tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-64207865641820496352024-03-13T03:31:55.561+00:00Business Analysis BlogBusiness Analysis - techniques, skills, professional qualifications, certification, training.Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-916553307474428552021-05-25T08:00:00.001+01:002021-05-25T08:00:00.223+01:00Corkscrew Minds - Creativity and Business Analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunJ-6TwRyA_wBtQz87rLawRDXdsvHrNRPPfqlNWmVywtCU7SvXoEVsxPE8DJ_af5As1WIBdUWenn5fI_hGohnjW4euq6fuO2DH5NPWM9DrDgu2KxEx8wGKoXIydSIhbkN2XcHO5P4Eoc/s1600/Stakeholder-MM-1-Full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1130" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiunJ-6TwRyA_wBtQz87rLawRDXdsvHrNRPPfqlNWmVywtCU7SvXoEVsxPE8DJ_af5As1WIBdUWenn5fI_hGohnjW4euq6fuO2DH5NPWM9DrDgu2KxEx8wGKoXIydSIhbkN2XcHO5P4Eoc/s400/Stakeholder-MM-1-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<hr />
<br />
There is an old adage in systems development:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Analysis is about Discovery.</li>
<li>Design is about Invention.</li>
</ul>
From which follows - that Analysis is mainly about logical objective thinking (what is).<br />
Design is more about creative thinking (what may be).<br />
<br />
Like many things in business (and life generally) things are not always that clear cut, but this does serve us well as a broad principle.<br />
<br />
So this leads to an interesting question - is there a place for creative thinking in Business Analysis?<br />
I personally thing that the answer is "Yes" - but feel free to disagree.<br />
<br />
Another principle of Business Analysis, that I believe in strongly:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Problem.</li>
<li>Solution.</li>
<li>In that order.</li>
<li>Not the other way round!</li>
</ul>
<div>
So should Business Analysts focus purely on analysing Problems in a logical and objective way, leaving Solutions to creative designers?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you will allow me, a short but relevant digression into history.</div>
<br />
During World War 2, British leader Winston Churchill identified a need for "corkscrew minds".<br />
People with the ability to think creatively and challenge convention. People who could analyse problems and come up with highly innovative solutions - "game changers" if you will forgive the cliche.<br />
<br />
Churchill believed that one strength of the Germans was their ability to think clearly and logically. But he also believed that this was a potential weakness. It could lead to thinking too much in "straight lines" and missing potentially powerful and potentially war-winning solutions. It could also leave them open do deception. So recruiting creative thinkers to support the British war effort was a deliberate policy.<br />
<br />
One great example of this was "Operation Mincemeat" - a cunning and devious scheme devised by British Intelligence in 1943. It aimed to fool the German commanders into thinking that the allies next target for invasion was Greece rather than Italy. It involved fake documents, a convincing "back story", a submarine and a dead body - and it worked! It is beyond my scope here to describe this further, but if you are interested you can read more - here:<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Mincemeat" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Operation Mincemeat</a><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u0ZZCjcUyeUPjnqWtpBSheaRSHlJx0aG85BXc3WyGJAVA_jnXKAHjVAg9wQ2ZJ1EEQOqZ4quZjMWMY0y8fuDG_ULnoG49bbC5SLMX_cC3DbgL-L9bwgtRR0GGOyA1muLRDh61FV_6ic/s1600/Colossus.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="534" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0u0ZZCjcUyeUPjnqWtpBSheaRSHlJx0aG85BXc3WyGJAVA_jnXKAHjVAg9wQ2ZJ1EEQOqZ4quZjMWMY0y8fuDG_ULnoG49bbC5SLMX_cC3DbgL-L9bwgtRR0GGOyA1muLRDh61FV_6ic/s400/Colossus.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another example, arguably far more important, was the breaking of the German Enigma Code at Bletchley Park. This included the development of Colossus, the world's first programmable digital electronic computer - which then led to the development of Information Technology as we know it today. Many corkscrew minds were involved - but one who stands out is the Alan Turing, for me one of the "greats" of IT history. You can read more about that - here:<br />
<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bletchley_Park" target="_blank">Wikipedia - Bletchley Park</a><br />
<br />
Both of these involved using both creative and logical thinking to analyse problems as well as for devising potential solutions. Hence - Corkscrew Minds were needed.<br />
<br />
Moving rapidly forward to 21st century business problems (or opportunities if you prefer!) -<br />
a combination of both creative and logical thinking may be the best approach.<br />
<br />
Analysis for a project starts with understanding the business environment and the business requirements that arise from this.<br />
<br />
On the surface this may seem straightforward - after all you can just ask the people in the business how thinks work and they will tell you. You can then ask them how they want it to work in the future and they will tell you.<br />
<br />
But in practice this information is often "buried" or "hidden". Businesses are often complex, so that no one individual can explain, at least in any useful detail, how it all fits together and works. Requirements are often not fully understood at the required level because nobody has fully though through what the real problem is and what exactly they are trying to achieve.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu2nA8mmmY6i6WNxV2eUDXQ_h9CgrUcz6bTjTTkDVv7YPwulngCvFsCRh2f0yqSEYOjcHB7i11p1T_C0jhMJYXk5S6_McXysNvq528Bdzh1Urwvkh5p0XuP17TLCfyE-SvboZHuAqe3k/s1600/Brainstorming_Customer_Needs.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFu2nA8mmmY6i6WNxV2eUDXQ_h9CgrUcz6bTjTTkDVv7YPwulngCvFsCRh2f0yqSEYOjcHB7i11p1T_C0jhMJYXk5S6_McXysNvq528Bdzh1Urwvkh5p0XuP17TLCfyE-SvboZHuAqe3k/s400/Brainstorming_Customer_Needs.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Hence the tremendous value that you, The Business Analyst, can bring to a project.<br />
<br />
Your job is to:<br />
Facilitate and Investigate - work with stakeholders to draw out a full understanding of business processes, business data and business requirements.<br />
Analyse and Prioritise - work across and drill down to help the business draw up a full picture, at the required level of detail, of the way forward.<br />
<br />
There are a number creative Business Analysis techniques that can help.<br />
Examples include:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Brainstorming.</li>
<li>Facilitated Workshops.</li>
<li>Rich Pictures.</li>
<li>Mind Maps.</li>
</ul>
Each of these involves a degree of creative thinking.<br />
<br />
So to conclude - yes creative thinking does have an important place in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
If you have anything else to add to this - please comment - creatively!<br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-5063575166418302832021-05-18T08:00:00.001+01:002021-05-18T08:00:00.223+01:00Business Processes and Scenarios - Think Like A BA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdgwqWIhBeA-_mTaVyBalL1Q0N8B4hTWtXgF2wU5n69YkmlZ9gf1LCCuu3-wVg7H58vLMI9KJG2agpfFZ7n1dsbs-cyen-JFcz1imds8VWRZ7Mr5awqzf29U8XrGEAyQYG4mwaP7_OuI/s1600/CS1-Hotel-Intro-7-Full.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibdgwqWIhBeA-_mTaVyBalL1Q0N8B4hTWtXgF2wU5n69YkmlZ9gf1LCCuu3-wVg7H58vLMI9KJG2agpfFZ7n1dsbs-cyen-JFcz1imds8VWRZ7Mr5awqzf29U8XrGEAyQYG4mwaP7_OuI/s400/CS1-Hotel-Intro-7-Full.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<hr />
<br />
Like many Business Analysis Trainers / Consultants - I've spent a lot of time in hotels over the years.<br />
<br />
One thing that I enjoy as a BA is observing how businesses work, even if I'm simply a customer rather than on an assignment. I find the process of doing business and how different organisations work quite fascinating.<br />
<br />
Observation is one fact finding technique that you can apply anywhere at any time.<br />
<br />
This can lead to some interesting insights into the way that a business works and how things might be improved. One of the things that Business Analysts do!<br />
<br />
To give an example - I was once staying in a large chain hotel, in Belfast as it happens (one of my favourite cities to visit and work in).<br />
<br />
Once I'd checked in and unloaded my bags into my room I headed for the restaurant. Like many travellers I was hungry after a long journey.<br />
<br />
One question a BA might ask - why do most larger hotels have an on-site restaurant? Particularly those in city centre locations where there are dozens of places to eat within a short walk.<br />
<br />
Restaurants incur cost overheads - staffing, heating, lighting and use of space that could be used for something else.<br />
<br />
One reason is that it is a useful facility for their guests, easy and convenient - the Customer viewpoint. Another is that it should generate cashflow and profits - the Business viewpoint.<br />
<br />
What follows on from this is that one way (there are others) to achieve this business objective is to provide good food and good service.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT2OHgang93jWD89NvC5pkTOxp8oYKtAWnabhwsaaIymT2srwf6ytdZmuNxY2ENx6eRzDMTv64Di5W3O-HDX4Q_66FyA86RgMY8suXYAMZp-svuiDb0VA33kBezMQUuXtVVgZzfrslxc/s1600/CS1-Hotel-Intro-1-Full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitT2OHgang93jWD89NvC5pkTOxp8oYKtAWnabhwsaaIymT2srwf6ytdZmuNxY2ENx6eRzDMTv64Di5W3O-HDX4Q_66FyA86RgMY8suXYAMZp-svuiDb0VA33kBezMQUuXtVVgZzfrslxc/s400/CS1-Hotel-Intro-1-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Returning to my own story - I was shown to a table by a very friendly and polite waitress, handed a menu, asked if I wanted to order a drink, given my beer and asked if I was ready to order food.<br />
<br />
I placed my order, enjoyed my beer, waited a short while and my meal was delivered by the waitress.<br />
<br />
I started to eat and the food was not good, overcooked and dry, probably pre-prepared and left under a heat lamp in the kitchen for too long.<br />
<br />
After about 5 minutes the waitress returned and politely asked if everything was ok with my meal. I replied, equally politely, that it was not. She smiled and without saying anything moved on to her next customer.<br />
<br />
Once I'd finished I walked over to the restaurant bar where the same waitress produced my bill and asked me to sign for the meal, so that it could be added to my final hotel bill. I thought about complaining, but was too tired to argue so simply signed the chit.<br />
<br />
Then - she asked me again, with a smile, if everything was ok with my meal. I again replied, equally politely, that it was not. She handed me my receipt and I headed out.<br />
<br />
Why am I explaining all this? After all if I wanted to moan about the hotel I could post on TripAdvisor or Facebook!<br />
<br />
Well it got me thinking, why did such an obviously polite and pleasant member of staff behave like this and completely ignore my complaint? Other than that the service in the restaurant had been excellent.<br />
<br />
I'll never know for certain, but based on my experience of business processes and Business Analysis it probably came down to failure by the hotel , not her, to do two things properly:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Business Process Modelling.</li>
<li>Process Implementation and Staff Training.</li>
</ul>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_tgR5RM61jJMf0cyG95ar6QwnHrWbK8Znne57Oo1ufKU8xTgSAaGuyxmQZ3mT5hGoee565SENzo7Lbz2hTWICM-04yT6OLOM_OW-3h1v5EXmljrG1efeHAHKsG8vC0uDrQpwFER7t3A/s1600/CS1-Hotel-Intro-2-Full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_tgR5RM61jJMf0cyG95ar6QwnHrWbK8Znne57Oo1ufKU8xTgSAaGuyxmQZ3mT5hGoee565SENzo7Lbz2hTWICM-04yT6OLOM_OW-3h1v5EXmljrG1efeHAHKsG8vC0uDrQpwFER7t3A/s400/CS1-Hotel-Intro-2-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I reckon that when the waitress did her initial training in the hotel she was taken through the basic processes of dealing with a restaurant customer:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Show to table and give menu.</li>
<li>Take drinks order.</li>
<li>Deliver drinks.</li>
<li>Take food order.</li>
<li>Deliver food order.</li>
<li>Check all ok.</li>
<li>Produce bill.</li>
<li>Check (again) all ok.</li>
<li>Take payment.</li>
</ul>
What the hotel had failed to do was consider various scenarios for the process.<br />
<br />
The waitress had clearly been well trained in "Scenario A":<br />
Check all ok - answer = Yes.<br />
Check (again) all ok - answer = Yes.<br />
<br />
What the hotel had failed to consider was "Scenario B":<br />
Check all ok - answer = No.<br />
Check (again) all ok - answer = No.<br />
<br />
Or indeed variants - "Scenarios B-1 and B-2"<br />
Check all ok - answer = No.<br />
Check (again) all ok - answer = Yes.<br />
Check all ok - answer = Yes.<br />
Check (again) all ok - answer = No.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32EOpfFlBJM4wNzsLkRzTxqFegZ6xDk3pGBSXyx_o12KV0D0chbO5gw-g9cuLP2MCMVX7M9Xu31HOlwVjRJZuNvvPq6FssAE0PbixzEBAqh6krDBiAU0Uzv6FIfb7hcmvNyc9YoleLPk/s1600/CS1-Hotel-Intro-3-Full.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32EOpfFlBJM4wNzsLkRzTxqFegZ6xDk3pGBSXyx_o12KV0D0chbO5gw-g9cuLP2MCMVX7M9Xu31HOlwVjRJZuNvvPq6FssAE0PbixzEBAqh6krDBiAU0Uzv6FIfb7hcmvNyc9YoleLPk/s400/CS1-Hotel-Intro-3-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This resulted in two potential weaknesses - and therefore potential areas for improvement.<br />
<br />
First - a training plan that not only covered the "Happy Day" Scenario but other situations as well.<br />
<br />
Second - a business process that included additional actions to be taken in the case of various "Unhappy Day" Scenarios.<br />
<br />
In addition to the above there might be a whole range of other Scenarios to consider - including, as in my case:<br />
Check all ok - answer = Yes (but Customer's real feeling = No).<br />
Check (again) all ok - answer = Yes (but Customer's real feeling = No).<br />
...... and many more.<br />
<br />
So how could a Business Analyst have helped the hotel to do things better?<br />
<br />
Well - there are a number of BA techniques that you could apply - including:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Stakeholder Analysis.</li>
<li>Scenario Analysis.</li>
<li>Process Modelling - Business Activity Models.</li>
<li>Process Modelling - Use Case Diagrams.</li>
</ul>
Stakeholder Analysis would help to identify the various participants "actors" in the business process (Serve Restaurant Meal) - and hence their roles and viewpoints.<br />
<br />
Scenario Analysis would help to identify the various possible routes through the process - as described above.<br />
<br />
Process Modelling would help to identify and design the business processes and actions needed to deal with the various Stakeholders and Scenarios.<br />
<br />
Plus of course, in addition to the various diagrams and documents that could be produced using the techniques above - just simple observation and common sense by a good BA.<br />
<br />
I'll describe how you might do this in future posts - and I also cover these techniques in my various BA training courses (shameless plug - see links above top right).<br />
<br />
If you have anything to add to this - please comment!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
You might also enjoy:<br />
<br />
Adrian Reed Blog:<br />
<a href="http://www.adrianreed.co.uk/2017/08/28/make-it-easy-for-stakeholders-think-like-a-restaurateur/" target="_blank">Make It Easy For Stakeholders: Think Like a Restaurateur!</a><br />
<br />
Business Analysis Blog:<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/10/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Identifying Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credits:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/architecture-ceiling-chairs-chandeliers-262047/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Restaurant Photo 1</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/blur-breakfast-chef-cooking-262978/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Restaurant Photo 2</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/close-up-photo-of-formal-table-setting-735869/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Restaurant Photo 3</span></a><br />
<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/woman-holding-wine-glass-selective-focus-photography-1850595/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Restaurant Photo 4</span></a><br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-73945317380924239822021-05-14T08:00:00.001+01:002021-05-14T08:00:00.221+01:00Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTAunwagA-3cspWoRm1fc87P4zWPJ2v9ErUQ_t2B4G1UzE2NeZ9GWkLdqd-inA0pr-cXaDq-dWpgeWUSfsNHe1OPENAaSgGmLiNJM-MjMFfvEx8Lw0rZ6fjPBnTr2dhgvNPQYh2aAiFM/s1600/Hotel-Rich-Picture-Images-1.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" border="0" data-original-height="878" data-original-width="1334" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTAunwagA-3cspWoRm1fc87P4zWPJ2v9ErUQ_t2B4G1UzE2NeZ9GWkLdqd-inA0pr-cXaDq-dWpgeWUSfsNHe1OPENAaSgGmLiNJM-MjMFfvEx8Lw0rZ6fjPBnTr2dhgvNPQYh2aAiFM/s400/Hotel-Rich-Picture-Images-1.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
A Rich Picture is a diagram used to capture and organise information visually, using images to explore ideas creatively.<br />
<br />
In business analysis they have many uses – for example:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Recording the results of interviews, workshops or other fact finding.</li>
<li>Capturing and analysing requirements.</li>
<li>Understanding business processes.</li>
<li>Analysing stakeholders.</li>
<li>Exploring solutions creatively.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The example above shows how a Rich Picture might be used to analyse the stakeholders for a Hotel Booking System.</div>
<br />
The technique is similar to Mind Maps - but makes more use of visual imagery, which can make them easier for business users and other stakeholders to relate to.<br />
You can learn more about Mind Maps in my earlier blog post:<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2018/11/business-analysis-techniques-mind-maps.html" target="_blank">Business Analysis Techniques - Mind Maps</a><br />
<br />
A Rich Picture can be initially be drawn by hand - as "rough notes" during a meeting or workshop.<br />
It can then be enhanced and expanded if needed - the build up a fuller picture of a business scenario.<br />
<br />
For example - taking the example used at the top of this blog post - a Hotel Booking System - Stakeholder Analysis.<br />
<br />
Imagine that initial analysis has revealed that there are three main groups of stakeholders for the project - Customers, Staff, Suppliers.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9NQrEqu_zAwgqYB4-v-7sdy96p3wmi_SZAcmo1QEZgQNx57rzYo_dQbHGacYSPe6gjqsiaJ_-ZQNidLLL6a-jrW934g5MY3j_Jp1XfZ1nVg0fiHXv0yFd9tvO_p3EqLwO39s1-DChYI/s1600/Hotel-Rich-Picture-3.JPG"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN9NQrEqu_zAwgqYB4-v-7sdy96p3wmi_SZAcmo1QEZgQNx57rzYo_dQbHGacYSPe6gjqsiaJ_-ZQNidLLL6a-jrW934g5MY3j_Jp1XfZ1nVg0fiHXv0yFd9tvO_p3EqLwO39s1-DChYI/s400/Hotel-Rich-Picture-3.JPG" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You could start with the diagram shown above - that simply shows the system under investigation in the centre - "Hotel" - with a little sketch of a hotel building to illustrate this. This also shows the three groups of stakeholders link to the central image.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G8_J2CBKS5zyzmDfFUft-u90hF3DmXxTXpb5D23am09U_l9woYzrrZDJkFPkJd7henP-tD1oBk6LRtsapHfZj-tVKoQH2-g5I0mc4GgTQRcQUsSE-lKdRCIIAfi0crqv9TGZ9zWRkEU/s1600/Hotel-Rich-Picture-6.JPG"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7G8_J2CBKS5zyzmDfFUft-u90hF3DmXxTXpb5D23am09U_l9woYzrrZDJkFPkJd7henP-tD1oBk6LRtsapHfZj-tVKoQH2-g5I0mc4GgTQRcQUsSE-lKdRCIIAfi0crqv9TGZ9zWRkEU/s400/Hotel-Rich-Picture-6.JPG" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
You could then add detail to the diagram step by step. For example - imagine that analysis has showed that Hotel Staff fall into three main groups - Back Office (administration), Reception and Restaurant. This could be shown as above.<br />
<br />
Then - as also shown on the diagram - these groups could be broken down further. In the diagram above - for example - staff in the Restaurant have been broken down into Front of House (FoH), Bar and Kitchen.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt1o7yJue1pmqUJZszbAkG77dTpxk4uYdf9j9KmcsENZz1Ux2Ch2tTFA8uyajd2dQu25lU51FUu22xyg1bjXY14jwQwQe2Zsak3-NoiJebcHaia7o76ngIZxJtCrp4X2W1KTgjek3U7s/s1600/Hotel-Rich-Picture-8.JPG"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBt1o7yJue1pmqUJZszbAkG77dTpxk4uYdf9j9KmcsENZz1Ux2Ch2tTFA8uyajd2dQu25lU51FUu22xyg1bjXY14jwQwQe2Zsak3-NoiJebcHaia7o76ngIZxJtCrp4X2W1KTgjek3U7s/s400/Hotel-Rich-Picture-8.JPG" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Rich Pictures" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The same could be done with Customers and Suppliers - as shown above.<br />
<br />
The picture could then be reviewed with business users and others to ensure that it is accurate and complete. If not it could be amended accordingly until it does proved an accurate and complete picture of the stakeholders for the project.<br />
<br />
So - in conclusion - benefits of Rich Pictures:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Relatively fast to do.</li>
<li>Easily understood.</li>
<li>A good communication tool - stakeholders such as end users can relate to them.</li>
<li>Visual documents are usually easier to talk through and review than the equivalent text.</li>
<br />
</ul>
<div>
<hr />
<br />
You can learn more about Business Analysis techniques from the videos on my channel:<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<div>
My online course on Udemy covers the fundamentals of Business Analysis - including a session on Rich Pictures with a detailed case study example. Learn more here -<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Course - Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-87507382694009167442021-05-12T09:07:00.002+01:002021-05-12T09:42:10.668+01:00Business Analysis Techniques - Mind Maps<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisWVppN_15_N5iva7RzJxZgzMzSdHg1t6r1FJ7SMP6_46OgdTRNae3wUO6h3BP8l7Pp45qyHreu3qwuwXu3Gd4cz2yxM6abLDAUBkWuwcf7c9Oigu1rtFg9SXcYxjsb9I2oQRM8ZyWrI/s1600/Mind-Map-Hotel-Stakeholders-1-Full.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Mind Maps" border="0" data-original-height="915" data-original-width="1242" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjisWVppN_15_N5iva7RzJxZgzMzSdHg1t6r1FJ7SMP6_46OgdTRNae3wUO6h3BP8l7Pp45qyHreu3qwuwXu3Gd4cz2yxM6abLDAUBkWuwcf7c9Oigu1rtFg9SXcYxjsb9I2oQRM8ZyWrI/s400/Mind-Map-Hotel-Stakeholders-1-Full.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Mind Maps" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Techniques - Mind Maps</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
A Mind Map is a diagram used to capture and organise information visually.<br />
A relatively informal high level diagram that can be done quickly.<br />
<br />
In business analysis they have many uses – for example:
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Documenting the results of interviews, workshops or other fact finding.</li>
<li>Capturing requirements.</li>
<li>Understanding business processes and data.</li>
<li>Analysing stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
They can then be used as a basis for more detailed analysis techniques such as data flow diagrams or use case diagrams. So – a good start point for analysis.<br />
<br />
A Mind Map can be initially be drawn by hand - as "rough notes" during a meeting or workshop.<br />
It can then be enhanced and expanded if needed - with more text and better images.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW9dI92BgK7WcLk6_pLtJrc3hUoxpu4uPu9t7yOOInNgg8lzOCXfJJAx9CVhhtgutAYOJGnkd7bamZx_XrzW2b57ZuRNsJcFEiN3J3KCYPHhPUeZiOY7KQSyGpzkJK3w3Bt3LQjR9d1U/s1600/Mind-Map-Stakeholders-6-Full.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1195" data-original-width="1600" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlW9dI92BgK7WcLk6_pLtJrc3hUoxpu4uPu9t7yOOInNgg8lzOCXfJJAx9CVhhtgutAYOJGnkd7bamZx_XrzW2b57ZuRNsJcFEiN3J3KCYPHhPUeZiOY7KQSyGpzkJK3w3Bt3LQjR9d1U/s400/Mind-Map-Stakeholders-6-Full.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
The example above shows how you might sketch out a mind map on paper.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This example shows how the technique can be used for Stakeholder Analysis - in this case for a hotel booking system. It shows three main groups of stakeholders - Staff, Customers and Suppliers. Two of these three groups are then broken down further.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You could review this with other members of the project team and with some of business users. This is likely to result in additions, corrections and more detail being added.</div>
<div>
Business Analysis is generally iterative – which means that documents are completed in steps.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Having completed the diagram using “pen and paper” you could use a computer based tool to produce a digital version - as in the illustration at the top of this post. This may be easier to share with the project team and other stakeholders.<br />
<br />
The Mind Map could then form a basis for further analysis using other techniques.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So - in conclusion - benefits of Mind Maps:</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Relatively fast to do.</li>
<li>Easily understood – a good communication tool.</li>
<li>Visual documents are usually easier to talk through and review than the equivalent text.</li>
<br />
</ul>
<div>
<hr />
<br /><b>Mind Maps Course on Udemy</b><br />My highly practical and interactive course - where I will teach you to draw these diagrams and how to use them in practice. It includes a real life case study that you can work through step by step to learn and practice your new skills. Also an interesting and fun project that you can try for yourself. You can try out the first couple of sessions for free a d then enroll if you choose:<br /><a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/business-analysis-mind-maps/?referralCode=7FDD164744D99C674AAC" target="_blank">Mind Maps Course on Udemy</a></div><div><br /></div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-77969130822909058782020-01-16T12:06:00.002+00:002020-01-16T12:06:44.299+00:00Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions - Part Three - The Organisation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRby3NMDzJzgfMuITtKcNusroIQOJTL2pCFrvQn0ltUPAAnQb_z12B-mmhIMFDsP_oX_fB-H1DcabFPboyv7Il1MSLufMbH6D2K5VGDPxSRUUAWQ5VXSRilSjtTCquqsk7338l6BRpEo/s1600/BA-Jobs-4-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIRby3NMDzJzgfMuITtKcNusroIQOJTL2pCFrvQn0ltUPAAnQb_z12B-mmhIMFDsP_oX_fB-H1DcabFPboyv7Il1MSLufMbH6D2K5VGDPxSRUUAWQ5VXSRilSjtTCquqsk7338l6BRpEo/s400/BA-Jobs-4-800.jpg" title="Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions</span></b></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
One of the most common questions I've seen on social media, from aspiring Business Analysts, is - "Can anybody provide me with a list of BA job interview questions?".<br />
<br />
For any job interview, preparation is one key to success.<br />
<br />
The problem is that it is difficult to predict exactly what questions you may be asked in a given job interview. This uncertainty is one of the reasons why most people feel somewhat nervous in this situation.<br />
<br />
Lists of generic questions are of limited use.<br />
Much depends on the specific job that you are applying for.<br />
<br />
So - how to prepare as best you can? This blog aims to help you.<br />
<br />
A possible answer is - a Business Analysis approach!<br />
<br />
<br />
Interviewers, if are doing their job properly, will not ask you questions at random. They will prepare for the interview, set some objectives and formulate some questions to ask. Three of the possible factors that they will consider are:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Your Resume.</li>
<li>The Organisation.</li>
<li>The Job.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Applying a Business Analysis approach would give you these steps:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fact finding - your resume.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the organisation.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the job.</li>
<li>Analysis – of requirements.</li>
<li>Identification – of potential questions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
This post focuses on the second of these - the organisation.<br />
<br />
You will find it helpful to do some research and analysis to learn more about the organisation that you are applying to join.<br />
<br />
Questions about this are likely in an interview - one of the most likely being:<br />
"Why do you want to join our organisation?".<br />
<br />
If you can't answer this reasonably convincingly this is bound to raise doubts about your suitability.<br />
<br />
Organisations generally prefer to employ people who positively want to work with them and share at least some of their vision.<br />
<br />
Other possible questions (there are many others) include:<br />
"How do you think you could contribute to what our organisation does?"<br />
"Could you give is an overview, based on what you know, what our organisation does?"<br />
"One of the business problems that we are facing is ...... how could you use your BA skills and experience to help us with this?"<br />
<br />
Business Analysis is, in part, about finding things out - fact finding. So - if you do some research you will be better placed to answer the questions above.<br />
<br />
If you haven't made any effort to find out more about the organisation offering the job, it will not reflect well on your BA skills. If you have made an effort, the interview panel will see you in a more positive light.<br />
<br />
An example - a few years ago I was invited to interview for a training / consultancy assignment with a major UK retailer. A company with a well know brand and shops in town centres all around the country. Their core product range is books, but they also sell newspapers, home office supplies, toys and games.<br />
<br />
These are some of the Business Analysis fact finding and modelling techniques that I used, to prepare myself as well as possible before meeting them.<br />
<br />
<b>Background Research.</b><br />
I had a good look through the company website to get an idea of the products that they were offering. As well as the customer facing "front end", I read through the more "corporate" information in the About and What We Do sections, to get an idea of the company's scope, history, aims and values. For example - I discovered that they had a large product distribution (B2B) business as well as their better known retail (B2C) operation.<br />
<br />
<b>Background Research.</b><br />
I did a Google search to look for press articles, blogs and other information about the company. This gave me a more independent view based on the opinions of third parties - and some valuable additional background. For example - I discovered that most thought that the company was doing well in terms of market share , but they were under some pressure from smaller more focussed "niche market" competitors, particularly specialist booksellers.<br />
<br />
<b>Observation.</b><br />
I'd visited their high street stores many time before - as a customer. Now I took the time and trouble to a visit one locally. This time with a new perspective - with my "Business Analyst" head on. I took some time just to observe the operation - how things were organised, what the business processes were and who was involved (staff and customers). For example - I observed that the front end of the shop, the retail space nearest the doors, seemed to be deliberately organised to appeal to "grab and go" customers. People who might have limited time, maybe on a work break, who wanted to get what they wanted quickly. Products there included newspapers, magazines, cigarettes, chocolates, snacks and drinks.<br />
<br />
<b>Mind Mapping.</b><br />
<br />
For me, one benefit of Mind Maps is that they are a quick way of pulling together, organising and making sense of information discovered during fact finding. Put another way - a good way to do some initial high level analysis. For example - here is one showing my initial understanding of the Stakeholders involved in the business.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0X32jbBmGwi6C2qHNPWI-wGIQ8RUyqDpeqIPwUCBM6iuyi2OE5X70WWa-sHZTNkvOSafgEMvuYDE4OFItZANSNPmyFGkHU4FZjEMZj4bw2XxkdUVDxqb2yuAa2cKAtaiiZ64Y7eFekc/s1600/Retailer-Mind-Map-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Mind Map - Stakeholders" border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="804" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh0X32jbBmGwi6C2qHNPWI-wGIQ8RUyqDpeqIPwUCBM6iuyi2OE5X70WWa-sHZTNkvOSafgEMvuYDE4OFItZANSNPmyFGkHU4FZjEMZj4bw2XxkdUVDxqb2yuAa2cKAtaiiZ64Y7eFekc/s400/Retailer-Mind-Map-1.jpg" title="Mind Map - Stakeholders" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
These are just some examples - obviously you need to apply this to the specific BA job that you are applying for.</div>
<br />
But having done that you will have a start point for considering possible questions for your own job interview and can formulate some convincing answers.<br />
<br />
I'll be covering more about BA jobs and job interviews in future posts.</div>
<br />
For now - to sum up - if you are looking for a Business Analysis job - why not apply your skills as a Business Analyst to help you to prepare and increase your chances of success!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
You can learn more about BA Interviews in this video on my Business Analysis YouTube channel:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/H_L2rwaFEFU" target="_blank">Business Analysis Jobs - The Interview - Part 1 - Introduction</a></div>
<br />
This is a useful book - written by experienced Business Analyst Adrian Reed. Published by The British Computer Society:<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Business-Analyst-Careers-Analysis-Guides/dp/1780174284/" target="_blank">Careers In Business Analysis</a><br />
<br />
My online course on Udemy covers the fundamentals of Business Analysis - including a session on Business Analysis Jobs. Learn more here -<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Course - Getting Started In Business Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credits:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.pexels.com/photo/ballpen-blur-close-up-computer-461077/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Title Photograph - Laptop</span></a><br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-18511009692562652212019-11-08T09:00:00.000+00:002019-11-11T13:49:59.021+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders 3<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<hr />
<br />
<b>Stakeholder Identification – An Example.</b><br />
<br />
A few years ago I worked on a proposal to work with a major UK retailer to provide Business Analysis training and consultancy for their systems development teams. At the time I was working for a large UK consultancy firm.<br />
<br />
They have over 600 high street stores across the UK and over 600 stores at airports, train stations, hospitals and motorway services. They are one of the UK's leading retail groups, a well-respected household name with a history going back to the late eighteenth century.<br />
<br />
They are sometimes regarded as a bookseller and newsagent and this is a big part of their core business. But one thing that distinguishes them from other similar companies is the range of things that they offer in their stores.<br />
<br />
Their product range includes:<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Books.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Newspapers and Magazines.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Stationery.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Greetings Cards and Gifts.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Toys and Games.<br />
•<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Entertainment – Music and Film.<br />
<br />
I did some research this to better understand their business and requirements.<br />
In particular I wanted to learn more about 2 key groups of stakeholders – their staff and customers.<br />
I took a look at printed and online sources – background research.<br />
I also visited a couple of their stores as a customer - observation.<br />
<br />
So when we got to meet with them for the first time we were better placed to connect with them, talk about their business and how we could help with business analysis.<br />
<br />
One interesting thing – that I discovered as part of this. The range of product offerings mentioned above might be seen as a major strength, by both staff and customers.<br />
<br />
But in my view, it could also be seen as a potential weakness. Some specialist retailers – who focussed just on books (none of the other products) might have an edge. One category of customers, could be called “book lovers”, some of whom might prefer these competitors because of their wider range of books for sale and their focussed expertise of their staff. This was an interesting insight.<br />
<br />
Stakeholder identification could help them to identify more detail. So maybe not just Customers – but Customers (Book Lovers), Customers (General), Customers (Newspapers) …… and so on. Each with possibly different requirements. Staff could be broken down as well – including maybe General Staff and Specialist Booksellers.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
Identifying stakeholders at the right level of details means a better understanding of requirements –</div>
<div>
and therefore better systems and better solutions to business problems.<br />
<br />
In this case - one (of many) possible business improvements might be to attract more book buying customers. For example, by providing specialist training to staff in book-selling. Or by enhancing IT systems to provide better information about available books.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
The mind map diagram below shows some of the possible stakeholders for the </div>
<div>
UK retailer. </div>
<div>
It is not a complete model - </div>
<div>
but would serve as a useful start point for further investigation and analysis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Mind Map - Stakeholders (Partial Model) – Retailer<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGviKD-uQk0GlAVYbIzdXqeQSsl4GucHJtEhy3XzFfX75W7_XicHtfuVXr5PWg8l9RfMmIT6CxBwmbjLWfKqqBV1dimv00hE4vrW_pdQMcShbxq5mmyGzDtiQUxT1G9LRmTXValsaZ8/s1600/Retailer-Mind-Map-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="804" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OGviKD-uQk0GlAVYbIzdXqeQSsl4GucHJtEhy3XzFfX75W7_XicHtfuVXr5PWg8l9RfMmIT6CxBwmbjLWfKqqBV1dimv00hE4vrW_pdQMcShbxq5mmyGzDtiQUxT1G9LRmTXValsaZ8/s400/Retailer-Mind-Map-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<hr />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are my other blog posts on this topic - covering some of the fact finding techniques that you might use to analyse Stakeholders and how to apply them:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/10/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 1</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/11/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 2</a><br />
<br />
If you would like to learn more about this subject - look at my online course - on Udemy - Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This highly practical course covers the key concepts and techniques for Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
It also includes a detailed practical case study that you can work through as you progress through the course. This will enable to to see how the techniques described apply in practice - and to apply them yourself to real business project situations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For more information - use the link below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?referralCode=822CB4BC7AC576AD3BC2" target="_blank">Practical Business Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis</a></div>
<div>
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Image credit - <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Oxford_High_Street_shoppers.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons</a>.<br />
Licensed under the <a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/deed.en" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic license</a>.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-42618146448104346572019-11-01T08:00:00.000+00:002019-11-11T13:50:37.769+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders 2<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10kNWsL6uZC4VMkENgGkd-9E_RbwbJ4ulsqAFCkNw137AWvJOYLTPPK9dOGq81Ny8Y9k4AoXi5WMmaOC5Bs7BmAQgGjywyfu79snnmFRE3uZFoa7_ZwwfMIrOWvoWfUAxRAZn_U6UiMA/s1600/Stakeholder-IDT-11-Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg10kNWsL6uZC4VMkENgGkd-9E_RbwbJ4ulsqAFCkNw137AWvJOYLTPPK9dOGq81Ny8Y9k4AoXi5WMmaOC5Bs7BmAQgGjywyfu79snnmFRE3uZFoa7_ZwwfMIrOWvoWfUAxRAZn_U6UiMA/s400/Stakeholder-IDT-11-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<hr />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Stakeholder Identification – Fact Finding Techniques.</b><br />
<br />
There are many fact finding techniques that can be used in Business Analysis – some of these might be particularly useful for identifying stakeholders in the early stages of a project:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Background research.</li>
<li>Observation</li>
<li>Interviewing</li>
<li>Facilitated workshops.</li>
</ul>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoByxZYhG9MDdda7d2gWWEGRbhhTy3Sa06TlNPzyJpKjQxF_Lzie-ge26c_zFpgXtBqyYRqR5a2LHxhgP75FIaPBp_9G9t39pQxLf91jbpsbk4VMU3NhCzQbxOdJcmGXYN7R2jBN30UI/s1600/Stakeholder-IDT-4-Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfoByxZYhG9MDdda7d2gWWEGRbhhTy3Sa06TlNPzyJpKjQxF_Lzie-ge26c_zFpgXtBqyYRqR5a2LHxhgP75FIaPBp_9G9t39pQxLf91jbpsbk4VMU3NhCzQbxOdJcmGXYN7R2jBN30UI/s400/Stakeholder-IDT-4-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<b>Background research.</b><br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mission statement.</li>
<li>Organisation chart.</li>
<li>Job descriptions.</li>
<li>Social media.</li>
</ul>
The organisation’s Mission Statement will give some idea of the overall context. It may give a start on identifying stakeholders – particularly External Stakeholders. For example it might mention the importance of customers, delivering value to shareholders, a responsibility to the wider world.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Organisation charts and job descriptions will be particularly useful for identifying Business Stakeholders – managers and employees.<br />
<br />
Social media, such as Facebook business pages, will give further insights, in particular a more up to date “snapshot” of current stakeholders and their concerns.<br />
<br />
It is worth noting that documents and information found online may be out of date or misleading, so following up with some “face to face” fact finding is important.<br />
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<b>Observation.</b><br />
<br />
Observation of the business and its people in action might be done formally or informally. This will give the analyst more of an “as is” view – what is actually happening, and who is involved.<br />
<br />
Formal observation could include asking if you can observe or “shadow” people within the business.<br />
<br />
Informal observation could include simply watching and observing what is going on. If the business has a presence “on the ground”, such as shops, hotels, bars, you could visit some of these and gain some useful insights.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ4PgYfV_12E3wUp4ESZAkxKckXZF5Hvi-rZB2dFQH6eUCAwp4ZHhr47MsWBnsI6bFPa_bPGSLyemPwCkHKn7IdJDW45BwMbsUarjrbrxqj9pkqo-uCA_NutegL_6lLwKFQpupt24zJs/s1600/Stakeholder-IDT-2-Full.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlZ4PgYfV_12E3wUp4ESZAkxKckXZF5Hvi-rZB2dFQH6eUCAwp4ZHhr47MsWBnsI6bFPa_bPGSLyemPwCkHKn7IdJDW45BwMbsUarjrbrxqj9pkqo-uCA_NutegL_6lLwKFQpupt24zJs/s400/Stakeholder-IDT-2-Full.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<b>Interviewing</b>.</div>
<br />
This simply means talking to people face to face – often in a structured way rather than just an informal chat (though this may still be useful).<br />
<br />
Structured means having a plan and a list of questions, meeting, listening, recording and then reacting to what people say with more questions if needed.<br />
<br />
For example - the analyst could start with a few interviews with key stakeholders, seek their views on further stakeholders who should be involved, then delve into more detail from there.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Facilitated Workshops.</b><br />
<br />
This means a “structured brainstorming session”. Gathering a group of people together to work on a problem together in a creative and open way.<br />
<br />
A particularly useful technique where some creativity and wide ranging thinking is needed.<br />
<br />
Facilitated – the session has some structure and is managed by a facilitator – so that it delivers focussed results. For example – you could bring together a group of sales and marketing people for a stakeholder workshop to analyse customers in more detail.<br />
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<br /></div>
<b>Stakeholder Identification - The “Hidden Agenda” – Building Relationships.</b><br />
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There is potentially one huge additional benefit here – the opportunity for the business analyst to build relationships with stakeholders. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is an important skill for the analyst and will deliver benefits throughout the life of the project. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Making stakeholders feel involved and valued will help in a number of ways – for example, making it easier to gather and prioritise requirements. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This can be classed as a “soft skill” and so is not easy to quantify, although it probably falls under the heading Communication Skills in the analyst skillset. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Exactly how to do this is subtle and requires judgement, a feel for the organisation and the people involved. But some things that will help are:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Communicate – about the project.</li>
<li>Listen - to what people say.</li>
<li>Respond – give people answers.</li>
<li>Empathy – show concern for people.</li>
<li>Involve – people at all levels.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Here are my other blog posts on this topic - covering some of the fact finding techniques that you might use to analyse Stakeholders and how to apply them:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/10/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 1</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/11/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying_8.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 3</a><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you would like to learn more about this subject - look at my online course - on Udemy - Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This highly practical course covers the key concepts and techniques for Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
It also includes a detailed practical case study that you can work through as you progress through the course. This will enable to to see how the techniques described apply in practice - and to apply them yourself to real business project situations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For more information - use the link below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?referralCode=822CB4BC7AC576AD3BC2" target="_blank">Practical Business Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-348063884552737592019-10-30T13:41:00.000+00:002019-11-11T13:46:25.772+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders 1<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PjJzJItKKFLKgAVAHa99FqM9O_UAW2SaZ2fNYuTChFL9ntCK2A6owYu68sc9jQnTmunjyofC2ua5HmcunY07liEl6-pf_2BlsG-uKCFTEIJSYLtnl06EQbUCGgojVTq-q011epCpASo/s1600/Stakeholder-Identification-9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-PjJzJItKKFLKgAVAHa99FqM9O_UAW2SaZ2fNYuTChFL9ntCK2A6owYu68sc9jQnTmunjyofC2ua5HmcunY07liEl6-pf_2BlsG-uKCFTEIJSYLtnl06EQbUCGgojVTq-q011epCpASo/s400/Stakeholder-Identification-9.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<hr />
<br />
Stakeholder Analysis is an important skill for Business Analysts.<br />
<br />
Identifying them, understanding their requirements and engaging them in a project is essential.<br />
<br />
Who they are and how they might be involved will vary according to the nature of the project that you are working on.<br />
<br />
So its worth starting with a definition.<br />
<br />
A Stakeholder is:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Someone who has an interest in the system or business change under consideration.</li>
<li>A potential source of business requirements and priorities.</li>
<li>Anybody who may influence the project – in a positive or a negative way.</li>
</ul>
<div>
So, basically, anybody who might be affected by the proposed new system.</div>
<div>
But because this means that there may be a large number, it is important to prioritise, as well as to identify all of them.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
The role of the Business Analyst in Stakeholder Analysis is to:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Identify who they are and prioritise.</li>
<li>Understand their viewpoints and requirements.</li>
<li>Engage them in the project.</li>
<li>Keep them engaged throughout.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Here are some of the key principles that apply:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Missing stakeholders may lead to missing requirements later.</li>
<li>Get stakeholders involved early and make them feel a valued part of the project.</li>
<li>Think widely – try to identify all stakeholders (within reason).</li>
<li>Further analysis will allow you to prioritise and identify the most important.</li>
<li>A minor stakeholder now may become more important later.</li>
<li>But - beware “paralysis by analysis”.</li>
<li>It is probably more common to identify too few stakeholders than too many.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
One possible start point is to consider three broad categories that will apply to just about any project:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Stakeholders.</li>
<li>Business Stakeholders.</li>
<li>External Stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
How to do this is covered in three earlier blog posts - use the links below to take a look:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-1.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 1 - Project Stakeholders</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-2.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 2 - Business Stakeholders</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-3.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 3 - External Stakeholders</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
You can then analyse your initial list in more detail</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Here are my other blog posts on this topic - covering some of the fact finding techniques that you might use to analyse Stakeholders and how to apply them:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/11/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 2</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/11/stakeholder-analysis-notes-identifying_8.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Identifying Stakeholders - Part 3</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<hr />
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you would like to learn more about this subject - look at my online course - on Udemy - Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This highly practical course covers the key concepts and techniques for Stakeholder Analysis.</div>
<div>
It also includes a detailed practical case study that you can work through as you progress through the course. This will enable to to see how the techniques described apply in practice - and to apply them yourself to real business project situations.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For more information - use the link below:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?referralCode=822CB4BC7AC576AD3BC2" target="_blank">Practical Business Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis</a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-60247121519683879362019-08-16T09:51:00.000+01:002019-11-05T15:33:52.458+00:00Business Analysis Techniques - Process Modelling - Context Diagrams - Part Two<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq05vPgZ84Ni9yEnKPKALD96A8bWex5dC-OGtGxCfIlL-wNG0lhB3dQR_iPj8pXkdKHwl3lz2mysOPIqvI8WqVeA4tNNy-NEKRnAyPQ1KmA0P5A4IZzev1strh_XdfNAOwMkf0Qb-Caek/s1600/Hotel-Context-900x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Context Diagram" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq05vPgZ84Ni9yEnKPKALD96A8bWex5dC-OGtGxCfIlL-wNG0lhB3dQR_iPj8pXkdKHwl3lz2mysOPIqvI8WqVeA4tNNy-NEKRnAyPQ1KmA0P5A4IZzev1strh_XdfNAOwMkf0Qb-Caek/s400/Hotel-Context-900x600.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Context Diagram" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Business Analysis Techniques - Context Diagram</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
There are many techniques that can be used in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
One part of this toolset is modelling techniques - diagrams with supporting text, often used to model business processes and business data.<br />
<br />
Process modelling helps us to understand how a business system works now (as is) and possible areas for improvement.<br />
<br />
This helps to identify requirements for a new system, analyse those requirements and produce models showing how a new improved system might work.<br />
<br />
There are many process modelling techniques that might be used to achieve this.<br />
This post focuses one of the simplest - Context Diagrams.<br />
<div>
<br />
This is the second post on this topic and follows on from a previous post - take a look at that here:<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/04/business-analysis-techniques-process.html" target="_blank">Process Modelling - Context Diagrams - Part One</a><br />
<br />
Context Diagrams Part One covers the "What", "When" and "Why" - this post will focus on the "How".<br />
<br />
First - Notation - the symbols that can be used on the diagram to convey a particular meaning.<br />
The idea is to use a standard notation so that everybody can understand what a particular diagram is showing in business terms. There are various standards out there. It doesn't matter, in principle, which standard you use as long as everybody involved in the project understands it. Here I''ll be using a notation widely used in the UK.<br />
<br />
To illustrate this, here I'll show the steps involved in building a Context Diagram for a Hotel Booking and Administration System.<br />
<br />
The System under analysis is represented as a single box.<br />
The box represents the system boundary.<br />
Inside the box is a name representing the system as a whole.<br />
So here we can start the diagram with a simple rectangular box labelled "Hotel".<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA63HqbhAp1cfCe3Zhlq3nPBAwfn0UjJAqzfUcK4kydubjk3MFlzggElhlHwmiLD4nqlTMoUq5HVkW7rq4ji4aS4PYY4vc0ClBuDQs6_HbI3VzB3lKqPnnHw1c5-STA-WBQfRK2M8GgwM/s1600/Context-System.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="150" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA63HqbhAp1cfCe3Zhlq3nPBAwfn0UjJAqzfUcK4kydubjk3MFlzggElhlHwmiLD4nqlTMoUq5HVkW7rq4ji4aS4PYY4vc0ClBuDQs6_HbI3VzB3lKqPnnHw1c5-STA-WBQfRK2M8GgwM/s200/Context-System.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Things outside the system boundary that interact with it are called External Entities.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
These are represented with an ellipse labelled with a name. For example - one of the External Entities for a Hotel might be a Customer – somebody who stays or visits and spends money on services.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBVJYO-kqelhKIA9OhH4xjq2keym106LllKdgdsK3udejiiX16AFFWdbbPx-KbT6JK6xFov1ug6ogRc4WiTsNE4VEamZ3dzSxXLSOS5R08dZsCLQYZIE1Q451SI6q0g_yFsoj_BUvSUQ/s1600/Context-External-Entity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="113" data-original-width="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPBVJYO-kqelhKIA9OhH4xjq2keym106LllKdgdsK3udejiiX16AFFWdbbPx-KbT6JK6xFov1ug6ogRc4WiTsNE4VEamZ3dzSxXLSOS5R08dZsCLQYZIE1Q451SI6q0g_yFsoj_BUvSUQ/s1600/Context-External-Entity.jpg" /></a></div>
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Interactions between External Entities and the system are shown as Data Flows.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Represented by lines with an arrowhead showing the direction of the flow and text briefly describing what it is. For example one of the interactions between a Customer and the Hotel might be a booking.</div>
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Things outside the system boundary that interact with it are called External Entities.</div>
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For the purposes of the Context Diagram – we are only interested in how these interact with the system.</div>
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In this case - for example a customer makes a booking.</div>
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We are not interested, at this stage, in when they make a booking or how they decide to make a booking. This can be analysed later as needed.</div>
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We are simply modelling the data flow into the system – Booking – and the flow back to them – Booking Confirmation.</div>
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<div>
One advantage of Context Diagrams is that they are relatively straightforward and easy to understand.<br />
This makes validation with business users and other stakeholders easier.<br />
<br />
They can then form a basis for more detailed analysis as needed, using other techniques such as Use Case Diagrams or Data Flow Diagrams.<br />
<br />
Context Diagram - Summary.<br />
<br />
A High Level Diagram.<br />
<br />
Shows:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>System Boundary.</li>
<li>External Entities.</li>
<li>Data Flows – into system.</li>
<li>Data Flows – out of system.</li>
</ul>
A useful starting point for further analysis.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
You might also find these blog posts useful:<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2019/04/business-analysis-techniques-process.html" target="_blank">Process Modelling - Context Diagrams - Part One</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.com/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-1.html" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
You could also take a look at my online courses that cover various Business Analysis techniques in more detail:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Getting Started In Business Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/course/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
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<br /></div>
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Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-80735727403767145442019-04-08T09:00:00.000+01:002019-11-05T15:34:08.207+00:00Business Analysis Techniques - Process Modelling - Context Diagrams - Part One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Techniques - Process Modelling</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
There are many techniques that can be used in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
One part of this toolset is modelling techniques - diagrams with supporting text, often used to model business processes and business data.<br />
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Process modelling helps us to understand how a business system works now (as is) and possible areas for improvement.<br />
<br />
This helps to identify requirements for a new system, analyse those requirements and produce models showing how a new improved system might work.<br />
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There are many process modelling techniques that might be used to achieve this.<br />
This post focuses one of the simplest - Context Diagrams.<br />
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Context Diagram – What it is:
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>A diagram showing flows of information into and out of a business system.</li>
<li>Defines a boundary between the system and its environment, showing the entities that interact with it and how they interact.</li>
<li>Provides a top level view of things and so is a useful starting point for further process analysis.</li>
</ul>
Here is an example - a Context Diagram for a Hotel Booking and Administration System.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibObtPzn3q2TvhVDTQB18pU6Q7EXMZL60lLE7D_ThG1ui2MbqYXFLg0ZZoCWA3bRLhA9uYgCuRyjjkoTvubsB8TIIgNSKRrO6TUQM7JNkIlCkxeFWRSSSyHYz5EOQDLX7cWTd6iMUy0rk/s1600/Hotel-Context-900x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibObtPzn3q2TvhVDTQB18pU6Q7EXMZL60lLE7D_ThG1ui2MbqYXFLg0ZZoCWA3bRLhA9uYgCuRyjjkoTvubsB8TIIgNSKRrO6TUQM7JNkIlCkxeFWRSSSyHYz5EOQDLX7cWTd6iMUy0rk/s400/Hotel-Context-900x600.jpg" title="Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System</b></span></td></tr>
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This may be be slightly confusing at first sight - but do not be concerned. This post and subsequent posts on the topic will explain step by step how this diagram is constructed and what it shows<br />
<br />
To start - the box in the centre of the diagram represents the system that we are investigating and analysing - in this case - "Hotel".<br />
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The ellipse shapes around the outside represent External Entities, sometimes called "Actors" (particularly in UML - Unified Modelling Language). Essentially - anybody or anything that interacts with the system. In this example - one of these is "Customer".<br />
<br />
The arrows show interactions between the External Entities and the system, flows of data, with the arrowheads indicating the direction of the flow.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9ulHETR9JRE2VeEndWRgzYo9cbZX17Boiqmm6oCj2vVXPINTwey9J9emBBsdOzHposXxO-TV5xlcSxerOkd3F9MIYYmxKcMWjQ7Y0dW8JqcpGK1bqfU-IuHwTJCuPxWPo_c5V62BcR8/s1600/Hotel-Context-Flows-2-400x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System" border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9ulHETR9JRE2VeEndWRgzYo9cbZX17Boiqmm6oCj2vVXPINTwey9J9emBBsdOzHposXxO-TV5xlcSxerOkd3F9MIYYmxKcMWjQ7Y0dW8JqcpGK1bqfU-IuHwTJCuPxWPo_c5V62BcR8/s400/Hotel-Context-Flows-2-400x300.jpg" title="Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;">Context Diagram - Hotel Booking and Administration System</span></b><br />
<b style="font-size: medium;"><br /></b></td></tr>
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For example - here - Customers make Bookings with the Hotel and receive a Booking Confirmation in return.<br />
<br />
Hotel - System.<br />
Customer - External Entity (or Actor).<br />
Booking - Data Flow.<br />
Booking Confirmation - Data Flow.<br />
<br />
The content of these data flows, what triggers them, how frequent they are, any business rules that apply - and so on - can be analysed in more detail later for on. A Context Diagram just aims to show a top-level view of a system.<br />
<br />
So to summarise:<br />
<br />
Context Diagram – What it is:
<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Defines a boundary between the system and its environment, showing the entities that interact with it. .… those interactions are shown as data flows.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Provides a top level view of things and so is a useful starting point for further process analysis.…. the box in the centre – representing the system can be broken down further later on.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
Context Diagram – When it might be used:</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Could be used at any time.</li>
<li>Often used early in a project to understand the current system.</li>
<li>Can be used later as part of a specification for a new system..</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Context Diagram – Why it is useful:</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Helps to understand more about a business system and how it works.</li>
<li>Helps to define the boundary of the system under investigation – scope.</li>
<li>Can be validated with business users and other stakeholders relatively easily.</li>
<li>Helps to understand requirements for a new system.</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<br />
So that covers three of the classic questions - What, When and Why.<br />
<br />
The Who and the How will be covered in future posts.<br />
<br />
If you have any questions - please comment below or get in touch.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-52773008883760449302019-04-03T15:57:00.000+01:002020-01-16T12:06:09.910+00:00Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions - Part Two - Your Resume<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
One of the most common questions I've seen on social media, from aspiring Business Analysts, is - "Can anybody send me a link to a list of BA job interview questions?".<br />
<br />
For any job interview, preparation is a key to success.<br />
<br />
The problem is that it is difficult to predict exactly what questions you may be asked in a given job interview. This uncertainty is one of the reasons why most people feel somewhat nervous in this situation.<br />
<br />
Lists of generic questions are of limited use.<br />
Much depends on the specific job that you are applying for.<br />
<br />
So - how to prepare as best you can? This blog aims to help you.<br />
<br />
A possible answer is - a Business Analysis approach!<br />
<br />
Interviewers, if are doing their job properly, will not ask you questions at random. They will prepare for the interview, set some objectives and formulate some questions to ask. Three of the possible factors that they will consider are:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Your Resume.</li>
<li>The Organisation.</li>
<li>The Job.</li>
</ul>
<div>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Applying a Business Analysis approach would give you these steps:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fact finding - your resume.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the organisation.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the job.</li>
<li>Analysis – of requirements.</li>
<li>Identification – of potential questions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
This post focuses on the first of these - your resume.<br />
<br />
It may seem odd to say "fact finding" here, after all you should know what's in it. But - it is worth reviewing your resume and considering what interview questions might arise.<br />
<br />
So to start - simply sit down and read it through - bearing in mind the job that you have applied for.<br />
<br />
Here are three possible sources of questions to bear in mind - your:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Personal interests.</li>
<li>Qualifications.</li>
<li>Work experience.</li>
</ul>
<div>
The next suggested step is to focus on the particular job that you are applying for.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Read through and review:</div>
<div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Your job application</li>
<li>The job description.</li>
<li>The candidate description.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
A tip here - if you apply for a job always file and keep copies of the original job advertisement - plus any additional material that you might be sent by the employer, such as the above. Also keep a copy of your completed application form.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This is particularly important if you are applying for several jobs at the same time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the light of the above - return to your resume, re-read and review it. Try to anticipate possible questions and take a note of them.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Some examples:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your resume - personal interests.</div>
<div>
If the job / candidate description mentions the need for "building relationships with stakeholders at all levels in the organisation" - consider how any of the things that you have included might be relevant. Perhaps you've worked for a community project where you helped to bring together people to work towards a common aim. Maybe one way that you achieved this was by talking to people at levels and building an understanding of their requirements.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your resume - qualifications.</div>
<div>
If the job / candidate description mentions "understanding business processes and identifying areas for improvement" - consider which of your qualifications and which part of the syllabus helped you to learn how to do this. For example, you may hold the British Computer Society Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis. In that case the Modelling Business Processes part of the qualification will have equipped you with some relevant skills and techniques.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Your resume - work experience.</div>
<div>
If the job / candidate description mentions the need for "a basic understanding of Business Strategy and how this influences requirements and priorities" - think about how you might meet this. In a previous job you might have worked on aligning a project with strategic aims - or at least seen how this was done.</div>
<br />
These are just some examples - obviously you need to apply this to your own resume and the specific BA job that you are seeking.<br />
<br />
But having done that you will have a start point for considering possible questions for your own job interview and can formulate some convincing answers.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
I'll be covering more about BA jobs and job interviews in future posts.</div>
<br />
For now - to sum up - if you are looking for a Business Analysis job - why not apply your skills as a Business Analyst to help you to prepare and increase your chances of success!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
You can learn more about BA Interviews in this video on my Business Analysis YouTube channel:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/H_L2rwaFEFU" target="_blank">Business Analysis Jobs - The Interview - Part 1 - Introduction</a></div>
<br />
My online course on Udemy covers the fundamentals of Business Analysis - including a session on Business Analysis Jobs. Learn more here -<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Course - Getting Started In Business Analysis</a><br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-87509971420283023232019-01-29T15:13:00.001+00:002019-11-05T15:39:53.211+00:00MoSCoW Prioritisation - A Useful Guide<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicya9VHGVswMukSIDcW61BELJzivPjNRKctqMMxAJ4l0WzZSgD1TyXIojWhmGJGn-RmbYhIoFpL2E2Aes15q78h9MM7cLC1syUdr7qOZFov-C_zUaLM8pH8RD5lzLMt-9EPvY_YRLTiUM/s1600/DSDM-MoSCoW-1-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicya9VHGVswMukSIDcW61BELJzivPjNRKctqMMxAJ4l0WzZSgD1TyXIojWhmGJGn-RmbYhIoFpL2E2Aes15q78h9MM7cLC1syUdr7qOZFov-C_zUaLM8pH8RD5lzLMt-9EPvY_YRLTiUM/s400/DSDM-MoSCoW-1-800.jpg" title="DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
The acronym MoSCow was first used a few years back as part of the Agile development framework - Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM).<br />
<br />
The method is now managed and developed by The Agile Business Consortium.<br />
<br />
MoSCow stands for:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Must Have</li>
<li>Should Have</li>
<li>Could Have</li>
<li>Won't Have</li>
</ul>
<br />
Each requirement identified during the initial phases of requirements analysis should be classified under one of those headings.<br />
<br />
This is based a solid Business Analysis principle - that all requirements should be identified - but not all should or will be carried forward into development of a new system.<br />
<br />
All projects are subject to constraints of time and cost. These need to be balanced against the business requirements. Do we want to deliver more at higher cost and longer timescales - or deliver less but at lower cost and more quickly?<br />
<br />
The answers will vary from project to project - but it is a very good principle to apply. This can be tricky in practice though - as some business users will say that they want everything - but also done quickly and a low cost! Not always possible - so the MoSCoW approach helps to focus the project and separate important requirements from "nice to haves but not absolutely necessary".<br />
<br />
The Agile Business Consortium have developed a useful guide to this - which covers what this approach is and how to apply it. You can view on their website - here:<br />
<a href="https://www.agilebusiness.org/content/moscow-prioritisation-0" target="_blank">DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation</a><br />
<br />
So in summary - a useful addition to "The Business Analysis Toolkit" and well worth a look.<br />
<br />
<hr />
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<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh.</i><br />
Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-13172099310811619592018-11-23T13:01:00.001+00:002019-10-31T10:54:37.305+00:00Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions - Part One<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa4NHr2xdKsknDV3jcgFXt4rP-0ZV1Ur3Dbp11t5T5fNqH5rx6skfjfeyhT6LfqHjpBzHyKjdubrNX5gLydN4gRlCNYi9_EQlOU4NXq2briywxwAZn83r82gPD0db1QwgD216ip6D9Vo/s1600/BA-Jobs-1-1200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions" border="0" data-original-height="868" data-original-width="1200" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFa4NHr2xdKsknDV3jcgFXt4rP-0ZV1Ur3Dbp11t5T5fNqH5rx6skfjfeyhT6LfqHjpBzHyKjdubrNX5gLydN4gRlCNYi9_EQlOU4NXq2briywxwAZn83r82gPD0db1QwgD216ip6D9Vo/s400/BA-Jobs-1-1200.jpg" title="Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Jobs - Interview Questions</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
One of the most common questions I've seen on social media, from aspiring Business Analysts, is - "Can anybody send me a link to a list of BA job interview questions?".<br />
<br />
For any job interview, preparation is a key to success.<br />
<br />
The problem is that it is difficult to predict exactly what questions you may be asked in a given job interview. This uncertainty is one of the reasons why most people feel somewhat nervous in this situation.<br />
<br />
Lists of generic questions are of limited use.<br />
Much depends on the specific job that you are applying for.<br />
<br />
So - how to prepare as best you can? This blog aims to help you.<br />
<br />
A possible answer is - a Business Analysis approach!<br />
<br />
Interviewers, if are doing their job properly, will not ask you questions at random. They will prepare for the interview, set some objectives and formulate some questions to ask. Three of the possible factors that they will consider are:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Your Resume.</li>
<li>The Organisation.</li>
<li>The Job.</li>
</ul>
<div>
Applying a Business Analysis approach would give you these steps:</div>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Fact finding - your resume.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the organisation.</li>
<li>Fact finding – the job.</li>
<li>Analysis – of requirements.</li>
<li>Identification – of potential questions.</li>
</ul>
</div>
<div>
Your resume - it may seem odd to say "fact finding" here, after all you should know what's in it. But - it is worth reviewing your resume and considering what interview questions might arise.<br />
<br />
The organisation - find out more about the company that you want to join. A common question is "Why do you want to join us". You need some convincing answers.<br />
<br />
The job - review the job description and any associated documents such as an "ideal candidate" specification. Consider how well you match these, any strong points, any weak areas.<br />
<br />
I'll be covering each of these steps, in turn, in more detail in future posts.</div>
<br />
For now - to sum up - if you are looking for a Business Analysis job - why not apply your skills as a Business Analyst to help you to prepare and increase your chances of success!<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
You can learn more about BA Interviews in this video on my Business Analysis YouTube channel:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/H_L2rwaFEFU" target="_blank">Business Analysis Jobs - The Interview - Part 1 - Introduction</a></div>
<br />
My online course on Udemy covers the fundamentals of Business Analysis - including a session on Business Analysis Jobs. Learn more here -<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Course - Getting Started In Business Analysis</a><br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-86277193147495657162018-03-10T11:17:00.000+00:002019-11-05T15:41:23.712+00:00Getting Started in Business Analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Getting Started in Business Analysis</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
I have just launched my new course on Udemy - Getting Started in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
Udemy is a brilliant online training platform - where course are highly interactive - informative - and fun! One great feature is that you can do a course in stages - at a time to suit you.<br />
<br />
My course includes video lectures, slideshows, quizzes to test your knowledge and case study exercises so you can practice your BA skills.<br />
<br />
The course is aimed at those new to BA - so will NOT suit more experienced analysts.<br />
<br />
Anybody seeking to move into Business Analysis from an IT / technical role or a business role.<br />
Recent graduates seeking a job in Business Analysis.<br />
Or maybe you just want to learn more about the BA role.<br />
<br />
So if you are just starting out and looking at a BA career - take a look.<br />
<br />
There is a detailed course description - so you can see if it suits you..<br />
Also some sessions that you can try out for free.<br />
<br />
If you enrol I will provide you with help and support as needed right through the course.<br />
<br />
If you have any queries or need more info - contact me.<br />
<br />
I'm offering discounted places to blog readers -<br />
£12.99 (UK Pounds) - half the standard price.<br />
<br />
Take a look - use the link below ......<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Getting Started in Business Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-89176393353680885222018-02-07T13:27:00.000+00:002019-11-05T15:42:13.653+00:00IIBA Global Business Analysis Core Standard<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>IIBA - Global Business Analysis Core Standard</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
Recently published - the International Institute of Business Analysis - IIBA - Global Business Analysis Core Standard is intended to represent the core and most fundamental practices of business analysis<br />
<br />
Subtitled - "Now we can all speak the same language." - it defines:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Business Analysis Key Concepts.</li>
<li>Core Standard Knowledge Areas.</li>
</ul>
In my opinion - essential reading for both aspiring and practising Business Analysts.<br />
Particularly if you are working towards any of the IIBA professional certificates.<br />
It is an abridged version of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge which defines the full syllabus for these qualifications.<br />
<br />
It might be less relevant to BAs studying for British Computer Society qualifications, which use a slightly different syllabus and terminology. But worth reading nonetheless.<br />
<br />
It is free to download from the IIBA website and free to use for personal, professional, or educational purposes.<br />
<br />
It will be particularly useful for those looking to get started in Business Analysis simply because it tells you what business analysts do. Also to some extent - how and why.<br />
<br />
For practising analysts its maybe more of a "checklist" to identify areas that you need to study and understand more fully.<br />
<br />
To give you a flavour - here is a short extract - from Section 1.1 - What is Business Analysis?<br />
<br />
<i><span style="color: #073763;">Business analysis is the practice of enabling change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. Business analysis enables an enterprise to articulate needs and the rationale for change, and to design and describe solutions that can deliver value.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: #073763;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="color: #073763;">Business analysis is performed on a variety of initiatives within an enterprise. Initiatives may be strategic, tactical, or operational. Business analysis may be performed within the boundaries of a project or throughout enterprise evolution and continuous improvement. It can be used to understand the current state, to define the future state, and to determine the activities required to move from the current to the future state.</span></i><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So a simple and slightly old fashioned suggestion - take some time off Facebook and instead download, read and digest this document!</div>
<br />
Maybe take some notes as you go along - areas that you want to learn more about, any points that you don't understand and need to research further.<br />
<br />
You can download a copy from the IIBA website - here:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/babok-guide/core-standard.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA - Global Business Analysis Core Standard</a><br />
<br />
As ever - any comments here are welcome - and once you've read through the Core Standard<br />
I'll be happy to help if anything needs explaining or adding to.<br />
<br />
<hr />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s1600/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s320/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" title="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook Page</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessAnalysisLearning/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook Group</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i><br />
Business Analyst<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-39491973659832911372017-11-16T11:14:00.000+00:002019-11-05T15:41:50.258+00:00Getting Started In Business Analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuNEzJ-fT0rDHhXhXDHzS3ZtisgndCsdDghbNYfax6Kwby2TPM6-BeKv5cdLwDV_V4bQ9unGgDJjLMWVsQdpQUIRwU1kDMb6smfR0ydcNSHs5WzyiqX44b8KqX7udCsEAkO4NyUeYzBk/s1600/GetStartedBA-Infographics-1-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="InfoGraphic - Getting Started In Business Analysis" border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZuNEzJ-fT0rDHhXhXDHzS3ZtisgndCsdDghbNYfax6Kwby2TPM6-BeKv5cdLwDV_V4bQ9unGgDJjLMWVsQdpQUIRwU1kDMb6smfR0ydcNSHs5WzyiqX44b8KqX7udCsEAkO4NyUeYzBk/s400/GetStartedBA-Infographics-1-800.jpg" title="InfoGraphic - Getting Started In Business Analysis" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>InfoGraphic - Getting Started In Business Analysis</b></span></td></tr>
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<hr />
<br />
I've seen quite a few posts on Facebook from people who want to know how to get started in a Business Analysis career.<br />
<br />
There seems to be some confusion and some misconceptions about this.<br />
<br />
So I've started on producing what I hope will be some useful info for aspiring Business Analysts.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">Update - my course Getting Started in Business Analysis is now live and online.</span></b><br />
Click the link below for more info and to enrol on the course:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/getting-started-in-business-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Getting Started in Business Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
First - an InfoGraphic - Getting Started In Business Analysis - that covers some of the key points.<br />
<br />
A sample of this is above and the full graphic is at the foot of this post.<br />
<br />
You can download a more readable version - in .pdf format - from my Facebook group - here -<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessAnalysisLearning/files/" target="_blank">Facebook - Business Analysis Learning</a><br />
<br />
One of the key points that I've covered is BA Starting Points.<br />
<br />
One misconception seems to be that you have to have an IT / technical background to get a job as a Business Analyst. This is not true. It may be a requirement for some BA jobs - but for many it is not. It is fairly common for BAs to be recruited from a business role.<br />
<br />
Another misconception is that specialist business domain knowledge is needed - for example Financial Services or Logistics. Again - this is not true for all BA roles, especially at entry level.<br />
<br />
I'll be writing a series of blog posts on this subject to add more and answer a few more questions.<br />
<br />
I'm also working on a short training course - aimed at getting aspiring BAs on track.<br />
The content will be based broadly on the content of the InfoGraphic.<br />
More on that as well in due course.<br />
<br />
A few links that you might find interesting and helpful.<br />
<br />
Adrian Reed's Business Analysis Blog:<br />
<a href="http://www.adrianreed.co.uk/2016/01/18/becoming-a-business-analyst/" target="_blank">Becoming A Business Analyst</a><br />
<br />
This Blog:<br />
<a href="http://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/business-analysis-professional.html" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications - Foundation Level</a><br />
<br />
International Institute of Business Analysis - IIBA®:<br />
<a href="https://www.iiba.org/Careers/What-is-Business-Analysis.aspx" target="_blank">What is Business Analysis?</a><br />
<br />
More on this coming soon - and if you have any questions - please post them in the Comments section below.<br />
<br />
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<div>
<br />
You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook Page</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BusinessAnalysisLearning/" target="_blank">Business Analysis Learning - Facebook Group</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-83559770377181793652017-09-21T06:44:00.000+01:002019-10-29T13:42:00.882+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 3 - External Stakeholders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis </b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
Here are some Key Point Notes on Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis.<br />
<br />
This topic is part of the syllabus for the British Computer Society (BCS) Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
The notes below are based on the syllabus for Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the specific terms used are those needed for answers in the BCS examinations.<br />
<br />
Stakeholder Analysis also features as part of the various certificates awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) - so people studying for those will also find these notes helpful.<br />
But - be aware that the examinations for these are based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) - so the terms used there may be different in some cases.<br />
<br />
For more - take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Key Point Notes -
Requirements Engineering - Stakeholder Analysis - </b><br />
<b>External Stakeholders<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition – Stakeholder:<br />
Someone who has an interest in the system or business change under
consideration.</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Stakeholders</li>
<li>Business Stakeholders</li>
<li>External Stakeholders</li>
</ul>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkceUbYTSMSP_8ZsB66627LiwddlFTmTy57ynZYZZeSSC7KJUNR7cNBEQ7fWVD8SZH1m7EI8TkdpBIjUXSugIm3UZAww700uBjylc4dW0lRqlUYzkDgT7NVMOn7a71DR8L5wrRS0iHSa0/s1600/External-Stakeholders-3-800-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis " border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkceUbYTSMSP_8ZsB66627LiwddlFTmTy57ynZYZZeSSC7KJUNR7cNBEQ7fWVD8SZH1m7EI8TkdpBIjUXSugIm3UZAww700uBjylc4dW0lRqlUYzkDgT7NVMOn7a71DR8L5wrRS0iHSa0/s400/External-Stakeholders-3-800-Logo.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis " width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>External </b><b> Stakeholders: </b><br />
<b>their role and contribution to the requirements engineering process.</b><br />
<br />
External Stakeholders - people who are:<br />
Not part of the business / organisation.<br />
Not (usually) members of the Project Team.<br />
Will be affected by the outcome of the project.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Customers </li>
<li>Regulators </li>
<li>Suppliers</li>
</ul>
Customers - Role and Contribution:<br />
Helping to specify and prioritise functional and non-functional requirements.<br />
Especially those that relate to the customer experience of the new system.<br />
<br />
Regulators - Role and Contribution:<br />
Helping to specify and prioritise functional and non-functional requirements.<br />
Especially those that relate to compliance with industry regulations and the law.<br />
Some of these may be “Must Haves” as they relate to legal conformance.<br />
<br />
Suppliers - Role and Contribution:<br />
Helping to specify and prioritise functional and non-functional requirements.<br />
Especially those that relate to supplier use of and interfaces to the new system.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<hr />
<br />
<b>Stakeholder Analysis - More </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-1.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 1 - Project Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-2.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 2 - Business Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
For more - take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/" target="_blank">BCS - Business Analysis Certificates - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification/certificationlevels.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA - Certification - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photographs by:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gtzecosan/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SuSanA Secretariat</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Licenced under Creative Commons:</span><br />
<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Notes: amended - cropped and BA logo added.</span></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-8894608471363961392017-09-19T09:00:00.000+01:002019-10-29T13:41:47.114+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 2 - Business Stakeholders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-QpLdah9lgV0cE6vO4YwJ4iEX1xdN9XF9ndnZecgZklcnNLQJuQmCT559vMlEXGe9FYmWB00A1Xy6rkoyTzMg1lkDO3bzJIdmCk-mFKcPXLJdYNH5tctqqrn9BBfcnYJI5d-T2ChOWU/s1600/Business-Stakeholders-1-800-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8-QpLdah9lgV0cE6vO4YwJ4iEX1xdN9XF9ndnZecgZklcnNLQJuQmCT559vMlEXGe9FYmWB00A1Xy6rkoyTzMg1lkDO3bzJIdmCk-mFKcPXLJdYNH5tctqqrn9BBfcnYJI5d-T2ChOWU/s400/Business-Stakeholders-1-800-Logo.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis </b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<hr />
<br />
Here are some Key Point Notes on Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis.<br />
<br />
This topic is part of the syllabus for the British Computer Society (BCS) Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
The notes below are based on the syllabus for Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the specific terms used are those needed for answers in the BCS examinations.<br />
<br />
Stakeholder Analysis also features as part of the various certificates awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) - so people studying for those will also find these notes helpful.<br />
But - be aware that the examinations for these are based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) - so the terms used there may be different in some cases.<br />
<br />
For more - take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Key Point Notes -
Requirements Engineering - Stakeholder Analysis - </b><br />
<b>Business Stakeholders<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition – Stakeholder:<br />
Someone who has an interest in the system or business change under
consideration.</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Stakeholders</li>
<li>Business Stakeholders</li>
<li>External Stakeholders</li>
</ul>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml_HcaoJmkw34zQByz6wgdiWkjn0oZjNLTxOuU_dl3kGldC6Bp1OxkS_xncsoOQHxsIn7cxr-v_-9lGoVK5Tqr1fGF8ekjG6atyEads9yEXVteTBMIkWtjvVC-BPBUHHAOu9wwZ-AIS8/s1600/Business-Stakeholders-4-800-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis " border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml_HcaoJmkw34zQByz6wgdiWkjn0oZjNLTxOuU_dl3kGldC6Bp1OxkS_xncsoOQHxsIn7cxr-v_-9lGoVK5Tqr1fGF8ekjG6atyEads9yEXVteTBMIkWtjvVC-BPBUHHAOu9wwZ-AIS8/s400/Business-Stakeholders-4-800-Logo.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis " width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Business</b><b> Stakeholders: </b><br />
<b>their role and contribution to the requirements engineering process.</b><br />
<br />
Business Stakeholders - people who are:<br />
Part of the business / organisation who will use the end product of the project.<br />
May or may not be members of the Project Team - full or part time.<br />
Have specialist business knowledge.<br />
Will be affected by the outcome of the project.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Sponsor </li>
<li>Project Board</li>
<li>Subject Matter Experts </li>
<li>End Users and Managers</li>
</ul>
Project Sponsor - Role and Contribution:<br />
Senior manager in the business /organisation.<br />
Oversight of the Requirements Engineering process (and the entire project).<br />
Accountable for the Requirements Engineering process (and the entire project).<br />
Specifying and prioritising high level requirements.<br />
Facilitating business user involvement in the project.<br />
<br />
Project Board - Role and Contribution:<br />
Senior managers in the business /organisation.<br />
Specifying and prioritising high level requirements.<br />
Facilitating business user involvement in the project.<br />
<br />
Subject Matter Experts - Role and Contribution:<br />
Experienced member of the business / organisation.<br />
Giving business advice regarding the requirements.<br />
Advising on industry best practice.<br />
Ensuring that project requirements align with wider business requirements.<br />
<br />
End Users and Managers - Role and Contribution:<br />
Will use the new system delivered by the project.<br />
Specifying and prioritising detailed functional requirements.<br />
Specifying and prioritising detailed non-functional requirements.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<hr />
<br />
<b>Stakeholder Analysis - More </b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-1.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 1 - Project Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-3.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 3 - External Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
Take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/" target="_blank">BCS - Business Analysis Certificates - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification/certificationlevels.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA - Certification - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photographs by:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gtzecosan/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SuSanA Secretariat</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Licenced under Creative Commons:</span><br />
<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Notes: amended - BA logo added.</span></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-41399088063290097062017-09-15T12:58:00.000+01:002019-10-29T13:41:27.509+00:00Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 1 - Project Stakeholders<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAZbTjY3WwAK9OL7nd60RSBckVs1GqQW3uj1kMDAEnm9_Es6-sjPam3I_FGy0nIQ5M_m-v9Y0-McuBCRCQEPIlFOiZ-xA7hk5LYNuq1UqiVS_O2CTtf58N37zpFF0g8LdHv4_tVUKwpQ/s1600/Stakeholders-5-800-Logo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUAZbTjY3WwAK9OL7nd60RSBckVs1GqQW3uj1kMDAEnm9_Es6-sjPam3I_FGy0nIQ5M_m-v9Y0-McuBCRCQEPIlFOiZ-xA7hk5LYNuq1UqiVS_O2CTtf58N37zpFF0g8LdHv4_tVUKwpQ/s400/Stakeholders-5-800-Logo-2.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b style="color: #073763;"><span style="font-size: small;">Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis</span></b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<hr />
<br />
Here are some Key Point Notes on Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis.<br />
<br />
This topic is part of the syllabus for the British Computer Society (BCS) Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.<br />
<br />
The notes below are based on the syllabus for Certificate in Requirements Engineering and the specific terms used are those needed for answers in the BCS examinations.<br />
<br />
Stakeholder Analysis also features as part of the various certificates awarded by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) - so people studying for those will also find these notes helpful.<br />
But - be aware that the examinations for these are based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) - so the terms used there may be different in some cases.<br />
<br />
For more - take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Key Point Notes -
Requirements Engineering - Stakeholder Analysis - </b><br />
<b>Project Stakeholders<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Definition – Stakeholder:<br />
Someone who has an interest in the system or business change under
consideration.</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Stakeholders</li>
<li>Business Stakeholders</li>
<li>External Stakeholders</li>
</ul>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq_Iorj8mOcb9eRGM_IE1sLBVYB75SYUhHL8F32IUx2eR2JnXb9cs9W6czWGSksBWPOAEM6_beOc04itOJM4LYdoFUwD0akNA9N4lInw4VGhJu2RU3nx6ePJM_pQyE_NbcUGTzrcsNt4/s1600/Stakeholders-7-800-Logo-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipq_Iorj8mOcb9eRGM_IE1sLBVYB75SYUhHL8F32IUx2eR2JnXb9cs9W6czWGSksBWPOAEM6_beOc04itOJM4LYdoFUwD0akNA9N4lInw4VGhJu2RU3nx6ePJM_pQyE_NbcUGTzrcsNt4/s400/Stakeholders-7-800-Logo-2.jpg" title="Business Analysis Techniques - Stakeholder Analysis" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<b>Project Stakeholders: </b><br />
<b>their role and contribution to the requirements engineering process.</b><br />
<br />
Project Stakeholders - people who are:<br />
Members of the Project Team - full or part time.<br />
Have specialist skills and knowledge – in business and / or IT.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Manager </li>
<li>Business Analyst </li>
<li>Solution Developer </li>
<li>Testers </li>
<li>Solution Architects</li>
</ul>
Project Manager - Role and Contribution:<br />
Planning and managing Requirements Engineering.<br />
<br />
Business Analyst - Role and Contribution:<br />
Carrying out Requirements Engineering.<br />
<br />
Solution Developer - Role and Contribution:<br />
Ensuring that documented requirements can be translated into solutions.<br />
<br />
Testers - Role and Contribution:<br />
Validating requirements to ensure that they are testable.<br />
Adding test cases /scenarios that can be used for testing later – during system development.<br />
<br />
Solution Architects - Role and Contribution:<br />
Contribute to the technical requirements of the project by ensuring that they fit into the overall systems architecture of the business.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>Stakeholder Analysis - More </b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-2.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 2 - Business Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://business-analysis-courses.blogspot.co.uk/2017/09/stakeholder-analysis-notes-part-3.html">Stakeholder Analysis - Notes - Part 3 - External Stakeholders</a><br />
<br />
Take a look at my online course - on Udemy:<br />
<a href="https://www.udemy.com/business-analysis-stakeholder-analysis/?couponCode=BABLOG-NODEADLINE" target="_blank">Stakeholder Analysis</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b>References</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/" target="_blank">BCS - Business Analysis Certificates - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification/certificationlevels.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA - Certification - Information and Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photo Credits.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Photographs by:</span><br />
<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/gtzecosan/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">SuSanA Secretariat</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Licenced under Creative Commons:</span><br />
<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0)</span></a><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Notes: amended - BA logo added.</span></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-51955155306337808452017-09-14T16:42:00.001+01:002019-11-05T15:42:50.268+00:00Business Analysis - Requirements Prioritisation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicya9VHGVswMukSIDcW61BELJzivPjNRKctqMMxAJ4l0WzZSgD1TyXIojWhmGJGn-RmbYhIoFpL2E2Aes15q78h9MM7cLC1syUdr7qOZFov-C_zUaLM8pH8RD5lzLMt-9EPvY_YRLTiUM/s1600/DSDM-MoSCoW-1-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation" border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicya9VHGVswMukSIDcW61BELJzivPjNRKctqMMxAJ4l0WzZSgD1TyXIojWhmGJGn-RmbYhIoFpL2E2Aes15q78h9MM7cLC1syUdr7qOZFov-C_zUaLM8pH8RD5lzLMt-9EPvY_YRLTiUM/s400/DSDM-MoSCoW-1-800.jpg" title="DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis - Requirements Prioritisation</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
I've recently researched and built the first of my "Bite Size BA" training packages -<br />
Prioritisng Requirements and MoSCoW Rules.<br />
<br />
The acronym MoSCow was first used a few years back as part of the Agile development framework - Dynamic Systems Development Method (DSDM).<br />
<br />
The method is now managed and developed by The Agile Business Consortium.<br />
<br />
MoSCow stands for:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Must Have</li>
<li>Should Have</li>
<li>Could Have</li>
<li>Won't Have</li>
</ul>
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
Each requirement identified during the initial phases of requirements analysis should be classified under one of those headings.<br />
<br />
Priorities can the be re-assessed as requirements analysis progresses.<br />
<br />
This is based a solid Business Analysis principle - that all requirements should be identified - but not all should or will be carried forward into development of a new system.<br />
<br />
All projects are subject to constraints of time and cost. These need to be balanced against the business requirements. Do we want to deliver more at higher cost and longer timescales - or deliver less but at lower cost and more quickly?<br />
<br />
The answers will vary from project to project - but it is a very good principle to apply. This can be tricky in practice though - as some business users will say that they want everything - but also done quickly and a low cost! Not always possible - so the MoSCoW approach helps to focus the project and separate important requirements from "nice to haves but not absolutely necessary".<br />
<br />
The Agile Business Consortium have developed a useful guide to this - which covers what this approach is and how to apply it. You can view on their website - here:<br />
<a href="https://www.agilebusiness.org/content/moscow-prioritisation-0" target="_blank">DSDM Atern Handbook - MoSCoW Prioritisation</a><br />
<br />
I have developed a short PowerPoint presentation that summaries the key points.<br />
You can also view that - on YouTube - here:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/86P4QahvEm0" target="_blank">Bite Sized BA - Requirements Analysis - Prioritising Requirements</a><br />
<br />
So in summary - a useful addition to "The Business Analysis Toolkit" and well worth a look.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh.</i><br />
Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.</div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-85462977674078439202017-08-22T14:04:00.004+01:002019-10-29T14:08:17.596+00:00Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications - Foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis - Foundation - Textbooks</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
For trainee and junior Business Analysts or for those seeking a career move - two entry level qualifications are widely recognised worldwide.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">British Computer Society - Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">International Institute of Business Analysis - Entry Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b></div>
<br />
Here is some information that you will find useful - with links to find out more ......<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<hr />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">British Computer Society - Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
Entry Requirements:<br />
None - open to all.<br />
<br />
Recommended Textbook:<br />
<a href="http://shop.bcs.org/display.asp?K=9781780172774" target="_blank">Business Analysis - 3rd Edition</a><br />
<br />
Syllabus<br />
<a href="https://assets.contentful.com/6nfn3d4188qj/2457rF21Wk8qWgSw060KU4/fa04d08e9c7692c948952ce475ab811f/ba-foundation-syllabus.pdf" target="_blank">BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis - Syllabus</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Exam<br />
One hour multiple-choice with 40 questions.<br />
<br />
More information:<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/business-analysis-foundation-certificate" target="_blank">BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis - Info</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">International Institute of Business Analysis - Entry Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
Entry Requirements:<br />
No previous BA work experience required.<br />
21 hours of professional development in the last 4 years.<br />
Agreement with the ECBA™ Code of Conduct.<br />
<br />
Recommended Textbook:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/babok-guide.aspx" target="_blank">A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge - Version 3</a><br />
<br />
Syllabus<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/certificationblueprints.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis - Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
Exam<br />
One hour multiple-choice with 50 questions.<br />
<br />
More information:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification-Recognition/certificationlevels/level1-ecba.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis - Info</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Study routes:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Classroom training course.</li>
<li>Online training course.</li>
<li>Self study.</li>
<li>A combination of these.</li>
</ul>
Which of these is best depends on you - and maybe how much money you can afford to spend.<br />
I'd suggest starting with some self study.This won't cost you anything - other than your time - and will at least give you a feel for the subject matter.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Which of these foundation qualifications is the best option ?<br />
It depends - both are widely recognised. It may depend on your chosen career path and your location.<br />
<br />
For example the BCS certificate is probably more recognised in the UK whereas IIBA is more popular in the United States.In India and elsewhere - I'm not sure - please comment below this post if you have a view on this.<br />
<br />
How to start ?<br />
I would suggest these actions - before you spend any time and money.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Use the links above for more information.</li>
<li>Seek advice from other BAs.</li>
<li>Obtain a copy of the recommended textbook.</li>
<li>Evaluate training options and costs.</li>
</ul>
I've produced a few short presentations on Business Analysis Techniques.<br />
These give an introduction to some of the topics for these qualifications - but not all.<br />
I will be adding more in due course.<br />
You can view these on YouTube - here:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/fBdSt08QlNQ" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Fact Finding</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/Db17welgwq4" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis </a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/86P4QahvEm0" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Prioritising Requirements </a><br />
<br />
If you need further advice or information - I'd be happy to help.<br />
Comment below or get in touch.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s1600/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s200/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" title="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-39631005985413258112017-07-21T12:41:00.000+01:002019-10-29T14:07:55.808+00:00Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
I've seen many posts on Facebook and other social media from aspiring / trainee Business Analysts about how to get into and then progress in the BA role.<br />
<br />
A common response from other BAs is that it is experience and business domain knowledge that matters - more than professional qualifications.<br />
<br />
Others disagree - it really is a matter of opinion ........<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
My opinion - for what its worth - is that both matter. If you are seeking a BA job some employers will place a high value on qualifications, some less so, some very little. So - as so often .... it depends.<br />
<br />
But if you are looking for a BA job and lack the experience -<br />
a professional qualification is going to help.<br />
<br />
So if you are looking for a BA role, do some research, check out relevant job ads. Take a look at the websites and Facebook pages of some of the big IT and Business consultancies. Many companies won't mind an informal enquiry, maybe via social media. Just ask. What qualifications do you particularly value? If I held a certificate or diploma in ... (insert name here) ... would it improve my chances of a position with you?<br />
<br />
You are applying for a job that involves finding out stuff.<br />
So practice your skills and find out!<br />
<br />
Maybe do this before you invest money and time in training courses.<br />
<br />
Much of my own professional background is in delivering training and support for the BA certificates awarded by The British Computer Society (BCS). Widely recognised in the UK and worldwide.<br />
I have worked as both a trainer and an examiner for these.<br />
<br />
There are other qualifications that are probably equally useful - in particular those offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). I may cover them in more detail later - but if you want more information visit their website:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification-Recognition/certificationlevels.aspx" target="_blank">International Institute of Business Analysis - Certification</a><br />
<br />
The BCS qualifications are flexible and are suitable for BAs at different points in their careers - from entry level (Foundation) through journeyman (Practitioner) up to Senior Business Analyst (Expert).<br />
<br />
To find out more visit their website:<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/" target="_blank">British Computer Society - Business Analysis Certifications</a><br />
<br />
I will say more about this is future posts - with a particular focus on the Foundation and Practitioner levels. I'll add some hints and tips that I hope you will find helpful.<br />
<br />
I'm developing some short training packages covering these areas.<br />
I'm calling these "Bite Sized BA".<br />
If you wish - take a look at the first - on YouTube:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/86P4QahvEm0" target="_blank">Bite Sized BA - Requirements Analysis - Prioritising Requirements</a><br />
<br />
I plan to develop these further - covering more subject areas and adding more depth. Hoping to help those working towards professional BA qualifications at all levels.<br />
So keep coming back to my blog!<br />
As ever - any comments or suggestions, about what you'd like to see, are very welcome.<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s1600/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s200/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" title="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Photo Credit - Header<br />
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Studying.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain</a><br />
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-29762515791870840552017-04-01T10:35:00.000+01:002017-04-01T19:30:59.889+01:00Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications - Foundation<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis - Foundation - Textbooks</b></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<hr />
<br />
For trainee and junior Business Analysts or for those seeking a career move - two entry level qualifications are widely recognised worldwide.<br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">British Computer Society - Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">International Institute of Business Analysis - Entry Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b></div>
<br />
Here is some information that you will find useful - with links to find out more ......<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<hr />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">British Computer Society - Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
Entry Requirements:<br />
None - open to all.<br />
<br />
Recommended Textbook:<br />
<a href="http://shop.bcs.org/display.asp?K=9781780172774" target="_blank">Business Analysis - 3rd Edition</a><br />
<br />
Syllabus<br />
<a href="https://assets.contentful.com/6nfn3d4188qj/2457rF21Wk8qWgSw060KU4/fa04d08e9c7692c948952ce475ab811f/ba-foundation-syllabus.pdf" target="_blank">BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis - Syllabus</a><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Exam<br />
One hour multiple-choice with 40 questions.<br />
<br />
More information:<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/business-analysis-foundation-certificate" target="_blank">BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis - Info</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<b><span style="color: #073763;">International Institute of Business Analysis - Entry Certificate in Business Analysis.</span></b><br />
<br />
Entry Requirements:<br />
No previous BA work experience required.<br />
21 hours of professional development in the last 4 years.<br />
Agreement with the ECBA™ Code of Conduct.<br />
<br />
Recommended Textbook:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/babok-guide.aspx" target="_blank">A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge - Version 3</a><br />
<br />
Syllabus<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/certificationblueprints.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis - Syllabus</a><br />
<br />
Exam<br />
One hour multiple-choice with 50 questions.<br />
<br />
More information:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification-Recognition/certificationlevels/level1-ecba.aspx" target="_blank">IIBA Entry Certificate in Business Analysis - Info</a><br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Study routes:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Classroom training course.</li>
<li>Online training course.</li>
<li>Self study.</li>
<li>A combination of these.</li>
</ul>
Which of these is best depends on you - and maybe how much money you can afford to spend.<br />
I'd suggest starting with some self study.This won't cost you anything - other than your time - and will at least give you a feel for the subject matter.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
Which of these foundation qualifications is the best option ?<br />
It depends - both are widely recognised. It may depend on your chosen career path and your location.<br />
<br />
For example the BCS certificate is probably more recognised in the UK whereas IIBA is more popular in the United States.In India and elsewhere - I'm not sure - please comment below this post if you have a view on this.<br />
<br />
How to start ?<br />
I would suggest these actions - before you spend any time and money.<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Use the links above for more information.</li>
<li>Seek advice from other BAs.</li>
<li>Obtain a copy of the recommended textbook.</li>
<li>Evaluate training options and costs.</li>
</ul>
I've produced a few short presentations on Business Analysis Techniques.<br />
These give an introduction to some of the topics for these qualifications - but not all.<br />
I will be adding more in due course.<br />
You can view these on YouTube - here:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/fBdSt08QlNQ" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Fact Finding</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/Db17welgwq4" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis </a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/86P4QahvEm0" target="_blank">Bite Size BA - Requirements Analysis - Prioritising Requirements </a><br />
<br />
If you need further advice or information - I'd be happy to help.<br />
Comment below or get in touch.<br />
<br />
<hr />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s1600/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGpZxI5eGRyOqIBEzm6JPybVhYu0tw9-bbkhRicIXArALEdvOa4N6gV-Jx97ZT95f0-wtgigmHDnNCbqQ62hAsDOw6ShkitsVtZjywRQOqK1C8qBnxQom5vlis1Kj6cJn1Iz8PW83NoBw/s200/SteveMcIntosh-4-800.jpg" title="Steve McIntosh - Business Analyst" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br />
You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br /></div>
<br /></div>
Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-80666111369177260672017-03-30T08:00:00.000+01:002017-09-15T10:07:22.023+01:00Requirements Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Requirements Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis</b></span></td></tr>
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I've recently researched and built the second of my "Bite Size BA" training packages -<br />
Stakeholder Analysis.<br />
<br />
A short presentation covering the essentials of the subject.<br />
<br />
It broadly follows the examination syllabus for the:<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/requirements-engineering" target="_blank">British Computer Society - Certificate In Requirements Engineering</a><br />
<br />
But will also be useful for those studying for other qualifications - <br />
or just interested in the subject ........<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
This includes grouping those with an interest in a project under 3 headings:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Project Stakeholders</li>
<li>Business Stakeholders</li>
<li>External Stakeholders.</li>
</ul>
<div>
You can view it - on YouTube - take a look here:</div>
<div>
<a href="https://youtu.be/Db17welgwq4" target="_blank">Bite Sized BA - Requirements Analysis - Stakeholder Analysis</a></div>
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My long-term aim is to build up a more extensive BA course library covering a good range of skills and professional qualifications.<br />
<br />
What subjects would you like to learn about ?<br />
Any feedback is very welcome - so please comment!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
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Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6420786564182049635.post-29826771069478304132017-03-29T08:00:00.000+01:002017-03-29T09:21:00.513+01:00Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #073763; font-size: small;"><b>Business Analysis - Professional Qualifications</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />
I've seen many posts on Facebook and other social media from aspiring / trainee Business Analysts about how to get into and then progress in the BA role.<br />
<br />
A common response from other BAs is that it is experience and business domain knowledge that matters - more than professional qualifications.<br />
<br />
Others disagree - it really is a matter of opinion ........<br />
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<a name='more'></a><br />
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My opinion - for what its worth - is that both matter. If you are seeking a BA job some employers will place a high value on qualifications, some less so, some very little. So - as so often .... it depends.<br />
<br />
But if you are looking for a BA job and lack the experience -<br />
a professional qualification is going to help.<br />
<br />
So if you are looking for a BA role, do some research, check out relevant job ads. Take a look at the websites and Facebook pages of some of the big IT and Business consultancies. Many companies won't mind an informal enquiry, maybe via social media. Just ask. What qualifications do you particularly value? If I held a certificate or diploma in ... (insert name here) ... would it improve my chances of a position with you?<br />
<br />
You are applying for a job that involves finding out stuff.<br />
So practice your skills and find out!<br />
<br />
Maybe do this before you invest money and time in training courses.<br />
<br />
Much of my own professional background is in delivering training and support for the BA certificates awarded by The British Computer Society (BCS). Widely recognised in the UK and worldwide.<br />
I have worked as both a trainer and an examiner for these.<br />
<br />
There are other qualifications that are probably equally useful - in particular those offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). I may cover them in more detail later - but if you want more information visit their website:<br />
<a href="http://www.iiba.org/Certification-Recognition/certificationlevels.aspx" target="_blank">International Institute of Business Analysis - Certification</a><br />
<br />
The BCS qualifications are flexible and are suitable for BAs at different points in their careers - from entry level (Foundation) through journeyman (Practitioner) up to Senior Business Analyst (Expert).<br />
<br />
To find out more visit their website:<br />
<a href="https://www2.bcs.org/certifications/ba/" target="_blank">British Computer Society - Business Analysis Certifications</a><br />
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I will say more about this is future posts - with a particular focus on the Foundation and Practitioner levels. I'll add some hints and tips that I hope you will find helpful.<br />
<br />
I'm developing some short training packages covering these areas.<br />
I'm calling these "Bite Sized BA".<br />
If you wish - take a look at the first - on YouTube:<br />
<a href="https://youtu.be/86P4QahvEm0" target="_blank">Bite Sized BA - Requirements Analysis - Prioritising Requirements</a><br />
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I plan to develop these further - covering more subject areas and adding more depth. Hoping to help those working towards professional BA qualifications at all levels.<br />
So keep coming back to my blog!<br />
As ever - any comments or suggestions, about what you'd like to see, are very welcome.<br />
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<div>
<br />
You can also connect on:<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/businessanalysiscourses/" target="_blank">Business Analysis - Facebook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjlL4nG0lkQu3vwghFwFdcA" target="_blank">Business Analysis - YouTube</a></div>
<br />
<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevemcintoshstives/" target="_blank">Steve McIntosh - LinkedIn</a><br />
<br />
<i>Steve McIntosh. </i>Business Analyst.<br />
St Ives, Cornwall, UK.<br />
<br />
<hr />
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Photo Credit - Header<br />
<a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Studying.jpg" target="_blank">Wikimedia Commons - Public Domain</a><br />
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Steve McIntoshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04190119318735237859noreply@blogger.com0