Always Look Under The Table: business analysis Taskmaster-style

The task:

"Define the requirements for a self-folding laundry basket.
You have one hour.
Your time starts when you begin writing your first post-it." 

Sound familiar? 

No, I haven't accidentally stumbled into the Taskmaster house - though, wouldn't that be fun? This is the kind of challenge, albeit slightly more practical, that business analysts face daily. 

Just like on Taskmaster, the most obvious solution isn't always the best, or even the right one.
Sometimes, you have to look under the table.

The parallels between Taskmaster challenges and the craft of business analysis are surprisingly strong. Both demand creative problem-solving, a knack for understanding unspoken needs, and the ability to deliver a workable solution, often with limited resources and time. Think about it: Taskmaster tasks often involve interpreting vague instructions, identifying hidden constraints, and thinking outside the box. Replace "task" with "business problem," and "prize" with "improved efficiency”, and you've pretty much nailed the BA role.

So, what can we learn from the glorious chaos of Taskmaster? Here are a few Taskmaster-esque business analysis techniques to add to your arsenal:

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‍Embrace the Absurd (sometimes)

‍Just like contestants’ ingenious (if slightly bonkers) attempts, sometimes the most unconventional approach can unlock a breakthrough. Don't be afraid to explore seemingly ridiculous ideas. 

"What if we used carrier pigeons to deliver invoices?" might sound crazy, but it could spark a conversation about process automation that leads to a truly innovative solution. The key is to balance creativity with practicality, but never dismiss an idea just because it seems a bit … odd.

Mawaan Rizwan wonders, can you fill an egg with helium?

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Question Everything (especially the obvious)

‍How many times has a Taskmaster contestant failed because they took the instructions too literally? 

The same applies to business analysis. 

Don't just accept the stated requirements at face value. Dig deeper. Ask "why", be curious. The "obvious" solution might only address a symptom, not the root cause. Remember, your job is to uncover the real problem, even if it's hiding under a pile of assumptions.

You can ask a lot of questions, but if you don’t ask the obvious one, you might look a little like Katherine Parkinson

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Exploit the Loopholes (ethically, of course)

‍Taskmaster contestants are masters of exploiting loopholes (within the rules, naturally). 

Business analysts can learn from this: look for hidden opportunities, constraints, and unstated assumptions. Understanding the nuances of the business context can reveal valuable insights and lead to more effective solutions. 

Just remember to stay ethical – we're not trying to win Greg Davies’ golden head here, we're trying to improve business processes!

Watch Rhod Gilbert master loophole exploitation

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Collaborate (not sabotage)

‍Just like a Taskmaster team working together (or against each other), BAs need to engage with stakeholders, developers, and users to gather information, validate requirements, and build consensus. A diverse team brings different perspectives and can help uncover those hidden "under the table" solutions. We're all about collaboration at Redvespa - sabotage makes great TV, but not great teams.

David Correos shows collaboration and sabotage aren’t that far apart
(note: depending on where you W, this may be NSFW)

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Keep Receipts (to show your working) 

‍Just like the Taskmaster scrutinizes every detail, your stakeholders will want evidence that your proposed solution is sound. Clear and concise documentation is essential. It helps communicate your understanding of the problem, the proposed solution, and the rationale behind it. Plus, it’s invaluable when you need to defend your approach against accusations of Taskmaster-level lunacy.

These Taskmaster contests bought receipts, but usually still ended up looking pretty mad

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So, next time you’re faced with a complex business problem, remember the lessons of Taskmaster. Embrace the absurd (within reason), question everything, look for loopholes (ethically!), collaborate, and document everything. And most importantly, always look under the table. You never know what you might find. Just try not to get yourself disqualified.

PS. Always look under the table‍

Matt Duce is Redvespa's Head of Consulting. He brings years of consulting and BA experience and we can't quite work out if he's a contestant, the Taskmaster ... or Alex Horne.‍

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