5 Means to Get Into the Domain

As Business Analysts, we are often asked to facilitate meetings on topic with which we are not necessarily experts.  That is an intimidating place to be in.  How on Earth do you elicit specific and meaningful content about a topic that you don’t necessarily know much about?  Here are some ideas.

Embrace being the “new guy”

Acknowledge to yourself that it’s perfectly O.K. that you don’t know much about the topic at hand.  It’s easier to get other people to forgive your being a novice than it is to get yourself to give that grace.  Get it over with as soon as possible and get beyond it.  You can’t know everything about everything.  My motto is never be afraid to ask the “dumb” question.  There is no such thing,

Acknowledge your lack of knowledge

When you go into a session and don’t have a great command of the topic, say so.  Let everyone know that you’re learning as you go.  This can go a long way toward building empathy for you and others who are on the learning curve.  Now, ask a lot of questions and don’t act smooth when you don’t know something.  Don’t be afraid to ask about things it seems like everyone knows.  I’m willing to bet that you’re not the only person in the room who doesn’t understand that acronym or specialty term.  Build a solid glossary of terms for yourself and others on the team.  Take lots of notes or be dead certain your memory is a steel trap.  Once you say you don’t know something, have the courtesy to take notes or repeat the information so that the audience knows you are making a conscious effort to learn.  Having notes that you can publish out to verify your understanding also helps those people who aren’t willing to speak out.  You become a hero for them. 

One piece of caution here.  Don’t be the person who asks the same question over and over.  No one likes that guy.  Don’t be that guy.

Find a domain mentor

There are undoubtedly people in your organization you can talk to when you need clarification on a particular point or who can explain the finer details of a concept or process.  Find this person or persons and make sure that you build a good relationship with them.  Not only are you building a knowledge base for yourself, you’re building credibility with folks who can help you do the same within your team.  Trust is important and this relationship can help you build a solid foundation.  Lastly, building trust in your team never hurts.  Ever.

Read, Read, Read

Although your company or client may have very particular ways of doing things, most jobs or services are well documented and have a wealth of general information out on the internet.  Get out there and find it.  Many employers offer books either in a library on premises or electronically.  Do not hesitate to use these.  A sincere effort to learn the general points will boost everyone’s trust that you care about the subject and the team.   

All of the above suggestions build into one important point for any B.A.  Members of the business analyst profession need to be resourceful.  This means that you take the initiative and find the answers instead of waiting for the answers to come to you.  A good or great analyst will find ways to get information when others will only find brick walls.  You will know who to go to and when to ask the questions everyone needs answered.  Nothing can stop a resourceful business analyst.

Have your BA skills and competencies solid

If you are unsteady on your feet in terms of business analysis skills, such as facilitating meetings, eliciting requirements, or process modeling, it will show.  Practice your analytical skills as frequently as possible and be as confident as possible when you are going into a domain where you know very little.  If you are a brand new analyst, this is a much more tall order than if you have been at the job more than 5 years.  If that is the case, work on your self-confidence first.  Believing in yourself projects to others more than you would expect.  Once you believe in yourself, it is easier to focus upon your skills.  When practicing your skills, find a safe place to do it.  Rehearse with a mentor or ask for feedback from your team after holding an analysis session.