Hosted by Deirdre Caren on Agora Insights' Blueprints for Success - Adapting to AI, Business Analysis, and Business Architecture.
Introduction
I had the pleasure of interviewing a passionate mentor, author and consultant, Yulie Kosarenko, from Why Change. She shared her insights and reflections during our discussion giving me a glimpse of her love for creating a shared understanding in organizations through business architecture and business analysis.
Yulia's professional journey reflects a deep commitment to the fields of business analysis and business architecture especially mentoring and facilitation. With a solid foundation in computer science and programming, Yulia's career began with a passion for coding and developing software solutions. She soon discovered that her true calling lay in working with people and solving complex business problems, leading her to transition into business analysis. So in this blog, we look at the growing world of business analysis, and the need to diversify our skills in the challenging role of business analysis, while adapting to AI and what BAs need for the future.
Let's get started...
Background
Yulia holds a degree in computer science, which provided her with the technical expertise to excel in her initial roles. Her early career involved working in the education industry, where she contributed to the development of school administration software. This experience was pivotal, as it allowed her to engage in the design and implementation of new systems, fostering a deep understanding of the practical applications of business analysis.
Over the years, Yulia has held various roles, including business analyst, systems analyst, and business architect. Her ability to navigate these different positions has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the business landscape. Notably, she has managed teams of architects, further honing her leadership and project management skills.
Three Key Areas
1. The Evolving Role of Business Analysis
In our discussion, Yule highlighted the critical role of business analysis in fostering a collective clarity on business challenges and goals. It's not simply about producing documents; it's about crafting a shared vision that guides all stakeholders towards a common objective, she explained. This clarity is the key for successful project outcomes and ensures that communication between business units and IT teams is effective and productive.
This would be achieved by BAs helping to define and communicate the problem being solved, clarifying objectives and vision, facilitating communication between relevant and various parties and ensuring that all stakeholders are aligned on the requirements and expected outcomes.
Yulia notes that this role is becoming increasingly important as projects become more complex and involve more diverse stakeholders. She also highlights that business analysts need to move beyond just being "order takers" to become true partners in the project, offering insights and guidance.
2. Adapting to AI and Technological Advancements
Our discussion also touched on the evolving role of AI in the business analysis profession. Yulia recognized the potential of AI to streamline processes by taking over routine tasks and providing analytical support. However, she also underscored the importance of human judgment and the unique ability of human analysts to comprehend the subtleties and complexities of business problems.
Yulie believes that AI should be seen as an ally, a tool that can augment the capabilities of business analysts, not as a replacement. And certainly not a replacement for thinking! It's about leveraging technology to enhance our productivity, allowing us to focus on the strategic elements of our role that require a human touch—critical thinking, empathy, and the ability to navigate the intricacies of organizational dynamics. All of these points are great advice for the BA community.
"AI falls back to the mean… it will make notes for you but it may miss the nuances and it's the nuances where sometimes our biggest problems emerge."
- Yulia Kosarenko
3. Preparing for the Future
Yulia highlighted the importance of continuous learning and skill diversification for business analysts. She stressed the need to embrace new technologies and methodologies while honing essential skills such as data analysis, facilitation, and critical thinking.
In her recommendations, Yulie mentioned - diversify skills beyond just business analysis techniques, develop strong communication and facilitation skills, be flexible and open to change in career paths, maintain a personal passion project or area of interest outside of work, build resilience through varied experiences, focus on developing high-level critical thinking and people management skills, and be prepared for industry changes by continuously expanding your skill set
Yulia stresses that while specialization can be beneficial, it's crucial for analysts to have a broad base of skills and experiences to navigate future changes in the industry. She encourages analysts to take responsibility for their own growth and to always be looking for ways to add value in their roles.
10 Learning Points
- The fundamental value of business analysis lies in creating shared understanding among stakeholders.
- Effective communication and facilitation skills remain crucial for business analysts. They bridge the gap between business and IT, ensuring successful project outcomes.
- Analysts should focus on thinking critically and taking responsibility for their analysis, even as AI tools become more prevalent.
- Data analysis and SQL skills are becoming increasingly important for business analysts.
- Diversifying skills and being flexible are key to long-term career success.
- Participating in the full project lifecycle, from design to implementation, provides invaluable experience.
- Business analysts should strive to be partners in projects rather than just order-takers.
- Maintaining a personal passion project can provide fulfillment and balance in one's career.
- Continuous learning and adapting to new technologies are essential for staying relevant in the field.
- Building resilience through diverse experiences prepares analysts for future career challenges.
Close
Yulia's insights remind us that while the field of business analysis continues to evolve, the core skills of critical thinking, communication, and adaptability remain paramount. As technology advances, business analysts must embrace new tools while focusing on the uniquely human aspects of their role. By continuously learning, diversifying skills, and maintaining passion for the work, analysts can navigate the changing landscape and thrive in their careers.
The takeaway here is profound: business analysis is the bridge that connects the dots between a problem and its solution. It's about understanding the nuances of a business need and translating it into actionable steps that a team can follow. This process is fundamental to driving change and innovation within an organization. And to function in this community, personal growth is essential.
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About Yulia
Yulia runs her own consulting business, Why Change, and teaches business analytics at Humber College in Toronto. Her role as a mentor is particularly significant, as she dedicates herself to guiding and supporting aspiring business analysts and architects.
Yulie is an active speaker at IIBA meetups and has authored a book on business analysis, capturing her extensive experience and insights.
Business Analyst: A Profession and a Mindset
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