What do you do if your Business Analysis project lacks a clear plan?

In other words, define the scope of the business to be analyzed. Many techniques can help, I do like a good context diagram to clearly define in an out of scope.

Why are we doing this? If your project doesn't have a clearly defined answer to this question it just became your priority as a BA to identify why, document why, and communicate why to the relevant stakeholders. You can do this by creating a benefit realization plan.

The best course of action for a BA to resume is to revisit the strategy plan or drawing board. Project issues may arise from a lack of communication among team members, intricate organisational structures that may make it difficult to reach the appropriate stakeholder, a business event that renders the entire IT process ineffective, or, in the worst case scenario, a cyberattack that might take down a reliable IT system. Put another way, specify the extent of the company that will be examined. Various methods can be helpful, but for a clear definition in an out-of-scope area, I favour a nice context diagram.

When there is no plan, the first thing you need to do is come up with a plan. It might not be the right plan, but it become a tool that allows people to get together and talk through what the real plan needs to be. Your plan can't be too specific. It needs to structure the conversation so that when having that conversation, the real plan will naturally emerge. I use something very visual like a high-level workflow/process or a reference architecture focused on the key topics that need to be discussed. The worst thing you can do is bring in a series of bullet points dumped onto an agenda. All that does is lead to action items of further discussion.

Going back to the drawing board or strategic plan should be the best way to get back on track as a BA. Problems in project could emanate from lack of understanding with people in the team, complex organisational structures which could hinder accessibility to the right stakeholder, a business event could occur and the entire IT process become ineffective and finally, a cyber attack could potentially shut down a solid IT system. The list is endless my friend! The following step-by-step approach should considered to re-align with strategic goals: 1. Assess the current situation 2. Clarify Objectives 3. Engage Stakeholders 4. Perform Gap Analysis 5. Develop a Project plan 6. Communicate regularly 7. Iterate and adapt 8. Seek expert advise