I equip individuals, teams, and companies to do better business analysis, enabling them to deliver business outcomes.
Are you one of those busybody business analysts? Have you ever visited the doctor's office because you were feeling under the weather, and as the doctor is writing out your prescription, you find yourself observing and making mental notes of their broken processes? Before you leave, you're not only holding your prescription but also giving the doctor a "prescription" to heal their inefficient processes. Or maybe you popped into the local grocery store to grab a carton of milk. In the few minutes you are there, you have already spotted some manual, cumbersome, and repetitive tasks that are causing you and other customers a poor experience. Your inner voice is practically shouting, "There's a better way!" You might feel like a busybody and try to caution yourself to mind your own business. But you know what? I think it's okay to be a busybody in these kinds of scenarios. In fact, it's more than okay – it's what makes us #businessanalysts invaluable. It's just who we are. We're wired to make the world a better place, one process at a time. Our drive to improve, optimize, and streamline processes is what sets us apart and enables us to make a real difference in the businesses and lives around us. For me, "business analyst" is not just a job title – it's a calling. A calling to leave the world around us a little bit better than we found it. Here's to everyone out there doing business analysis even without the job title, making an impact, and making the world a better place. Happy Friday to you all!
I had my annual eye exam yesterday, asking questions about different tests/procedures they did (what does this do, what do you look for when doing this, etc) and pointed out several ways it could be cheated or how the physical size of person asking, "how many fingers am I holding up?" when doing a peripheral vision check may not be the best thing since "here are 3 ways I can give you a correct answer that is not actually testing what you are thinking it did" Also, "I can tell you what the numbers are but they are still a little fuzzy." "Please read the lowest possible line on the card." "Oh sure. '20/20'" "That's not what I asked" "Sure it is. You asked for lowest line, not the lowest line of letters." Yeah, I was also feeling a little mischievous on a Friday afternoon, but it was all in good fun for everyone, not just me.
I feel seen. I have approached store managers and tried to “help”, and received the confused looks and the question “…who are you with?”
Like many others that left a comment on your post, I recognise this behaviour very well. Though I noticed not everyone always appreciates it e.g. those targeted, but also your partner, family or friends 🙄
OMG!! This is so me!!! lol Everywhere and at all times I’m thinking about how processes and workflows could be better. 😁😁😁 I consider this a gift that I wish I could use more often to help companies but I don’t know how to say “ Hi! I’m Stacey and I’m really good at making things better. I want to help your business” 😮💨😮💨😮💨 without them looking at me strange.
Guilty as charged! If I had a dollar for every time I started drawing a mindmap or process flow every time I stepped out of the house, read an article on HBR or Forbes, or just had to pick up groceries from the supermarket I'd be a millionaire! 😂 That's why I try to distract myself with music sometimes but that's what makes the life of an analyst exciting. We always question everything. Looking for better ways. Great post Oge Nwachukwu, CBAP,
Oge Nwachukwu, CBAP, CPOA, PMP, ACCA, PROSCI Your post is so relatable 😂 When I started my career, I would apply Business Analysis principles at home. I often thought, "If we used a Trello board for household chores, we'd stop fighting and arguing about whose turn it is to wash the dishes." I love how applying BA principles has improved my life overall. I’m a proud busybody.🤭
Hahahah...Oge, I can relate with the busy body Business Analyst.. we 'unintentionally' just spot process inefficiency when we're being rendered a service ...it is truly who we are, we just want to make the world a better place.
As a PM I do this all the time. Don't get me started on the yearly pepper/tomatoes sales at our local superstore. I'm like, and a transformation team couldn't figure out how best to serve these clients who always come to buy these things in bulk once a year? Thankfully they have started implementing some processes to make it better.
That's what I have been calling a Business Analysis Mindset. A set of values and beliefs that change the way we see the world, feel, and behave. Practicing Business Analysis constantly develops this mindset in anyone.
Oge, I laughed out loud at your post! I am a busybody BA every day!! My most common statement is "They didn't have a BA when they built this." Grocery store credit card machines, gas pumps, ATM machines, and web sites and apps. Some of the user interfaces are so bad and counter intuitive. I just keep reminding myself that these systems are opportunities for more BA skills to be applied. Once you start looking for inefficiencies, you just can't stop!!