Tyrone Van Stade, Business Analyst at Old Mutual, shares his training experience having recently completed the Modelling Business Processes course.
On the training Tyrone learnt how to take a holistic approach when tackling business problems, and has gained critical techniques that are making a valuable impact when he implements business change for his organisation.
Here’s what Tyrone had to say about his training experience:
Tell us a bit about yourself, Tyrone.
Originally from Elsies River, I now reside in Bellville. I matriculated from Elsies River Senior Secondary in 1998 and furthered my tertiary education at Torque IT where I completed my Masters in Network Engineering Diploma. After completion of my studies, I worked at SAB Miller for 2 years as a Systems Support Engineer and then had a short stint (5 months) at Sanlam as a Technology Consultant.
Having joined Old Mutual in 2007 as a Desktop Support Specialist, I was promoted to Information Technology Consultant 2 years later. In 2011 I was promoted to the position of business analyst where I am thoroughly enjoying taking part in strategic initiatives that will help to shape the future of the organisation.
Why did you decide to take the modelling business processes course?
As a Business Analyst I play a critical role in advising the organisation of any potential pitfalls and identifying solutions on how to mitigate those pitfalls -- I love solving problems, and as a business analyst I am involved in that considerably.
As I am also involved in the on-boarding of new technology, I attended the course to improve my business analysis skill-set to thoroughly analyse the impact of process changes on the organisation and pre-empt any problems that may arise.
How will the course help you in your career?
As a Business Analyst you are the change agent within the organisation and constantly have to deal with change, and it will assist me in taking a holistic approach to tackling business problems.
The course broadened my thinking to consider factors in both the external and internal business environment, and it was valuable to understand the forces that support change as well as those that oppose change.
What will help me in particular is task analysis.
With task analysis the importance of giving performance feedback cannot be over-emphasised. Failure to give feedback could result in an employee doing the wrong thing over and over again, without knowing.
It is important that feedback is specific and constructive for it to serve the desired purpose. Failure to perform a task accurately should also be stressed because failure of execution may have consequences elsewhere in the value chain which need to be managed.
What was your biggest learning – did you have an AHA! moment?
My AHA moment on the course arrived when it dawned upon me that process measures relate to delivering customer satisfaction and are derived from the customer’s value requirements.
Having been a business analyst for 7 years it is easy to sometimes forget the basics, and to me task analysis was the most critical aspect of the course.
And beyond that there were many things that I took from the course regarding business process design, implementing business process change, and measuring and managing business processes -- all of which have proved invaluable to me considering the amount of business change that the organisation is currently going through.
What did you enjoy most about the BCMG training experience?
It was a great experience.
The course trainer was knowledgeable, fun and professional -- he was open to answer any questions directed his way and kept the sessions running smoothly.
What would you tell someone who is considering doing this course?
As a business analyst you play a key role in facilitating business requirements through to their IT solution, and this course goes a long way to helping you facilitate business delivery and enable a smoother project implementation.
In fact, Modelling Business Processes is relevant to many more occupations beyond that of a business analyst.
I often deal with Business Owners and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in our day-to-day activities, and they would benefit hugely from the insight given in this course.
I would definitely recommend this course.
In the spirit of 'keep growing', what are you keen to learn next?
Next I've got my eye on Commercial Awareness, or the Benefits Management and Business Acceptance.
- Commercial Awareness, because I think that it is key for business analyst's to fully understand the organisations in which we work -- especially organisational behaviour and culture, which would help me improve my stakeholder management.
- It is also important to understand the financial aspects of the organisation and track the benefits, which were touched on in the Modelling Business Processes course, by knowing how and when they will be measured -- to ensure that the project was successful.
Tyrone took the steps to learn business process modelling techniques that are making a valuable impact. Are you ready to gear up? Find out more about the Modelling Business Processes course here.