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• Business Analysis Courses
• Introduction to Business Analysis
• How to Gather and Document User Requirements
• Use Case Modelling
• Introduction to Testing for Business Analysts
• Facilitation Techniques for Requirements Development
• Logical Data Modelling
• Process Modelling Management

Introduction to Business Analysis

Course Duration: 3 Days (8:30am-5:00pm)

Professional Development Units (PDU): 21

Continuous Professional Development Points (CPD): 10

You'll Learn How To:

• Define the role of the business analyst throughout the phases of a project
• Explain the range of tasks that a business analyst might perform
• Apply principles of quality assurance and testing
• Explain the importance of requirements definition
• Assess the value of use case analysis and design on your work
• Explain how business process, workflow and data modelling techniques facilitate improved communication

PMBOK® Knowledge Areas:

Project Integration Management Project Quality Management Project Scope Management Project Communications Management

Program Objectives:

The business analyst's role is key to defining the requirements of a project at its earliest stages, as well as to planning, defining and validating project scope. It's important to have an understanding of the breadth of knowledge that a business analyst brings to bear in developing business solutions.

This introductory course is designed to give people new to the business analyst role or those who supervise and/or work with business analysts a basic understanding of the benefits, functions and impact of this critical position. You will experience how a business analyst supports the project, from establishing its scope in the analysis phase to ensuring the requirements have been met in the testing phase. The course provides a special focus on the business analysis function as it relates to developing information technology solutions, given that such an understanding is essential for project success.

After completing this course you will understand why and when to involve the business analysis function. Plus, you will have a working vocabulary to enable you to communicate effectively with those who perform that role. If you are new to the role of the business analyst and need to pursue more in-depth skill development, you will leave this course with the framework necessary to support your future efforts.

Course Outline:

1. What is Business Analysis? The general context for business analysis - process improvement The specific context for business analysis - systems development Challenges that IT projects face and how they successfully meet these challenges Best Practices in Business Analysis How analysis and design differ Key deliverables The BA role in software lifecycle Planning the right effort for analysis The business analyst and their team
2. Framing the Business Problem Business problems from the executive viewpoint Logistical problems - business problems at the ground level view What is a process? Making the link from issues to the "real" business problem What are business processes and where do problems arise Steps to frame the business problem
3. Determining Root Causes Process analysis and finding the root cause Using workflow diagrams to find problems Using systems in process analysis Use Case Analysis Identifying other process enablers
4. Solution Vision and Scope What is solution vision Bounding the vision Defining vision Setting improvement targets The Vision and Scope Report
5. Modelling the Future State Moving from a vision to documented requirements Modelling - a best practices approach - Conceptual models- Logical data models- Process and workflow models- Use Cases- Decision tables- State diagrams
6. Defining Systems Requirements  Functional requirements Non-functional requirements Adding precision to requirements Knowing when to stop the detailing Connecting the system requirement to the business model The Business Requirements Document
7. Making a Business Case Addressing the Sponsor's Dilemma: To fund or not to fund What is a business case How BAs contribute to the business case- Estimating costs- Estimating benefits- Measuring return - Net cash, return, payback- Comparing alternatives
8. Quality Assurance Quality Assurance purpose and mindset The BAs role in assuring quality Checking and testing Checking enablers Requirements checking using risk to determine required effort Planning software testing Testing techniques Usability testing Acceptance testing and customer satisfaction testing
9. Further Study in Business Analysis Business Analysis and the specialised skill areas:- Communication and facilitation- Business modelling techniques- Project management- Quality assurance and testing - E-business

Course Schedule and Fees

Prices below are indicative of Public Courses Only. Discounts apply for groups and on site training. Please call ESI to discuss.