Continuous Learning isn't a BADD Idea (or is it?).
A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to help organize Business Analyst Development Day (BADD) 2009, an event aimed at helping people become more effective at business analysis. We had sessions that discussed more of the why and when various techniques are used rather than the basic how. We also had a panel discussion with four practitioners about the role of business analyst. A key theme of the panel, and of the entire day, was the need to continuously learn.
So why should we continuously learn? Simply put, if you don't someone else will. It is no longer enough to lean on a fairly limited set of skills and knowledge. As organizations continue to look for ways to be more efficient (think get more done with fewer people) those people who have a broad set of skills will be considered more valuable, and have more opportunities than those who have a limited skill set, even if they are very good at it. To survive and thrive in the business world of tomorrow, you have to have a well rounded skill set where you may specialize in a couple of things, but are able and willing to do a variety of tasks, as part of a team. It is no longer sufficient to be a “use case guy.”
So what should we continuously learn? At BADD, we had sessions about scope modeling, event modeling, facilitating requirements sessions, business process modeling, business rules and data requirements, communicating with diverse teams, and analysis through a focus on value. These are all different ways of describing the problem and solution a project was established to provide. Think of them as tools to add to your toolkit. Add to that an understanding of the business you are trying to serve, and the technology you are using to serve the business, and you have a good idea of the broad range of knowledge that you should be seeking.
So how do you go about continuously learning? The panelists had the best suggestions. Find some good books on the subject in which you are interested.(See ProjectConnections books list). Search the Internet for some good resources (such as the variety of resources on ProjectConnections). Form a group of peers that gets together at lunch, or after work over drinks at the pub, to discuss new ideas and thoughts. The panelists were also quick to congratulate the attendees for taking advantage of another form of continuous learning – attending the event itself.
Incidentally, as you glance through the various posts on this blog you are engaging in a form of continuous learning as well. I found that helping to organize a conference is another great way to learn as well, as long as you can remove yourself from the operations of the event long enough to listen to what the speakers and the attendees have to say.
There are ways to gain PM skills without waiting to rack up decades of experience. It helps to make sure your priorities, goals, and actions are well aligned. Try treating your career as a personal marketing and business development project.
Continuous learning programs don't have to be expensive to be expansive. This example provides a framework built around brown bag lunches and self-study. Coaching arrangements provide inexpensive and invaluable on-the-project training. Consider building an in-house website for your PMO or project support group too. (Here's one group's recommendations for such a site.)
