"Understanding Product Thinking vs. Visual Thinking: A Simple Guide for Fresh Business Analysts" 🌟🧩

Jan 16
3 min read

If you’re just stepping into the world of Business Analysis, you might hear terms like Product Thinking and Visual Thinking being thrown around. But what do they actually mean, and how do they fit into your role as a Business Analyst (BA)? 🤔

Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand, with simple examples and actionable tips to get you started. By the end of this blog, you’ll know how to apply both approaches and why they’re essential for your career. 🌟

What is Product Thinking? 💡

Imagine you’re building a product like a budgeting app. The first question to ask isn’t “How do we make it?” but “Why are we making it?” and “Who are we making it for?”

This is Product Thinking—focusing on the value a product will bring to its users.

In Simple Terms: Product Thinking is about understanding what users need and making sure the product solves their problems effectively.
Key Points to Remember:
- Think about the user’s goals, pain points, and how the product can help.
- Focus on outcomes rather than just delivering a project.
- Keep asking, “Does this feature add value?”
Example for Fresh Graduates: If you’re tasked with designing a student portal, Product Thinking means understanding what students struggle with—like accessing class schedules—and ensuring the portal solves those problems.

What is Visual Thinking? 🎨

Now, let’s say you need to explain your idea for the student portal to a developer. You could describe it in words, but wouldn’t it be easier to draw a simple diagram?

That’s Visual Thinking—using diagrams, sketches, or charts to simplify complex ideas and communicate them effectively.

In Simple Terms: Visual Thinking is about making things easy to understand for everyone involved in the project.
Key Points to Remember:
- Use visuals like flowcharts, mind maps, or wireframes to explain your ideas.
- It’s not about being an artist—it’s about clarity.
- Visuals can help resolve misunderstandings faster than words.
Example for Fresh Graduates: If your student portal project includes a login process, use a flowchart to show how a student logs in, views their schedule, and logs out.

When Does a BA Use Each Approach?

Product Thinking

Use this when you’re trying to understand the big picture:

Who is the user?
What problem are we solving?
Why is this product important?

Visual Thinking

Use this when you’re ready to communicate details:

How does the system work?
What is the process flow?
How do different components interact?

How Product and Visual Thinking Work Together

Imagine you’re working on a US Healthcare project to design a patient portal:

Product Thinking:
- Identify the needs of patients (e.g., booking appointments easily).
- Decide what features the portal must include (e.g., appointment scheduling, viewing lab results).
Visual Thinking:
- Create a process flow to show how a patient books an appointment step by step.
- Design wireframes to show how the booking page looks.

Together, these approaches ensure that you’re solving the right problem and communicating your solution clearly.

Tools to Get You Started

For Product Thinking:
- Trello: Organize ideas and priorities.
- Miro: Map out product strategies.
For Visual Thinking:
- Lucidchart: Create flowcharts and diagrams.
- Figma: Design wireframes and prototypes.

Conclusion: Master Both for Career Success

As a Business Analyst, mastering both Product Thinking and Visual Thinking will make you a more effective communicator and problem solver. Product Thinking helps you focus on why you’re building something, while Visual Thinking helps you explain how it works. Together, they’re like two sides of the same coin, ensuring project success.

Explore Our Courses at JVMH Infotech

Ready to build these essential skills? At JVMH Infotech, we offer courses designed to help you stand out as a Business Analyst:

🎓 Business Analyst Job Mentorship Program
🎓 Scrum Product Owner Job Mentorship Program
🎓 Project Manager Job Mentorship Program
🎓 Banking and Financial Markets Domain Training
🎓 US Healthcare Domain Training
🎓 Supply Chain Management Domain Training
🎓 Scrum Developer Certification
🎓 Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Certification

✨ Exciting Update: JVMH Infotech is proud to be an Endorsed Education Provider (EEP) with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), ensuring our courses meet global standards and equip you for success in any domain.