What project managers can learn from business analysts


Hello Reader,

If you’ve ever had to wing it as the business analyst on a project, I’ve got a book recommendation for you.

It’s called The Value-Driven Business Analyst by Laura Brandenburg, and while it’s written for BAs, I think it’s one of the most practical books out there for project managers.

Laura’s 8-Step Business Analysis Process is basically a cheat sheet for getting to the real value behind any project. It's perfect for PMs who:

  • Want to work effectively with the BA on the team
  • Don’t have a dedicated BA on the project so find themselves doing process mapping, requirements management, and other tasks that would normally fall to a BA
  • Are running projects in unfamiliar domains
  • Want to move beyond admin and lead with confidence

Brandenburg encourages PMs and BAs to:

  • Ask “why” repeatedly (until the business goal is clear)
  • Use diagrams and models to clarify messy conversations
  • Record assumptions as risks or scope caveats
  • Follow through on the outcomes not just deliverables

She reframes business analysis not as gathering requirements, but as making change easier and more valuable. This mindset helps PMs build credibility with sponsors, product owners, and delivery teams alike.

You’ll also find practical tools like:

  • Stakeholder analysis checklists
  • Visual modelling techniques
  • Tips for building a business glossary (which is more useful than it sounds!)

Whether you’re just starting out or juggling multiple projects across departments, this book will help you lead from the middle and link what you do to real business outcomes.

Laura is my go-to expert on all things business analysis. If you need some templates for your PMO or project, her collection is really good.

Let me know what you think if you give it a read!

Have a lovely week!

Elizabeth


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