The Behind the Scenes of BA Mistakes: What We See (and How to Fix It)
Uncovering the hidden reasons why good Business Analysts get stuck and projects go sideways.
Hello BAE Community Members,
Confession time. As much as we love training BAs, sometimes we see projects go sideways and think, "Oh, if only they knew this." It's rarely about a lack of effort, and almost always about missing a crucial piece of the puzzle that almost no one talks about.
We're deeply frustrated by how many incredible, dedicated Business Analysts hit the same roadblocks, project after project. We see the same patterns repeat, and it’s costing businesses time, money, and leaving BAs feeling undervalued.
We’re talking about projects failing due to unclear requirements that suddenly morph halfway through. We’re talking about stakeholders constantly changing their minds, leaving you to pick up the pieces.
And worst of all, we see brilliant solutions gathering dust because they just didn't solve the real problem.
From our unique vantage point, working with thousands of BAs and the organisations they serve, we see why these mistakes happen. It’s often not about a lack of skill in using a tool, or even understanding a methodology.
It’s about:
The Pressure Cooker: Being forced to jump to solutions because of tight deadlines, without enough time for proper discovery and problem definition.
The Fear Factor: Hesitation to push back, challenge assumptions, or ask the truly uncomfortable "why" questions that uncover the core need.
The "Order-Taker" Trap: Falling into the role of simply documenting what's asked, rather than strategically assessing if it's what's needed.
The Root Cause Blind Spot: Focusing on symptoms (e.g., "we need a new system for X") instead of diagnosing the underlying illness (e.g., "our current process for X is inefficient, leading to Y consequence, and a new system might not fix the core issue").
These aren't individual failures. These are systemic issues, often rooted in how Business Analysis is perceived and executed within organisations, and often, how BAs are traditionally trained.
We've built our entire programs around preventing exactly these kinds of situations.
It's not about being smarter; it's about having the right framework, the right mindset, and the confidence to apply strategic clarity to every single project. This is how you move from being a documenter to a true driver of value.
Because when you have strategic clarity, you don't just do business analysis – you drive business success. And trust me, that's a skill that companies are desperate for.
Ready to stop hitting the same wall with projects going sideways?
We've seen it all, and we've built our programs to inoculate you against these common pitfalls.
Secure your 30-Minute Strategic Clarity Coaching Session for AUD$97.
This isn't a free chat; it's a dedicated half-hour with an expert where we'll unpack your specific project challenges, identify where the unseen mistakes are occurring, and outline concrete actions you can take immediately to set things right. It's for those serious about accelerating their career and driving tangible business value.
(We're here because we believe in the power of great BAs. If you're ready to invest in yourself, let's fix this together.)
All the best,
Esta
You can find my more of my work here: