BUSINESS ANALYSIS (BA) - 4 day workshop

The Business Analysis course covers the fundamentals of process modelling in a 4-day workshop. The course teaches modelling tools and techniques, enabling delegates to build process models and data models of existing and proposed systems.

Working from a client's textual requirements specification, the course teaches the business analyst how to document the high-level design/logical model (expressed as data flow diagrams, entity relationship diagrams, data dictionary and mini-spec) which can then be used as a direct input by development teams and programmers. Delegates can immediately put to use the practical skills and techniques they learn on the course.

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Who will benefit?

The Business Analysis course is for people who are involved in the analysis and specification of computer systems. Users, Business Analysts, Systems Analysts, Managers. Anyone involved in the specification and procurement of computer systems.

Course objectives

Delegates will have the knowledge and confidence to take full part in the analysis of a business system. They will be able to produce accurate and unambiguous solutions for system building and re-engineering. They will be equipped with the tools to provide clear communication with the stakeholders and IT professionals. They will be able to apply your specification standards and preferred development methodology.

Learning outcomes

On completion of the Business Analysis workshop, delegates will be able to:

Learning techniques

Techniques used on the Business Analysis workshop include:

Customer testimonials

Course outline

DAY 1

THEMES

Common business analysis problems and the means to solve them. Setting boundaries and starting points, partitioning into useful pieces, modelling existing and proposed systems, graphical techniques, the need for effective communication with all involved.

OVERVIEW

A quick walkthrough of the development cycle and deliverables; project definition, business specification, design specification, program specification; the roles of the people. A delegate exercise - process modelling.

TOOLS

Overview of the tools examined during the Business Analysis course - data flow diagrams, data models, data dictionary, and process specifications. How the tools fit together to complete the picture, automating the tools (CASE tools).

DATA MODELS

Why have a data model? What does it represent? We introduce example models, then the delegates work through some exercises before starting the case study.

DAY 2

REVIEW

Business Analysis day 1 topics are reviewed and summarised.

DATA FLOW DIAGRAMS

Process modelling is introduced. The different forms of process models. Why prepare process models? We examine notation; data flows, processes, stores. Groups draw DFD's for the case study.

LEVELLING

Problems with displaying and managing the detail in a diagram. Partitioning the diagram into levels; why? how? Context diagrams. Functional primitives. The case study process models are completed.

ASSESSING DIAGRAMS

Quality assuring the diagrams. Conventions used. Recognisable and functional models. Making the diagrams user friendly.

DAY 3

CURRENT SYSTEM

We discuss reasons for modelling the current system and reasons for not doing so. Physical characteristics. Representing the current model to management.

DATA DICTIONARY

How do we maintain control of all the data within these models? Do we need a data dictionary? Defining the dictionary; notation, implementation, automated tools.

PROCESS OF ANALYSIS

The project life cycle is examined - the different system views taken by the analyst are examined; logical, physical, current, proposed.

DAY 4

ESSENTIAL MODELLING

What is an essential business process? Why model these processes? Eliminate the non-essential: policy, procedure, geography, human failings, technology. Event modelling: real-world or time-based? Combining the models. The case study is revisited and refined.

PROCESS SPECIFICATIONS

Common problems; ambiguity, misinterpretation. Documentation; decision tables, decision trees, structured language. The case study models are combined into a complete specification.

UPDATING MODELS

Modelling new requirements. Sorting requirements from ideas. Building stand-alone models. Incorporating change, completing the new model.

CLOSE

Review of Business Analysis course, discussions, question and answer session.

IRM provides fully worked solutions to comprehensive case studies.

Delegates are encouraged to use 'real-life' scenarios.

Business Analysis Course fees & booking

Public Business Analysis courses run all year round in the cities below. For dates, prices and to book online, visit: