Sixteen Business Analysis Principles

A principle can be defined as an underlying fundamental law or concept. Therefore, Business Analysis principles are the basic rules that should be followed to manage changes successfully.

The Business Analysis Book of Knowledge (BABOK) does not currently contain an official list of principles for successful change initiatives. However, IIBA’s Agile Analysis Guide provides 7 principles which are:

1. See the whole.
2. Think as a customer.
3. Analyze to determine what is valuable.
4. Get real using examples.
5. Understand what is doable.
6. Stimulate collaboration and continuous improvement.
7. Avoid waste.

1. Set clear and objective goals and outcomes – A change without clear objectives is bound to fail.
2. Engage stakeholders continuously – Stakeholder needs are the reason for the change. Stakeholders must work together throughout the project.
3. Include all relevant stakeholders – Successful change management requires all key stakeholders to be included in the change initiative.
4. Think holistically – Changes affect people, processes, and technology and are essential for successful change.
5. Adapt vigorously – Welcome change for competitive advantage.
6. Deliver iteratively – Better outcomes frequently, from a couple of weeks to a couple of months, with a preference to the shorter timescale.
7. Encourage change adoption – Motivate stakeholders to change for the better.
8. Communicate frequently – The most efficient and effective communication is face-to-face conversation.
9. Measure continually – Better outcomes are the primary measure of progress.
10. Work sustainably – Stakeholders should be able to maintain a constant pace indefinitely.
11. Pursue excellence – Continuous attention to excellence in business analysis skills, processes, and tools.
12. Avoid waste – Art of maximizing the number of requirements not done–is essential.
13. Reflect regularly – Stakeholders reflect on how to become more effective, then change behavior accordingly.
14. Organize dynamically – Best solutions emerge from self-organizing teams.
15. Manage risks proactively – Identify, analyze, and mitigate risks
16. Define roles and responsibilities – Set clear expectations from all key stakeholders.

I sincerely believe having a set of guiding principles for a profession is extremely valuable. Do comment about any other key principle we should include in the principles.