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F O C U S Q U A L I T Y E X P E R I E N C E

Barbara Carkenord, CBAPTM, President

B2T Training

Sure-Fire Stakeholder Strategy

Agenda

Business analysis planning

People, project, process

Tools to understand peopleStakeholder analysisCommunications planPMs and BAs are the primary project communicators

A Sure-Fire Strategy – “The 7 Golden Rules”

Why Is Getting Started So Hard?

Business Analysis Planning

The business analysis work plan includes:A clear business analysis approach and scopeStakeholder analysis communication planningDeliverables that will be produced (i.e. requirements)Business analysis tasks to be performed

The result of an excellent business analysis work plan is that you will be able to estimate the amount of time and the stakeholder resources needed to complete the work.

Business Analysis Planning Framework™

People• Stakeholder Analysis• Communications

Strategies

Project• Objectives• Current status• Type

Process• Deliverables• Methodology/Standards• Techniques

BA Work Plan• Task List• Stakeholder Communications Plan• Deliverables• Estimates

Incorporate into Project Plan

BA Assigned to Project

• Size• Risk• Complexity

• Strategic alignment

Stakeholder Analysis W/SDeliverables List W/S

Deliverables W/SProject Overview W/SBusiness Impact W/S

BA Work Plan W/S

The Project

Understand the unique project characteristics:What type of project is this?How important is the project to the organization?How large is the project?What are the business risks?How many stakeholders are impacted?How many interfaces does the project have?How complex is the project?

The Process

Support the organizational standards and processes:What approach will be used for this project?Are the stakeholders familiar with the planned approach?Are the project roles and responsibilities clear?Is the process tailored appropriately for this project?What deliverables are required?

The People

Get to know the people Stakeholder analysis Communication plan for business analysis work

The BA and PM as Communicators

Responsible for all stakeholdersOverall project communicationStatus reportingDetermine overall project schedule

Responsible for stakeholders that impact or are impacted by requirementsDetermine best elicitation techniquesDetermine best requirements deliverablesDetermine amount of time needed from stakeholders

PMBA

The Strategy

A Sure-Fire Strategy – “The 7 Golden Rules”Identify the peopleGet to know themEngage them early and communicate oftenIdentify potential problems (risks)Reduce problems with communication planFit that knowledge into your business analysis work planReview alignment to project goals and adjust as necessary

Stakeholder Analysis

The BA will detail the characteristics and communication styles of the project stakeholders

Stakeholder analysis includes determining:The stakeholders (who) Their role in the project (what)Their characteristics (what)Their availability (when)Their location (where)Their motivations (why)

Identify the People

Who are the people that impact or can be impacted by the requirements of a project?

Subject matter experts (SMEs) UsersManagement approvers/reviewersQuality assurance team (QA)User acceptance test participants (UAT)Development teamArchitects

Stakeholder Roles

What is each person’s role?

Responsible

Approver

Consultant

Informed

SM

E

Executive Sponsor

Quality Assurance

Project M

anager

Database A

rchitect

Developers

Business Analyst

Create project scope C A I R C I R

Project kickoff C R C C C C CManage project progress I A I RA I C C

Provide objectives, problems and risks R A I A C I R

Stakeholder Characteristics

Understand their objective characteristics:Physical locationAvailability for project workSubject matter expertiseTechnical team experienceExternal vs. internalExperience on previous projectsLevel of formalityDecision making authorityPreferred mode of communication

AP2

Slide 15

AP2 Angie Perris, 8/30/2007

Stakeholder Characteristics

Understand their subjective characteristics:Value to the organizationCulture/languageRelationship to other stakeholdersEmotional commitment to the projectTechnical team skill levelAbility/speed of decision making

Communication Plan

Develop a draft of a communications plan based on stakeholder characteristics

Identify stakeholder importance, any concerns and communication strategies with each

How Are You Going To Do It?

Based on what you know:How will you elicit requirements?What working documents and project deliverables will be developed?What communication strategies will you employ to reduce any concerns identified?How will you communicate the requirements to each stakeholder?What validation activities will you plan?

Communication Plan

The final communication plan should include:Who will receive the communicationWhat will be communicatedHow it will be communicatedWhen it will be communicatedAny special concerns or strategies to be appliedWhat deliverable is being developed or validated

Goal: Clear Communication

He said to his friend, "If the British marchBy land or sea from the town to-night,Hang a lantern aloft in the belfry archOf the North Church tower as a signal light,--One if by land, and two if by sea;And I on the opposite shore will be,Ready to ride and spread the alarmThrough every Middlesex village and farm,For the country folk to be up and to arm."

--Paul Revere’s Ride by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Business Analysis Work Plan

Your completed business analysis work plan should include:

A stakeholder communication planA detailed list of tasksList of deliverables to be produced Time/cost estimates

“The 7 Golden Rules”

B2T Tip: Use your plan as a negotiation tool!Sponsors and PM will probably want this done faster.

The plan helps drive discussion to get more resources or reduce scope of analysis effort.

Conclusion

Know where you are going before you jump into the work

The complexity of stakeholder analysis should be as complex as the project

Get approval on your approach to the Business Analysis work

As you discover new things examine your plan and make adjustments as necessary

B2T Training’s Magazine

the bridge Fall/Winter 2007 issueSpring 2008 issue will feature planning part 2Focused on Business Analysis PlanningTo download a copy go to:

www.b2ttraining.com

About B2T Training

We offer a comprehensive training for learning how to perform the BA roleGreat mix of lecture, discussion and hands on exercisesOur sole focus is training Business AnalystsAll of our instructors are practicing BAsOur small class sizes allow for in-depth discussion and personal attentionWe offer an performance-based certification

About B2T Training

Course offerings:Essential Skills for the Business AnalystDetailing Business Data RequirementsDetailing Process and Business Rule RequirementsFacilitating Requirements for Business AnalystsRequirements ValidationDeveloping a business analysis work planIIBA CBAP Exam Prep

For more info got to www.b2ttraining.com