Business Analysis Foundation

This course teaches the interpersonal skills and structured techniques needed to become an effective business analyst. 

The course is very 'hands-on' and delegates develop their skills through exercises and team assignments based on a realistic case study to ensure a thorough appreciation of the subject matter

Duration

5 days

Who Should Attend

Business Analysts who need to develop the full range of skills needed to be effective in their roles

Project Managers wishing to understand the approach and deliverables set for the BA phase

Systems Analysts wishing to understand the approach and deliverables set for the BA phase and how this dovetails with their work

Course Content

The course includes the following range of topics:

• Introduction to Business Analysis
• • Covers the rationale for having Business Analysis

• The Business Analyst - Role and Responsibilities
• • Introduces the Business Analyst role and how this has emerged. Identifies the roles and responsibilities

• The Business Analyst - Competencies
• • Identifies the skill set required by the Business Analyst and introduces the SFIA Framework

• The Business Case
• • Introduces the business case, its importance, structure and place in the project (e.g. PRINCE2) as well as how to identify options that ultimately lead to the benefits being realised

• The Work of Analysis
• • Looks at strategy, its implementation and analysis of the internal and external environment

•  Business Analysis Process Model
• • Covers the areas such as problem solving, investigation, needs analysis and requirements definition

• Approaches to Investigation
• • How to interview different types of user and how to capture and assimilate information as well as the use of workshops, observation, scenarios, prototyping and quantitative approaches.

• Stakeholders and Management
• • How to identify stakeholders and analyse and capture their concerns. This also covers stakeholder management strategies and how to manage stakeholders and their expectations

• Business Process Modelling
• • Introduces the modelling of business systems and processes and an introduction to BPMN

•  IT System Modelling
• • System function and data with an overview of SOA and why this is necessary in the Business Analysis.

• Requirements Management
• • Includes the definition of requirements (functional and non-functional), and different techniques for documenting requirements, analysis, validation and change management of requirements

• Requirements Quality
• • Introduces the development of Use Cases and scenarios and what is required to ensure a quality product

• Information Resources
• • Consideration is given to how to manage value and classify data resources. Agile methods (e.g. Scrum) are discussed and how BA can benefit from through the adoption of this approach. A brief overview of data modelling is provided along with the current requirements for governance, security and similar issues. The SDLC is included here with insights into controls and other governance mechanisms.           

• The Business Analyst and Change
• • What the Business Analyst needs to consider introducing a new system, the need for change management and the change process itself

Review

Revisits the key learning points, why projects can go wrong and how the Business Analyst can prevent it.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this programme the delegate will be able to:

• Work with users to define, scope and initiate a project
• Work with users to gather and document different types and levels of requirement
• Work with users and delivery teams to develop optimal solutions to defined requirements
• Work within a project or team with an understanding of their role and main responsibilities
• Decompose complex business scenarios or problems
• Validate requirements through various means and assess requirements against defined quality criteria
• Understand and contribute to the business case

Business Analysts are often change facilitators within your organisation and therefore require a wide range of skills, knowledge and experience. The successful Business Analyst will help the organization reduce waste, create solutions, complete projects on time, improve efficiency and document the right requirements.

Course Dates

This course is available on demand as a public or private event
Please contact us to discuss availability

Discounts will be shown before making payment