Curiosity - The Superpower!

As BAs, we bridge gaps between stakeholders, processes, and technology. But here’s the truth: the difference between a good BA and a great BA isn’t technical expertise - it’s the willingness to ask questions relentlessly. Assumptions are the silent killers of projects, while curiosity is the catalyst for clarity. Let’s dive into why the best BAs prioritize asking over assuming—backed by data, case studies, and actionable insights.

The Cost of Assumptions: A Data-Driven Reality Check

Assumptions are expensive. According to the Project Management Institute , poor requirements gathering - often rooted in unchecked assumptions - contributes to 56% of project failures. Even worse, the The Standish Group ’s Chaos Report reveals that 66% of software projects fail or face major challenges due to miscommunication between stakeholders and teams.

Here’s the kicker:

According to Forrester Research hub 45% of project rework stems from incorrect assumptions during requirements elicitation. For businesses, this translates to wasted time, blown budgets, and eroded trust.

Why Asking Questions is a BA’s Secret Weapon

Top-tier BAs don’t just gather requirements - they uncover hidden truths. Here’s how curiosity drives success:

• Mitigating Risk A Harvard Business Review study found that teams who ask 15–20% more questions during stakeholder meetings reduce project risks by 34%.

Questions like, “What’s the worst-case scenario if this feature is delayed?” or “How does this align with your department’s KPIs?” expose blind spots early.

• Building Trust According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Workplace Learning Report, 72% of employees value leaders who ask for input before making decisions.

By asking, “Did I interpret this correctly?” or “What are we missing here?” BAs foster collaboration and psychological safety.

• Driving Innovation A McKinsey survey highlights that 68% of organizations credit breakthrough ideas to cross-functional teams where members challenge assumptions.

For example, probing “Why do users prefer this workflow?” can reveal opportunities for automation or UX improvements.

Case Study: How Asking “Why?” Saved a $2M Project

A fintech client asked our team to streamline their loan approval process. Stakeholders insisted the bottleneck was “outdated software.” Instead of accepting this, I asked:

• “Why does the current system feel slow?”
• “Who is most impacted by delays?”
• “What manual steps are causing friction?”

The answers shocked everyone: 80% of delays came from redundant data entry by underwriters, not the software. By reframing the problem, we redesigned the workflow, cutting processing time by 40% and saving $500K in annual operational costs.

How to Ask Better Questions: Practical Tips for BAs

1. Adopt the “5 Whys” Technique Rooted in Lean Six Sigma , repeatedly asking “Why?” (at least five times) uncovers core issues. Example:
2. Practice Active Listening According to Salesforce , 86% of employees blame workplace failures on poor collaboration. Listen first, then ask clarifying questions like:
3. Leverage Stakeholder Mapping Identify who to ask what. For instance:

The Future Belongs to the Curious

In an era of AI and automation, human curiosity remains irreplaceable. Gartner predicts that by 2025, 75% of organizations will prioritize “decision intelligence” - a skill rooted in asking the right questions. As BAs, our ability to challenge assumptions and seek truth will define our value in the age of digital transformation.

Pro Tip: Next time you’re in a meeting, replace “I think…” with “Help me understand…”.