This might be obvious but it never ceases to amaze me how many people sit in meetings nodding their head when they don’t really understand something. As a BA you are going into a company or situation that you know nothing about. That is fine, that is the job. You start off knowing absolutely nothing. It is your job, your very reason for being there, to find out exactly what is going on. To understand the company, to understand what the client wants.
Basically you have to ask losts of quesitons (ask why, then why again, then ask why, and keep asking why). It is not showing weakness, showing yourself up, or embrassessing. You job is to ask the ‘obvious questions’ (there is no such thing). It is your job to say “Sorry what does that acronym mean?” or “Can you explain that again?”.
Don’t be intimidated by clever looking people around you, or people in suits who seem to know everything. Most people are sitting in workshops or meetings wondering what to have for lunch. The vast majority of people just pretend to fully understand a point or question. The vast majority would never stand out from the crowd and question.
But you should. That is your job. Your job role should read “You ask ‘Why?’.. a lot.”. Never be afraid of asking a question. Do it politely, do it confidently, just make sure you do it.
