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The role of the BA and how to understand the business need

The role of the BA and how to understand the business need

Alex Papworth

April 28, 2014
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  1. Break through into Business Analysis Break through into Business Analysis

    programme The role of the BA and how to understand the business need
  2. Break through into Business Analysis The course structure and online

    learning environment • What should you have received: - email including course programme PDF and access instructions • Any questions?
  3. Break through into Business Analysis Learning objectives • Walk through

    a simple, non-technical definition of the role (in plain English!) • Know how to start any project on a track for success • Explore how to uncover why the project has been initiated • Reference a checklist to complete before you start capturing requirements
  4. Break through into Business Analysis A more useful definition •

    The following are the business analyst’s responsibilities: i) Understand the business need ii) Agree how to meet the business need to achieve the best results for the business iii) Ensure requirements are understood by business stakeholders to ensure they are complete and correct iv) Ensure requirements are suitable to ensure delivery of a solution that meets the business need v) Ensure the business need and requirements will be met by the proposed solution vi) Ensure any risks and issues that arise from the solution are understood and accepted by affected stakeholders
  5. Break through into Business Analysis i) Understand the business need

    Transform customer experience through redesign of online sales process Reduce costs by replacing paper application forms with online applications Increase the number of active customers by 10%
  6. Break through into Business Analysis i) Understand the business need

    An approach recommended by Gojko Adzic in Impact Mapping: (with my adaptations) Goal: Grow customer base from 1.5m to 2m by end of 2015 (this may be a strategic goal) Note: this book describes how to connect the business goals with the requirements in an Agile way… a common oversight on projects
  7. Break through into Business Analysis i) Understand the business need

    Described as the Product Purpose by the Robertsons in Mastering the Requirements Process: Purpose: to improve the online journey to beat all other high street retail banks Advantage: to make our proposition the most attractive to younger customers Measurement: Grow customer base to 2m
  8. Break through into Business Analysis Who would you need to

    speak to discover the business need? …and whose view should you take most seriously?!
  9. Break through into Business Analysis Review all relevant documentation •

    Define your key stakeholders • Ask them leading questions such as: I want to ensure that I fully understand the business justification for this project. Are you aware of any documentation that you recommend I read to understand this? • Start building a relationship by showing your commitment: Why, in your view, are we doing this project? What do you see as the key risks or issues? Who would you recommend I speak to and why?
  10. Break through into Business Analysis How do you know when

    you have found the business need? • Refers to financial performance (cost reduction or revenue increase) ...or need to meet new (or existing) regulations • Speaks to how this might be achieved at a high level
  11. Break through into Business Analysis What to do if you

    don’t find a business need? i) You have been given a list of features ii) You only appear to have a pre-conceived solution iii) The goals are vague or have no measures
  12. Break through into Business Analysis Is the organisation mature enough?

    i) Do they have a strategy that is well defined and understood by all? ii) Are their disincentives if a project doesn’t deliver the benefits? iii) Does the organisation require a business case before an investment is made? iv) What happens on other projects? v) Do key stakeholders understand and support what you are doing?
  13. Break through into Business Analysis What have you completed today?

    • Walk through a simple, non-technical definition of the role (in plain English!) • Know how to start any project on a track for success • Explore how to uncover why the project has been initiated • Reference a checklist to complete before you start capturing requirements
  14. Break through into Business Analysis A more useful definition •

    The following are the business analyst’s responsibilities: i) Understand the business need ii) Agree how to meet the business need to achieve the best results for the business iii) Ensure requirements are understood by business stakeholders to ensure they are complete and correct iv) Ensure requirements are suitable to ensure delivery of a solution that meets the business need v) Ensure the business need and requirements will be met by the proposed solution vi) Ensure any risks and issues that arise from the solution are understood and accepted by affected stakeholders
  15. Break through into Business Analysis Further practice • Find opportunities

    to identify and critique the business need Speak to colleagues at work. Ask them about their projects or their business strategy. You might ask them about another area where they have no direct interest Speak to friends and family Do any of your family and friends have a small business or a project they are undertaking? e.g. I am buying a house to move in with my in-laws. Do you think that is my business/personal need or is that the solution?
  16. Break through into Business Analysis Optional further reading • Impact

    mapping by Gojko Adzic Helps Agile projects connect the features being developed back to business strategy and provides a means of planning and prioritising with real business goals in mind. Some ideas are equally valuable for non-Agile projects • Mastering the Requirements Process Good end-to-end business analyst approach. Good all- round reference. Also have good requirement resources at www.volere.co.uk, including reqt spec (the free online text is very useful). And the Atomic Reqt specification is also good for a high level business need