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Business Analysis

Business Analysis

Debra Paul | James Cadle | Donald Yeates | James Cadle | Malcolm Eva | Keith Hindle | Debra Paul | Craig Rollason | Paul Turner | Donald Yeates

(2014)

Additional Information

Abstract

Business analysts must respond to the challenges of today's highly competitive global economy by developing practical, creative and financially sound solutions and this excellent guide gives them the necessary tools. It is also ideal for students wanting to gain university and industry qualifications. This new edition includes expanded discussions regarding gap analysis and benefits management, the impact of Agile software development and an introduction to business architecture.
A useful combination of best practices and in-detail techniques with a great overview of business analysis in an agile environment….an excellent read for people delivering projects at all levels
Isha Jain
An invaluable contribution to a fundamental profession, building on what was an already outstanding second edition. The book’s breadth, depth and extraordinary insight can ensure that any business analysis assignment is supported by expert guidance and latest thinking, helping to increase the chances of successful outcomes in any business
George Hancock
Business Analysis has been written and now fully updated by a team of experts who are practitioners and educators in the business analysis field.
Business analysts must respond to the challenges of today's highly competitive global economy by developing practical, creative and financially sound solutions that will address business problems and grasp new opportunities. This excellent guide sets out the essential toolkit required. It is also ideal for students wanting to gain university and industry qualifications in business analysis and information systems, and is particularly beneficial for those studying for the BCS Professional Certificate in Business Analysis. Important additions in the third edition include expanded discussions regarding gap analysis and benefits management, the impact of Agile software development and an introduction to business architecture.

Table of Contents

Section Title Page Action Price
Cover Cover
Copyright page iv
CONTENTS v
LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES ix
CONTRIBUTORS xii
FOREWORD xiv
ABBREVIATIONS xv
GLOSSARY xvii
PREFACE xxvii
1 WHAT IS BUSINESS ANALYSIS? 1
INTRODUCTION 1
THE ORIGINS OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS 2
THE DEVELOPMENT OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS 3
THE SCOPE OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS WORK 6
THE ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BUSINESS ANALYST 12
THE BUSINESS ANALYSIS MATURITY MODEL 13
PROFESSIONALISM AND BUSINESS ANALYSIS 16
THE FUTURE OF BUSINESS ANALYSIS 17
2 THE COMPETENCIES OF A BUSINESS ANALYST 19
INTRODUCTION 19
PERSONAL QUALITIES 20
BUSINESS KNOWLEDGE 24
PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES 27
THE RIGHT SKILLS FOR THE RIGHT SITUATION 29
HOW CAN I DEVELOP MY SKILLS? 31
INDUSTRY SKILLS FRAMEWORKS 32
INDUSTRY QUALIFICATIONS 33
SUMMARY 34
3 STRATEGY ANALYSIS 38
INTRODUCTION 38
THE CONTEXT FOR STRATEGY 38
WHAT IS STRATEGY? 39
STRATEGY DEVELOPMENT 41
EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS 42
INTERNAL ENVIRONMENT ANALYSIS 47
SWOT ANALYSIS 49
EXECUTING STRATEGY 51
SUMMARY 54
4 THE BUSINESS ANALYSIS PROCESS MODEL 56
INTRODUCTION 56
AN APPROACH TO PROBLEM SOLVING 56
THE BUSINESS ANALYSIS PROCESS MODEL 58
INVESTIGATE SITUATION 59
CONSIDER PERSPECTIVES 61
ANALYSE NEEDS 63
EVALUATE OPTIONS 65
DEFINE REQUIREMENTS 67
DELIVER CHANGES 69
SUMMARY 71
5 INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES 72
INTRODUCTION 72
PRIOR RESEARCH 72
INVESTIGATION TECHNIQUES 74
INTERVIEWS 74
OBSERVATION 80
WORKSHOPS 82
SCENARIOS 87
USER ANALYSIS 90
PROTOTYPING 91
QUANTITATIVE APPROACHES 92
SUITABILITY OF TECHNIQUES 96
DOCUMENTING THE CURRENT SITUATION 96
SUMMARY 102
6 STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS AND MANAGEMENT 103
INTRODUCTION 103
STAKEHOLDER CATEGORIES AND IDENTIFICATION 103
ANALYSING STAKEHOLDERS 106
STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 107
SUMMARY OF STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 110
MANAGING STAKEHOLDERS 111
DEFINING STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT – RACI AND RASCI CHARTS 112
USING SOCIAL MEDIA IN STAKEHOLDER MANAGEMENT 114
UNDERSTANDING STAKEHOLDER PERSPECTIVES 115
SUMMARY 121
7 MODELLING BUSINESS PROCESSES 123
INTRODUCTION 123
ORGANISATIONAL CONTEXT 123
AN ALTERNATIVE VIEW OF AN ORGANISATION 125
THE ORGANISATIONAL VIEW OF BUSINESS PROCESSES 126
VALUE PROPOSITIONS 129
BUSINESS PROCESS MODELS 131
ANALYSING THE ‘AS IS’ PROCESS 138
IMPROVING BUSINESS PROCESSES 141
PROCESS MEASUREMENT 144
BUSINESS PROCESS MODEL AND NOTATION 147
SIX SIGMA 148
SUMMARY 149
8 DEFINING THE SOLUTION 151
INTRODUCTION 151
GAP ANALYSIS 151
FORMULATING OPTIONS 156
DEFINING BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS 156
INTRODUCTION TO BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE 156
DEFINITION OF BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE 157
STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE 158
BUSINESS ARCHITECTURE TECHNIQUES 159
SUMMARY 162
9 MAKING A BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL CASE 163
INTRODUCTION 163
THE BUSINESS CASE IN THE PROJECT LIFECYCLE 163
IDENTIFYING OPTIONS 164
ASSESSING PROJECT FEASIBILITY 166
STRUCTURE OF A BUSINESS CASE 168
INVESTMENT APPRAISAL 176
PRESENTATION OF A BUSINESS CASE 178
RAID AND CARDI LOGS 179
SUMMARY 180
10 ESTABLISHING THE REQUIREMENTS 181
INTRODUCTION 181
THE PROBLEMS WITH REQUIREMENTS 182
A FRAMEWORK FOR REQUIREMENTS ENGINEERING 185
ACTORS 186
REQUIREMENTS ELICITATION 189
REQUIREMENTS ELICITATION TECHNIQUES 193
BUILDING THE REQUIREMENTS LIST 193
REQUIREMENTS ANALYSIS 195
REQUIREMENTS VALIDATION 200
AGILE APPROACH TO REQUIREMENTS 202
SUMMARY 204
11 DOCUMENTING AND MANAGING REQUIREMENTS 205
INTRODUCTION 205
THE IMPORTANCE OF DOCUMENTATION 205
THE REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT 205
THE REQUIREMENTS CATALOGUE 207
MANAGING REQUIREMENTS 218
SUMMARY 222
12 MODELLING REQUIREMENTS 224
INTRODUCTION 224
MODELLING BUSINESS USE CASES 224
MODELLING SYSTEM USE CASES 225
MODELLING SYSTEM DATA 228
ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAMS 229
CLASS MODELS 237
THE USE OF MODELS IN SYSTEM MAINTENANCE 245
SUMMARY 245
13 DELIVERING THE REQUIREMENTS 246
INTRODUCTION 246
DELIVERING THE SOLUTION 246
CONTEXT 247
DELIVERY LIFECYCLE 248
DEVELOPMENT AND DELIVERY APPROACH 256
ROLES 260
DELIVERABLES 261
TECHNIQUES 262
SUMMARY 262
14 DELIVERING THE BUSINESS SOLUTION 264
INTRODUCTION 264
STAGES OF THE BUSINESS CHANGE LIFECYCLE 264
BA ROLE IN THE BUSINESS CHANGE LIFECYCLE 265
SUMMARY 273
INDEX 275
Back cover 281