Business Analysis Certification Course

Setting Goals for Business Initiatives

Using problem statement to create the goal statement Quantifying goals – finding the “threshold of pain” Key characteristics of well-stated goal statements Uses the language of the business Is measurable Is clear Is relevant to the overall strategy of the organization An examination of poorly stated goals

Evaluating, Selecting, and Prioritizing Initiatives

Employing analysis techniques to assess alternatives Using a weighted-decision model Obtaining stakeholder confirmation

Documenting the Project Scope

How to determine the product scope Outcome oriented development Defining product objectives Creating solution prototypes Working backwards to create the solution Specifying critical project elements and deliverables

Building a Model of the Solution

Developing output mockups or prototypes Identifying requirements Creating an information model Workflow diagrams – How to use MS – Visio Uses in the project life-cycle Current State (As Is) Future State (To Be) Establishing solution boundaries Constructing context, overview, and detail flow diagrams Identifying appropriate detail level Example Case Study Supporting documentation Business rules Data requirements Use Case analysis Confirming with stakeholders

Requirements Definition and Documentation

Identifying internal and external stakeholders Conducting stakeholder analysis Selecting requirements development templates Producing a requirements development plan elicitation analysis specification verification and validation change management Addressing common challenges Recognizing industry standards (IEEE, etc.) Analysis of Requirements Fact gathering methods Interviewing Observation Questionnaires Research Organizing the facts Determining requirements Estimating the useful life of the solution Calculating future requirements Imposing constraints using value engineering Establishing the concept of a solution Managing Requirements All Users Are Not Equal – User Attributes Assigning User Attributes Example: User Attributes Exercise: Identify User Attributes User Surrogates When Requirements Collide: Alternative Decision-Making Approaches How Requirements become Un-Managed Requirements Traceability & Change Control BA’s role in managing change An examination of why people resist change Recognizing symptoms of resistance Developing coping/diffusing tactics Group Exercise: Change Control Interviewing Techniques Preparation Stakeholder Analysis Planning the interview The art of questioning Role of the interviewer – building confidence The psychology of interviewing Group Exercise: Project Improvement Facilitation

Introduction to Project Documents

Project Plan/GANTT Chart Quality Plan MS Excel Spreadsheets Business Requirements Document Technical Design Document Example Case Study: Review of Project Documents Introduction to SQL, Use Case Modeling & Unified Modeling Language (UML) SQL – Basic & Advanced What is a Use Case? System Basic Flow, Alternate Flows & Exception Flows How Use Case Diagrams Show Relationships The Use Case Template Paths and Scenarios Use Case Diagrams Class Diagrams Sequence Diagrams Activity Diagrams Introduction to Rational Suite Rational Rose Rational Requisite Pro Rational Clear Case Example Case Study: Use Case Review Group Exercise: Develop A Class Diagram

Making the Business Case

Using creativity to create alternate solutions Evaluating alternatives to determine feasibility The six factors of feasibility: TRELOS Technical: is it possible? Risk Weighing risks vs. benefits Using the portfolio approach Economic Developing cost estimates Calculating the return on investment Legal: is it against the law? Operational: will it work for us? Schedule: can we deliver it in time?

Communicating the Solution to Stakeholders

The proposal structure Analysis of current strengths and weaknesses Objectives to be achieved Description of solution Alternatives for implementation Explanation of recommended solutions Costs and risks Schedule (task plan) to achieve benefits Supporting appendices Preparing and making the presentation Establishing your objective Doing audience analysis Organizing your ideas Using visuals Rehearsing

Supporting Downstream Development

Quality Assurance and Testing The business analyst’s role in testing Objectives Requirements Types of tests Use Case vs. Test Case Key to successful tests – anticipation and reconciliation Procedures The need A successful style – play script Who has responsibility Training Key to user independence Intended results Time required Who performs it

Evaluation

How can the solution be evaluated? When? Who should perform an assessment? Establishing ranges of performance Eliminating undesirable side-effects

Positioning the Business Analyst within the Organization

Job Title or role? Organization Structure Reporting Relationships Working Relationships Tailoring the business analyst role for different projects Getting Started

The Offshore Chal

Project Management Challenges Challenges For The Business Analyst

Project

For Student Assignment & Evaluation

Miscellaneous

BA Resume Prep Interview Questions & Preparation