Happy Friday! I’m trying a new format this week - tell me what you think.
What’s the new role for BAs?
In the customer story we published this week, one of Provisio’s BAs, Austin, says: "There's a mindset shift that has to happen. BAs are used to having 100% control. With [Glossa], we're relinquishing 75% of that to the tool — and directing it where we need it."
What does it mean for a BA to direct, rather than to do?
One possibility is that it’s about directing discovery - getting really good at asking clients the most important questions, and managing stakeholder politics. When a tool like Glossa can only work with what it's given, there’s more value in getting the right information up front. This type of upstream shift is definitely happening across the board.
But I think BAs are also moving up in another way. Austin runs 5-7 projects at once: that’s not a faster version of the old job, that’s a new job. That’s a portfolio leader, with a nose for triage, who understands how and when to delegate attention to keep all of his projects moving.
It’s a more interesting job, it requires different skills - and I think it’s where BAs are headed. What do you think?
What We Shipped This Week & What’s Coming Next
This week:
Multiple source & target systems - Many projects involve going from multiple systems, to multiple systems. Now Glossa handles that, too.
Product-specific capabilities - "Build a dashboard" doesn't mean the same thing in ServiceNow, Salesforce, SAP, and Workday, so now you can tag each capability with a product. And now, Glossa only matches requirements and capabilities if their systems match. This is great for teams that implement more than one product and is a long-requested customer ask!
Coming next:
Client-facing document upload & discovery questions - Get a head start on discovery and get the basics answered. Request files from clients, let them answer questions, and have requirements generated for you automatically. Then - you can focus on the gnarly stuff instead of the basics in your subsequent discovery conversations. Better for everyone’s time!
Workflow Diagrams - A must-have for complex discovery conversations, and a pain to build by hand (and then keep updated).
Weekend Reading
How Provisio cut the bulkiest 75% of requirements work — without giving up control. The full story and a partnership I couldn’t be more proud of - thanks Provisio team!!
As always - questions, feedback, or just want to trade notes on what I'm seeing - you know how to reach me. Have a wonderful weekend!
- Ali