Change requires a business to be innovative. For companies, this could represent a problem. Using the dictionary, innovation is defined as the act of introducing something new. Indeed, it is not that simple. Analysis and Innovation are fundamental activities for a business to survive. Innovation most of the time do not introduce something new but means a drastic change. Mostly that change is linked with a change in the business strategy and objectives. Consequently, change could be directly linked to doing something different or new that improves a business key driver.
A company’s key role in understanding innovation is represented by the figure of the business analyst. Most of the time the output coming from its role and work is a document, but its work goes beyond a simple document. This figure must understand the business problems, goals and objectives. All elements that enable requirements to be created. But innovation is so linked with this role because must analyze the market and the changes deriving from.
In order to do things right, the BA must follow some rules in its work. If well, innovation as any change and factor that have an impact on business, must be seen as a project. At the initial phase of any project, fundamental is understanding why we are doing what we are doing. Are we innovating just because we have heard that something is going to happen in the market or because our competitors do so? If we understand why we can look back post-delivery and say if we have met the objectives we set. Implement innovation is not fundamental. It is fundamental how we implement it, how we act. The successful criteria is look at if we have met the business goals and objectives thanks to innovation. Understanding the business problems and the opportunities that fix those problems, set goals and business objectives and validate requirements are all key business analysis skills also when innovation is in place.
Innovation, freshness and creativity
But innovation is something that requires freshness. New ideas, new perspectives are fundamental. Business Analysts must work in team in order to identify and implement in the right way innovation. Good business ideas could come from anyone inside organizations. Everyone must be listened and could provide the solution to a business problem. Managers generally consider valid those solutions to big problems but most of the time, big is not better. Also the smaller things and ideas, that most of the time are evaluated equally or lesser, could generates advantages for business. A combination of smaller innovations can effectively be part of a business shift toward a more strategic and innovative environment. Brainstorming, mind mapping and root cause analysis are fundamental skills to find innovation. Data shows that innovation mostly comes from outside of the business operational team. But in addition to people, we must consider creativity. Limitation of the creative process is detrimental for innovation. People must think out of the box in order to find the greater innovative solutions to problems. Working out of the boundaries in addition, could also help in implement the best innovative solution ever.
Change, as it is innovation, in any enterprise is difficult to handle and often is implemented in the wrong way. Therefore, the negative impact of change in business must be reduced. As is everyday life, if you have a big problem you reduce that in smaller problems, the same must do companies. The logical solution is to reduce the impact on business by implementing smaller and easier solutions. Change is what makes innovation happens. Discover our services about data analysis here.