Business analysis centre’s of excellence reduce project risk and increase organisational maturity. This, coupled with the ability to provide solutions for the digital future, positions an organisation well to deliver on-budget, fit-for-purpose, fact-based solutions underpinned by real customer needs.

The modern digital workplace calls for analysts with a broad-base skills-set and a deep specialisation. Their role has evolved into a more complex one as both employees and companies want the digital experience. The South African and global economic climate, increasingly tech savvy customers, digitisation, and the need to cut costs and deliver more effectively are some of the factors contributing to the nee d to pivot. In order for organisations to thrive in this digital future, they need to embrace new ways of work that are supported by collaborative, cross-functional operating models.

On-budget performance for IT projects improves by 95% for organisations with institutionalised competency in the business analysis (BA) capability. As much as 39% of development budget can be lost due to poor requirements definition. Requirements are defined by a strong understanding of the customer needs and the available technologies.

In order for any business change initiative to be successful the analysis capability needs to be equipped with the skills, tools and processes needed to operate in the digital world of the future. The IT leadership of the world’s largest producer of synthetic fuels recognised this and BSG partnered with them to create a business analysis centre of excellence.

BSG took a measured approach to defining the analysis structure, supporting the change and co-delivering with the client to ensure that the change was embedded. Employing the 70:20:10 learning model, BSG delivered theoretical knowledge to the earmarked BA’s (10%) and provided them the opportunity for-the-job-training in collaboration with BSG (20%). The 70% experiential and purposeful practice component of the model is crucial to sustaining the momentum of the results long after the partnership with BSG is concluded. This learning process was geared towards ensuring a culture of excellence that fits the client’s current execution environment is embedded.

People were the most important element of this change. BSG supported the change journey through co-delivery with the client. Placing emphasis on collaboration and skills transfer through working together. BSG is well-versed in collaborative working styles and as we are technology agnostic, we provided independent insights. BSG instilled the value of harmony between demand (Business) and supply (IT). Building stronger relationships that enabled flow, allowing the client and their customers to experience the benefits.

The engagement equipped the BA’s of today with the skills to become the BA’s of the future with the ability to drive business value, innovation and competitive differentiation.