|
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:
Brandenburg encourages PMs and BAs to:
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:
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 More popular articles to read:
|
I help project professionals get more done with less stress. Having been a project manager for over 20 years, I share tried-and-tested tips that work in the real world, every Tuesday. Join our community of over 15,000 project professionals (and accidental project managers too!).
Hello Reader, Managing multiple projects isn’t the exception anymore, it’s the expectation. But with constant context switching, shifting deadlines, and stakeholder overload, project managers are at serious risk of burnout. Have you felt it yet? Join me, and the team at Nimble, to talk about how AI-enabled tools can support focus, reduce mental overhead, and make multi-project working more manageable, without sacrificing quality. I'll be chatting to Mahesh Singh, co-founder and CMO of...
Hello Reader, I’ve always found giving feedback a bit awkward – even positive feedback where I was praising someone for a job well done. It has got easier now I have children, because frankly I get to practice giving feedback all day at home! It’s also got easier knowing some of the theory, and while I was doing my mentoring training I got to understand several feedback methods in detail. The SBI model for giving feedback is a classic. You frame the conversation like this: S: Situation...
Hello Reader, We need to make it EASY for stakeholders to work with us. During a podcast I recorded with the Customer Success Playbook team, I shared my stakeholder prioritization grid – a tool that's helped countless project managers navigate the maze of competing expectations. But here's the real secret: it's not about managing stakeholders; it's about understanding what they value most. We shouldn’t think about ‘managing’ other people’s behaviour. Instead, think about engaging them. Here’s...