Why establish a centralised BA Community of Practice? The following, very convincing, reasons are taken from the output of two BA manager Forum (BAMF) workshops focusing on the topic. The first workshop took place in 2017 and was led by Sarah Bullen and Sandra Sheppard of the BBC. The topic was revisited at the BAMF this June by Craig Rollason and Andrew Leigh.

The Benefits of a Business Analysis Community of Practice

1. A Community of Practice creates and retains a community of motivated and enlivened BAs

A well-run Community of Practice gives every team member a 'say' and allows them to contribute. Being mentored, mentoring, knowledge sharing and welcoming apprentices adds to the feeling of community and support. Team members can lean into their competencies and strengths and balance their skills. The best teams share down-time, team-build and have fun and celebrate successes together.

2. It empowers BAs, increasing their confidence

Through a BA Service Framework, BAs gain a clearer understanding of their role and value to the organisation. This gives them confidence and a stronger professional identity, both individually and as a team.

"We rolled out our BA Service Framework, so BAs could go out empowered, telling people what we can offer as a whole team. We try to all use the same language with stakeholders. We have held roadshows."

3. It increases the visibility of the BA role, making it easier to engage stakeholders

A good Community of Practice creates and 'sells' the services BAs offer, increasing visibility within the organisation and making it easier to engage stakeholders.

4. It increases BA team capability

Through training and development, a BA team can build and balance their skills-sets. As the BA capability is uplifted through BAs learning from each other, a centre of excellence is created. Through knowledge sharing within the practice, BAs gain a wider/holistic view of work across the change portfolio.

If there is a recognition of professional achievement within the practice, team members are motivated to embrace life-long learning and a growth mindset, so they are more likely to pursue certifications and add skills and techniques to their BA toolbox.

5. Greater consistency

A centralised practice means that the BA team can offer a consistent approach in their work with consistency in the use of their BA tools and resources.

6. BAs are managed by other BAs who understand the role

There is a reduction in time spent by other managers on BA related activities e.g. recruitment. Instead, the work and career objectives of the BAs in the team are guided by someone who understands the role – there is dedicated line management and a professional role structure. The leading BA can also represent the team and the interests of the BAs at senior management level.

7. It makes the best use of resources

A flexible and centrally controlled resource pool means that resources can be prioritised across areas according to business demand, and there is less reliance on external resources. There is also the opportunity for greater early-stage and strategic analysis representation.

8. A centralised BA Practice can better deal with fast-paced change

It's much easier to deal with fast-paced and messy change through horizontal communication. BAs can better deal with changes and see the opportunities in challenges.

9. Greater staff retention

BAs are more likely to stay if they are in a supportive team with like-minded colleagues.

10. A centralised Community of Practice saves money

The financial savings of establishing a Community of Practice should not be underestimated. They include:

•    Centrally controlled costs, meaning it's easier to manage resources and to budget accurately.

•    Cheaper, more cost-effective contracts with partners – centrally negotiated.

•    Synergies and economies of scale in terms of recruitment, training and development, documentation.

•    Better processes, with ownership for consistency of customer experience and elevated standards reducing the cost of errors.

•    The ability to deliver at pace with timely and skilled resources. Speed of delivery allows business benefit to be realised faster – this has an impact on ROI.

•    Reuse of materials and time saved on creation of artefacts. Reduced duplication of work, knowledge sharing, less 'bench sitting' by BAs.

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