I actually read the new End User License Agreement (EULA) and discovered a few things that really bother me.

1. There is a bunch of new software added to Winzip that has nothing to do with file compression. It does computer scans for this that and something else. It is software I do not want, but I do not see any choice about whether or not to install it.

2. This software I do not want is under a subscription license. I have to agree to keep a credit card on file and be automatically charged a yearly subscription fee.

3. The amount of this yearly subscription fee is not stated anywhere that I could find.

4. This information does not appear anywhere that I could find on the Winzip website. Current US Federal Law REQUIRES a company to clearly disclose subscription agreements at the point of purchase.

I have used Winzip for a very long time and have always been happy with the product. I thought the company was honest with their customers.

I note that Winzip is now owned by Corel.

Today I am quite UNHAPPY with Winzip 16 requiring me to install software I do not want and to pay a required yearly subscription fee of some unknown amount for this software I do not want.

Give me back my old Winzip!!

(I know this is not BA stuff, but this kind of underhanded behavior really bothers me. We have to let each other know about this kind of thing.)

Geri

A programmer keeps bits of code that do interesting things he may want to do again. A carpenter has patterns and jigs to make the job go faster. A writer has stock phrases, openings and closings that can be used as is, or edited to fit the current project.

Experienced Business Analysts do the same thing.

I cannot always keep samples of my work, because the companies I work for will often require me to destroy all copies I may have when my contract comes to an end. But when I can, I do keep old use cases, parts of use cases, and requirements documents that I refer to for inspiration. Some of them I can use mostly the way they are, with just a bit of rewriting. Others may not be useful in the current project, but I refer to them to remind me of things I should consider in the new project.

When possible, I collect examples from other people as well. Someone else will have thought of something that did not occur to me, or will have an interesting new way of doing things. Typically I only have descriptions of what was done because the documents are proprietary and so the other person cannot share the documents with me. But even descriptions of what the person did are useful when I go to new projects.

This is something you should be doing for yourself. You should collect examples of well written requirements documents – such as use cases, supplementary requirements, report specifications – and keep good examples of your own work in an easy-to-find place so you can refer to them later. As long as you continue working for the same company, this should be easy to do.

These examples will help you to work faster and with better quaility, because instead of creating everything new, you are starting with something that is already good.

When a programmer starts out, there are books that have sample bits of code that do interesting things. There are books for writers and carpenters as well.  But where can a Business Analyst get examples?

In September 2010, I took a set of old use cases and other requirements and completely rewrote them. I extended the example, and made it as complete as I could without being on a “real” project.  I added explanations of what I did and why I did it, and put all this into a PDF book.

You can get a copy of this book for yourself. You can use it for examples and inspiration on your own projects. Even if the domain is not the one you work in, you will find many examples of  how to do things that will apply to the work you are doing.  Since this is an electronic book, you can even copy and paste examples into your own documents and edit them to suit your needs.

From now until the end of July 2011, I am including  an extra bonus with this book. This is a set of 4 use cases and a report mockup that provide the basics of application security – login, managing use accounts and role tables, and reviewing logs of login attempts.

In addition, you will get a copy of my 2 page job aid that you can print double sided and use for reference. The first side of the job aid is a table of the FURPS+ requirements. I use this to remind myself of the different kinds of supplementary requirements I should consider in my project. The second side is a decision tree to help you determine if you need use cases, screen mockups, report specifications, and other kinds of requirements for your project.

These bonuses are not advertised on the sales page. It’s a secret thing I’m offering to people I know from my email lists and forums. When you purchase the book, you will be given instructions on where to get the bonuses.

Get your copy of the book, and the bonuses, here: http://www.wyyzzk.com/usecaserequirementsmodel.html

The bonuses are only available until the end of July, so get your copy of the book now.

Best -

Geri

PS – For all of you who have purchased my Business Analyst Fundamentals class (instructor led or self guided) – you already have a copy of this book in your class member area. You also have the bonuses I have listed here. So don’t buy this book for yourself! If you feel like purchasing a copy for someone else, I won’t stop you.

Over 200 people have taken the ReStart Profiler Quiz so far, and the results are interesting:

73 Observers
49 Evaluators
50 Predictors
22 Dreamers
13 Performers

I also saw that 30 people from the same company took the profile quiz! Their results were similar to the larger set:

7 Observers
9 Evaluators
10 Predictors
3 Dreamers
1 Performer

Imagine if you had this information about your co-workers. Wouldn’t you be able to understand each other better and therefore work together better? If I were going to that company to teach a class or mentor that team, this information would really help me to help them do a better job.

Find out your Restart Profile type by going to http://www.writingusecases.com and clicking the green Restart button in the box on the left of the page. (In the rows of buttons, it is the one on the end of the 3rd row.)

Then send your co-workers over to take it and see what they come out to be!

Have fun with it -

Geri

PS – The ReStart Profiling System was developed by Jonathan Chase for Restart Academy. I am one of the founders of Restart Academy. I use the system myself, recommend it to others, coach people in its use, and share in the profits of Restart Academy.

Some like to watch first before trying something, others are great at making plans, someone else is best at mitigating risk, another person is great at visualizing, while someone else just jumps right in to what ever task needs doing.

If you play to your subconscious strengths, then any of those approaches can be successful. If you try to be something you are not, then the approach that works for someone else will fail for you.

What is your subsconscious strength?

Now you can quickly and easily find out.

Jonathan Chase at Restart Academy has developed a quick quiz that will tell you your personal best approach to starting anything. Go to http://www.writingusecases.com and click on the green Restart button in the left side box.

This will take you to the Restart Academy Profiler (don’t worry, it’s free). After you get your result, you can learn how to apply your subconscious strength to Business Analysis. Just click on the link on the result page that says:

Get your BA Specific Results Here!

Go now and take the quiz at http://www.writingusecases.com and let me know how it works out for you!

Best -

Geri

PS – I am one of the founders of Restart Academy. I use the system myself, recommend it to others, coach people in its use, and share in the profits of Restart Academy.

I have put together a single page that gives basic information and links to all the resources I have for Business Analysts.

From this page you can get to these Business Analyst resources:

* Blog
* Facebook fan page
* Video tips
* Articles
* Career information

You can also:

* Sign up for my tip of the week series
* Read my Bio
* Find out what is new
* And find all the products I currently offer

Click here to visit the Wyyzzk BA Portal

Then post a comment here or on the Facebook fan page letting me know what you think about the new site.

Thanks!

Geri

PS – A handy form at the bottom of the portal page lets you tell your friends about the site.

I have set up a video channel for Business Analyst tips on YouTube.
There are 15 videos there at present including:

• 5 steps to better use cases – parts 1 and 2
• Business rules versus Technical Constraints
• Use Stories versus User Cases
• Business Analyst Career Paths
• and 10 videos on how a BA would start to work on a project

There are 10 different project types, so 10 different videos

I’ll be adding more over time, so let me know if there is something you want me to make a video about!

Here is the link again:
http://www.youtube.com/user/Wyyzzk

Pass on the link to other BA’s you know.

• Is Business Analyst a good career?
• Which job is better, XXX or Business Analyst?
• I have been a Business Analyst for XXX years, what can I do now?

I cannot really answer these questions because the answer depends on what you want for yourself. My answers are always suggestions of things to think about, so that you can find the best answer for you.  The suggestions are generally about career planning.

You need to spend some time thinking about what you want from your career. You can change your mind later, but you need to have some kind of career goal, or you have no basis for answering these kinds of questions.

I made a video that goes through quite a bit of information on common career paths. It gives you a lot to think about, so that you can choose what appeals to you in terms of a career goal.  You can find that video here: http://www.wyyzzk.com/BAFundamentals/Careers.mp4

Once you know what you want, the answers about whether or not to pursue a BA role or what you can do next become obvious.

The video does not cover every possibility and individual people have had some very different career paths. I have focused on careers within the corporate environment, because that is generally where you find BA positions. Of course there are exceptions – I know many people (including myself) who work as BA consultants and contractors. But that number is far smaller than the number of people working within corporations.

One of the most important skills any professional can have is that of “managing up,” or Managing Your Manager. While the idea of managing the person who is supposed to manage you may sound contrary, you can also think of it as a beneficial outcome to communication, demonstrated professional integrity, and good consulting skills.

Managing up also is a form of visibility, or presence. As workplaces and teams span locations and more of us work remotely, it is important to remain visible in a positive way. Being top of mind (and showing how responsible, consistent, and good your communication skills are) is a great way to get considered for successively more interesting or challenging projects. Plus, you’re helping to ensure that your manager isn’t caught off-guard when it comes to you or your projects, and that often translates to more latitude (or less micro-managing).

What is it, really?

Managing up will sound like your boss is going to get more out of it than you will. In the short term, that’s probably true. A big part of managing up is to help your manager look good by keeping him apprised of what’s going on with you, your projects, and the team. The benefit to you is that people appreciate it when their staff–or teammates–help them look good. You get the benefit of people wanting you on their teams and the good professional reputation you’ll build in the process.

• It is a tangible demonstration of your professional integrity. In his book “Selling the Invisible: A Field Guide to Modern Marketing”, author Harry Beckwith states, “Invest in and religiously preach integrity. It is the heart of your brand. The heart of a service brand – the element without which the brand cannot live – is the integrity of the company and its employees. The value of any brand rises or falls with each demonstration of the company’s integrity.” (p. 155). In this case, rather than thinking of the “company” brand, think of it as your personal brand–the value of your brand rises or falls with each demonstration of your integrity. Giving your boss a heads-up when something didn’t go well, reporting what you have been and will be working on (without it being required), and telling the truth are all demonstrations of personal integrity.
• Your manager should always be able to answer the question, “What is Judy/the team/the department working on?”. By proactively providing this information, you are helping your manager to look good to his/her peers or boss – and that’s always a good thing.
• Your manager should never be caught off guard by hearing project news from someone else. Especially if it’s bad news! If something transpires that may result in a call to your boss, make sure he or she hears about it first from you, and not when they are cornered in the company cafeteria or restroom. It may be very uncomfortable to deliver bad news to your boss, but it’s guaranteed to be even less comfortable if they hear about it from someone else–and look uninformed or not in control of their staff/team in the process. By hearing about it before having to have a conversation, they can be better informed and prepared for any conversations that may arise–or have the opportunity to be proactive and nip a potential issue in the bud.
• Managing up isn’t just for the little guys. This is one skill you’ll always need – everybody has a boss, even if it’s the Board of Directors.

How do I do it?

You might be wondering how this managing-up thing works and how it’s accomplished. Here are a few suggestions based on my own time-tested practices:

• Provide a weekly status report, even if one isn’t required. Especially, in fact, if one isn’t required. It can be a simple email or one-page document that lists:

- What you accomplished that week

- Any issues or roadblocks

- What you’re working on in the coming week

• Provide an as-needed update, especially if something significant happens relative to a project. If good or bad news comes up for a project, let them know right away–no need to wait for your weekly status report.
• Keep it short. The point isn’t to over-burden your managers with minutia. If they want more information, they’ll ask for it.
• Keep your tone professional. Managing up isn’t about competing with others, it’s about being professional and helping your boss to look good.

Here are a few examples from my own experience and that of friends:

• “Hey, Jane–I just had a meeting with the stakeholders from Underwriting. They were not happy with the process we’re suggesting for (whatever).” (As business analysts, this will happen, probably more than we’d like it to.)
• “Hey, Jane–I just met with Customer Service – they were really pleased with ….” (Stop in and deliver some good news, too – especially if something goes better than expected.)
• “Hi, Stan, here’s some info you’re going to need. You don’t need to go over it now, but you’ll want to have it on hand.” (This was from a friend who works in a contentious engineering environment. After a meeting, he dropped off crucial numbers at his supervisor’s desk. His supervisor was then prepared to deal with the irate visitor he had thirty minutes later.)
• “Do you have a minute? I was just in a meeting with Art from Accounting and I really lost my patience with him. I want to let you know before you get a phone call.” (Awkward? You bet. But not as awkward as getting called into your boss’s office after s/he gets a phone call from Art or Art’s manager. For best results, be sure you take responsibility for your actions, and let your manager know what you plan to do to remedy the situation. Or, ask for suggestions on the best way to deal with the individual. No matter what sort of jerk the other person may be, you will always look good by taking responsibility for yourself and behaving professionally, which is to say, not whining or blaming.)

Managing up takes some discipline and some courage. You will find that it improves your personal brand and over time is well worth the effort. This is a long-term career investment; get started today!

Security has been and will continue to be a very important topic for many years. Internet security and Information security are particularly important.

I think we will continue to see greater use of the internet for things such as Software As A Service (SAAS) and outsourcing work of all kinds.

I am seeing good growth for all kinds of Virtual Assistants, from very basic services, through specialized services, and up through Executive Assistants.  If you are self-motivated, like people,  and are very organized with good communication skills of all kinds, this could be something of interest. (This is a thought for people who are looking for a career change that uses skills they have already learned.)

Privacy concerns will continue to grow, so working in an area that provides products and services to protect privacy will become more important.

At the same time, people want community, so they will continue to use the internet to create communities. They will want to easily share information within their community, while keeping out “outsiders”, and while not sharing information outside the community. While Facebook has been great, I suspect that a solution more like Ning (with individual communities and more privacy) will have better market reach over time.

Products and services to help companies comply with upcoming FTC and FCC requirements for web sites should do very well. There are more and more regulations being written (and laws in various countries), so this will become very important over the next 12-24 months.

Post your thoughts in comments. What do you think of these ideas? What are your thoughts for hot  markets?

Geri

With that in mind, here are some questions for you about your 2011 Business Analyst Career Goals. Answer them in the comments so there is a public record of what you want to achieve!

1. What frustrates you most about your career?

2. What are you trying to accomplish this year?

3. What do you think you would need to double your satisfaction with your career this year?

4. What strategies have you already tried to improve your career that worked and that did not work?