From enterprise analysis and scope definition to requirements determination and conceptual design, the Fast Start® in Business Analysis workshop gives analysts a thorough understanding of the entire Systems Development Life Cycle. Replete with both “hard” and “soft” skills, this three-day course builds a sound strategy for analyzing business processes and demonstrates how to apply concepts and practical techniques within the context of an experiential learning environment. Students emerge from this workshop with a solid foundation of business analysis thinking as well as a greater understanding that doing the right things are just as important as doing things right.

Objectives

Apply concepts and techniques applicable to any tool or methodology.

Diagnose business process problems and present possible solutions from findings.

Comprehend the “big picture” and the consequences of decisions.

Understand how business analysis thinking can help management.

Collect, document, and organize information.

Identify and document issues through analysis and interviews.

Detailed Outline

1. Introduction
   • Defining Business Analysis
   • What is Business Analysis?
   • What is a Business Analyst?
   • (IIBA) Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK)
   • Today’s Approach to Business Analysis
   • The Systems Development Life Cycle
2. Enterprise Analysis
   • What is Enterprise Analysis?
   • What Has Changed?
   • What Information Should We Gather for Enterprise Analysis?
   • How Should We Collect This Information?
   • Types of Information to Collect
   • Sources of Information
   • How Does Enterprise Analysis Help the Project?
   • Real-World Application
3. Defining the Project Scope
   • An Approach to Project Definition
   • Step One – Identify Issues
   • Uses for Issues
   • Step Two – Recognize Future Benefits
   • Step Three – Identify the Stakeholders and Sponsor
   • Stakeholder
   • The Project Sponsor
   • Step Four – Diagram the Functional Flow
   • Step Five – Define the Project Objectives and Scope
   • Scope Exclusions
   • Real-World Applications
4. Procedure Analysis
   • Preparing for Analysis
   • What Information Should We Gather to Analyze?
   • Why Perform Procedure Analysis?
   • Definitions
   • Performing Procedure Analysis
   • Process Flow Modeling
   • Why Create Models?
   • Symbols Used in Process Flow Models
   • Swim Lane Diagram
   • Guidelines for Creating Swim Lane Diagrams
   • Process Scripts
   • Old Procedure
   • Process Script Procedure
   • Real-World Application
5. Interviewing
   • Why Interview?
   • Preparing for the Interview
   • Interview Structure
   • Questioning and Listening Techniques
   • Listening for Requirements
   • Holding the Interview
   • Real-World Application
6. Requirements, Assumptions, and Constraints
   • Effective Requirements Practices
   • Requirements
   • Types of Requirements
   • SMART Requirements
   • Identifying User Requirements
   • Assumptions and Constraints
   • Real-World Application
7. Defining a Solution
   • Solution Definition
   • System Improvement
   • System Redesign
   • Review Project Scope
   • Future State Changes
   • Process Improvement
   • Process Change
   • Systems Development
   • Systems Change
   • Organization Change
   • Impact Analysis
   • Process Improvement Impact
   • Systems Development Impact
   • Organization Change Impact
   • Real-World Application
8. Solution Implementation Planning
   • Systems Development Life Cycle Review
   • Phases for Implementation Planning
   • Planning to Implement the Future Changes
   • Visualizing the Project Schedule for Implementing the Solution
   • Step 1 – Break the Project Down into Tasks
   • Step 2 – Sequence the Tasks
   • Step 3 – Estimate Time
   • Step 4 – Assign Resources
   • Step 5 – Chart the Plan
   • Real-World Application
9. Management Presentation
   • Business Case
   • What’s in this Management Presentation?
   • Presentations
   • Rehearsal and Practice Run
   • Real-World Application