Author: Neethu Nair

I have over a decade of experience in business analysis and product management, working with companies of all sizes across various industries. My passion for these fields comes from the belief that a strong business analysis practice and effective product management are essential for building successful products and businesses.

“BREAKING THE FRAME”: A Paradigm Shift in Problem-Solving

Written by Neethu Nair on March 21, 2024. Posted in Articles.

In the realm of business analysis, problem-solving isn’t just a task; it’s a craft. We’re constantly challenged to find solutions to complex issues that impact our organizations’ success. Let us explore a transformative concept in problem-solving: “Breaking the Frame”!

At its core, breaking the frame is about challenging the status quo and approaching problems from a fresh perspective. It’s about stepping outside the boundaries of conventional thinking to uncover hidden opportunities and drive meaningful change.

Consider the “Slow Elevator Story.” Tenants in a building complained about the sluggishness of the elevator, prompting the manager to seek solutions. Traditional problem-solving methods would have led to expensive elevator upgrades. However, by thinking outside the box, a simple yet effective solution was found: installing a mirror in the elevator. This small change altered the perception of time, reducing complaints without the need for costly renovations.

So, how can we apply this concept of breaking the frame to our own problem-solving endeavours?

Reframing the problem: Instead of accepting the problem as presented, dig deeper to uncover its root causes and underlying assumptions.
Diverse Perspectives: Embrace diverse viewpoints and collaborate with colleagues from various backgrounds to gain fresh insights into the problem.
Creative Solutions: Be open to unconventional ideas and approaches that may lead to innovative solutions beyond traditional boundaries.
Holistic Analysis: Consider the broader context surrounding the problem, including external factors, stakeholders’ perspectives, and long-term implications.
Iterative Approach: Adopt an iterative problem-solving approach, where solutions are continuously refined based on feedback and new insights.
Experimentation: Embrace a culture of experimentation, where hypotheses are tested, and failures are viewed as learning opportunities.
Data-Driven Decision Making: Utilize data and analytics to inform problem-solving, ensuring decisions are grounded in evidence and insights.
User-Centric Design: Place the end-user at the centre of problem-solving efforts, empathizing with their needs and preferences.

The elevator may or may not be slow, but the point here is “Is there a better or smarter way to solve the problem?” . By reframing our approach to problem-solving, we can uncover hidden opportunities and propel our organizations forward.

In the realm of business analysis, breaking the frame isn’t just about solving problems; it’s about driving innovation and creating value. By reframing our approach to problem-solving, we can uncover hidden opportunities and propel our organizations forward.

“If I had a hour to solve a problem, I’d spend 55 minutes thinking about the problem and 5 mins thinking about solutions” – Albert Einstein

Therefore, let’s never simply acknowledge the problem as it’s presented. Instead, let’s break free from conventional thinking, explore beyond the established boundaries, and rephrase the given problem to uncover its underlying root causes. By doing so, we can avoid solving the wrong problems and focus on addressing the correct ones.

The key to effective problem-solving lies in embracing creativity, diversity, and a willingness to challenge the norm. Let’s embark on this journey of breaking the frame and revolutionize our approach to problem-solving in business analysis.

Business Analysis Amalgamation with Product Management

Written by Neethu Nair on March 2, 2023. Posted in Articles.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, organizations constantly seek ways to improve their processes, products, and services. Business Analysis and Product Management are two key areas essential to achieving these goals. Traditionally, these functions have been viewed as separate disciplines, with Business Analysts focusing on identifying and analyzing business requirements, while Product Managers focus on the development and management of products and services.

However, there has been a growing trend towards amalgamating these two functions to create a more integrated approach in recent years. By combining Business Analysis with Product Management, companies can benefit from a more holistic understanding of customer needs, more effective use of data, and improved collaboration and communication between teams.

An Overview of Business Analysis and Product Management:

Business Analysis is the process of identifying, analyzing, and documenting business requirements, processes, and workflows. The role of a Business Analyst is to help organizations improve their processes and systems by identifying areas of improvement, gathering and analyzing data, and making recommendations for change. Business Analysts often work closely with stakeholders and other teams within an organization, including IT and project management.

Product Management, on the other hand, is focused on developing and managing products or services. The role of a Product Manager is to identify market opportunities, define product requirements, and work with cross-functional teams to bring products to market. Product Managers must have a deep understanding of customer needs and market trends and/ or the ability to manage budgets, timelines, and resources.

Benefits of Amalgamating Business Analysis and Product Management:

While Business Analysis and Product Management are distinct roles, there are many benefits to amalgamating the two functions. Here are a few of the key advantages.

Better understanding of customer needs:

One of the key benefits of amalgamating Business Analysis and Product Management is the ability to better understand customer needs. By working together, these two functions can create a more complete picture of customer requirements, preferences, and pain points. This can lead to better product design, more effective marketing, and higher customer satisfaction.

Alignment towards Business Goals:

Amalgamating Business Analysis and Product Management also improve team collaboration and communication. These two functions can ensure that everyone is aligned on business goals, product requirements, and timelines. This can lead to better project outcomes and faster time to market.

More practical use of data:

Another benefit of combining Business Analysis and Product Management is effectively using data. Business Analysts are skilled at collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, while Product Managers deeply understand market trends and customer needs. These two functions can leverage data to improve product design, pricing, and marketing decisions by working together.

Faster problem-solving:

Amalgamating Business Analysis and Product Management also lead to faster problem-solving. By having a team of experts who can analyze data, identify issues, and recommend solutions, organizations can respond more quickly to changing market conditions or customer needs. This can help companies stay ahead of the competition and achieve their business objectives more effectively.

Better outcomes over outputs:

Finally, combining Business Analysis and Product Management can improve project outcomes. By working together, these two functions can ensure that products are designed to meet customer needs and that projects are delivered on time and within budget. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction, increased revenue, and a stronger competitive position in the market.

The amalgamation of Business Analysis and Product Management can benefit organizations looking to stay ahead in today’s competitive business landscape. By combining these two functions, companies can improve collaboration and communication, better understand customer needs, use data more effectively, and achieve better project outcomes. Whether a small start-up or a large enterprise, an integrated approach to Business Analysis and Product Management can help you achieve your business objectives more effectively.