiring BA: I did a poll on LinkedIn a few weeks back to know which is the biggest issue people are facing in their BA transition journey, and 38% of people complain about not getting enough interview calls. I can guarantee they are making one or all of the mistakes I made... By Bhavini Sapra.
- The final 4 essential requirements practices: These business analysis activities help a team lay a foundation for success, define and document the right solution, and steer the development process. By Karl Wiegers.
- Navigating the minefield of business analysis: How to overcome the most common BA challenges. As a business analyst, it goes without saying that you will probably encounter challenges almost every day, and it’s part of your job to overcome them and deliver. By Obi Nwokedi.
- I’m stuck in my role as a BA — where do I go next? Feeling stuck in your role as a BA? Here are some tips & tricks to get out of that feeling and find direction. By Raj Jonnalagedda
- Project Explanation — Tips & Tricks to Ease the Process for an Aspiring BA. One thing was clear in my mind. No matter what job role you hold or project you work on, the way how a BA would handle it should be clear enough. By Bhavini Sapra.
- Surviving the stakeholders — How stakeholder maps can help. I’ve found stakeholder mapping quite essential to help facilitate the engagement. This process involves identifying and analyzing the various stakeholders involved in my projects, understanding their needs, interests, and concerns. By Obi Nwokedi.
- What is big data and why is it important to business? In the age of the internet, smartphones, and social media, the amount of data generated every day has reached unprecedented levels. This data is referred to as big data, and it is transforming the way businesses operate. By Nilimesh Halder, PhD
Thanks folks!
