Across these two series, we’ve covered a lot of ground. We’ve moved from the high-level Why of the executive suite down to the How of the business analyst’s toolkit.
If you missed any part of the journey, here is the complete map of how to stop “order-taking” and start solving problems that actually move the needle.
Phase 1: The strategic lens (the “what”)
The work breakdown pyramid: Organize possible causes or components of work, then investigate them. The diagram structures the conversation; evidence is needed to establish causes.
The Strategy of Sacrifice: You can’t fix everything. Find the lead domino and give your team permission to focus.
The North Star: Connect a shared purpose to a primary measure. A goal such as “Zero Dormancy” needs an agreed definition, calculation, baseline, and review period. Review supporting measures for quality, risk, and people alongside it.
Operating Models vs. Org Charts: Stop lining people up by who they report to; start lining them up by how they deliver value through capabilities.
Phase 2: The tactical toolkit (the “how”)
Root cause analysis: Use the “3-Year-Old Why” technique to stop solution jumping (like buying a CRM just because you don’t have one).
Current-state analysis: Digging deep into the business to validate the need for a change.
Business requirements: The lost art of defining the What (Results), not the How (Features). This provides a practical test of vendor claims.
The Hash: How to facilitate the hard conversations and use a decision matrix to turn requirements into a shared mission.
Whether you are a CEO looking for a new direction or a business analyst looking to make an impact, the principle remains the same: Analysis is the bridge between a vision and a result.
When we take the time to investigate the truth, quantify the risk, and align our players, we don’t just “implement software”—we transform organizations.
Thank you for being part of this community. I’d love to hear from you: Which of these steps is the biggest “pain point” in your organization right now? I welcome your perspective.
Explore the articles behind this roadmap:
- The Work Breakdown Pyramid: Seeing the Work and Who Owns It
- The Strategy of Sacrifice: Why You Can’t Fix Everything at Once
- The Power of “THE Measure”: Why Your Strategy Needs a North Star
- Is Your Org Chart Killing Your Strategy? The Case for the “Operating Model”
- What Problem Are You Actually Trying to Solve?
- Documenting the Current State—Counting the Cost of the Mess
- The “Lost Art” of Business Requirements—Defining the “What,” Not the “How”
- Facilitating “The Hash”—Turning Requirements into Reality
Explore the next series: Leadership into action.