These days, you can be more than one type of entrepreneur, from authorpreneurs to bloggerpreneurs to even mumpreneurs. The list is endless. To be a successful –preneur (irrespective of the type), it is essential that we (I say we because I consider myself to be one) continually focus on professional development. It is in the course of trying to learn new things that I connected with author C. Lewis.
About C. Lewis
C. Lewis is the author of Model Confusion: A Guide to Models Used by Business Analysts (Carnsa Development Series). Model Confusion is the first short semi-fiction story from the Carnsa Development Series starring a business analyst who explores and selects suitable models for a special audience. It is a quick way to get comfortable with the basics. Designed to be an easy but informative read packed with useful information
This is what C. Lewis has to say about his book:
The desire to have easy-to-read informative guides, with examples, that can be easily related to, is what inspired me to write this. When I was writing this book, I targeted it at busy people or anyone who just doesn’t have tons of time to spend reading. Model Confusion is set in a semi-fictional story starring a plucky business analyst with a desire to understand, learn and share… with her family whether they like it or not. In less than an hour, the reader would be more informed and be able to follow what is going on when various business or technical subjects come up.
This first book in the series looks at models that can be used to help a business and/or project achieve better understanding and clarity. It helps the reader get a better understanding of how a business analyst can be used to support your project or organisation.
Please note: Models talked about in the book are not just for use by business analysts!
Snippet from Model Confusion
As it is Sunday today, this week’s Sunday Snippet is from semi-fiction book Model Confusion by C. Lewis. Happy reading!
Part One: A misunderstanding (What is a business analyst?)
Claudia Carnsa is a successful business analyst (BA) who likes to involve her family with understanding BA tools and techniques by applying them to practical home events. Claudia believes the selection of the right analysis tool or technique can be used to benefit any situation. She is extremely passionate about learning, sharing best practice and eating good food… cooked by someone else.
Claudia was driving home. She had been assigned a new project late in the day by the new project manager Geoffrey, who obviously had no idea the analysis work involved for her to produce project requirements.
“I can’t believe he sent me an email asking me to rustle up some requirements in a couple of hours by email,” seethed Claudia, as she thought back over her working day.
Claudia and Geoffrey had met for a chat over coffee instigated by Claudia. She preferred to use face-to-face communication whenever possible, especially when meeting someone for the first time. Claudia stated that she would be unable to do the task, as she could not get access to the system or key people until the next day. She wisely resisted the urge to tell him his request was stupid. Instead, she said calmly and in a no-nonsense tone, “Any requirements I produce today would be a work of fiction with a bad ending. There would be no way to know if it is what the business wants or needs. I am not prepared to do that.
Part Three: A model for every occasion
Model three: Rich picture
Claudia had taken on board Granny’s and Barry’s contents and decided to start the modelling talk session with one of the most visually creative models that she used, called the rich picture.
A rich picture is from the soft systems methodology family. It is a way of capturing information and even feelings through drawing/pictures. It is considered by some to be specifically useful in helping people to understand complex or unclear problems. The word ‘rich’ in this context means detailed.
“I really hope the next model is more creative so that it will to help to engage the children,” said Granny.
“It is. You may find it a bit quirky, but I find it fun helping me think in a creative way. The ‘rich picture’ model is a way to capture a project’s initial environment and perspectives before starting any other modelling. It is the most creative and challenging model because I have to find a way to express the information visually,” said Claudia.
“We will see about that,” said granny, reserving judgement until she had heard the full details.
“There are no rules, but a symbol I see used a lot is the crossed swords to show conflict,” explained Claudia.
She then took the nearby notepad and drew a rich picture based on a pretend as-is (current situation) and then talked through the rich picture she had created.
The picture showed how different stakeholders felt about birthday cake.
The different actors were drawn as stickmen with symbols and facial expressions that showed their feelings. In the middle, Claudia had drawn a decorated cake with candles. When Claudia finished the picture, Barry started to laugh as he looked at the picture.
“Impressive, I can see very quickly that there is a conflict in regard to the size of the cake”, laughed Barry.
“As I said, there are no rules,” grinned Claudia.
***
Why am I recommending this book to every entrepreneur?
I think C. Lewis has said it much better than I can. Since becoming an author and entrepreneur, one advice that has consistently come up is that one should study what your competitors are doing. You don’t have to make all the mistakes yourself. So, I think a short semi-fiction book that details the models business analysts use is essential if you take your –preneur career seriously. There’s nothing stopping you from applying the principles multi-national companies have used to grow their own business.
Anyhoos, please check out the book on Amazon. I would appreciate it if you would consider supporting an author in my network just as you have been supporting me 😀
PS If this is your first time reading an article in my Sunday Snippets series, please note that the snippets are always provided by the authors. So posts in the series are usually done in collaboration with the authors.
