The Five Facets of Analytical Thinking

The work of an analyst requires not only knowledge of professional methods, technologies, and tools, along with experience in using them, but also the ability to combine different approaches to thinking. In this talk, I will discuss the key types of thinking that help analysts successfully handle tasks: systems thinking, critical thinking, logical thinking, visual thinking, and empathetic thinking. We will explore how these approaches help to see connections, evaluate information, avoid mistakes, understand the interests of different people, and turn those into requirements.

This talk is based on a rethinking of my 30 years of experience in IT across various roles—from programmer and tester to CTO, consulting analyst, and instructor for systems analysts. 

It will be useful for anyone looking to improve their analytical skills and better understand the directions for further development.