Introduction to Business Analysis

Course Overview

Business analysis is a critical process that drives the project life cycle. Business analysts act as a liaison among the clients, stakeholders and the solution team. They must be able to act as an intermediary between the business and technical communities in order to achieve results that meet organisational expectations.

In this course, you gain the foundation knowledge of the role and function of the business analyst. You learn to apply a clearly defined business analysis framework to select a project that supports stakeholder objectives.

Audience

This course is valuable for anyone who needs to apply the knowledge and skills of the business analyst role within their organisation.

Skills Gained

• Perform key functions of the business analyst
• Apply a solid business analysis framework
• Evaluate and prioritise the feasibility of various business initiatives
• Quantify appropriate benefits and costs to support a business case
• Plan a detailed requirements development process using best practices
• Deliver the requirements package and support downstream development

Course Outline

The Role of the Business Analyst

• Overview of business analysis
• Key roles and responsibilities
• Business analysis vs. project management

The Business Analysis Framework

Clarifying core concepts

• Positioning business analysis within the project life cycle
• Distinguishing among business, user and system level needs

Choosing a business analysis approach

• IIBA-defined Knowledge Areas
• Recommended baseline business analysis framework

Analysing the Business Landscape

Diagnosing the business environment

• Capturing business issues across the enterprise
• Categorising and prioritising issues using Affinity Diagrams
• Identifying action-oriented business initiatives

Evaluating and selecting an initiative

• Conducting feasibility studies
• Employing analysis techniques to assess alternatives

Modelling the future vision

• Describing the future state using workflow diagrams
• Considering incremental improvement vs. business transformation

Defining the Project

Documenting the critical project parameters

• Building SMART project objectives
• Specifying critical project elements and deliverables

Preparing the business case

• Structuring the business case

• Quantifying project benefits and costs

Planning the Requirements Development Process

Assessing stakeholder roles and responsibilities

• Identifying internal and external stakeholders
• Conducting stakeholder analysis

Determining project approach and key assumptions

• Documenting guiding principles, ground rules and templates
• Producing a requirements development plan

Developing and Delivering the Detailed Requirements Package

Incorporating the 5-step model

• Elicit
• Analyse
• Specify
• Validate
• Manage

Applying best practices and standards

• Addressing common challenges
• Recognising industry standards

Communicating effectively to relevant stakeholders

• Engaging the development community
• Selling the message for optimal acceptance

Supporting Downstream Development

• Tailoring the business analyst role throughout the project life cycle
• Adapting the framework to real world scenarios