Resources for Business Analysts

Geri Schneider Winters is the primary author of the popular Use Case book "Applying Use Cases: A Practical Guide". After completing an MS in Computer Science, she has worked in the software industry for more than 20 years. Her primary goal is to help other people be successful in their careers. Mrs. Winters is active in the Global Rational User Group Community. She is a longtime member of ACM and IEEE.

I just launched a new company with some partners in the UK. Don’t worry though, I will continue to be involved with the BA community. In fact, I am working on some new things for you!
If you are in the 45-65 age range (or maybe a bit older or younger), you might be interested in [...]

Michiel Erasmus has a nice podcast series for Business Analysts. Michiel got the idea in 2009 to interview experienced BA’s so that he could learn more about the role. He decided to record the interviews and make them available so other people could benefit from the information as well. I quite admire him for his [...]

During the Q&A for the Free class in May on Planning Iterations, I referred to quite a number of resources.  I had some folks ask me to write up those references. Here they are:
Book: XP Explained, Kent Beck
Certified Scrum Master training – http://www.implementingscrum.com
Book: The Inmates are Running the Asylum, Alan Cooper
IIBA and certifications: http://www.theiiba.org
Analysis is [...]

Author: Geri Schneider Winters
I was asked recently how to increase productivity and performance as a BA. Here are some ideas based on my own experience.

Before acting ask yourself the best approach to something.

For example, when collecting information we often assume that interviews are the best approach. Before scheduling interviews, think about the information [...]

It is the second week of June, so time for the next Ask Geri Teleseminar. Each second Thursday I spend an hour answering any questions you submit about being a Business Analyst. The next Q&A is on Thursday, June 10 at noon Eastern.
You can post questions here:
Ask Geri
I look forward to your questions!
Geri

Author: Geri Schneider Winters
In the context of the BA role, I see so much published on the internet that is just nonsense. How can you know who to believe and what to trust?
You have to trust in your own experience and common sense.

If something seems reasonable, some technique or process, then try it for yourself, [...]

The new Business Analyst Fundamentals class started on Monday.
This class is particularly targeted to Career Changers, so we are spending time throughout the course teaching you the skills of a BA and also helping you with techniques for tuning your resume and looking for a BA position. Homework assignments are things you can do from [...]

We have enough people on the Facebook Fan page that I was able to get a custom URL!  No more long string with strange numbers in it. Thanks to all the people who Liked the page and made this possible!
Now you can find my fanpage here: http://www.facebook.com/ResourcesForBAs
When you are on Facebook, you can post [...]

Several of you have written to me to say “Geri, I really want to take your Business Analyst Fundamentals class starting May 31, but I am out of work right now and just cannot afford it.”
I have done 2 things for you:
First, I am very excited to tell you about a bonus session I have [...]

Many of you have written to me about how to become a Business Analyst. Most often you are a career changer – you already have some number of years of experience, and you think Business Analyst is the job for you.
Starting May 31, 2010 I am offering a new course just for you – Business [...]