Do you use a workshop to break all the nuts?

As the proverb says – if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. Are business analysts fall into this trap using a workshop for each situation?

Benefits of workshops

Getting all the right people in the right place at the same time can move projects and initiatives forward at an accelerated rate. We have different viewers, we can check the facts and enable the constructive challenge. We can build on great ideas and determine clear problems with others. Working workshops that are well facilitated can be stimulating, building confidence in the product/ project and deepening labor relationships. We can participate in creating outputs using cooperative methods and get a real purchase from all those present. Therefore, it is easy to know the reason for choosing workshops.

But if we only use workshops …

They become old, people stop coming, and they are no longer enthusiastic, and we may end up wasting time. Some people do not make the best contribution to them “immediately” or in a large group, so we also need to think about the perspective of its perspective and its insertion, we may be missing by relying only on this approach. Some teams cannot release people for long periods, and they may systematically do not be represented in discussions and decisions. We end up with a group of people who have time or tendency to attend workshops, not the group we already need.

Bias towards workshops

Workshops can easily become the default procedure. From the perspective of the stakeholder, it may be very difficult to suggest alternatives to a proposed workshop. As a invited present, he may feel that if you are not in the room, you will lose the ability to influence. This creates a position that no one can suggest a suitable alternative to workshops, and people only come because of Fomo!

High clarity

The workshops are very clear. It is often present as a large part of the booked time in many people’s diaries, often weeks or months ago. During the workshop, business analysis becomes very clear, in the main role of the facilitator and the choice of analytical and cooperative techniques.

Perhaps we have a bias towards workshops specifically because they are very visible. It is a way to remind the stakeholders who we are and why we are useful. Outputs are often very visual, philosophy plans, post -color notes and colored virtual white panels. Sometimes there are no days or weeks of voltage to analyze business, sometimes there is no “offer” for that … but the workshops scream: We are here! We did this! We have agreed to things!

The cost of time for workshops

It is easy to persuade ourselves that workshops are the most effective way to engage with a group. The workshops often “save time” in the long run, but let’s look in detail in the question, “How long does the workshop take?”

Let’s say that we have allocated 3 hours for a workshop (W = 3).

A good base for the facilitators is that the workshop will take 5 times the length of the workshop To prepare for each facilitator (preparatory = 5W x f). This is everything starting with the identification of those present, sending invitations, logistics, planning purpose, exercise design, creating slides, etc.

And the procedures after the workshop will require 2 times the length of the workshopAgain for every facilitator (after = 2W x f). This will range from the Chamber’s evaluation to the creation of outputs and follow -up procedures.

may It seems Like all the attendees appear, but they may have to do some thinking/ reading/ talk to others. They may also have to share information about the workshop, or implement follow -up procedures. They are a double worker 1.5 twice the length of the workshop For every present.

(If the time of travel is also required, it is likely to be less than estimate.)

So we have

Preparatory for facilitators: 5W xF

In addition to the time of the actual workshop for the facilitators: w x f

In addition to the time of the workshop for the attendees: 1.5W x a

In addition to follow -up after the facilitators: 2W xF

Total = w x (8f +1.5A))

When W is the length of the workshop, F is the number of facilitators and A is a number of those present.

So a 3 -hour workshop with 2 facilities, and 20 present requires a total

3 hours x (8 x 2 + 1.5 x 20) = 90 hours

The workshop may still be the best way to move forward, but at least we do not swear ourselves “it’s only 3 hours”!

Types of workshop

It is useful to consider the presence of 3 main types of workshop.

Strategy – Vision, alignment, big image, new ideas, trend change, shift

Operations – How does this work? What do you need? Efficiency, consistency, continuous improvement

Educational – Educational opportunity. This may be in two directions, where both participants and facilitators learn something, or in one direction, often an educational opportunity for the participants.

The type of workshop will significantly affect the necessary time and understanding the type will help in answering whether the workshop is the correct approach to the position presented.

Other curricula should think of Bass

Before we start arranging the workshop that is inevitable, we really need to think about whether this is the best way, and what can be achieved given the same time of time and effort.

We must think:

• For one to one
• Small group discussions
• Attending current meetings
• Investigative studies
• Supporting you
• note
• Work shading
• Focus groups
• Initial models
• Document analysis
• Competition analysis

We may want to use one or more of these methods extension Workshops, and perhaps do so will allow us to reduce the duration of the workshop or the number of attendees.

conclusion

Workshops can be great – but they are not the only tool in your BA tool collection. If we excessive work in workshops, people can start deciphering and loose confidence. It takes a lot of time workshops and can lead to the idea that only A way to accomplish anything or the agreement is through a workshop. Do not organize a workshop as a virtual option. Consider all possible methods and identify the most appropriate for the situation.

More reading

Planning workshops using 7PS technologyBa Times (2021)

Business Analysis Technologies: 123 basic tools for success Kadi, Paul and others (2021)

Predictions: 35