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Business Analysis and Leadership: Influencing Change
21st century organizations, across all sectors and of all types, have to cope with an international marketplace where change is frequent and customer expectations continue to rise. The work of business analysis professionals is crucial if organizations are to succeed and grow. If change programmes are to be successful, stakeholder engagement and situation analysis are vital, and to achieve this, senior business people need to display competence in a range of areas, not least of which include the ability to challenge, lead and influence.Business Analysis and Leadership is for anyone involved in business analysis working in any organization worldwide, from financial services to charities, government to manufacturing. It takes the reader beyond standard textbooks full of techniques and tools, advising on how to lead and gain credibility throughout the organization. It will help you with the tricky role of working with people from the shop floor to board directors and give readers the confidence to challenge the easy way forward and point out what will really work in practice. This inspirational book consists of contributions from leading thinkers and practitioners in business analysis from around the world. Their case studies, practical advice and downloadable appendices will help the reader to develop leadership skills and become an outstanding catalyst for change.
- GenresBusinessNonfiction
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
19 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 11, 2014
The business analysis profession has grown and matured over the last 10 years as businesses have begun to recognise the value of the skills and insights the profession can bring to a world that is becoming increasingly complex.
This inspiring and thoughtful book was written to fill a gap in the current literature; it considers how to develop a leadership mindset in change initiatives, in recognition of the ongoing evolution of the BA role. The book considers leadership from four perspectives: self, project, organisations and the wider world.
The book is essentially a collection of articles written by a wide range of authors working in the change/ business analysis field. It focuses very much on the ‘softer’ side of the profession, and is in itself an excellent example of how much the profession has developed, and how insightful and reflective it can be.
All of the articles are well thought-through, deeply reflective and both helpful (lots of practical advice) and, in many cases, inspiring. The level of insight is impressive, often with practical case studies to reinforce the points made. A wide range of issues and subjects are covered: an article describes what it calls the 'T-Shaped' business analyst; another considers the need for and the role of courage in BA work.
There is a fascinating piece on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and practical advice on how you can use it to help you in a wide variety of BA activities. I particularly enjoyed the articles relating to facilitation, problem solving and analysis patterns.
The book can be read in the traditional way, or it could be consumed in small chunks when you need a little inspiration when faced with a challenging BA situation. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It should appeal to anyone working in the project/programme space. For business analysts ready for the leadership challenge, it should be considered required reading.
Reviewed by Dean Burnell MBCS
This inspiring and thoughtful book was written to fill a gap in the current literature; it considers how to develop a leadership mindset in change initiatives, in recognition of the ongoing evolution of the BA role. The book considers leadership from four perspectives: self, project, organisations and the wider world.
The book is essentially a collection of articles written by a wide range of authors working in the change/ business analysis field. It focuses very much on the ‘softer’ side of the profession, and is in itself an excellent example of how much the profession has developed, and how insightful and reflective it can be.
All of the articles are well thought-through, deeply reflective and both helpful (lots of practical advice) and, in many cases, inspiring. The level of insight is impressive, often with practical case studies to reinforce the points made. A wide range of issues and subjects are covered: an article describes what it calls the 'T-Shaped' business analyst; another considers the need for and the role of courage in BA work.
There is a fascinating piece on neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) and practical advice on how you can use it to help you in a wide variety of BA activities. I particularly enjoyed the articles relating to facilitation, problem solving and analysis patterns.
The book can be read in the traditional way, or it could be consumed in small chunks when you need a little inspiration when faced with a challenging BA situation. I can’t recommend this book highly enough. It should appeal to anyone working in the project/programme space. For business analysts ready for the leadership challenge, it should be considered required reading.
Reviewed by Dean Burnell MBCS
December 27, 2017
I found the book interesting overall, however not great. I believe that some chapters are really good where others are a bit shallow.
The book answered some questions I was having for a while, e.g. how to explain to an organisation why a BA is a relevant actor? why an employee handling day-to-day operations is not sufficient to drive a change initiative?
Also, the book highlights that business analysts have a role that goes beyond facilitating workshops, eliciting requirements and mapping processes. BAs can truly help an organisation during change times given their position, knowledge and openness to embrace the novelty. At the same time, they can use their understanding and communication skills to spread the message and encourage others to join the transformation.
I would recommend the book to those that want to explore the "BA and Leadership" topic.
The book answered some questions I was having for a while, e.g. how to explain to an organisation why a BA is a relevant actor? why an employee handling day-to-day operations is not sufficient to drive a change initiative?
Also, the book highlights that business analysts have a role that goes beyond facilitating workshops, eliciting requirements and mapping processes. BAs can truly help an organisation during change times given their position, knowledge and openness to embrace the novelty. At the same time, they can use their understanding and communication skills to spread the message and encourage others to join the transformation.
I would recommend the book to those that want to explore the "BA and Leadership" topic.
August 16, 2015
Anyone thinking, "Woah! Isn't aiming for leadership shooting a little above your station?"
The answer is: No.
By leadership, this book refers to the action of the Business Analyst (BA) in convincing others about something using their expertise, trust, honesty, understanding, and so forth. It's about using the skills you will probably already have as a BA and taking them to the next level.
It considers how you can better hone your personal approach, that within your team, your organisation, and finally how you engage those outside.
The book approaches this with a series of essays that deal with different facets of BA skills. It's all pretty engaging and makes sense. I found only a couple of the essays duff, and thankfully in both cases the invited authors hadn't been given a chance to write another essay in the same volume. Most of the essays run between 6 - 10 pages, with a note about the author and recommended reading at the end.
Generally, a good read. Nothing too ground-breaking, but good common sense thinking about taking existing skills and doing something more.
The answer is: No.
By leadership, this book refers to the action of the Business Analyst (BA) in convincing others about something using their expertise, trust, honesty, understanding, and so forth. It's about using the skills you will probably already have as a BA and taking them to the next level.
It considers how you can better hone your personal approach, that within your team, your organisation, and finally how you engage those outside.
The book approaches this with a series of essays that deal with different facets of BA skills. It's all pretty engaging and makes sense. I found only a couple of the essays duff, and thankfully in both cases the invited authors hadn't been given a chance to write another essay in the same volume. Most of the essays run between 6 - 10 pages, with a note about the author and recommended reading at the end.
Generally, a good read. Nothing too ground-breaking, but good common sense thinking about taking existing skills and doing something more.
November 15, 2014
We all know that successful business analysts not only analyze, but lead, often from the ground up. The authors present leadership in an attainable way, showing today's business analysts how to develop the leadership skills and competencies that will make them successful in next generation business analyst roles.
I highly recommend this book for any practicing business analysts who are looking for ways to up their game.
I highly recommend this book for any practicing business analysts who are looking for ways to up their game.
August 13, 2016
Simply amazing. Especially chapter 15, Dealing with uncertainty !!! The book is full of very interesting ideas, but mainly focused on practical ideas that you can apply to your specific situation.
April 27, 2016
some chapers had great pointers to what can be learned.
However, I found a lot of chapters either too shallow or even page filler.
However, I found a lot of chapters either too shallow or even page filler.
March 18, 2017
very comprehensive understanding of business analysis role
Most important is that, a lot of good books found from this book.
Most important is that, a lot of good books found from this book.
April 19, 2018
Very very Good! A set of articles of great relevance to the profession of Business Analyst, with a high business impact.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews