Business modeling is extremely challenging and requires qualified
people with the right education, skills, experience and industry knowledge. Because
good business analysts are very difficult to find, business
analysis projects are often staffed with under-qualified,
technically oriented individuals.
On a similar note, the business representatives needed
for business analysis projects are often in high demand in an organizations. Consequently,
poorly suited, operationally-focused individuals are
sometimes assigned to business analysis projects.
Both of the scenarios mentioned above are dangerous. Organizations
need to understand the importance of business analysis projects and to
ensure that they are staffed with the most appropriate resources. The
major reason for failure of business re-engineering and system development
projects is inadequate business requirements.
To help ensure that the business representatives assigned to the project
are appropriate, senior management should provide
an initial list of individuals for the business analyst to interview. These people
should be in tune with the organization's future state vision and their
respective areas of responsibility. The business analyst should then interview these people,
one-on-one.
During the interview process,
“business experts” at the operational level will be identified. The operational people
who can contribute most to a business analysis project are often hidden away in the shadows of
an
organization and are not in positions of authority. Their names,
however, will
surface repetitively, during the interview process.
