BA Mindset Principle #3: Question Everything

The value is in asking the right questions

Many of us have been there.

The pressure is on. The deadlines are looming. The project manager keeps asking when the requirements will be completed.

You are still grappling with conflicting information coming from different stakeholders. Just as you think you are putting the finishing touches on the requirements document, someone mentions:

“That’s not what we do…”

“When I was there, we sometimes had to…”

“I don’t know why, but…”

Or, as you are re-reading the requirements, you realize something is still bothering you or sticks out as a sore thumb.

This is a critical point where so much depends on your business analyst mindset.

You may decide:

• It’s too late to dig into that.
• You are uncomfortable reopening a topic.
• You don’t want to appear uninformed.
• There is no time — you have to get the requirements signed off tomorrow.
• The developers will figure it out when they get there.
• It’s probably not that important since it was only mentioned in passing…