Each language and each model has its strengths and limitations. A language can sensitize you to certain types of issues, but at the same time it may leave you with a blind spot for other types of issues. I call that the Mizuiro effect. A business analyst should be aware of the strengths and limitations of each language and each model (s)he uses. By applying at least two complementary languages or models, the business analyst can reduce the risk of omissions.

1. The mizuiro effect
Language influences thought

2. Benjamin Lee Whorf introduced...
Benjamin Lee Whorf (April 24, 1897
– July 26, 1941) was an American
linguist.
Whorf is widely known for his ideas
about linguistic relativity, the
hypothesis that language influences
thought.

3. …the linguistic relativity principle
In 1940 Benjamin Lee Whorf introduced the
“linguistic relativity principle”:
“users of markedly different grammars are pointed
by their grammars toward different types of
observations and different evaluations of externally
similar acts of observation, and hence are not
equivalent as observers but must arrive at somewhat
different views of the world”

4. Now there is supporting evidence
• Ref: Athanasopoulos et al: “Representation of colour concepts
in bilingual cognition: The case of Japanese blues.“
Ao Mizuiro
Dark blue Light blue

5. Language influences thought
My guess is that the Eskimo-Aleut languages are
strong at specifying different snowy conditions,
but weak at distinguishing varieties of tropical
hardwood trees.

6. Language and business analysis
• Natural language is inherently ambiguous.
• Subject matter experts often have their own
specialized vocabulary.
• Specification language and model limitations
influence thought.

7. Ambiguity
Bar?

8. Specialized vocabulary
Loan
Credit Facility
Revolving Line
of Credit
Collateral
Disbursement

9. Model limitations
• Use Cases and User Stories focus on behaviour
and sequence.
– Less suited for rules, qualities, structures

10. Overcoming language limitations
• Know the strengths and weaknesses of the
languages and models you use
• Combine languages / models that are strong
in complementary aspects

11. Language strengths
Language / technique / model Use to describe
Use case Behaviour
Logical data model Structure
Data dictionary Definition, structure
Virtual window User interface
User story Behaviour
Sequence diagram Behaviour, system interaction
Rulespeak Business rules, decisions
Decision table Business rules, decisions
... ...

12. Combining languages
Behaviour
Structure
Rules
Interface
Data
Dictionary
Decision
Tbale
Virtual
Window
UseCase

13. Don’t be blue
• Know the limitations of your tools (including
language and models)
• Use complementary tools to reduce the
mizuiro effect
http://pragmaticall.nl/?p=127