demystifying the business analysis body of knowledge
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
www.b2ttraining.com
Demystifying the Business Analysis Body of KnowledgeNovember 2007
Barbara Carkenord
2
2007 November Agenda
Inside the BOKThe IIBA About the BOK
The IIBA
4
Who We are
The IIBA is an international non-profit professional association for business
analysis professionals.
The IIBA
There are no great limits to growth because there are no limits of human intelligence, imagination, and wonder.Ronald Reagan (1911 - 2004)
5
IIBA Past and Future Milestones
Inaugural meeting held October 2003
March 2004, First Annual General Meeting
April 2005, Second AGM
October 2005, release draft of version 1.4 of the BOK
July 12 2006, Third AGM
July 2006, release version 1.6 of the BOK
March 2008, release version 2.0 of the BOK is planned
The IIBA
6
Operational Vision
Create and develop awareness and recognition of the value and contribution of the role of the Business Analyst
Provide a forum for knowledge sharing
Define the Body of Knowledge
Define the business analysis profession by providing certification to its members
The IIBA
7
The Purpose of the Mission
Defining the Body of Knowledge that describes business analysis
Providing a forum for knowledge sharing and contribution to the Body of Knowledge
Identifying the required skills and competencies of a qualified Business Analysis Professional
Publicly recognizing and certifying qualified Business Analysis Professionals in part based on the content of the Body of Knowledge
About the BOK
8
Some Statistics
Current MembershipWorldwide – over 5000Chapters – 115
Countries – 68 Australia, Canada, Chile, China, Greece, Ghana, Jamaica, India, Iran, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, UK, US,….
The IIBA
About the BOK
10
The BA and The BOK About the BOK
A business analyst works as a liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies and information systems.
The business analyst understands business problems and opportunities in the context of the requirements and recommends solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals.
11
What is the BA Body of Knowledge?
Captures the sum of knowledge within the profession of Business Analysis
Areas of knowledge and skillsAssociated tasks and techniques
Reflects currently accepted practices
Owned & enhanced by the professionals who apply it
About the BOK
12
What the BOK is NOT
Is NOT a “how to do” business analysis instruction manual
Is NOT a methodology and must not prescribe nor favor a methodology
About the BOK
13
The BA Body of Knowledge
• Identifies currently accepted best Business Analysis practices
• Aligns with CMMI - Requirements Development and Requirements Management
• Recognizes business analysis is more than requirements
• Organized into six knowledge areas and underlying concepts:
About the BOK
Knowledge Areas
EnterpriseAnalysis
Requirements Planning & Management
RequirementsElicitation
RequirementsAnalysis &
Documentation
RequirementsCommunications
Solution Assessment& Validation
Fundamentals
The BA Body of Knowledge 2.0
Preview of BABOK V2.0
14
Inside the BOK
16
The BA Body of Knowledge + The BA!
A business analyst works as a liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies and information systems. The business analyst understands business problems and opportunities in the context of the requirements and recommends solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals
Inside the BOK
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
17
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare.
~Japanese Proverb
18
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
PurposeSpecify how the business analysis team will conduct its business analysis activities over the life of the project
– Specify requirements activities to be performed
– Identify the deliverables to be produced– Describe how changes will be controlled
& managed
ValueEnsures a common understanding across the requirements teamSpecifies tools, resources, contributors & ensures availabilityAllows for monitoring & addressing of requirements challengesCoordinates with other project workEnsures changes are captured correctly and consistently
Inside the BOK
TasksConduct stakeholder analysisPlan business analysis activitiesPlan business analysis communicationPlan requirements management processPlan, monitor and report on business analysis progress
TechniquesChange control systemConfiguration management/repositoryMetrics and reporting
19
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
Inside the BOK
20
Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring
InputsOrganizational standardsStakeholder listDefined business problem/opportunity
OutputsStakeholder analysis (roles and responsibilities)Business analysis plans
– Elicitation– Requirements management– Requirements analysis– Communications
Inside the BOK
21
Enterprise Analysis
"A leader's job is to look into the future, and to see the organization not
as it is…but as it can become."
Inside the BOK
22
Enterprise Analysis
PurposeUnderstand the Big Picture
– Define and describe the business need
– Define solution scope– Includes problem definition, business
case development, cost/benefit analysis, feasibility studies
ValueTo identify and propose projects that meet strategic needs and goals.
Inside the BOK
23
Enterprise Analysis
TasksIdentify business needDetermine solution approachDefine solution scopeDevelop the business case
TechniquesBrainstormingInterviewsObservationOrganizational modelingProcess modeling
Inside the BOK
24
Enterprise Analysis
InputsBusiness Strategic Plan Strategic Goals
OutputsSolution ScopeFeasibility StudyDefined Business OpportunitySolution Approach Business CaseInitial Risk Assessment
Inside the BOK
25
Elicitation
“Seek and ye’ shall find!”
Inside the BOK
26
Elicitation
PurposeElicit requirements from various stakeholder groups
– Identify the tasks, knowledge & techniques for capturing the requirements
ValueExplore, identify and document stakeholder needs
Inside the BOK
27
Elicitation
TasksPrepare for elicitationConduct elicitationDocument elicitation resultsConfirm elicitation results
TechniquesRequirements WorkshopInterviewObservationSurveyPrototypingFocus GroupInterface analysis
Inside the BOK
28
Elicitation
InputsList of StakeholdersSolution ScopeWork Breakdown Structure
OutputsRequirements
Inside the BOK
November 28, 200629
How The Project WasDocumented
How the customer explained it
How the Project LeaderUnderstood it
How the AnalystDesigned it
How the Programmerwrote it
How the Business ConsultantDescribed it
What OperationsInstalled
How the customer wasbilled How it was supported What the customer really
needed
30
Requirements Analysis
"Countless, unseen details are often the only difference between mediocre
and magnificent."
Inside the BOK
31
Requirements Analysis
Purpose Analyze the stated requirements
– Define the methods, tools & techniques used to structure the raw data collected during elicitation
– Identify gaps in the information– Define the capabilities of the solution
ValueProgressively elaborate stated requirements to sufficient level of detail that accurately defines the business need within specified scopeProvides the foundation for selecting the best alternative among the solution options
Inside the BOK
32
Requirements Analysis
TasksOrganize requirementsPrioritize requirementsSpecify and model requirementsDetermine assumptions and constraintsVerify requirementsValidate requirements
TechniquesBusiness rulesData modelingDecompositionProcess modeling
Inside the BOK
33
Requirements Analysis
InputsSolution ScopeRequirementsBusiness case
OutputsPrioritized , verified, validated requirementsSpecified or modeled requirementsAssumptions and constraints
Inside the BOK
34
Solution Assessment & Validation
"Greatness is not in where we stand, but in what direction we are moving. We
must sail sometimes with the wind and sometimes against it - but sail we must
and not drift, nor lie at anchor."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Inside the BOK
35
Solution Assessment & Validation
PurposeEnsure the best solution is chosen
– Ensure the solution meets the stakeholder objectives while supporting the needs of the developers
– Guide detailed specifications & development of the solution, testing & implementation
Assess the solution to determine how well it meets the stated needs
ValueArticulates how the Business Analysis professional should work with the other project team members (e.g., technical team, clients) to produce the solution designIdentifies the approach to evaluating alternative solutions once requirements have been formally signed off
Inside the BOK
36
Solution Assessment & Validation
TasksAssess requirements coverageAllocate requirements (to releases)Determine organizational readinessValidate solutionEvaluate solution (post deployment)
TechniquesRFI/RFP/RFQCoverage matrixConfiguration management systemRequirements repositoryGap analysisIssue and defect reportingUser acceptance testing
Inside the BOK
37
Solution Assessment & Validation
InputsPrioritized, approved requirementsTechnical constraintsHigh level understanding of technology potentialOrganization’s RFP/RFQ standardsTechnology solutions optionsQA Standards and procedures
OutputsRFP/RFQSolution designDescription of software release / phasesEmployee procedure documentationEmployee trainingImplemented solutionAssessment of solution usabilityHigh level requirements for next release
Inside the BOK
38
Requirements Management and Communication
Think like a wise man but communicate in the language of the people.
~ William Butler Yeats(1865 - 1939)
Inside the BOK
39
Requirements Management and Communication
PurposeCommunicate the outcome
– Present & communicate requirements to all stakeholders & implementers of the project
– Bring the group to consensus & obtain approval
Manage the requirements
ValuePackages the requirements in a format & structure that is appropriate for its intended audienceBrings the various stakeholders to a common understandingFormalizes agreement
Inside the BOK
40
Requirements Management and Communication
TasksManage solution and requirements scopeManage requirements traceabilityMaintain requirements for re-usePrepare requirements packageCommunicate requirements
TechniquesChange control systemRequirements repositoryCoverage matrixStructured walkthroughConflict resolution
Inside the BOK
41
Requirements Management and Communication
InputsRequirements PackageNotes from requirements gathering sessionsProject stakeholder analysis
OutputsRequirements traceabilityAmendments to requirementsOutstanding requirements issuesSignoff and/or approval of requirements or requirements packageRequirements available for re-use
Inside the BOK
42
Requirements Management and Communication
Inside the BOK
43
Fundamentals
"Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the
fastest lion or it will be killed...every morning a lion wakes up, it knows it must outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve
to death.
It doesn't matter whether you are a lion or a gazelle...when the sun comes up, you'd
better be running."
Inside the BOK
44
Fundamentals
PurposeEnsure an effective Business Analysis resource
– Defines the general competencies, skills, techniques or knowledge needed to effectively perform business analysis but are not unique to business analysis
ValueArticulates non-specific professional skills that are necessary in order for a Business Analysis professional to be successful in performing his/her role
– Communications– Leadership– Problem Solving– Business Knowledge– IT Technical Knowledge
Inside the BOK
45
“CBAP”
The IIBA Certification will recognize individuals with an advanced level of knowledge and qualifications.Entrance criteria
Five years work experience in last 10 yearsExperience in 4 out of 6 knowledge areasMinimum high school educationTwo references 21 hours of professional development
ProcessApply for certificationMaximum of 2 years to take the examPay fee for processing and initial exam sittingTest will be administered at a testing centerNotified of certification via written letter
Estimate - over 200 CBAPs by end of 2007
About the BOK
46
“CBAP”
The IIBA Certification will recognize individuals with an advanced level of knowledge and qualifications.
About the BOK
Knowledge Area WeightEnterprise Analysis 22%
Requirements Planning and Analysis 22.7%
Requirements Elicitation 18.7%
Requirements Analysis and Documentation 20%
Requirements Communication 10%
Solution Assessment and Validation 5.3%
Fundamentals Questions are included in the KAs with which they are most closely related.
47
Reminders about IIBA Membership
The IIBA
48
International Membership
Opportunity to influence and contribute to the profession and service of Business Analysis
Member Newsletter with current information
Access to forums for sharing your expertise, expressing your professional opinion, and building a reputation within the industry
Personal Use of Membership Logo and Trademark as a "Member of the International Institute of Business Analysis™"
49
Chapter Membership
Networking with other business analysis professionals
Mentoring opportunities
Informational speakers on relevant topics
Exposure to tools and techniques
www.b2ttraining.com
Any questions?
Thank you for your participation and attention.