ISEB Certificate in Business Analysis Essentials

Course Overview

The course is designed to be both practical and participative. A theoretical background is provided but the emphasis of the course is on a realistic case study, based on a genuine consultancy assignment, on which the participants work. An overall structure is offered that includes an explanation and application of a range of business analysis skills, including a practical approach to business improvement. During the course, the participants work through a typical business analysis assignment, from the initial analysis of the business to establish the 'problem', to the identification and evaluation of possible solutions.

Skills Gained

• Define the term business analysis and distinguish it from systems analysis
• Identify a number of approaches to business analysis
• Distinguish between business systems and IT systems and understand the relationship between these two concepts
• Analyse the external business environment and the strengths and weaknesses of an organisation
• Describe and develop a 'rich picture' of a business situation
• Define a business perspective using the CATWOE format from soft systems
• Build a business activity model
• Apply creative thinking techniques to aid problem-solving
• Explore the gap between the current and desired business situation
• Develop end-to-end process maps
• Develop a business case, including cost/benefit, impact and risk analysis

Examinations

ISEB Certificate in Business Analysis Essentials

This course prepares participants to sit the one-hour, open book, examination leading to the certificate in Business Analysis Essentials offered by the Information Systems Examinations Board (ISEB). This certificate also earns two 'credits' towards the ISEB diploma in Business Analysis and the ISEB diploma in Systems Analysis. It is a core module on the Business Analysis diploma.

Course Outline

Business analysis rationale

• What is a business system
• The place of business analysis
• Business analysis versus systems analysis
• Approaches to business analysis

Strategic analysis in context

• Understanding the organisation's strengths and weaknesses
• External analysis - PESTLE
• Internal analysis - Resource Audit
• Building a comprehensive SWOT analysis

A project approach to business analysis

• Business analysis studies as projects
• Terms of reference and project initiation!

Assuring business benefit

Understanding the situation/issues

• Types of business 'problem'
• Rich pictures
• Defining the problem
• Review of investigation techniques

Business perspectives

• Business perspective - introduction
• Defining the perspective - CATWOE!

Analysing and modelling the business activities

• Modelling business activities
• Five types of business activity
• Modelling multiple perspectives
• Decomposing activities
• Validating the business activity model

End-to-end process maps

Creative problem solving

• Barriers to creativity
• Brainstorming
• Stimulating creative thinking

Identifying potential solutions

• Exploring the gap between the current and desired situation
• Areas for business improvement (structure, processes, people)
• Holistic approach to business solutions

Discussion of business change programmes

• Making the business case
• Options
• Costs and benefits
• Impacts and risks
• Payback and discounted cash flow
• Presenting the business case!

Course summary and review

Review of concepts and approaches covered