subject: Focus With The End In Mind [print this page] Business has many different portions, all of which accumulate into one result. During these processes, there are individuals and teams assigned to accomplishing different portions of a project. Some are responsible for planning, others for conducting, and even some for publicizing and socializing.
But in the end, only the results matter. For an individual to succeed, they must understand that the end result must be successful, or all else will fail, even if everything has been going according to plan. Business analysts are responsible for understanding that their efforts must target the results, not just by how they are achieved.
To do this, you must be result-oriented. There are plenty of people who spend their time focused on conducting themselves exactly by procedure and working with their mind trapped in a confining box of rules and regulations, but a business analyst must always be ready to think outside their box. They must see ahead and stay focused on achieving their goal. Only then can you truly see the right path to take.
Dont wait for someone else to get you started or motivated. Be an individual of action- a Go-fur as some might even say. Individuals that take up the mantle, and are the first to start, are the ones with the determination to succeed.
When others dont answer, find out why they arent communicating with you. Seek them out and dont just wait for them to get back to you. Dont wait around for answers to come to you, because in all likelihood, they may never if you dont take action.
Focus on the delivery of your product or service and ensure that it is of the quality promised. If you spend all your time focused on how to do it, you will lose sight of what youre supposed to be doing. Consider the athlete who competes in a race. They focus on the finish line. That is their destination to achieve, not the other racers around them. If you are sidetracked by those in the grandstand or by another runners stance, youll lose the race. The same is applied to a person who races in the business world. Stay focused on your results in order to win the race.
Do you adapt? Or do you force others to adapt? When it comes to demands, are you willing to compromise to ensure the result is fulfilled or must you, put simply, have it your way? A results oriented person focuses on achieving their goals, not just sticking to the plan. Basically, a successful person has the ability to adapt to new situations, because inevitably, there will always be the unexpected issue that gets in the way. It is a hurdle that you must jump over, go around, or move. If you try to run through it, you will trip and waste very precious time that you need to win the race.
Basically, you must focus on spending your time where its most effective. A business analyst understands the clear value of time and what it means to their project. If they refuse to negotiate or accept change, it will be impossible to stay focused on achieving successful results. Instead, they are focused on maintaining the process. Avoid that by being open to adaptation and change.
There is the concern of knowing where you should spend your efforts and time. Do you spend all your time trying to make things work or do you solve the problem? Finding the solution is often quicker than trying to force something to work.
Consider the equal surface-area square fitting into the circular hole. A problem of its own, since the squares corners will always hit the sides of the hole. What do you do? Would you spend your time struggling with the issue, or would you find a circle to fit in the hole? Maybe you could even divide the square into parts to fit. Instead of forcing the situation, you solve it.
Moving on and working towards success. In all likelihood, there will be others within your business that will not be focused on the results. Though some people have potential but lack the desire and you may feel obligated to assist them, they do not have their focus on what is truly important. But, they may have their purpose, such as ensuring that the process is kept clean and ensure that the Ts are crossed and the Is are dotted. It takes a team to work and it is up to you to realize that everyone has their place.
Businesses rely on results. Though there are processes and procedures to maintain, it is up to you as a business analyst to maintain your focus on achieving results. When you make plans, plan to succeed and make sure your efforts are driven towards this singular goal. Adapt, change, and adjust when the time comes, and stay focused on what really matters- the results.
