Business Analyst Mentoring

Are you ready to move from where you are…feeling overwhelmed and uncertain…to where you want to be…IN CONTROL?

You need the right mentor in your corner

Hi, I’m Mauva Campbell

When I first started out in the technology industry, there was no such title as business analyst. The role was known as a consultant or someone who worked with the business. 

I was a programmer at the time, and received a business requirements document from the business team (no ‘business analyst’ involved) and I needed to try and understand what they wanted in technical terms (sound familiar)?

When I and other programmers delivered the solution to the business, they were not happy.  There were gaps of understanding between the business and technology that did not translate. 

So I decided that I wanted to work more closely with the business to understand what they wanted, to create a business requirements document, and then translate these requirements into technical requirements. That way I could confidently give them a solution they were happy with.

I became what is now known as a business analyst.

My Initial Business Analyst Training

After my training, I was quickly placed on a project.

When I needed to create a document or interact with my stakeholders my mind went blank.

I’d ask myself questions like:

• Where am I, as a business analyst, on the project?
• What phase was the project in?
• What do I need to do at a particular phase of the project journey?
• Who do I need to engage with?
• What do I need to produce?
• How do I produce what is required?

I had no one to turn to for help.

I’d think to myself “I’ve been trained to be a business analyst, so I should know it all, the what, the when, the how…..”

My stress levels were through the roof, I was feeling so overwhelmed, so unsure of myself, so uncertain and I had no-one to turn to.

However, I pushed through and I learnt as I completed project after project, becoming responsible for the business requirements from conception to implementation into production. 

Working With My First Mentor

Doing it myself, I had my fair share of challenges, misunderstood requirements, gaps between the business and technology, and gaps in the solutions.

But I learnt and I improved, but it was hard doing it all on my own.

It was when I invested in a mentor that my career as business analyst contractor really took off.

My experience and confidence grew as I developed my skills which allowed me to command the contracts that excited me and stretched me.

I landed roles that took me to many different countries.

I was able to learn the latest methodologies, techniques and technology to keep me current and in demand.

I was finally in control.

Imagine having someone with this experience in your corner, to help you, guide you, support you and build your confidence?

Trust me when I say, I know what you are feeling and going through, I’ve been there and I know….

My background

I have been a ‘Business’ Business Analyst and a ‘Technical’ Business Analyst for over 35 years, as a Contractor/Freelancer. 

Decades ago (and today in some sectors/industries) there was no separation of the Business Analyst role, I was a business analyst who enjoyed the opportunities to work on projects from the conception to implementation and business as usual (BAU), projects with durations between 1 year to five years.

My BA Career Trajectory

I started my career as a programmer using Cobol, CICS, DB2 and Assembler 

• J Whitakers – Publishing – bibliographical sector 
• Black Horse Financial Services – Life & Pension
• Royal Sun Alliance – Life & Pension
• Laurentian – Pension
• NPI – Pension 

I then moved into the General & Motor Insurance sector to open up more opportunities to expand my industry knowledge, broaden my knowledge and experience as a ‘Business’ Business Analyst and a ‘Technical’ Business Analyst and to travel.

• IBM Global Services (Folksam in Sweden),
• Axa Insurance
• American Automobile Association (AAA) in the California USA
• Rubicon Corporation Ltd

I made a career decision to focus on organisations (Public & Private sectors) that were developing and implementing large multi-million pound/dollar technology driven projects/programmes.  

• Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS)
• TATA Consulting Services (TCS)
• Her Majesty’s Prison Service (HMPS) / Ministry of Justice 
• Department of Work & Pensions (DWP)          
• Rural Payment Agency (RPA) Supporting Agency for Department of Environmental Food & Rural Affairs (Defra)    
• Department of Environmental Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) 
• United Utilities Group PlC
• Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• His Majesty’s Passport Office (HMPO)

I have also worked with companies in the Caribbean, where I now live.

Business Analyst Mentoring

Throughout my career I have shared my experience, knowledge and expertise with other Business Analysts and have mentored business analysts as part of the IIBA Mentorship.

It is a part of my career that I have enjoyed and I now want to expand my mentoring to begin a mentorship for newly trained and/or experienced business analysts who have not have the opportunity, yey, to learn, grow and just enjoy being a ‘Business’ Business Analyst or a ‘Technical’ Business Analyst working as business analysts on Project Life Cycles and Software Development Life Cycles projects and programmes.

I am also a Certified Product Owner with over 10 years experience as a Product Owner working on some of the above mentioned projects/programmes.