Business Analysis: Best Practices for Success

ISBN-13: 9781118076002 / Angielski / Twarda / 2011 / 432 str.

Steven Blais

Opis

The definitive guide on the roles and responsibilities of the business analyst Business Analysis offers a complete description of the process of business analysis in solving business problems. Filled with tips, tricks, techniques, and guerilla tactics to help execute the process in the face of sometimes overwhelming political or social obstacles, this guide is also filled with real world stories from the author's more than thirty years of experience working as a business analyst.

• Provides techniques and tips to execute the at-times tricky job of business analyst
• Written by an industry expert with over thirty years of experience

Straightforward and insightful, Business Analysis is a valuable contribution to your ability to be successful in this role in today's business environment.

Spis treści

Preface xv

Acknowledgments xxv

International Institute for Learning, Inc. (IIL) xxvii

PART I THE PROBLEM SOLVER 1

CHAPTER 1 What Is a Business Analyst? 3

CHAPTER 2 The Evolution of the Business Analyst 13

CHAPTER 3 A Sense of Where You Are 29

CHAPTER 4 What Makes a Good Business Analyst? 39

PART II THE PLAYERS 85

CHAPTER 6 The Business Analyst and the Solution Team 89

CHAPTER 7 The Business Analyst and the Business Community 109

PART III THE PROBLEM 131

CHAPTER 8 Define the Problem 135

CHAPTER 9 Define the Product Scope 163

CHAPTER 10 Confirm Alignment and Financial Justification 179

PART IV THE PROCESS 197

CHAPTER 11 Gather the Information 199

CHAPTER 12 Define the Problem Domain 251

CHAPTER 13 Determine the Solution 267

CHAPTER 14 Write the Solution Document 285

PART V PRODUCING THE PRODUCT 309

CHAPTER 15 Monitor the Product 313

CHAPTER 16 Confirm the Business Problem Has Been Solved 325

CHAPTER 17 Transition and Change Management 337

POSTSCRIPT Where to Go from Here 351

APPENDIX A Business Analyst Process 361

APPENDIX B The Principles 365

APPENDIX C Why We Do Not Get Good Requirements 373

APPENDIX D Comparison of the Roles of Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, and Project Manager 379

APPENDIX E Context–Free Problem Definition Questions 383

APPENDIX F List of Nonfunctional Requirements Categories 385

Bibliography 387

About the Author 395

Index 397

O autorze

Steven P. Blais is a solution architect and a consultant, coach, trainer, and course author in business analysis, software development, and project management. He contributes articles on a regular basis to allPM.com, a project management webzine published by the International Institute for Learning (IIL). He is a frequent content provider to numerous BA blogging sites, including EssenceoftheBA.com, and chairs a committee for the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge R3 with the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), the predominant organization for the growing discipline of business analysis, with currently over 15,000 members in ninety chapters worldwide.

Blurb

Praise for Business Analysis Best Practices for Success

"The profession, growth, and acceptance of the business analyst are increasing in a way similar to the growth of project management in the early 1980s. A recent review of the emphasis on requirements and requirements management shows the business analyst is at the forefront of successful change in organizations and enterprises around the world. Today, companies are taking on more complex projects. Many of these types of projects are strategic in nature and necessary for the growth and even the survivability of the firm. While business decision–making can be accompanied by large rewards, there is also the opportunity for catastrophic failures if faulty business decisions are made. Most successful business process methodologies will include business analysis and project management. The need for business analysis support on process improvement and solution development is quite apparent.

This book by Steven Blais is a must–read for all professionals working on business and technical initiatives. Business analysts, project managers, and other stakeholders must understand each other′s role in order for a successful marriage of project management and business analysis to take place. Steven clearly defines this relationship in Chapter 6 of this new book. It is entirely possible that, in the future, business analysis certification will be required by anyone working on business processes. But for the present and the near future, project support from business analysts will be essential. This book is just the tool and resource needed to explain, clarify, and put the practical concepts of business analysis in the hands of project stakeholders, project managers, and business analysts."
Harold Kerzner, PhD, MS, and MBASenior Executive Director, IIL

"Since I first met Steven Blais, I felt he was one of the best living examples of a true business analyst and captured the spirit of the profession. Hence, I began reviewing this book with high expectations, and it did not disappoint. Steven excels at communicating concepts that have real meaning and utility, dealing with the real–world, practical challenges we face while doing business analysis, and gives us the tools and structures we need to do business analysis at its best."
Laura Brandenburg host, Bridging–the–Gap.com

"I am excited to see this project finally published. Steve′s understanding of business analysts, their roles and responsibilities, and the contribution they make to the development of solid business requirements is??unparalleled. Having good requirements is the cornerstone of any successful project. The book provides not only a thorough discourse on the topic; it can easily be used as a reference guide."
Mara D. Burns, PMP cofounder, PM Lessons Learned