Navigating the Business Analysis landscape:
            A trainer’s perspective



Navigating the Business Analysis landscape: A trainer’s perspective

May-Jun 2009  Print

Name: Stephen Howard

Title: Project Management, Business Analysis (BA) and ITIL Instructor and Program Consultant.

What is your Role at DDLS? I deliver approximately 10 courses across the project management, business analysis and ITIL streams which includes people personal effectiveness. I assist in developing project management and business analysis course offerings.

Stephen Howard

I focus on continuously improving the structure and delivery of process courses. I also work with the national sales team, advising clients how the courses will enable them to meet their specific objectives.

Favourite pastimes? I love running, especially along the cliffs around the beach where I live. Other pastimes I enjoy are travelling, cooking and studying naturopathy.


1. What are the biggest problems/issues organisations face today that can be resolved by effective Business Analysis training?

Studies from research company The Standish Group found that the top three problems facing organisations today are:

1. Lack of user and stakeholder engagement
2. Lack of senior management and sponsor buy-in and
3. The end products or services not meeting all the businesses objectives due to insufficient or incomplete requirements.

Based on the feedback I receive from my students, this is very true. A lot of organisations are sending their Business Analysts to specialised training courses to prevent or resolve these issues.


2. What are the major trends/developments currently in the Business Analysis training environment?

Since the introduction in Australia in recent years  of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge - the accepted standard for the BA profession developed by the International Institute of Business Analysis as well as the formation of the Australian Business Analysis Association (ABAA), organisations are realising the significant value in training their business analysts through endorsed training providers such as DDLS.

The ABAA’s imminent release of a BA competency framework provides BAs with a checklist of skill sets and accreditations that will enable them to progress in their careers. BAs are historically very transient employees, which is costly for employers.

To encourage staff retention, we are seeing more organisations trying to understand BA certified training pathways that enables them to progress their careers in line with the industry’s recognised framework.


3. How do you like to conduct your training courses?

I prefer a more interactive mode of course delivery in which students can take risks in the classroom, better enabling them to apply the skills they learn within their respective professions. I believe in creating a calm and secure learning environment that allows students to pose questions and participate in active discussions.


4. How did you become a trainer?

Drawing on the leadership and teaching skills I learnt during 13 years in the military and as a United Nations peace keeper in Lebanon, and transferring those into the academic and corporate world seemed a natural progression for me.

I was part of an amazing team of people who was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1988 for “quest for universal peace”. This pivotal point in my life motivated me to use my skills and knowledge to educate students and help them reach their professional and personal goals.


Stephen Howard is the ABAA’s new NSW Chapter Coordinator and will be presenting on behalf of DDLS at the Business Analyst World Conference in Sydney July 6-8 2009. For more information about the conference please visit BusinessAnalystWorld: Sydney 2009 .

To receive a discount on your registration fee, quote code “DDLS” in the group discount box.