Meet Priyanka Agrawal: Insights from the business analysis mindset

Meet Priyanka Agrawal, an instructor for McMaster Continuing Education’s Business Analysis program. Priyanka has over 20 years of consulting and industry experience and has a proven track record of aligning IT solutions with business needs, promoting change through strategic initiatives and managing business process improvements while successfully leading projects.

What is your educational and professional background?

I possess over 20 years of experience in both public and private sectors. Since graduating from the University of Victoria with a Master’s degree in Computer Science, I became a Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP®), Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner, ITIL, and am a trained Six Sigma Yellow Belt. I earned certificates in Strategy and Cyber security.

I have worked at multiple internationally recognized organizations including SAP, McKesson, CGI, and Provincial Health Authority. I currently work at South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority. I have created the core Business Analysis (BA) course for the BA certificate programs at Simon Fraser University and the University of Manitoba.

What made you want to become an instructor with McMaster Continuing Education?

Continuing education is life-long learning, which is one of my core values.  As an instructor, I have found that I learn best by teaching students with various learning needs. I want to be a part of students’ journeys and help them achieve their goals because successful students make me feel fulfilled.

The online Business Analysis program offered by McMaster Continuing Education allows everyone to connect through experiential learning. McMaster is one of the best places to learn in-demand skills such as business analysis through real-life examples and apply them in the future. This is where I bring value and share my vast corporate experiences that have also helped my students from all over the world.

Like McMaster, I also want to create a brighter world.

What courses do you teach and what are they about?

I currently teach a number of courses at multiple universities and conferences. This includes the Business Analysis Concepts and Competencies course at McMaster Continuing Education. I’d like to highlight this course because it is the foundational cornerstone to the BA certificate program and BA career in general.

Who would benefit from taking the Business Analysis program?

In my view, everyone will benefit from taking this program. The reason I say this is because Business Analysis is a mindset. It is about understanding stakeholder needs and proposing solutions that add value and bring change. Whether it be a chef, a carpenter, or a large-scale industrialist, we are all a part of a business in some form or shape. By taking this program, you will learn techniques, knowledge areas, and tasks that will, for example, help you streamline business processes. The Business Analysis mindset enables a structured thought process towards holistic and objective thinking that aides in decision making.

What will students learn from taking the program?

Students will learn how to build the foundation of their business analysis career with a comprehensive introduction to the key concepts, competencies and techniques of the discipline.

The importance of the role of the business analyst within an organization in terms of strategy, assessment, requirements planning, communication, project planning, and management.

Do you have any advice or tips for students?

I strongly recommend that students bring their whole self while attending this program, be open to learning, sharing, and listening respectfully and attentively to various viewpoints and perspectives in discussions and otherwise. Students must remember that a Business Analyst is a liaison and a bridge. I encourage students to bring positivity while taking courses. Students should always believe in themselves that they are capable of being successful.

Is there anything else about you that you want to highlight?

I was on the Board as a Director at the International Institute of Business Analysis, Vancouver Chapter. I am also a CBAP® coach, a published author and a recurring Building Business Capability and Project World BA World conference Speaker and Advisor. As a Business Analysis instructor and course content developer I demonstrate thought leadership, knowledge of best practices, and passion in my field of Business Analysis and Relationship Management, Change Management, and Transformation. Through my work in the BA industry, I have built a vast network of professionals worldwide.

My instructional style is interactive, engaging and inclusive. My students tell me that they have found value in my courses and speech and that my real-life examples to the course content are relatable, easily understandable and comprehensive. I respect and welcome all questions that are asked with the intent to learn.

Learn more about the McMaster Continuing Education Business Analysis program and courses.