Are You Sure?

Client:- "Are you sure that this functionality is not achievable?"
BA:- "ummm...let me check with my technical team and then I will get back to you!" (Phew!)

As a BA I can bet that this is one situation through which one comes across quite often. There are two scenarios:

• Either you are working on a solution/application which is being built from scratch, or
• You are working on a solution/platform delivery which is already there and your client requires a customized version with new functionality (e.g. Open source ECM solution like Alfresco which I am currently working upon).

If you talk about the first case then for any BA its like an open ended scenario where everything is required from ground zero. So except basic nitty gritty of the domain you cant do much about the solution (if yes then do post your comments).

Pain is in second situation where any BA/SME/Consultant would initially go for a thorough understanding of the already existing product. But this is where the trap is, many times one will end up getting satisfied by inside out knowledge of the solution, but then what about the shortcomings of that solution?

So if your client asks you that whether its possible to include certain functionality in your solution or not, in that case your first reaction would be to run for cover behind your tech guy. But while working on Alfresco Share as a KM expert, I realized that although I have gained good understanding of the solution, but every time my client asks for certain basic technical customization, it became a bit complex to give answer to such queries.

Eventually my tech director told me that its critical to go beyond your solution and try to figure out that what all are the limitations of your product, so that you can say NO convincingly in case if some thing is beyond the scope of the architecture.

Moral- Not just learn about your product/solution/platform but also be aware about its shortcomings/limitations. Always ensure that you are not lost in creating reams of spec documents. Take a break and have a casual chat with your development team, it will surely give certain new insights.

So what are your experiences as a BA in this regard? Do post your comments.