Product Operating Model, Peer Reviews, and Enterprise Change Management

3 Key Takeaways from BA Digest (Q4 Edition)

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect the perspectives of IIBA.

The Q4 edition of BA Digest was recently released, which contains sixteen diverse articles. If you’re short on time, here’s a summary of three.

1. Product Operating Model

In “What business analysts need to know about the product operating model,” Kent J. McDonald observes that many organizations are moving toward product operating models. This presents an opportunity for business analysis professionals on teams to focus on outcomes rather than outputs, he argues.

The product operating model emphasizes a customer-centric approach. It requires organizations to explicitly determine which problems to solve and how to do so effectively. A product trio—product manager, tech lead, and product designer—collectively addresses risks related to value, usability, feasibility, and viability. Business analysis professionals play a crucial role in ensuring viability by leveraging their understanding of rules, data, and processes. This makes them indispensable members of the team.

To thrive in a product operating model, business analysis professionals should focus on showcasing their skills rather than job titles. By ensuring solutions are both viable and valuable, they establish themselves as essential to the organization's success.

2. Benefit of Peer Reviews

In “Implementation of peer reviews: A game-changer for our Business Analysts,” Christine Savriacooty reflects on the impact of peer reviews in enhancing user stories and other business analysis artefacts. Recognizing the potential for ambiguities, the initiative aims to ensure that user stories are accurate, clear, and sufficiently detailed. By standardizing user story writing and promoting continuous improvement, the business analysis team is better equipped to ensure quality.

To facilitate the success of this initiative, a comprehensive awareness campaign was launched to promote the benefits of peer reviews. It emphasized learning opportunities and a culture of excellence rather than criticism. Key criteria for the reviews were developed collaboratively with experienced business analysis professionals, helping to define what constitutes high-quality user stories. The implementation of a peer review log has further enhanced accountability and provided valuable insights into the effectiveness of the process.

The initiative has led to positive outcomes, including improved clarity and communication. The collaborative efforts have fostered a sense of community, with business analysis professionals gaining a broader perspective through cross-project reviews. Overall, the peer review process has been transformational, resulting in professional growth for the analysts involved.

3. Enterprise Change Management

In “Lessons Learned from Navigating Enterprise Change Management,” Kateryna Stryhunivska shares valuable lessons learned from her experience with enterprise change management. She emphasizes the importance of thorough planning, which can significantly impact the success of a change initiative. Drawing parallels between change management and software development, she notes that it's cheaper to address issues early rather than later.

Kateryna outlines three critical lessons. The first stresses the need to consider the "big picture," understanding how various elements within an organization interact. This can help mitigate resistance and foster stakeholder collaboration. The second highlights the significance of feedback, noting that establishing feedback loops with stakeholders can clarify project progress and reduce resistance to change. Lastly, Kateryna discusses the importance of considering positive and negative forces. She suggests the use of force-field analysis to identify enablers and blockers.

Overall, Kateryna's insights aim to help others navigate the complexities of enterprise change management more effectively, encouraging a holistic approach.

Keep Sharpening the Saw

All of these articles encourage us to keep learning. Whether you’re a new practitioner or you’ve been practising for years, there’s always more to learn. If you need to broaden your knowledge of techniques, keep an eye on IIBA’s KnowledgeHub. 
 

For more thought-provoking articles like the ones mentioned above, be sure to download your copy of BA Digest—a free, open access, quarterly magazine published by Blackmetric that focuses on all things business analysis.   

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