Underlying Competencies Course ware
Underlying Competencies
This session provides the importance
of the behaviours, characteristics,
knowledge and personal qualities that
support the practice of Business
Analysis.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Categories of Competencies
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Behavioural Characteristics
Business Knowledge
Communication Skills
Interaction Skills
Tools and Technology
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem
Solving
• This competency helps the Business Analyst to Analyze
problems and opportunities effectively , identify the changes
which delivers more value and work with stakeholders to
understand the change
• Quickly understand the methods to learn and
present/communicate information that best suits for
conveying to the audience
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Includes :
• Creative Thinking
• Decision Making
• Learning
• Problem Solving
• Systems Thinking
• Conceptual Thinking and
• Visual Thinking
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Creative Thinking
• Used to generate and encourage new ideas.
BAs should be effective in promoting
creative thinking by asking questions and
challenging the assumptions
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Decision Making
• Used to select appropriate and suitable option from
a set of alternatives. Gathering the required
information and analyzing it. Making or assisting
others to make better decisions. Baseline/Document
the reference for future purpose for making similar
decision for events
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Learning
• Gaining knowledge or skills. The thorough
understanding of domain will help to do better
analysis of situation and provide apt solutions for the
needs. Learning techniques : Visual – through visual
objects, Auditory – Verbal and written and
Kinesthetic – By doing
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Problem Solving
• Definition of problem helps to understand the
underlying issues and builds confidence while
collaborating with stakeholders during solution
alternates assessment / selection processes
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Systems Thinking
• Understanding the system (people, processes and
technology interaction) as a whole and related
components of it. It will help to assess impact of an
event and communicate the change effectively.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Conceptual Thinking
• Understanding the linking factors between concepts,
solutions, needs, changes, stakeholders and value
and fitting them in a big picture. This will encourage
to generate ideas on own and explain uncertainty
with information
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving
Visual Thinking
Helps to convert complex concepts and models through
a visual representation. This will help audience to
understand the idea quickly and effectively due to
visuals. An Effective skill for presenting complex
information which is understandable by stakeholders
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
This is used to increase the personal
effectiveness in the practice of Business
Analysis. It helps to gain trust and respect of
the stakeholders
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Includes :
• Ethics
• Personal Accountability
• Trustworthiness
• Organization and Time Management and
• Adaptability
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Ethics:
Behaving ethically and thinking of ethical impacts
will earn the respect of the stakeholders. It is
nothing but focusing on fairness, consideration,
and moral behaviour
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Personal Accountability:
Enables the BAs to establish credibility. Actually, it is
taking ownership of the activities & being responsible
Business Analyst should ensure that all requirement
deliverables meet the timelines and expectations of
stakeholders
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Trustworthiness:
Earning trust will help to elicit critical/sensitive
information around issues. The stakeholders will have
the confidence that their recommendations will be
evaluated properly and fairly. The fear due to change
can be handled better.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Organization and Time Management:
Efficient use of work time and the ability to prioritize
tasks. The information received through various
elicitation activities should be organized and stored
properly. Focusing more on prioritized task and
focusing less on non-prioritized / non- critical tasks
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Behavioural Characteristics
Adaptability:
The ability to change techniques, style, methods and
approach while dealing with different stakeholders,
organization and situations. Adjusting himself/herself
and altering the interpersonal style to handle/meet the
different situations.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Session 9 : Underlying Competencies :Course
Business Knowledge
ware
Business Knowledge
Business Knowledge is important to BAs to
perform the tasks effectively within their
business, industry, organization and
methodology. It will help to understand the
change better to evaluate solutions for benefits
and value which is expected to deliver.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Includes :
• Business Acumen
• Industry Knowledge
• Organization Knowledge
• Solution Knowledge
• Methodology Knowledge
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Business Acumen:
The ability to understand business needs using
experience and knowledge obtained from situations. It
also helps in choosing better options with the
experience and expertise of the Business Analyst. It
helps to demonstrate the ability to recognize potential
limitations and risks involved
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Industry Knowledge:
Understanding the current trends, market forces,
market drivers, key processes, services, products,
definitions, customer segment, suppliers, practices,
regulations and other factors that impacts or being
impacted the industry. Very useful during bench
marking.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Organization Knowledge:
Understanding how enterprise functions and makes
profit. The language or jargon used in the organization.
The relationship between business units and
understand the internal politics that influence decision
making
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Organization Knowledge:
Understanding how enterprise functions and makes
profit using the products/services. The language or
jargon used in the organization. The relationship
between business units and understand the internal
politics that influence decision making.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Solution Knowledge:
This helps to improve the existing solutions or select
best solutions available in the market through previous
experience. It reduces the time / cost to implement a
required change. It also helps to utilize additional
capabilities that are present and not being used
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Business Knowledge
Methodology Knowledge:
Knowing the methodology will help the business
analyst to quickly adapt and perform in new
environments. Knowing the tools, techniques and
terms used in the methodology will leverage while
performing the activities
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
It is the act of a sender conveying information
to a receiver in a method which delivers the
meaning the sender intended. Choosing
appropriate method for delivery is very
important while communicating.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
Includes :
• Verbal Communication
• Non-Verbal Communication
• Written Communication
• Listening
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
Verbal Communication:
Uses spoken words to convey information. Used to
express business analysis information, ideas, concepts,
facts and opinions.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
Non-Verbal Communication:
Used to communicate much more meaning than words.
It provides the opportunity to address the feelings of
others that are not expressed verbally. It helps to
improve trust and confidence.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
Written Communication:
Helps to communicate information from a remote place
to wider audience. Presenting the information and
ideas requires selecting the right words so that the
audience will be able to understand the intended
meaning
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Communication Skills
Listening:
Not just hearing and understanding the meaning in
context. It involves both listening and interpreting the
message. It includes summarizing & repeating what
have been stated. Providing feedback and
acknowledging the speaker are essential components in
listening
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
It focuses on the ability to deal/collaborate
with various internal/external stakeholders
including executives, sponsors, colleagues,
team members, developers, vendors, L&D
professionals, end users, customers and SMEs
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Includes :
• Facilitation
• Leadership and Influencing
• Teamwork
• Negotiation and Conflict Resolution
• Teaching
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Facilitation:
It is the skill to engage all participants to participate to
articulate their views effectively on a topic under
discussion. Ensuring the focus of the topic and
monitoring for sidetracks. Being an effective third party
for the topic.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Leadership and Influencing:
Motivating the people involved to achieve common
goals and objectives. This will help is reducing the
resistance to change, inspiring others to turn vision into
action and effective use of collaboration techniques
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Teamwork:
Working productively with the team and understanding
the team formation and its functions. Building trust and
helping in conflict resolution to benefit.
Together Everyone Achieves More.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution:
Mediating negotiations between stakeholders in order
to reach a common understanding or an agreement.
Conflict resolution is part of this process. Problems
should be separated from persons and real issues to be
debated without damaging the working relationship
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Interaction Skills
Teaching:
Leading others to gain knowledge. Business Analyst
should be able to help the stakeholders to understand
the information, concepts, ideas and issues. Selecting
the appropriate method (Visual, verbal, written and
kinesthetic approaches) according to the information to
gain clarity.
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Tools and Technology
Application of variety of software to support
communication and collaboration, create and
maintain requirements artifacts, model
concepts, track issues and increase overall
productivity
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Tools and Technology
Includes :
• Office productivity Tools and Technology
• Business Analysis Tools and Technology
• Communication Tools and Technology
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Tools and Technology
Office productivity Tools and Technology
Word processing and presentation programs,
Presentation software, Spreadsheets, Communication
tools (eMail and instant messaging programs),
collaboration and knowledge management tools
(Document repository ,wikis and discussion forums)
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Tools and Technology
Business Analysis Tools and Technology
Modelling, diagramming, documenting, analyzing and
mapping requirements, identifying relationships
between requirements, tracking and storing
requirements artifacts and communicating with
stakeholders
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Course ware
Tools and Technology
Communication Tools and Technology
Conversation interaction tools - Voice communications,
online chat, e-Mail, blogging
Collaboration tools – Video conferencing, electronic
white boarding and, electronic voting
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
Underlying Competencies Session 9 : Underlying Competencies : Tools
Courseand Technology
ware
END OF SESSION
Content Source : BABOK® Guide v3
