BUSINESS INVESTIGATION (BI) - 5 day workshop

Software development is about solving business problems. Defining problems, finding solutions - and 'selling' them. This part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the least well understood, and is often badly performed. A poor result here sows the seeds of disaster!

Business Investigation is a 5-day workshop that trains business analysts to perform a business investigation professionally and competently. The results will be seen in fewer issues arising during the development and implementation processes and in a faster result! Despite all the aids available today, the process is still fraught with difficulties. It is difficult to distinguish between, and define, problems, objectives, causes and symptoms. You also need to establish good relationships with managers and agree their business requirements - not easy! This five day extensive Business Investigation workshop develops skills in analytical thinking.

You are challenged with questions that test and extend your ability to think problems through. You learn how to conduct a systems investigation, analyse problems and produce an outline solution. A wealth of techniques are taught and practiced.

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Who will benefit?

The Business Investigation course is suitable for all computer professionals responsible for the development of small to large projects; business project managers, business analysts, systems analysts, analyst/programmers.

Course objectives

On completion of the Business Investigation course the delegates will have acquired the skills necessary to conduct competent and professional investigations of key business areas. They will be able to write business proposals that define the business solutions and present these to managers. They will be able to use tools and techniques to work through the analysis phase of a computer system development project.

Learning outcomes

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

Learning techniques

Techniques used on the Business Investigation workshop include:

Customer testimonials

Course outline

DAY 1

INTRODUCTION

Common problems experienced when specifying systems. Delegates examine this in teams; results are reviewed and noted for reference.

PROJECT INITIATION

Preparation for the client meeting - how to establish a relationship.

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Defining the problem or issue, defining clear boundaries and objectives; identifying constraints (time, hardware, people), agreeing deliverables and milestones.

CASE STUDY

Delegates perform a client interview as part of the course case study; these are reviewed and dissected.

INFORMATION GATHERING

Methods of gathering data; observation, reading, interviews, questionnaires.

INTERVIEWING

Preparation, phrasing questions, assessing responses, building guides and checklists, note taking, listening skills, awkward interviewees, identifying exceptions and preparing summaries.

DAY 2

CASE STUDY

More interviews are conducted. Each delegate interviews a client manager.

DOCUMENTATION

Making sense of the information, methods of documenting, graphical versus written representation, verifying the information with the client. The delegates begin to use process modelling techniques to document their findings.

DAY 3

PROBLEM ANALYSIS

Defining business problems, establishing ownership, finding the real cause. Critical analysis, cause and effect analysis and work study techniques are examined.

CASE STUDY

Delegates apply these techniques; problems are identified and prioritised. Interview summaries are completed and reviewed.

DAY 4

PROBLEM SOLVING

Consultations, checking for problems, evaluating ideas, assessing the design, selecting a solution. Delegates make a presentation to the client of their findings to date and request permission to proceed.

CREATIVE THINKING

Finding solutions and evaluation. Left vs. right brain, vertical vs. lateral thinking, brainstorming.

RISK ANALYSIS

Fundamentals of project risk analysis.

CASE STUDY

Delegates prepare a solution to the client's requirements.

DAY 5

PRESENTATIONS

Objectives, timing, audience, attitude and aptitude, venue, visual aids, notes, verbal styles, personality, problems, nerves. Written proposals; construction, presenting facts and figures, fog index, iceberg principle.

CASE STUDY

Teams present their proposed solution to the client in a formal presentation with visual aids.

REVIEW

The proposals, the presentations and then the entire Business Investigation course are reviewed.

IRM provides fully worked solutions to comprehensive case studies.

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

Business Investigation Course fees & booking

The Business Process Investigation workshop is currently available as an inhouse course only.