In this talk, Tamara shares three critical pieces of early career advice that have guided and informed all of her team interactions since.

1. 3 Rules to Live By
A BA’s Guide to Better Developer
Relationships
Presenter: Tamara Copple, Business Analyst

2. Objectives
If I am successful, you should leave with at least one new idea or technique
for improving relations with your developers.
BABOK areas covered: Chapter 9 - Underlying Competencies
● 9.3 - Business Knowledge
● 9.4 - Communication Skills
● 9.5 - Interaction Skills

3. “A mentor is someone whose hindsight
can become your foresight.”
~ Chinese Fortune Cookie, March 2018

4. Professional Infancy
or, the importance of good advice

5. Lesson 1: Do your Homework
BABOK Section 9.3.3 and 9.3.4
➢ Professional Infancy:
○ Research first, then
ask for help.
○ Show your work.

6. Lesson 1: Do your Homework
BABOK Section 9.3
Professional Infancy:
“As a business analyst on an IT project, it is important to have a general
understanding of software systems. Basic knowledge of servers, databases, and
client side technology, augmented with solid logical, systems-thinking will do.
Combining both will lead to more effective communication with the implementation
team.” ~ Laura Brandenburg
Interpretation: Being a little technical never hurts. Know your tech stack.

7. Lesson 1: Do your Homework
BABOK Section 9.4.4 & 9.5.3.3
Professional Infancy:
Get to know your developers.

8. Lesson 2: Know Your Business
BABOK 9.3.4
Professional Infancy:
○ Know your product; become the SME.
“Even if you aren’t afraid to put your devs in front of the client, they
have other responsibilities. You need to be able to answer business
stakeholders’ questions and not depend on us to bail you out in a
meeting.” ~Mark the Mentor, circa 2002

9. Lesson 2: Know Your Business
BABOK 9.3.2
Professional Infancy:
○ Modern BA’s are expected to know
everything from daily operations
minutia to industry trends.

10. Lesson 3: Manage Expectations
BABOK 9.4
Professional Infancy:
○ Overcommitment is the #1 complaint heard from devs about their
PMs and BAs - includes talking when you have no idea what you
are talking about.
○ Not understanding the business and not talking to the business is
#2.

11. Lesson 3: Manage Expectations
BABOK 9.5.3.3
Professional Infancy:
○ “Before you feel guilty about not meeting expectations, you should
probably figure out what they are.” ~ Tiffany Dufu
○ Developers have more business knowledge than we sometimes
give them credit for but we need to give them context.

12. The
Conversation
What advice has served you best
in your career development?

13. Objectives Recap
If I am successful, you should leave with at least one new idea or technique
for improving relations with your developers.
BABOK areas covered: Chapter 9 - Underlying Competencies
● 9.3 - Business Knowledge
● 9.4.4.3 - Communication Skills Non-Verbal Communication
Effectiveness Measures
● 9.5.3.3 - Interaction Skills -Teamwork Effectiveness Measures

14. Beyond BABOK - Recommended Reading
➢ White paper: Business Analysis - Positioning for Success
➢ Blog: How the IIBA has Evolved Over the Last 15 Years
➢ Blog: Sharing Business Context With Your Team
➢ Blog: Why BA roles sometimes require technical skills
➢ Drop the Ball - Tiffany Dufu
➢ How to Have a Good Day - Caroline Webb
➢ The Five Dysfunctions of a Team - Patrick Lencioni
tamara.copple@gmail.com | linkedin.com/in/tamaracopple