Read This If: You want to ensure you are basing your projects value on input from true subject matter expert (for any type of project).

A fake subject matter expert or SME can derail a project. Improvements to your business should be based on the best information you have access to, not outdated or incorrect information. The acronym “SME” seems to pop-up everywhere. I agree that saying “subject matter expert” does not flow as well as SME, but the phrase drives home that the person should be an expert (and in the right subject)!

Subject matter experts are used on projects from IT Strategy, to business process improvement, to software development, to organizational change . . . to name a few. They are supposed to impart the wisdom of what is actually happening, and often, what is needed. But if they are NOT an expert, then what? Are you basing the success of your project on poor information?

So what exactly is a fake SME? The basic premise is that they are someone who appears or pretends to be a subject matter expert, but is not. There are many types, but let me outline some of the more common ones:
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While doing some coaching and training work recently, a number of clients requested some clarity on how they could leverage the business analysis profession and tap into the skills of many on their existing teams.

This information may help you in your career or as a leader to help your team improve.

This data is from the IIBA™ website. Some of it was also recently posted on a Google Knol about business analysis in general.

Business Analysis Careers and Skills May Include:

• A Business Consultant works at a high level to analyze the stakeholder’s business objectives, recommend and develop solutions to address their business problem
• A Business Process Analyst is responsible for analyzing and defining business processes both “As Is” and “To Be”
• A Data Analyst is responsible for the logical data model
• A Business Architect models the whole business in terms of goals, data, process, organization
• A Requirements Analyst works at a lower level to identify, analyze and document the business requirements and deliver work products through the project life cycle
• A Systems Analyst translates the business requirements into System/Functional requirements, which are then passed to Application Developers
• A Management Consultant assists stakeholders with understanding their strategic goals and how best to accomplish them.

Are you leveraging your business analysis team or are they boxed in? You may be surprised at what they can do for your organization if you engage them with the right ideas and even a Business Analysis Center of Excellence.

These roles and skills can help ensure:
- Your business projects are aligned
- Technology is not just an after thought to a strategic plan
- Your team is focused on the overall business
- Root cause is determined and value assessed - so the real problems are solved

Why should you care? Without attention to these issues money and time are wasted and talent is squandered.

Email me with questions or comments.

Trademark Notice
IIBA is a trademark owned by the International Institute of Business Analysis.

Have questions about what a business analyst (BA) is and how can they can help your organization? Do you understand enough about the BA to tap into the full value they can bring to a project? Understanding their role can help you solve problems and add value to your business! Don’t overlook your BAs as complex  problem solvers!

It can be a challenge to explain what the business analyst does. Consider the physician-patient analogy as a straightforward way to explain a high-level view of the role. The BA is very much like a physician, with the organization as the patient.

If you are not feeling well and go to see a good physician, they will not simply hand out a diagnosis, a bottle of pills, and a date when you will feel better. First, they will conduct some level of exam based on your symptoms. The more severe your symptoms, the more skill and time it will take to complete a diagnosis. Similarly, the BA cannot rush a recommendation for a solution before understanding and examining the company and issues involved. More complex business issues require more time and effort to resolve.

Complex symptoms require the physician to gather a substantial amount of background information about the patient including family and personal history, travel habits, and working conditions. Additionally, the patient will undergo a variety of tests to understand exactly what is going on. In much the same way, the BA reviews a variety of historical data and gathers current data via requirements workshops, interviews, focus groups, and other techniques. The BA then analyzes and documents this information using additional techniques such as process maps and user scenarios.

Eventually the physician will arrive at a diagnosis of the problem and explain it to the patient and their family. The physician asks the patient about their preferences, provides options for care, and outlines the risks involved with each option. The competent BA will also develop solutions for the situation at hand and provide recommendations to implement a solution. The solution should be based on the needs (requirements) of the stakeholders involved and should outline the risks involved.

A patient may determine that they want to look at alternatives to the options the physician recommends. They may want to try a new or unconventional procedure for any number of reasons. The physician can voice their learned opinion, but ultimately it is up to the patient to endorse an option they believe in. Likewise, any BA will also need to present alternatives to ensure that the project stakeholders are satisfied with the option selected.

The next time you are looking to improve your organization look to your business analysts. Recall the physician-patient relationship as an analogy to explain the important role the BA plays in promoting the health of any organization.

BusinessAnalystWorld: Symposium Series Denver 2008

Where and When:
Sheraton Hotel
June 9-10, 2008

Overview:
BusinessAnalystWorld Symposium Series features a keynote speaker, three Symposium conference tracks, formal roundtable discussions, lunch, and a networking reception at the end of the first day.

See if this event is a fit for you: Learn More or Register

VimStreet’s new website highlights our focus on improving our customer’s organizations. Putting customer needs first is critical. Solutions should be about solving problems and taking advantage of opportunities - not about selling a canned solution. More than just lip-service, we help our customers by understanding what they need and where they want to be - then work with them to get there!

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