Barbara Craib
[email protected] 757 274 4233 (Cell)
Why have Business Analysts?
Leverage value from investment in technology Further exploit existing technology and
information
Need for change…. Technology Business Drivers
Investment
New Technology
Expectation
Innovation Efficiency
Obsolescence
Innovation
Business Analysts - benefits Know your business Identify opportunities and understand constraints Use coherent tools and techniques – better
development Articulate and prioritize requirements Inform evidence based decision making Improve end-to-end processes
When to bring in the BA? Strategic planning End-to-end from concept to capability Lifecycle management
Concept
Create
Ops & Maintenance
Planning
Manage
SDLC Implementat ion
Projects
Requirement Analysis
Integration and Test
Design & Develop
Plan
Select
Overlap of skills Systems Analyst Project Manager Requirements Manager
Risk Manager Benefits Manager Change Manager
Business Process Design Management Analyst Communications
Business Analyst … advocate Represents the Technology Community in the
Business arena Represents the Business Community in the Technology arena
Business Analyst - skills Business Understanding Observation, listening and thinking Communication
Bigger Picture – beyond organizational boundaries Look ahead – Strategic planning horizon Problem Solving – IDEAS
Business Analyst… understands Nature of the problem… impact on the business Underlying issues Relationship between problems
Interdependencies
People
Opportunities Constraints
Technology
Outcome
Information
Process
Business Analyst… understands Benefits and outcomes $$$$$$$$$$ and ROI – Don’t forget the numbers! Value and Cost Risk vs benefits Contingency Planning Business Continuity Management Efficiency – greater profitability Effectiveness – better product/service
Business Analyst – roles
Ensure benefits and outcomes become reality Problem solving What-if / scenario planning – Issue Prevention As-is analysis Evidence collection and analysis Understand problems and visualize opportunities IDEAS - solutions
To-be development IDEAS – options Business Case development
BA Perspective – Requirements Strategic Alignment Business Need based…. Convert from ‘I Want Now’ Evidence based
Outcome focused - why? Prioritized Packaged/phased options
BA Perspective – Testing Validation – does it meet the needs of the business? As articulated in the Requirements Functional – does it work? Does it interfere with anything else? Can the User achieve……..?
BA Perspective– Implementation Holistic perspective People Process People Information Technology Post Implementation ReviewTechnology Outcome Opportunities Lessons Information
Process
Primary Role of a Business Analyst Leverage value from investment in technology Deliver outcomes and Benefits
Barbara Craib
[email protected] 757 274 4233 (Cell)
