We typically undertake projects to solve some business problem or address a business need, but, since time, money, and people are often scarce resources, we need to be pretty confident that the projects we pursue are going to actually deliver their intended results. If not, our efforts will be misguided – we may think we’re implementing solutions, but we may actually be making things worse (and introducing new problems) because we didn’t understand the true problem in the first place.
This happens because we look first at issues that are the most clear, and there’s nothing wrong with that per se – when we see a fire, the logical first response is to put it out. However, if we see that fire as the true problem, as opposed to seeing it as symptomatic of underlying systemic conditions, then we’ve only treated a symptom without providing a cure.
Take, for example, a typical software implementation project. Information management systems produce outputs that drive and define business results, but those outputs rely on accurate inputs – we all understand the concept of garbage in, garbage out. Yet, if we define our project as merely replacing one software application with another, then we’re only focused on the functionality of that new system and not on the work processes that define those quality inputs. As a result, we can “successfully” stand up the new software, but, to the degree we didn’t ensure that associated input processes were validated or modified as applicable, we’ve only been successful in half-measure – we’ve done the wrong project.
As a discipline, business analysis looks at work processes holistically – the business analyst understands and is able to articulate the relationships between how work gets done and the data structures the business uses to manage that work. As such, business analysis is an indispensable function when planning and executing a project – a project’s scope should be based on a complete requirements analysis exercise, and those requirements are truly impossible to define without identifying the root cause(s) of what may well be superficial problems. Business analysis is that process to ensure our projects are fully focused and produce the right deliverables.
If any of this resonates with you, please reach out to us at PlanMasters LLC for more information.