In my spare moments, I occasionally indulge in a bit X-Box activity. Somewhat awkwardly as a man cohabiting with Parkinsons’s induced tremors my preferred type of game is first-person shooters of the Call Of Duty variety, in which I am a sniper by choice. Yes, I am that gamer who sneaks around the map, finds the best spot for a bit of camping and waits and waits and waits before taking out another player from long range just as they are about to gain that kill-streak. (If you have no idea what I am talking about Dear Reader never fear; I am about to wander my way over to the point).
In these types of games one you have risen through the experience levels to the maximum allowed you can either remain there, highly experienced, with all the best gear; or you can ‘prestige’ in which you level up beyond the normal limits, gaining specialist items but forfeiting all your hard earned gadgets and skills. In effect you are starting again but with a shinier badge. You do have various options when you prestige including things like a certain period of game-time where you earn double experience points or an extra weapon etc but one of the options is to choose to retain one particular skill or item that will stay with you after all the others have been reset. This is the subject (“At last!” you cry) of this post….. which BA skills or knowledge would I like to retain if I was ‘reset’ back to the beginning.
Here they are for your consideration:
The Change Curve (SARAH Model)
This is a vital model for me and I wish I’d had knowledge of it earlier in my career as it would have helped explain why, despite all my best efforts, people just didn’t seem to like the changes I was trying to define. It would have allowed me to plan my communication and supporting activities much more carefully, rather than just expecting people to get on with it.
Myers-Briggs Testing
Whilst in no way definitive in identifying personality types (and in fact quite hotly contested in some areas, such as junior education) I remember the first time I did this test, getting the results and going “Oh….. I see…” Personally, I would recommend having a go; it can’t hurt to know a little bit more about yourself or how others might perceive you….
Tuckman’s Team Development Model
If you ever wondered why your project team spent the first few weeks arguing with each other then started performing better and better then this is for you! Invaluable help for guiding teams through the actual process of being a team and an oft over-looked capability that a BA can add great value by having!
CRUD – Create, Read, Update, Delete
Yes, I know it’s very IT but this little acronym has helped me no end in projects where data has been involved because it taught me that whenever you have created something, you need to be able to store it, update it and eventually get rid of it. Something that applies not just to data but also documents, processes and lots of other stuff. More questions to ask when defining those requirements!!
Finally, here’s a list of books I wish I’d have read earlier….. in case you wish to delve into the way my mind works!
• Resonate – Nancy Duarte
• Legacy – James Kerr
• The Power of Myth – Joseph Campbell
• Feel The Fear: Then Do It Anyway – Susan Jeffers
• The Book Of Five Rings – Miyamoto Musashi
