Originally posted by MrMarkyMark
View Post
- Visitors can check out the Forum FAQ by clicking this link. You have to register before you can post: click the REGISTER link above to proceed. To start viewing messages, select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below. View our Forum Privacy Policy.
- Want to receive the latest contracting news and advice straight to your inbox? Sign up to the ContractorUK newsletter here. Every sign up will also be entered into a draw to WIN £100 Amazon vouchers!
Reply to: Analyst skills/technologies
Collapse
You are not logged in or you do not have permission to access this page. This could be due to one of several reasons:
- You are not logged in. If you are already registered, fill in the form below to log in, or follow the "Sign Up" link to register a new account.
- You may not have sufficient privileges to access this page. Are you trying to edit someone else's post, access administrative features or some other privileged system?
- If you are trying to post, the administrator may have disabled your account, or it may be awaiting activation.
Logging in...
Previously on "Analyst skills/technologies"
Collapse
-
Originally posted by LondonManc View PostWith BI it's usually make one and shove it live
"But the numbers haven't been tested, it was just for look and feel"
"And it looks and feels good - get it promoted to live!"
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by d000hg View PostI suppose prototypes are a part of waterfall and classic methodologies anyway, but in Agile the "make one to throw away" idea is replaced with continuous refactoring. All those little details you get even in a prototype are valuable. Unless your prototype is "I knocked this up in VBA+Excel during lunch".
"But the numbers haven't been tested, it was just for look and feel"
"And it looks and feels good - get it promoted to live!"
Leave a comment:
-
I suppose prototypes are a part of waterfall and classic methodologies anyway, but in Agile the "make one to throw away" idea is replaced with continuous refactoring. All those little details you get even in a prototype are valuable. Unless your prototype is "I knocked this up in VBA+Excel during lunch".
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by d000hg View PostI think this is a big strength of Agile, they get the chance to say "what the hell is that? That's not what we wanted, it needs to do..." very early on rather than when you deliver it for testing
The value of being able to be hands-on with some crappy prototype is invaluable, you get requirements creep caught as part of the initial requirements.
Costly "mistakes" can be made otherwise.
Leave a comment:
-
I think this is a big strength of Agile, they get the chance to say "what the hell is that? That's not what we wanted, it needs to do..." very early on rather than when you deliver it for testing
The value of being able to be hands-on with some crappy prototype is invaluable, you get requirements creep caught as part of the initial requirements.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by LondonManc View PostOr don't know how to communicate the requirement properly. A fresh business analyst won't have the experience to dig behind the requirement to drag out the details.
We called him the "walking requirement" as I , amongst others, would usually rushing after him scribbling fiercely notebook in hand
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by d000hg View PostEven the people who know what they want often don't really know what they want. This stuff is really hard to do well.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by d000hg View PostEven the people who know what they want often don't really know what they want. This stuff is really hard to do well.
Good analysis is a real skill and I'm not talking about what is usually trotted out.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by LondonManc View PostI'd say that the real problem lies with the analysts failing to conduct business interviews with the correct staff in that scenario.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by LondonManc View PostThey the bodgit and scarper bob they brought in on a much cheapness rate to "fix" it has created SQL Server tables starting with numbers and spaces galore in table names because that's what they were like in Access.
Leave a comment:
-
They the bodgit and scarper bob they brought in on a much cheapness rate to "fix" it has created SQL Server tables starting with numbers and spaces galore in table names because that's what they were like in Access.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by eek View PostAccess? It will be 45 separate interconnected Excel spreadsheets created by John who left in the last lot of voluntary redundancies 3 months before you arrived.
I exaggerate slightly there but only very slightly....
The solution of choice often involves a multitude of Access databases, often linked together, complete with macros, then using Excel for the presentation.
Obviously, these take a long time to run, or fail to run at all, as the users "like" to join multiple fact tables directly
The only saving grace is the regulator takes a dim view of such arrangements, thus giving me many months of paid work "converting" them to an acceptable regulatory reporting platform.
In addition it seems that, on the quiet, the users are creating plenty of other naughty things thus insuring plenty of future work to come.
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by MrMarkyMark View PostAgreed.
Obviously, as an experienced analyst who has worked his way up, you ignore that completely and speak to the people on the ground.
They will tell you about all the user supported "live" SQL servers (the box is in the cupboard, Mate) and all the access databases that support the real live systems, that senior management haven't got a feckin' Scooby about.
I exaggerate slightly there but only very slightly....
Leave a comment:
-
Originally posted by original PM View PostOften the 'analyst' is guided to speaking to senior members of staff as they 'know the answers' and they are not encouraged or even allowed to speak to staff at the grass roots level.
But yes horses for courses is always the best approach.
Obviously, as an experienced analyst who has worked his way up, you ignore that completely and speak to the people on the ground.
They will tell you about all the user supported "live" SQL servers (the box is in the cupboard, Mate) and all the access databases that support the real live systems, that senior management haven't got a feckin' Scooby about.
Leave a comment:
- Home
- News & Features
- First Timers
- IR35 / S660 / BN66
- Employee Benefit Trusts
- Agency Workers Regulations
- MSC Legislation
- Limited Companies
- Dividends
- Umbrella Company
- VAT / Flat Rate VAT
- Job News & Guides
- Money News & Guides
- Guide to Contracts
- Successful Contracting
- Contracting Overseas
- Contractor Calculators
- MVL
- Contractor Expenses
Advertisers
Contractor Services
CUK News
- Streamline Your Retirement with iSIPP: A Solution for Contractor Pensions Sep 1 09:13
- Making the most of pension lump sums: overview for contractors Sep 1 08:36
- Umbrella company tribunal cases are opening up; are your wages subject to unlawful deductions, too? Aug 31 08:38
- Contractors, relabelling 'labour' as 'services' to appear 'fully contracted out' won't dupe IR35 inspectors Aug 31 08:30
- How often does HMRC check tax returns? Aug 30 08:27
- Work-life balance as an IT contractor: 5 top tips from a tech recruiter Aug 30 08:20
- Autumn Statement 2023 tipped to prioritise mental health, in a boost for UK workplaces Aug 29 08:33
- Final reminder for contractors to respond to the umbrella consultation (closing today) Aug 29 08:09
- Top 5 most in demand cyber security contract roles Aug 25 08:38
- Changes to the right to request flexible working are incoming, but how will contractors be affected? Aug 24 08:25
Leave a comment: