Introduction to Business Analysis Training: Defining Successful Projects

• Perform key functions of the business analyst
• Apply a solid business analysis framework
• Evaluate and prioritize 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

The Role of the Business Analyst

• Overview of business analysis
• Key roles and responsibilities
• Business analysis vs. project management: analyzing similarities and distinctions

The Business Analysis Framework

Clarifying core concepts

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

Choosing a business analysis approach

• IIBA^®-defined Knowledge Areas
• Recommended baseline framework for conducting business analysis activities

Analyzing the Business Landscape

Diagnosing the business environment

• Capturing business needs and/or opportunities across the enterprise
• Categorizing and prioritizing issues using Affinity Diagrams
• Exposing root causes of problems
• Identifying action-oriented business initiatives that address the root problem

Evaluating and selecting an initiative

• Conducting feasibility studies
• Employing analysis techniques to assess alternatives
• 2x2 analysis grid
• Prioritization matrices
• Paired comparison analysis

Modeling the future vision

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

Defining the Project

Documenting critical project parameters

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

Preparing the business case

• Structuring the business case
• Identifying quantitative and qualitative 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 to guide and manage the process

Developing and Delivering the Detailed Requirements Package

Incorporating the 5-step model

• Eliciting stakeholder wants and needs
• Analyzing stated requirements
• Specifying the requirements document
• Validating the requirements document with key stakeholders
• Managing the change control process

Applying requirements development best practices and standards

• Addressing common challenges typically encountered during requirements development
• Recognizing existing industry standards

Communicating effectively to relevant stakeholders

• Engaging the development community
• Selling t
  Workshop Course
  You perform the key functions of a business analyst through an evolving case study woven throughout the course. Workshops include:
  • Clarifying the role of the business analyst
  • Analyzing and prioritizing competing business needs
  • Creating dynamic business models using workflow diagrams
  • Writing SMART business objectives
  • Quantifying business case benefits and costs
  • Communicating the requirements package to stakeholders