Transcripts
1. Welcome to the Course!: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the Business Analyst
Foundations. You career ready guide course. I'm excited to take you on this journey into the dynamic
world of business analysis. Whether you are looking
to start a new career, grow in your current role, or expand your skill set. This course is designed to
give you a solid foundation. By why should you learn
business analysis? Let me break it down. Career opportunities. Business analysts are highly in demand professionals who play a vital role in helping organizations make
smarter decisions. With this knowledge, you can pursue roles such as
business analyst, system analyst, or even product manager.
Earning potential. Business analysts in
the United States can earn an average salary of $90,000 per year with senior level roles
earning even more. Flexibility across
industries, from finance to technology,
healthcare and beyond. These skills are in
demand everywhere. You will have the freedom to
choose the industry you want to work in, critical
thinking skills. You will develop analytical
and problem solving abilities that are
valuable in any career. Professional credibility. Certifications like
Andrew certificate in Business Analysis or the certified
analytics professional can set you apart and
enhance your resume. This course is your
stepping stone to a successful and fulfilling
career in business analysis. Are you ready? Let's dive in.
2. What is Business Analysis?: What is business analysis? Now, let's start
with the basics. What is business analysis? At its core, business analysis is the process of identifying a company's needs and recommending solutions
that add real value. It's about answering
questions such as, why does the business
need to change? What solutions can help
achieve the change? Think of business analysis is a process that connects
where a company is now, its current state with where it wants to go,
its future goals. It provides the roadmap
for bridging that gap. Let's make this clearer
with an example. Imagine a company is
receiving a lot of customer complaints about
delayed deliveries. A business analyst would step
in, analyze the problem, identify inefficiencies
in the process, and recommend improvements like better logistics software
or streamlined workflow. Business analysis is
also about perspective. The Popup guide introduces several perspectives that can shape how you
approach your work. Agile for iterative and
flexible product delivery. Business intelligence,
focus on data and insights, information technology, aligning technical solutions
with business needs. Business process management,
optimizing workflows, business architecture, ensuring the company's process aligns with its long term goals. Depending on the project, you might use one of
these perspectives or combination of
them. Don't worry. We will explore
these concepts in greater detail as
we move forward. In short, business analysis
is about identifying needs, designing solutions, and helping organizations
achieve their goals. Excited to learn more.
Let's keep going.
3. Who is a Business Analyst?: Who's the business analyst? So who makes all of this happen? That's where the business
analyst comes in. A business analyst acts as
a detective and translator in one they ask questions
and gather insights, BAs interview users and stakeholders to fully
understand what's needed. Bridge the gap between
business and technology. They ensure that the
business big ideas are clearly communicated
to the tech team, solve problems, they
analyze data and processes, identify inefficiencies, and recommend
actionable solutions. Let's simplify it.
Imagine the business team dreams up a big idea like a new app to improve
customer experience. The tech team has
the skills to build it but doesn't understand
all the business needs. The business analyst works as a bridge between these teams, translating the
ideas into clear, actionable steps
for the tech team.
4. Role and Responsibilities of a Business Analyst: Role and responsibilities
of a business analyst. What does a business analyst
actually do day to day? Here is a breakdown of
the responsibilities. Work closely with stakeholders, collaborate with teams, to understand the goals
and challenges. Analyze and solve problems, identify inefficiencies in how the business operates and
suggest smart solutions. Translate business needs
into technical requirements. Make sure tech teams know
exactly what to build. Analyze data, find patterns and insights that help businesses
make informed decisions. Document processes
and requirements, create clear and
detailed documentation that everyone can follow. Act as a connector, ensure
that everyone from marketing to IT is on the same page and working
toward shared goals. In simple terms, you're
the go to person who ensure that business goals are met with the
right solutions.
5. Career Opportunities: Career opportunities. Let's talk about the exciting
career opportunities waiting for you in this field. Here is what business analyst can earn in the United States. Junior business analyst,
around $70,000 per year. Medium level business analyst
around $90,000 per year. Senior business analyst,
around $120,000 per year. Principal analyst, around
$140,000 plus per year. These salaries can vary dependent on factors
like location, industry, and additional
certifications. The best part business analysis is in demand across the globe. No matter where you are based, companies need
skilled professionals to help them stay competitive.
6. Course Resources - Business Analyst Glossary of Terms: Business analysts
glossary of terms. To make this course even easier, I've prepared a
business analysts glossary of terms
for you to download. It's a handy
reference guide with simple explanations for
key concepts like agile, a project methodology
focusing on interactive development
and flexibility. Business process, a series of steps performed by a business
to achieve a specific goal, stakeholder, any
individual group, organization impacted by or
able to influence a project. You will find a download link in the course materials section. This glossary will be your companion throughout
this course and your career.
7. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Conclusion and key takeaways. As we wrap up this introduction, let's reflect on
the journey ahead. Becoming a business analyst is not just about gaining
technical skills. It's about solving
real world problems and driving meaningful
change in organizations. Here are the key takeaways to keep in mind as
we move forward. Every expert starts
as a beginner. This course is your
foundation for mastering the essentials
of business analysis. Business analysis is impactful. These skills you learn here will help businesses
bridge gaps, improve efficiency and
achieve their goals. It's a versality carrier path. Whether you're aiming for
IT, finance, healthcare, or any industry, the demand for business analysts is
global and growing. Your journey starts now. B curiosity, commitment,
and practice. You will unlock new
career opportunities and make a real difference
in any organization. The skills you will develop here are modern tools for a job, the tools for transformation. Let's build that foundation together and start
this exciting journey.
8. Introduction to Core Skills for Business Analysts: Hello, everyone. Welcome to the core skills for
Business Analyst model. In this model, we are
going to explore the as skills that will help you
succeed as a business analyst. Whether you are just starting out or looking to
enhance your abilities. This model is designed to
give you a strong foundation. Here are the essential
skills we will cover. Analytical thinking,
problem solving, communication skills, requirements gathering,
data analysis. Good listening skills
and critical thinking. By the end of this model, you will have a
clear understanding of these core skills and how they work together to make you an effective
business analyst. You will feel more confident in your ability to
analyze situations, communicate effectively, and contribute valuable
insights to your team. Let's dive in and start building those essential
skills together.
9. Analytical Thinking: Analytical thinking. We will start with
analytical thinking. As a business analyst, your ability to analyze data, identify trends, and make meaningful conclusion
is crucial. Analytical thinking
involves breaking down complex information
into smaller parts to understand it better. This skill helps you make informed decisions and provide valuable insights to your team. How to develop this skill? Think about it as
solving a mystery. Start by gathering clues, which are your data, and then piece them together to
see the bigger picture. Practice interpreting data by using flow charts and diagrams. Regularly look at datasets and try to identify
patterns and trends. You can also improve your
analytical skills in a fun way, try playing logical games, working on brain teasers, or even participating
in escaping rooms.
10. Problem-Solving: Problem solving. Now let's
talk about problem solving. As business analyst, you will often face challenges that
need creative solutions. Being a strong problem solver means you can identify the
root cause of an issue, brain torm possible solutions, and choose the most
effective one. This skill helps you tackle problems effectively
and efficiently. How to develop this skill. Start by applying techniques
like root cause analysis, which we will discuss
in more detail later. This method helps
you dig deep to find the underlying
reason for a problem. Don't forget to practice brainstorming sessions
with your colleagues. Colaborating with others can generate a variety of solutions. Be sure to evaluate
the pros and cons of each option to determine
which one is the best fit. You can also use mind
mapping techniques to visualize problems and
their potential solutions. This approach allows you to see connections and organize
your thoughts clearly. Lastly, challenge yourself with strategy games like
chess Oso Docu. These activities are
not only fun but also great for enhancing
your problem solving skills.
11. Communication Skills: Communication skills. Let's dive into the importance
of communication skills. Effective communication is
essential business analysis. You need to clearly share
your ideas with stakeholders, team members, and clients. This includes both
speaking and writing. Strong communication
skills allow you to explain complex concepts
in simple terms, making sure everyone understands
and is on the same page. How to develop this skill. Start by improving your
communication skills through regular practice and
public speaking and writing. Don't hesitate to ask for feedback on your
presentations and writing records so you can identify areas where
you can improve. Think of yourself
as a storyteller. Try explaining complex ideas to friends or family
as simple stories. This can help you simplify your message and make
it more understandable. Focus on active listening. Pay attention to what
others are saying and ask clarifying questions to ensure everyone has a mutual
understanding. You also can consider join
groups like Toastmasters. This organization helps you
develop your communication, public speaking, and
leadership skills in a supportive environment.
12. Requirements Gathering: Requirements gathering. Let's talk about
requirements gathering, a fundamental skill
for business analysts. This process involves
understanding what stakeholders need and accurately documenting
those requirements. Effective requirements
gathering ensures that the final product meet
everyone expectation. You can use techniques
like interviews, surveys, and workshop to
gather this information. Don't be afraid to ask lots of questions during this phase. It will help you
to understand what stakeholders really need and make sure everyone
is on the same page. How to develop this skill. Develop your requirements
gathering skills by conducting mock
interviews and surveys. This hands on experience
will boost your confidence. Attend workshops and
training sessions that focus on
recitation techniques. Observing how experienced
professionals gather requirements can
provide valuable insights. Practice documenting requirements
clearly and concisely. Good documentation is crucial for effective
communication. We will talk more
about requirements gathering types and
techniques in the next model.
13. Data Analysis: Data Analysis. Now, let's
talk about data analysis, which is another essential
skill for business analysts. Being comfortable working
with data is crucial. Whether you are dealing
with financial figures, market research or
customer feedback. Analyzing data helps
you uncover trends, identify opportunities, and
make informed decisions. It's also helpful to be
familiar with tools like Excel, SQL, and data
visualization software. How to develop this skill. Start by using online datasets to practice your
analysis skills. A great resource
is Google Trends, where you can explore
data on various topics. Consider enrolling
in courses that focus on data tools
like Excel and SQL. These skills will give you a solid foundation in
handling data effectively. You can get creative
by visualizing Keo findings with software
like Tableau or Power Bi. These tools can help you present your data in engaging
informative way. And remember, it's important
to stay updated on industry trends and
best practices in data analysis to keep
your skills sharp.
14. Good Listening Skills: Good listening skills. Effective listening
is crucial for business analysts
because it help you accurately capture
stakeholder requirements and fully understand
the concerns. When you actively listen, you're not just
hearing the words. You're also picking up on
unspoken needs, emotions, and potential issues that could impact the
project success. How to develop the skill. Practice active listening. You can paraphrase and
summarize what you hear. This confirms your
understanding and show the speaker that
you are engaged. Don't forget to ask
defining questions and avoid interrupting
while they are speaking. Practice mindful listening. Focus entirely on the speaker without letting your own
thoughts distract you. Be fully present
your conversations. Be aware of non
verbal communication. Pay attention to body language, facial expressions,
and tone of voice. These non verbal cues often
convey important information that words alone might not
express and build empathy. Try to put yourselves in stakeholders shoes to better understand
their perspective. This practice builds
deeper connections and increase your
overall understanding.
15. Critical Thinking: Critical thinking. Critical
thinking is the ability to evaluate information
objectively and make reasoned judgments. As a business analyst, it's important to evaluate situations from
multiple perspective, challenge assumptions,
and consider the consequences
of your decisions. Developing strong critical
thinking skills will help you create well rounded
and effective solution. How to develop this skill. Read and watch, dive
into articles and videos on controversial topics to
analyze various perspectives. This practice will
help you understand different viewpoints and strengthen your
reasoning skills. You took channels like
Crash Course Philosophy, are great for exploring
key concepts in philosophy and critical thinking in a fun and accessible way. Join debate or
discussion groups. Engaging in discussions with others can sharpen your
critical thinking abilities. It encourages you to
articulate your thoughts clearly and consider
alternative viewpoints. Challenge your assumptions. Don't be afraid to
question the status quo. Explore different
perspectives are considered alternatives
to your current beliefs. This will help you broaden your thinking and improve
your decision making process.
16. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Conclusion and key takeaways. Congratulations on
completing the core skills for business endless model. Throughout this session,
we have explored the foundational skills that every business analyst
needs to thrive. These skills aren't
just theoretical. They are practical tools that you will use to
analyze problems, collaborate with
stakeholders, and deliver impactful solutions
in your projects. To recap, here are the key takeaways.
Analytical thinking. Break down complex problems into clear actionable insights, use tools like diagrams, logic exercises, and
real world examples to sharpen the skill. Problem solving,
tackle challenges effectively by
identifying root causes, brainstorming
creative solutions, and selecting the best approach. Techniques like
root cause analysis and mind mapping are
particularly helpful. Communication
skills, share ideas clearly and build mutual
understanding with stakeholders. Active listening, story telling, and practicing presentations are key to mastering this area. Requirements gathering, use
methods like interviews, workshops, and surveys to accurately capture
stakeholders' needs. Proper documentation
ensures alignment and clarity across teams. Data analysis, leverage
tools like Excel, SQL and Tableau to process
and visualize data. Use these insights to support decision making
and drive results. Good listening skills. Go beyond hearing words, actively listen for
unspoken needs and emotions to ensure
nothing is missed. Mindful listening builds
trust and captures critical insights.
Critical thinking. Evaluate issues from
multiple angles, challenge assumptions,
and ensure your decisions are balanced
and well informed. These skills are the
building blocks of a successful career in
a business analysis. The more you practice
and refine them, the more confident and
effective you will become. As you continue your journey, be sure to check out the resources that
complement this video. You will find a
carefully selected list of resources to help you dig deeper into these topics and further develop
your expertise. Thank you for being part of
this learning experience. Remember, every grade
business analyst started with the basics, just like you, keep learning, keep practicing
and keep growing. You're on the path to
making a real impact, one skill, one project, and one decision at a time.
17. Introduction to Business Needs and Objective Prioritization: Hello, and welcome to
the business needs and Objective prioritization and
business analysis model. In this session, we
are going to brand things down in a way
that's easy to follow. You will get practical
tips, insights, and strategies that will set you up for success as
a business analyst. By the end of this model, you will have the tools to confidently align
project goals with business priorities and help your organization make smarter,
more strategic decisions. So let's get started. What are business needs. Let's begin by discussing what
we mean by business needs. Think of a business
needs as a core problem, opportunity, or gap, that organization must
address to achieve its goals. Think of them as the
why behind any project. The reason the
business is trying to make changes or
achieve something. For example, a company
might need to keep more customers if it's
losing them to competitors, or it might need to boost sales if profits are going down. These needs tell us what the business must
focus on to grow, solve problems, and
stay competitive. As a business analyst, your job is to
identify these needs and help the business move
in the right direction.
18. Techniques for Identifying Business Needs: Techniques for identifying
business needs. Identifying business
needs start with understanding the company's
challenges and opportunities. There are several techniques
that can help you with. SWOT analysis is a
strategic tool that helps business assess the internal
strengths and weaknesses, along with external
opportunities and threats. This method allows
companies to make better decisions by
evaluating what they do well, where they need to improve, what chances they can
take advantage of, and what risks to avoid. Let's look at four elements. Strengths. What does
the business do well? These are internal advantages that give the business
a competitive edge. Strengths could
include resources, skills, or achievements that
make the company stand out. Examples of strengths,
brand reputation. The company is well known
and trusted by customers. For example, ample
loyal customer base. Strong financial
position, having healthy cash flow or access
to funding for growth. Unique product or
service offering a product with unique features that competitors don't have. Operational efficiency, streamline processes that lower costs or
increase productivity. The next one is weaknesses. Where is the business
falling short? Weaknesses internal
limitations or caps that prevent performance. This can include
operational inefficiencies, resource constraints, or outdated strategies that
reduce competitiveness. Examples of weaknesses,
outdated technology, using old systems that
slow down operations, for online presence, weak digital marketing or lack of social media engagement. Limited product range, offering fewer options compared
to competitors, high employee
Curnover struggling in retained talented employees. Opportunities. What
external factors could the business leverage? Opportunities, external
trends, events or situations that the business
can take advantage of to grow, expand, or improve. These are opportunities
outside the company that could lead to success
if pursued strategically. Examples of opportunities,
emerging markets, expanding into countries or
regions with growing demand. Technological advances,
leveraging new tools or platforms to improve operations or reach
more customers, changes in consumer behavior, adapting to new trends such as the shift to eco
friendly product, industry partnerships,
collaborating with other companies for shared
products or innovations. Threats, external risks or challenges that could
negatively impact the company. This may come from competitors, market changes, or external
forces like economic shifts. Businesses must
monitor these threats and develop strategies
to reduce the impact. Examples of threats,
intense competition. Competitors introduce similar
products at lower prices. Economic recession, a downturn that reduces
consumer spending, supply chain
disruptions, delays or shortages in getting materials
or products to customers. Changing regulations, new laws that increase
costs or limit operations. Therefore, using SWOT analysis can help you and your
stakeholders get a clear picture of what
the business is doing right and where there might be areas for
improvement or growth. Root cause analysis and
the five Wise technique. Root cause analysis, RCA is a problem solving
method that helps identify the true reason behind an issue rather than just
treating the symptoms. Think of it like peeling
back the layers of an onion. Every layer brings you
close to the real cause. Addressing only
surface level issues might provide temporary relief, but root cause analysis
ensure that you fix the underlying problem and
prevent it from reoccurring. Root cause analysis looks
beyond the obvious. It asks, what is the real
cause of the problem? What factors cause it to happen? In this way, root cause analysis helps companies avoid making assumptions and guarantees that solutions are meaningful
and sustainable. The five Vise technique, breaking down the root cause. One of the simplest
ways to perform root cause analysis is by
using the five is technique. This method involves
repeatedly asking Y to uncover the deeper
cause of a problem. Each Y digs deeper, helping to distinguish
between symptoms that you see on the surface and the root cause,
the real problem. You usually reach the core
issue after five iterations, but it could take fewer or more depending
on the complexity. Example of the five ie
technique connection. Imagine that a company is
experienced declining sales. Here is how the five Vise
process might unfold. You can ask the following
questions and get the answers. Why are sales declining? Because customers are
dissatisfied with the service. Why are customers dissatisfied? Because the complaints are not being resolved
quickly enough. Why are complaints not
being resolved quickly? Because the customer service
team is understaffed. Why is the customer
service team understaffed? Because the company cut back
on hiring to reduce costs. Why did the company
cut back on hiring? Because they didn't
forecast demand correctly and underestimated how much
support would be needed. Then the root cause
was identified. Poor demand forecasting
led to understaffing, resulting in slow
complaint resolution, customer dissatisfaction, and
ultimately declining sales. Why use the five buys? It can clarifies the problem, helps you go beyond surface symptoms to find
actionable insights. Prevents recurring problems. By identifying the root cause, solutions are more
effective and sustainable. Simple yet powerful. The technique is easy
to implement and doesn't require
advanced tools or data.
19. Business Objectives Translating Needs into Action: Business objectives,
translating needs into action. Now that we have
explored business needs, let's dive into how we can turn those needs into
business objectives. Business objectives
are specific, measurable goals that a company sets in order to
achieve its needs. These objectives guide
the company's actions and help track its progress. Let's break it down
with a simple example. Suppose the business need is to improve customer
satisfaction. A corresponding objective
could be to increase the company's customer
satisfaction score by 10% within the
next six months. Notice how this
objective is clear and gives the company something
specific to aim for. This is where the SMRT goals
framework comes into play. It's a popular tool in
business analysis because it ensures objectives are
practical and effective. SMART stands for specific. The goal should be well defined and target a specific area. For example, instead of
saying improve sales, a more specific goal
would be increase online sales for
product X by 20%. Measurable. You need to have
a way to track progress. This means using data or metrics that show if you
are hitting your target. For example, increase the number of new customers by 100 in CO four is measurable because you can count the
number of new customers. Achievable. The goal should be realistic and
possible to reach, given the resources, time,
and skills you have. For example, if you know your marketing
budget is limited, setting a goal to
double website traffic in two months might
not be achievable. Instead, you might aim for a
20% increase in six months. Relevant. The goal
should directly support your businesses overall
objectives and strategy. For example, if your
company's focus is on the customer retention, a relevant goal could be reduce customer churn by 5% through loyalty programs
rather than focusing on unrelated areas like
expanded product lines. Time bound. Every goal needs
a deadline or time frame. This creates a sense of urgency and helps
prioritize tasks. For example, launching
Yuma Bile app by the end of third quarter is time bound because it gives
a clear deadline, making it easier to track
progress and stay focused. Let's put this together into a smart goal that a
business analyst might set. Goal, improve the efficiency of the customer support process. Specific, reduce the average response time
to customer queries. Measurable, achieve
a reduction in response time from an average
of 2 hours to 1 hour. Achievable. Implement
U ticketing system and provide training
to support staff. Relevant aligns with
the company's goal to improve overall
customer satisfaction. Time bound, achieve this
within the next three months. By using the Smart model, you ensure that
business objectives are clear, trackable,
and attainable. This structured approach helps
businesses stay on course and make informed decisions that directly
address their needs.
20. The Importance of Prioritization: The importance of
prioritization. In any organization,
resources such as time, budget, and personnel
are limited. Therefore, it's essential to prioritize business needs and objectives to focus on what will deliver the most
significant value. Prioritization ensures that critical needs are
addressed promptly. Resources are
allocated efficiently. Stakeholder expectations
are managed effectively. The organization remains agile
and responsive to changes. Priortization is crucial because it ensures that the business focuses on the projects that will have the
biggest impact. For example, a company might
have objectives to both, expand into new markets, and improve internal workflows. While both are important, limited resources
might mean that the business must prioritize
one over the other. Your role as a business
analyst is to help guide the decision making
process by balancing the potential benefits
and costs of each goal.
21. Techniques for Prioritizing Business Needs and Objectives: Techniques for prioritizing business needs and objectives. There are different
techniques you can use to prioritize
business objectives, and understanding
how to use them will help you focus on
what really matters. Let's break down a few of
the most common methods with some examples to make
them easier to understand. Let's start with
the Moscow method. This method is one of the simplest and most
effective ways to categorize objectives into
four clear groups must have. These are the non negotiables. They are critical to the
success of the project. Without this, the
project would fail. Example, if you are building
an ecommerce website, a secure payment system
is a must have because the business can't operate
without it. Should have. These are important but
not absolutely critical. They add significant value
but and deal breakers. For example, a
recommendation in gin on the ecommerce site
would be a should have. It's not essential for
the basin functionality, but would enhance the
customer experience. Could have. These are
the nice to have. If you have extra
time or resources, you can work on them, but they're not necessary
for success. For example, adding
multiple language options for international users could
be a could have feature. It's beneficial but not
needed at lunch. Won't have. These are out of scope for now, but maybe revisit it later. For example, building
a mobile app for the ecommerce store
might be categorized as a won't have for
the initial launch, but could be planned
for in the next phase. The Moscow method is helpful because it
forces the team to distinguish between what is absolutely necessary
and what can wait, making prioritization
clearer for everyone. Pareta analysis, 80 20 rule. This technique helps
you focus on the 20% of tasks that will generate
80% of the results. It's about working
smarter, not harder. For example, imagine you are working on improving a
customer support system. You discover that 20% of the most common
customer issues are responsible for 80% of
the support tickets. By prioritizing solutions
for those few issues, you can have a big impact on reducing overall support
workload with minimal effort. Impact versus effort matrix. This method helps you evaluate objectives
based on two factors, how much impact they will have and how much
effort they require. You plot your objectives on a two to two grid with impact on the axis and
effort on the other. The goal is to focus
on objectives that have high impact but
require low effort. Quick wins, low effort, high impact, filling
jobs, low effort, low impact, major
projects, high effort, high impact, senseless task, high effort, low impact. Let's break a single
marketing project into different tasks and categorize each using the impact versus effort matrix. The project we will focus on
is launching a new product. This project has multiple
tasks that can be divided into the following categories based on the effort and impact. The task updating
the product page on your website goes to Quick Wins. The effort is low. Simply adding the new product description, images and key information to an existing template
on the website. Impact high. This ensures customers can see and purchase the new
product immediately. Optimizing the page with keywords can also
boost SO visibility. Category Quick win is easy to do and has an immediate
positive impact on sales. The task developing a full
product launch campaign goes to major projects. Efforts high requires
strategizing, creating assets for
ads and social media, coordinating with
influences, running paid ad campaigns, and
tracking performance. Impact high. A well
executed campaign can drive brand awareness, generate leads, and significantly
boost product sales. Category major product. Although it's
resource intensive, it has a high long term impact on the success of
the product launch. The task sending internal
updates to the team goes to the filling
jobs. The effort is low. Sending emails or
briefing to keep team members updated on the progress of the
product launch. Impact law, while keeping the
team informed is important, it doesn't directly influence the success of the
product launch. Category filling job, easy
to do during downtime, but it won't directly impact sales or
customer engagement. The task designing completely new packaging for the product goes to thankless
task. Effort is high. Redesigning the packaging involves working with designers, possibly revising
production processes, and incurring additional costs. Impact law unless packaging is a crucial factor for
your customer base, changing the design may not
significantly affect sales, especially if the
product is being sold on light where
packaging is less visible. Category Ttless task. It consumes considerable effort, but doesn't necessarily provide enough value to justify
the time or cost. By splitting the single project into these different categories, you can more effectively
prioritize tasks. The quick wins should be handled first to generate
immediate results, while the major
project should be planned carefully for
long term impact. Filling jobs can be addressed
when there is downtime, and sless tasks should
be reconsidered or postponed to focus on more
impactful activities. Value based prioritization.
In this approach, you focus on the objectives that will bring the most
value to the business. This could mean
increasing revenue, reducing costs, or improving
customer satisfaction. Prioritize based on what
delivers the greatest value. Imagine you're deciding between two objectives
for retail business. One is to develop a new loyalty program to
retain existing customers, and the other is to
expand into a new market. You would prioritize
the loyalty program if data shows that customer retention will generate more revenue than expand
into a new market right now. By using these techniques, you can make smarter decisions about where to focus
your time and resources. Each technique offers a structured way to
approach pritization, helping you tackle the
most important task first, and ensure the business is always moving in the
right direction.
22. Involving Stakeholders in Prioritization: Involving stakeholders
in priortization. When it comes to priortization, it's crucial to understand that this isn't something you
can or should do alone. It's a team effort, and as a business analyst, your role is to
bring stakeholders together and guide the process. Each stakeholder
might see things differently based on their
responsibilities and needs. So your job is to help
align these priorities in a way that benefits the project and the
company as a whole. Here are some practical
ways to effectively engage the coders in the
prioritization process. Engage the colders early. Start involving
stakeholders right from the beginning by organizing
workshops and meetings. This helps gather input from everyone who has a
stake in the project. For larger groups, or when
you need broader feedback, use surveys or questionnaires. These tools allow
stakeholders to express their views without needing
to attend every meeting. Facilitate transparent
discussions. As a business analyst, you should present data
and analysis to help stakeholders understand the impact of
priatization decisions. This makes the discussions
more objective. Encourage open conversations
where everyone can share their thoughts on why certain tasks or features
should be prioritized. Be ready to talk about the pros and cons of different options. Manage conflicting priorities. In any project, it's common to run into conflicting
priorities. For example, the
marketing team might want a feature that helps them
attract new customers, while the operations team might push for something that
improves internal efficiency. Here, you will need to use negotiation and conflict
resolution skills. Focus on finding a middle ground that balances the needs
of different departments. But remember that you might not be able to satisfy
everyone immediately. Some tools and techniques
you can use to gather input include workshops, surveys, and one
on one interviews. Each of these methods allow stakeholders to share
their perspectives, and the more
information you have, the easier it will be to make informed
priortization decisions. Occasionally, you will need to facilitate difficult
conversations, especially when the area
and patent priorities. This is where your negotiation
skills really matter. Your goal should be to find compromises that
move the project forward without losing sight of the most critical
business objectives. By actively involving
stakeholders and managing the
prioritization process, you can ensure that
decisions are well informed and aligned with
the company's overall goals.
23. Adapting Priorities as Projects Evolve: Adapting priorities
as projects evolve. One thing you should
always keep in mind is that priorities
aren't set in stone. Projects are dynamic, and
as they move forward, new information often comes to light that could shift
what's most important. Think of it like a roadmap. Sometimes you have to take a
different route because of unexpected roadblocks or
new exciting opportunities. For instance, you might be
halfway through a project when a new market opportunity pops up that requires a
change in focus, or perhaps a technical
issue arises, making it difficult to
stick to the original plan. In both cases, you
will need to adjust the priorities to keep the project aligned with the
businesses needs and goals. As a business analyst, here is how you can effectively adapt priorities as
products change. Monitor and review. Stay on top of
current priorities by regularly reviewing them. Ask yourself, do this still make sense with
what we know now? Keep your stakeholders
in the loop. If something significant
has changed, make sure they're aware
and understand why a shift in priorities might be
necessary. Stay agile. Be flexible and ready to reprioritize when new
information comes in. Whether it's a market shift, a competitors move or
a technical issue, your ability to adapt will
keep the product on track. Always ensure that
any changes you make are aligned with the company's broader strategic objectives. Changing priorities doesn't mean losing sight of the
bigger picture. It means adapting the path
to better reach your goal. Remember, being adaptable is one of the most important qualities
in business analysis. By regularly monitoring
progress and staying agile, you can ensure that
your projects remain aligned with both immediate
and long term business goals, even when unexpected
changes occur. This flexibility is
key to delivering successful outcomes in a
rapidly changing environment.
24. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Inclusion and key takeaways. In this model, we've explored
the critical role of identifying and
prioritizing business needs and objectives at
a strategic level. By applying the
techniques discussed, you can help your
organization focus on initiatives that
deliver the most value, aligned with strategic goals, and respond effectively
to change environments. Remember, business needs are the fundamental issues or opportunities that the
organization must address. Business objectives
are specific, measurable goals delivered
from business needs. Prioritization is essential to focus resources on the
most valuable initiatives. Colaboration with stakeholders ensures alignment and buying. Flexibility is crucial as
priorities may shift over time. Thank you for participating
in this session. As you continue your journey
in business analysis, remember that effective
prioritization is a key skill that will contribute significantly
to your success and the success of
your organization.
25. Introduction to Stakeholder Identification and Engagement: What are Stakeholders?: Hello, and welcome
to the model on stakeholder identification
and engagement. Today, we will break down some complex ideas into easy
to understand concepts. So even if you are new
to business analysis, you will leave feeling
confident in your ability to apply these principles
in real worst scenarios. What are stakeholders? Let's start with the basics. You might already have an idea
of what a stakeholder is. But in business analysis, we define stakeholders
as any individual group, organization that can affect was affected by the
outcome of a project. As a business analyst, you will need to work with many different types of stakeholders. For example, internal
stakeholders. These are people within
your organization, like your project team,
managers and executives. External stakeholders. These are people
outside the company, like customers, suppliers, or even regulatory agencies
that oversee your project. It's important to remember
that stakeholders don't all have the same level
of interest or influence. Some are highly involved and
need constant communication, while others are passive, but still need to be
kept in the loop. As a business analyst, your role is to recognize the different types
of stakeholders, understand the needs, and maintain strong
communication with each one.
26. Why Is Stakeholder Identification Important?: Why is stakeholder
identification important? Identifying stakeholders
early in a project, set the stage for
everything that follows. Without knowing who
your stakeholders are, it's impossible to understand what's required for
project success. Imagine you are building a
new software application. The developers might have
an idea of what to build, but unless you consult
with end users or clients, how do you know the solution
will meet their needs? A business analyst acts as a bridge between these
different groups, ensuring that all
perspectives are considered. Misunderstanding or
failing to include the right stakeholders can
lead to misaligned goals, scope creep, or even
project failure. We are here to prevent
that from happening by getting everyone on the
same page from the start.
27. Categorizing Stakeholders: Categorizing stakeholders. Not all stakeholders are equal in terms of
their involvement. Here is a quick
overview of how we can categorize them based on
their role in the project. Primary stakeholders. These are the most directly
impacted by the project. Examples include the
project sponsor, customers, and key team members. You will engage with
them regularly. Secondary stakeholders. These individuals or groups
are indirectly affected. They might not need
daily updates, but they still have an interest
in the project success. Think of regulatory
bodies or support teams. Key stakeholders. These
people hold a lot of power. They approval or disapproval can make a break
in your project. For example, senior
executives or board members. Understanding these
categories will help you allocate your time and
resources effectively. It's not necessary to give
everyone the same level of attention by identifying who
holds the most influence, you can tailor
your communication and engagement strategies to focus on those whose
input is vital for success.
28. Identifying Your Stakeholders: Identifying stakeholders. So how do we do about
identifying stakeholders? This process usually begins at the project initiation stage. Often you're in the project
charter or kickoff meetings. At this point, you
will work with the key players like project
manager or sponsors to figure out who is going
to be impacted by the project or who has the power to influence
its direction. To identify stakeholders
effectively, follow these four steps. Create your stakeholder list. Start by brainstorming and listing all potential
stakeholders. Those who influence or
impacted by a project. This can include
internal like employees, managers, and
external customers, government, stakeholders. Use tools like spreadsheets, or stakeholder management
software to track them. Identify key attributes. Next, assess each stakeholders based on their
level of interest, impact, or influence
on the project. This helps narrow down the
list of critical stakeholders. Stakeholder mapping. Use stakeholder mapping
methods like grids or diagrams to visualize the
in segment stakeholders. This allows you to group them
for Taylor's engagement. Track and analyze. Once key stakeholders
are identified, engage with them regularly. Track interactions,
analyze feedback, and adjust your
strategies based on this input to improve engagement
throughout the project.
29. Stakeholder Engagement: Stakeholder engagement. What is stakeholder engagement. One stakeholders have
been identified, the next step is engagement. This is where your communication
skills come into play. Effective stakeholder
engagement isn't just about sending out updates. It's about understanding
their needs, addressing their concerns, and managing their expectations. One tool that can help is the racing matrix T
stands for responsible, accountable, consulted,
and informed. The matrix helps define who
is responsible for what task. Who is accountable
for what decisions? Who needs to be consulted and who should simply
be kept informed. This level of clarity
ensure that everyone knows their role and there is no confusion about
decision making authority. By clearly mapping these roles, you ensure smoother
communication and less risk of
misunderstanding. You also avoid
overwhelming class involved stakeholders with unnecessary details
while keeping key decision maker in the loop.
30. Communication Planning: Communication planning. Now that you know who
your stakeholders are and how to categorize them, the next step is crafting
your communication plan. This plan outlines
how and when you will communicate with
different stakeholders. You wouldn't send a
CO the same type of update you'd give a project
team member, right? That's because each
stakeholder has different needs for
information and timing. When developing your
communication plan, consider frequency of updates. How often do certain stakeholders
need updates, daily, weekly, or only for major
milestones, level of detail. Just this stakeholder want a high level overview or
detailed technical reports. Preferred communication
channel to the preferred email meetings or perhaps a project management
tool like Jira or Slack. Tailoring your approach based on these factors can significantly
improve engagement. Wednesday coders feel
heard and well informed, they are more likely to support the project and provide
constructive feedback.
31. Managing Stakeholder Expectations: Managing stakeholder
expectations. It's not enough to
just communicate. You also need to manage
the expectation. Stakeholders often have
competitive priorities, and the expectations can
often shift over the time. Your job is to ensure
these expectations are realistic and aligned
with the project's goals. One effective strategy is setting clear boundaries
from the start. Be transparent about
the project scope, timeline and constraints. Explain the potential
impact on time and budget if a stakeholder request changes outside
the agreed scope. This is where good negotiation
skills come in handy. You will often need to
find a middle ground that satisfies the stakeholder
without delaying the project. Additionally, managing
conflict is a part of the job. Not all stakeholders will agree on every decision,
and that's okay. Your role is to facilitate discussions and ensure that
disagreements are resolved, always keeping the project's
objectives in mind.
32. Adapting to Changes: Adapting to changes. Products rarely go
exactly as planned, and when things change, your stakeholders need
to be kept in the loop. Whether it's a shift
in the project scope, a timeline adjustment, unexpected challenge, being proactive in
your communication helps maintain trust. If you anticipate a delay or roadblock, inform
stakeholders immediately. Explain why the
change is happening, how it affects the project, and what steps you are taking to mitigate any problems
that may arise. Transparency builds trust and ensures that
stakeholders continue to support your efforts, even when things
don't go as planned.
33. Common Challenges in Stakeholder Engagement: Common challenges in
stakeholder engagement. Of course, engaging
stakeholders isn't always easy. Some challenges you might face include conflict
stakeholder interests. Not everyone will
want the same thing, and you may have to balance
different priorities. Stakeholder availability. Some stakeholders may not have
the time to engage fully, so you will need to find ways to get the input in the most
efficient way possible. Resistant to change.
Some stakeholders may resist changes that
the project brings. The key to overcoming
these challenges is flexibility and
good communication. Be prepared to adopt your
approach when needed.
34. Case study - Stakeholder Identification and Engagement: Case study, upgrade
an online store. Let's look at the background. A medium sized retail
company, Retail Tech, wanted to upgrade
its online store and N SMAT recommendation system to improve sales and
customer experience. They hired an outside
consulting team, and a business analyst
was assigned to help identify and engage the
stakeholders through the project. In this case study, we will walk through how the BA applied basic principles of
stakeholder identification and engagement to ensure
the project's success. Phase one, identifying
stakeholders. At the beginning of the project, the business analysts
first job was to figure out who the
stakeholders were. These are people who either have an interest in the project
or affected by it. Here is how the BA did it. Creating a stakeholder list. DBA worked with
project sponsors, the people funding the project, and senior managers to brainstorm a list of everyone
who might be involved. They came up with
internal stakeholders, company executives, the IT team, the marketing and
sales departments, and the customer service team, external stakeholders,
customers, logistic providers, those
who help with shipping, and government
agencies responsible for data protection rules. The next step is
identifying key attributes. In the key attribute
identification step, the business analysts evaluated each stakeholder based
on two key factors. Interest, how much
they cared about the project and influenced the power to affect
the project's outcome. This helps the BA
prioritize stakeholders and tailor engagement
strategies. The third step is
stakeholder mapping. DBA used a tool called a power interest grid to
organize stakeholders. This helped categorize
them like this. High power, high
interest executives and key customers, high power, low interest government
agencies, low power, low interest external vendors, low power, high interest, marketing and sales teams. The next step is
track and analyze. Once a business analyst had identified and
mapped the stakeholders, the next step was to engage
with them regularly. This involved continuous
monitoring of how stakeholders interacted
with the product and gathering their feedback. Here is how DBA handled this
track and interactions. DBA kept detailed records of every communication and
meeting with stakeholders. This included
frequency of contact. For example, executives
were contacted monthly for updates while the IT team and marketing team
had weekly check ins. Preferred communication
channels. Stakeholders were
contacted using the preferred methods,
emails for executives, product management tools
like Jira for the IT team, and customer service
for external feedback. Analyzing feedback. DBA regularly reviewed
feedback from stakeholders to ensure the concerns were addressed and their
expectations were met. This feedback was used
to identify new risks. If stakeholders raised concerns about delays or
technical issues, these were flagged and added
to the risk management plan. Adjust engagement strategies. If certain stakeholders were disengaged or required
more updates, DBA adjusts the
frequency of methods of communication to ensure they stayed informed and involved. Refining the strategy. Based on the analysis, the BA made adjustments to the overall stakeholder
engagement strategy. For example, the marketing
team expressed that they needed more frequent updates on the progress of the
customer facing features. So the BA increased the frequency of their
status meetings. Customers provided
valuable feedback about the design of the
new recommendation system, which was incorporated into the next phase of development. By tracking and analyzing
interactions and feedback, the VA was able to keep
the product on track and ensure that stakeholders' needs were continuously being met. This step also helped
in anticipating potential issues and addressing them before they
became major problems. Phase two, engaging
the stakeholders. After identifying
the stakeholders, the next step was to figure out the best way to keep them
informed and involved. DBA created a RACI matrix, which is a simple tool that
clarifies who is responsible, who is accountable,
who is consultant, and who needs to be informed. This helps everyone know
their role in the project. For example, responsible, the AT team who would
build the new system. Accountable, the project sponsor who entru the
project is on track, consulted the marketing
and sales teams to give feedback on
what customers need it, informed, external vendors
and shipping partners, so they are aware of changes
that might affect them. With the RACI matrix
defining stakeholder roles, the next step is to ensure
clear communication. This is where the
communication plan comes in. It outlines who
needs information, how often and through
with channels, keeping everyone aligned and informed as the
project progresses. Let's look at how this plan was tailored for
different stakeholders. Executives received high
level reports once a month, focusing on big updates like budget and
project milestones. The IT team had
weekly meetings to discuss technical details
and solve any problems. Customers will engage
through service and focus groups to make sure the new recommendation
system met the needs. Phase three, managing
expectations and conflicts. As the project moved forward, some disagreements arose between the marketing team
and the IT team. The marketing department wanted to change the
customer interface, but the IT team was worried
this would cause delays. Here is how DBA handled the situation effectively.
Setting boundaries. DBA reminded both teams of the project's original
scope and timeline. This helped everyone understand the limits of what could be done within the current project. Finding compromise,
the BA organized a meeting where both teams
discussed their concerns. In the end, the marketing team agreed to hold off
on some changes, which was scheduled for the
next phase of the project. This avoided any delays and kept the project
moving smoothly. Phase four, dealing
with changes. Halfway through the project, the government
introduced new rules about how companies must
protect customer data. This meant that
product had to be adjusted to meet these
new regulations. The BA quickly communicated these changes to all
the stakeholders, particularly the IT
team and executives, and worked with them to ensure the product remained
complaint. Conclusion. Retail tech digital
transformation was successful because the
business analysts followed basic principle of stakeholder
identification and engagement by making sure the right people were
involved from the start, keeping everyone informed and managing conflicts
as they arose. The BA helped deliver
a project that met the company's goals
on time and on budget. The key lessons here is that stakeholder engagement is all
about clear communication, making sure everyone
knows their role and being flexible enough to
adapt when things change.
35. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Conclusion and key takeaways. That wrap ups our model on stakeholder identification
and engagement. Remember, as a business analyst, you're not just gathering
requirements or analyzing data. You are fostering relationships and ensuring that
everyone involved is working toward the same goal by identifying the right
stakeholders early, engaging with them effectively, and managing the expectation
throughout the project. You will set the
foundation for success. Thank you for
joining this lesson, and I hope you now
feel more confident in your ability to engage stakeholders in your
future projects. Keep practicing these
skills, and with time, you will see just how powerful they can be in driving
project success.
36. Introduction to Requirement Types: Welcome to the
requirement types model. In this session, we will explore the different types of
requirements that are essential to building
a clear roadmap for any business initiative. Understanding these
requirements is crucial because they help
make sure we don't miss anything from the
big picture goals to the small details of
how the system works. Before diving into
specific types, we will first
discuss the role of requirements to understand
why they are so important. We will cover the
following types of requirements such as
business requirements, explain what the
project is trying to achieve and answering the question, why
are we doing this? Business rules. It's the rules or guidelines that help tell people how to behave or what
to do in certain situations. Stakeholder requirements
include the needs and expectations of all
individuals involved, from users to managers. User requirements. Tell us what users need from the system to ensure a positive
and efficient experience. And system requirements
are categorized into functional and non
functional requirements that explain what the system needs to do and how it should perform. By the end of this model, you will have a solid
understanding of each type and how they contribute to achieving
project goals. So let's dive in.
37. The Role of Requirements: The role of requirements in the business analysis process. Requirements are the
foundation of any project. They define what
needs to be done, ensuring alignment
between business goals and the final solution. Requirements are gathered
from various stakeholders, including business owners and
users and technical teams. These groups often have
different priorities, which makes collecting and
organizing requirements a critical part of
business analysis. The requirement will
help you to set clear expectation between stakeholders and
the product team, guide the development of solutions ensure the
project stays on track, and provide a way to measure
the success of the project. In summary, requirements
keep everyone aligned from business needs to technical implementation and drive
value for the organization.
38. Business Requirements: Business requirements.
Business requirements at the high level requirements
that describe the goals, objectives, and overall
scope of a project. They tell us why the
project is being done and what the business
hopes to achieve. By identifying
business requirements, everyone involved
in the project, from stakeholders
to team members, understands the purpose
behind their work. Let's look at the example. A school wants to
create an online portal to help teachers manage their students grades
and assignments, which the goal of
reducing paperwork by 70% in the next six months. This is the overall
goal of the project. The school's goal is to
make grading easier for teachers by reducing the amount of paperwork they have to do.
39. Business Rules: Business rules. So what
exactly a business rule? In simple terms, a
business rule is a policy, guideline, standard
or regulation that defines or constraints
some aspect of the business. A business rule is not the same as a specification or
specific requirement. Instead, it guides business behavior and
business decisions. Think of business rules as the framework within
which a company operates. They ensure that everyone
in the organization understands what is expected and how to behave in
different situations. For example, the system
must block any user under the age of 18 from creating an account
without parental consent. These rules make sure
that the system follows the company's policy
of not allowing underage users to sign
up without permission. It helps a company stay
within legal requirements.
40. Stakeholder Requirements: Stakeholder requirements. Stakeholder requirements
capture the needs and expectations of all stakeholders
involved in the project, including users,
customers, managers, and other parties that have
an interest in the project. They tell us what
the project must achieve to satisfy
everyone involved. For example, the sales team
needs the system to generate weekly report on
sales performance so they can track how
well they are doing. These requirements is for the people working
on the project. The sales team wants a way to see how
their work is going, so they need rappers from the system to help them do that. It's important to note the stakeholder requirements go beyond just what users want. They also include
business objectives, compliance needs,
and any constraints that might impact how
we deliver the project.
41. User Requirements: User requirements. User
requirements are the needs and expectations of the people who will actually use the
system or product. These requirements focus
on what users want to accomplish and how they
interact with the system. Essentially, they help ensure
that the final product is user friendly and meets the needs of its
intended audience. For example, the app
should allow users to reset their password
easily if they forget it. This requirement is
for the end user, by gathering and documenting
user requirements, we can create a product that not only meet
business goals, but also provides a positive
experience for users. Keep in mind that mastering
these skills takes time, but with each project, you will become
more effective at aligning user needs
with project outcomes.
42. Functional Requirements (FR): Functional requirements. Functional requirements describe
what the system must do. They specify the
features and actions. The system needs to meet both business goals
and user needs. The examples of functional
requirements can include user login
identification, managing customer records, processing orders, or
generating records. Functional requirements
directly support the business objectives and
use cases of the system. They specify how the system
will respond to inputs, perform tasks, and
output results. As you continue practicing, you will become more comfortable understanding and defining how system should
operate to meet both users and business needs.
43. Non-Functional Requirements (NFR): Non functional requirements. Non functional
requirements explain how the system must work, not just what it should do. These requirements
include things like how fast it
should be performance, how secure it needs to be, security, and how easy
it is to use usability. Let's consider the
following examples. System must handle
10,000 concurrent users. Response time should
be under 2 seconds. Data should be encrypted. All the system should
be accessible. Non functional
requirements are about the quality of the
system and ensure that the system performs under specific conditions or meet certain
operational standards.
44. Case Study - Requirement Types: Case study, building
an online store. This case study explores
the various types of requirements involved in the
building an online store. We will categorize them into five key areas
business requirements, business rules,
stakeholder requirements, user requirements,
functional requirements, and non functional requirements. This should help you to better understand how each
type of requirement contributes to the
project's overall outcome. Business requirements. For instance, if a company decides to build
an online store, a key business
requirement could be Increase online sales
by 20% within a year. Setting a specific goal
of 20% allows the company to monitor progress and measure the effectiveness
of its strategies. A measurable goal illustrate what success looks like
for the entire team. The phrase within a year, gives the company a timeline
to achieve this goal, which helps them plan and
prioritize their actions. For example, they might
focus on improving the website's user experience or running marketing campaign
to attract more customers. Business rules. In
our online store, some business rules might
include pricing policy. All products must be
priced competitively, based on market analysis. Return policy,
customers can return products within 30 days of
purchase for a full refund. Discounts and promotions, any promotional discount must be approved by the
marketing department before being applied. Such rules maintain
operational consistency and guide decision making
throughout the project. Stakeholder requirements. When building an online
store with the goal of increasing sales by
20% within a year, stakehuldre requirements
are crucial to meeting the needs of
the involved parties. Here are some key stakeholder
requirements based on different groups.
Administrators. Sales analytics, they
require tools to analyze sales data and track
performance again the goal of increasing
online sales by 20%. Customer support features. Administrators need access to customer inquiries
and support requests to ensure timely responses. Marketing team
promotional tools. The marketing team needs
features that allow them to create and manage promotions
or discounts effectively. Customer segmentation, they require the
ability to segment customers for targeted
marketing campaigns based on purchasing behavior. Suppliers, product
catalog management. Suppliers need a way
to upload and manage their product information
directly in the system. Order fulfillment integration,
they require integration with logistics partners to streamline order
fulfillment process. IT team security protocols. The IT team needs to ensure
that the online store complies with security standards to protect customer data. Scalability requirements. They require the
system to be scalable, accommodating increased
traffic as sales grow. Identifying stakeholder
requirements, ensure that the
project aligns with the sales goal while addressing the specific concerns
of administrators, marketers, suppliers,
and IT teams. User requirements.
For our online store, user requirements could
include user accounts. Customers should
be able to create personal accounts to save their information
and track orders. Search funct elity. User need an intuitive
search feature that allows them to
find products easily. Checkout process, the checkout process should be simple and secure require minimal steps
to complete a purchase. User requirements,
focus on improving the user experience and ensuring smooth
navigation for customer. System requirements outline
what the system must do to meet both business
and user needs. They can be categorized into functional requirements and
non functional requirements. Let's consider
functional requirements. Functional requirements specify what the system should do. Examples for our online store might include
product management. The system must allow
administrators to add, edit, or remove products from the inventory.
Payment processing. The system must securely
process payment using various methods such as credit
card, paypal, et cetera. Order tracking,
customers should be able to track the order
through their accounts. Non functional
requirements define how the system operates and
performs its functions. Examples could
include performance. The website should load within 3 seconds under normal
traffic conditions. Security. The system
must comply with industry standards
for data protection and secure payment processing. Scalability. The website
should handle up to 10,000 concurrent users without
performance degradation. In summary, this case
study highlights the critical role of well defined requirements in the work of business analysts. By categorizing
these requirements, you will know what is needed to create an effective
online store. Remember, as you continue to work through
similar projects, you will become more adept at organizing and defining
these categories. Building expertise
with every step.
45. Introduction to Requirements Gathering Techniques: Hello, and welcome to this model on requirements
gathering techniques. Today, we are going
to dive into one of the most crucial steps in any project gathering
requirements. Think of this as the
foundation of a building. If the foundation isn't solid, everything built on
top of it is at risk. Requirements gathering is about understanding what the
end users need from the system and translating those needs into
actionable requirements. It's a process of discovery where we don't just focus on
what clients say they want, but also what they not
even realize they need. In this model, we will discuss the main techniques used in
the requirements gathering, covering when and
how to use each one. By the end, you will have a clear understanding
of how to use these techniques effectively to ensure that your product
meets real user needs. So let's get started.
46. Techniques for Requirements Gathering: Techniques for
requirements gathering. To ensure we capture all
necessary requirements, we use a variety of techniques, each suited for different
project needs and context. Let's dive into the
popular techniques and how they can be applied. Interviews. Let's begin with one of the most straightforward
yet powerful technique. Interviews allow you to speak directly with
stakeholders and users and subject matter experts to understand their
needs and expectations. There are generally two types
of interviews structured interviews where you prepare a list of questions
and stick to them. Unstructured interviews,
which are more like a conversation and allow flexibility to explore
responses more deeply. The key to a successful
interview is preparation. Before the interview,
make sure you understand the basics of the project and the role of the person
you're interviewing. During the interview, ask
open ended questions like, what challenges do
you face daily? Or how could the new system
make your job easier? This helps uncover not only
explicit requirements, but also pin points that the
solution should address. Workshops. Next, let's
talk about workshops. Workshops are ideal for
gathering a variety of perspectives and
encouraging collaboration. In a workshop, you bring together different
stakeholders for a more interactive session where everyone can share ideas, discuss their requirements, and even resolve
conflicting needs. A typical workshop could
involve brainstorm sessions, group discussions,
or even role playing activities to understand how users interact with the system. Remember, preparation
is key here as well. You will need an agenda, facilitators, and
maybe some team building exercises
to break the ice. And while workshops can
be incredibly productive, they can also become chaotic
if not managed well. Set ground rules and keep
the discussions focused. Workshops are particularly
useful for capturing high level requirements and understanding the overall goals and priorities of the project. They are also great for building relationships among the
project team and stakeholders. Surveys and questionis. For projects with a
large number of users, surveys and questionnaires can be a powerful way to
gather requirements. Unlike interviews or workshops, surveys allow you to reach
a wider audience at once, making them cost
effective and scalable. Designing a survey
requires careful thought. Each question should be
clear, concise, and focused. Avoid leading questions or jargon that might
confuse respondents. It's also helpful to include a mix of
quantitive questions, aimed to gather
measurable data and quality of questions such
as open ended responses. An example of a quantity
of question might be, on a scale of one to five, how satisfied are you with
the current system spit? An example of a quality
of question is, what specific features
would you like to see in us system to improve
your daily tasks. Surveys are particularly
effective when you need to gather feedback
from a broad user base, when updating a widely
used system or products. They help you identify common needs and trends
that may not surface in smaller groups.
Document analysis. Moving on to document analysis. This technique
involves reviewing existing documents such as
business process manuals, system specifications, or any documentation on
current software or workflows. Document analysis can
provide a wealth of information on how the
current system works, what processes are in place, and where there might be
opportunities for improvement. However, document analysis
has its limitations. Documents might be outdated or on the capture
part of the picture. So it's essential to
use this technique alongside other methods to
get a fuller understanding. Observation. Another highly effective
technique is observation, sometimes called job shadowing. Observation involves
watching end users as they interact
with the current system. It allows you to see
the workflow in action, understand the practical
challenges they face, and uncover hidden
requirements that might not be articulated
in an interview. For observation
to be successful, it's important to approach
it with a clear objective. Be respectful and
as unobtrusive as possible to avoid disrupting
the user's workflow. This technique is
particularly useful for understanding
complex tasks that are difficult to describe
verbally. Prototyping. Lastly, let's
discuss prototyping. Prototyping is a way of
creating a simple version of the system to help users
visualize how it might function. This can be as basic
as sketches on paper, always sophisticated as
a digital work frame. Prototyping is a dynamic
way to gather requirements, as users can interact with
the prototype and provide insights based on real use
rather than abstract ideas. It's a highly effective
technique for refining requirements
and ensuring the system design aligns
with user expectations.
47. Common Challenges in Requirement Gathering: Common challenges in
requirements gathering. Even with all these
techniques at your disposal, requirements gathering isn't
without its challenges. Let's discuss a few common ones. Ambiguity in requirements. Often, users don't
know exactly what they want or struggle to
articulate the needs clearly. This can lead to ambiguous
or vague requirements. To counter this,
always ask clarifying questions and validate the requirements
with stakeholders. Changing requirements. Requirements can change as
the project progresses, especially in long
term projects, or those in dynamic industries. Using a flexible entityative
approach like Agile, can help accommodate these changes without
causing disruptions. Conflicting stakeholder
priorities. Different stakeholders may
have different priorities, leading to conflicting
requirements. Here, negotiation and
prioritization techniques such as Moscow can be helpful.
Time constraints. Sometimes there is pressure
to move forward quickly, leading to incomplete or
rushed requirements gathering. It's essential to communicate the importance of
proper requirements gathering to stakeholders and to allow enough time
for the protests.
48. Case Study - Requirements Gathering Techniques: Case study, a new
customer support system. To bring all of this together, let's look at a brief case study from the perspective
of a business analyst. Imagine you were a business analyst
gathering requirements for a new customer support system for a mid sized retail company. The goal was to create a
system that would allow customer service
representatives to resolve issues more efficiently and improve the overall
customer experience. As the B, you conducted interviews with customer
support representatives to understand the types
of issues they handled and the challenges they faced with the
current system. They mentioned that the
system was too slow and lacked a comprehensive history of past customer interactions. Next, you facilitated
a workshop with representatives from customer
support, IT and marketing. Together, participant
brainstormed ideas on how to improve the system. The marketing team wanted
more customer insights, while IT suggested integrating the system with
existing database. Your role was to
guide discussions, manage expectations, and
capture all relevant input. To validate findings and
reach a broader group, you designed and
sent a survey to a large pool of customer
support representatives. This helped you gather
additional feedback on specific features
and validate trends noted in the interviews. You reviewed existing customer
complaint logs and support documentation to identify
frequent pain points and common customer requests, which provided further insights into the needs of
the support team. You observed customer
support representatives during a busy period to understand their
workflow firsthand. This revealed that
they frequently needed to switch between
multiple systems, which slowed down
response times. Finally, you collaborated
with the design team to create a low fidelity
prototype of the new system, focusing on
streamlight navigation and integrated customer history. You arranged for
representatives to test the prototype and
gathered their feedback, which led to further
refinements in the design. This case study demonstrates how a business analyst can use multiple techniques to create a comprehensive understanding
of project requirements. Ultimately, ensuring
that the solution meets the user's needs.
49. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Conclusion and key takeaways. In this model, we explore
the key techniques for gathering requirements,
including interviews, workshops, surveys
and questionnaires, document analysis,
observation, and prototyping. Each technique has
its strengths, and often the best
approach is to combine several techniques to gain a complete understanding
of user needs. Remember, effective
requirements gathering is an interactive process. It's about listening, observing, and validating until you have a clear and accurate
picture of what's needed. The time and effort
invested in this phase are critical as they set the stage
for the product success. Thank you for joining this model on requirements
gathering technique. Now, you are ready
to gather clear, actionable
requirements that will help you guide your projects.
50. Introduction to AI in Business Analysis: Welcome to leveraging AI for
Smarter business analysis. This model is
designed to help you understand how
artificial intelligence, OAI is transforming the field of business analysis and why it's becoming an essential tool
for businesses worldwide. Let's start by defining AI and what it means for
business analysis. AI, artificial
intelligence refers to the technology that enables machines to mimic
human intelligence. This includes everything from recognizing patterns and making predictions to
understanding language and even learning
from experience. In business analysis, AI can
help automate routine tasks, identifying patterns
in large datasets and provide valuable insights
that would be challenging, if not impossible
to gather manually. Think about tasks
like data gathering, data cleaning, trend analysis,
or customer segmentation. AI can make the faster, more accurate and
often more insightful. For instance, have you
ever struggled to analyze data from multiple sources
and make sense of it all? AI can help by
consolidating this data, identifying key trends, and
even recommending actions. Essentially, AI allows
business analysts to focus on higher level strategic
tasks instead of getting stuck in time
consuming repetitive work.
51. Key AI Techniques for Business Analysts: Key AI techniques for
business analysts. This chapter, we
will explore some of the core AI techniques and how they apply to
business analysis. We will look at
three major areas, machine learning, natural
language processing, and projective analytics. Please note, the list of techniques below
is not exhaustive. These are just some
of the powerful tools available to business
analysts today, and new AI methods and tools
are constantly evolving. As you grow a new
understanding of AI, you may find additional
techniques that suit specific business needs or enhance your
analytical approach. Machine learning. First up, we have machine learning, often referred to as ML. Machine learning is a type of AI that allows
system to learn from data and improve over time without explicit
programming for each task. In business analysis, machine learning is
particularly useful for detecting patterns and making predictions based on past data. Imagine you work for a
retail company and you want to forecast demand for product
based on past sales data. Machine learning algorithms
can help with this by identifying patterns
and predicting future sales with high accuracy. Another example is
customer segmentation. Using machine
learning algorithms. You can group customer based
on their purchase behavior, helping you business tailored marketing strategies
more effectively. By automating these
complex tasks, machine learning can provide
powerful insights that would be difficult or time
consuming to uncover manually. Natural language processing. Next, we have Natural
Language Ptsin or NLP. NLB is the technology
that allows machines to understand and
interpret human language. This is incredibly valuable
in business analysis, especially when it comes to
analyzing customer feedback, survey responses, or even
social media comments. With ENLP, you can analyze vast amounts
of unstructured data, things like text or voice
to identify trends, understand customer opinion, and even track brand reputation. For example, NLP tools
can scan customer reviews to detect whether customers feel positive or negative
about a new product, and this insight can guide future product development
or customer service efforts. Predictive Analytics. Finally, let's discuss
predictive analytics. Projective Analytics
uses historical data to make predictions
about future outcomes. This is especially valuable in business analysis where
predicting trends, customer behavior, or
financial performance can give companies
a competitive edge. Imagine business analyst for
telecommunication company. By applying
predictive analytics, you could analyze patterns
in customer data to predict which customers
are most likely to cancel the service
in the next quarter. With this insight,
your company could proactively contact these customers with
retention offers, reducing turnover and
maintaining revenue.
52. Real-World Applications of AI in Business Analysis: Real world applications of
AI in business analysis. Now that we have covered
some core AI techniques, let's explore how these are used in real world
business analysis. We will go over three
applications customer analytics, financial forecasting,
and Puts automation. Customer Analytics. One of the biggest
applications of AI in business analysis
is customer analytics. Companies use AI to gain a deeper understanding
of their customers, which can lead to more
targeted marketing, improved customer retention, and ultimately
increased revenue. For instance, e
commerce companies use AI to analyze browsing
and purchase data, allowing them to offer
personalized recommendations. This level of personalization not only enhances the
customer experience, but also increases
sales by presenting customers with products they
are more likely to buy. AA also can help identify trends in
customer satisfaction. By analyzing customer
feedback and sentiment data, businesses can gain a
better understanding of what their customers
love and what they don't, so they can make
informed improvements to their products or services. Financial forecasting. AI is transforming financial forecasting by making it faster, more accurate, and
more insightful. Traditionally, financial
forecasting has involved complex models
and large datasets, which can be time
consuming to analyze. With AI, business analysts can build predictive models that incorporate vast amounts of historical data to generate
more accurate forecasts. Take the stock market
as an example. AI powered systems can
analyze financial data, use articles, and
even social media to predict stock trends. Although it's not a
guarantee of accuracy, these predictions
can give investors a data driven basis
for their decisions. This type of
financial forecasting is useful in business as well, helping companies predict sales, expenses, and even
market conditions. Process Automation. AI is also changing the game when it comes
to process automation. Business analysts often handle repetitive tasks
like data entry, rapid generation, or
basic data analysis. Thise task can be
automated using AI, freeing up analysts to focus on more complex and
strategic work. Robotic protest automation
or RPA is a specific type of AI driven automation that uses bots to perform
routine tasks. For instance, an RPA bot can gather data from
multiple sources, compile it into a robot, and even send it to
relevant team members. This reduces human error, saves time and ensures that wrappers are constantly
generated on schedule.
53. Challenges and Considerations: Challenges and considerations. While AI offers
significant benefits, it's not without its challenges. In this video, we will discuss
some common challenges in implementing AI in
business analysis and how to overcome them. Data quality and quantity. AI relies on data, and the quality of
insights it provides is directly related to the quality of the data it's trained on. Poor quality data can lead
to inaccurate predictions, biased results, and
even ethical concerns. That's why it's crucial for
businesses to invest in data cleaning and ensure they're collecting
high quality data. Moreover, AI algorithms often require large amounts of
data to be effective. For small businesses,
organizations with limited data, this can be a
significant barrier. One approach to overcome
this is to leverage publicly available data
sets or partner with other organizations to gather sufficient data for
training AI models. Ethical and privacy concerns. AI and business analysis also raises ethical and
privacy concerns. AI systems often
process personal data, and without careful handling, there is a risk of violating customer privacy or using data in ways customers
might not expect. Business analysts
need to be aware of data privacy laws and ensure that they are handling
customer data responsibly. Transparency is
another key issue. Customers and
stakeholders should have a clear understanding of how AI driven insights are
generated and used, especially if these
insights impact customer experiences
of decision making. By addressing these
ethical considerations, companies can build trust with their customers and
use AI responsibly. Skill requirements and training. Lastly, working
with AI tools often requires specialized skills
such as data science, machine learning, and
even programming. Many business analysts may not have these technical skills, which can create a skill
gap within organizations. To overcome this,
businesses can invest in training programs to help analysts upskill in
AI related areas. Alternatively, some AI tools are now being designed with
user friendly interfaces, making it easier for
non technical users to leverage AI without extensive
programming knowledge.
54. Conclusion and Key Takeaways: Conclusion and give takeaways. As they wrap up this model, remember that AI in
business analysis is not just about adapting
the latest technology. It's about enhancing
decision making, boosting efficiency, and
delivering greater value. AI can't replace the expertise and insights of a human analyst, but it can greatly enhance it. In the future, as AI
technology advances, we can expect even more
sophisticated applications in business analysis. Analysts will
increasingly rely on NI driven insights to make more informed
strategic decisions. And as technology
continues to advance, the role of the business analyst
will continue to evolve, placing an even greater emphasis on data driven decision making. Thank you for taking
this journey through leveraging AI for smarter
business analysis. With this knowledge, you
are now better prepared to understand and apply AI tools in your own work as
a business analyst. AI is a powerful ally
in the business world, and by embracing it, you are setting yourself and your organization up
for greater success. Keep learning, keep
experimenting, keep pushing the boundaries
of what's possible with AI.
55. Introduction to Professional Development and Next Steps: Welcome to the final
model of our course, professional development and next steps in business analysis. You have come a long way
exploring the core skills, methods and tools that define the role of
a business analyst. Now, it's time to focus on
where you can go from here, how to grow in this field, what opportunities to look for, and how to keep
your skills up to date in a rapidly
evolving industry. The goal of this module
is to guide you on your journey of
continuous growth at the business analyst. We will highlight continuous
learning opportunities to keep your skills sharp. Explore professional
certifications to boost your credibility. Discuss effective
networking strategies, share practical ways to
gain real work experience, and examine key industry
trends to stay ahead. By applying these insights, you will be well
prepared to build a successful career
in business analysis. Let's get started. But
56. Building Your Knowledge and Skillset: Building your knowledge
and skill set. We will begin by
talking about skills. Business analysis
is a field that combines technical
and soft skills. So continuous learning
is essential. As a business analyst, you are expected to
bridge the gap between business needs and
technical solutions. So staying on top of
both domains is key. You will want to keep refining your core skills like
critical thinking, problem solving,
and data analysis. Consider setting
specific goals to expand your expertise in one of two technical skills
like learning SQL for data quering or gaining a basic understanding of programming languages
like Python. These skills aren't always required for entry
level positions, but having them under your belt can make
you more effective in analysing data and communicating with
development teams. Equally important ASOf skills
such as communication, negotiation and
active listening. A big part of your
job will involve gathering requirements
and translating them into actionable steps. You will need to
constantly practice these skills to improve
your ability to connect with stakeholders and
ensure that you are delivering solutions that
meet business needs. Remember, the best
business analysts are lifelong learners who recognize that there
is always more to understand about technology,
people, and business.
57. Certifications and Training for Business Analysts: Certifications and training
for business analysts. Certifications are a
great way to validate your skills and make yourself more competitive
in the job market. Here are a few key
certifications that can boost your credibility and open up
new career opportunities. Entry certificate and
business analysis. For those who are
newer to the field, the entry certificate
in Business Analysis, also offered by International Institute of Business Analysis. Oh, IIBA is a great
place to start. This certification is
designed for beginners and covers the
foundational concepts of business analysis. It's a good way to solidify
your understanding of core topics and demonstrate the potential employers that you are committed to the field. Certified Business
Analysis professional offered by the IIBA. This is a widely
recognized certification that's aimed to experienced
business analysts. To qualify for CBAP, you need several
years of experience, but it's an excellent goal to work towards as you
build your career. It covers a wide range of essential business
analysis skills from requirements analysis
to solution evaluation. BMI professional in
business analysis is another certification
worth considering. This certification focuses on the intersection of project management at
business analysis. It's particularly
useful if you see yourself working closely with
project management teams, or if you are
interested in blending business analysis with project management
responsibilities. If you're unsure which
certification to pursue, start by considering
your career goals and the types of roles
that interest you most. Each certification
has its own focus, so choose the one
that aligns best with the direction you want
to take in your career.
58. Building Practical Experience: Building practical experience. Certifications and
courses are valuable, but practical experience is what truly brings
your skill to life. In this video, we will explore some ways to gain
hands on experience. Whether you are looking for your first business
analysis role or seeking ways to advance
in your current job. Let's start with internships
and entry level positions. If you are new to
business analysis, internships or entry
level positions are fantastic ways
to get started. These roles expose you
to real world projects where you can observe business analysis processes
from start to finish. They are also a great way
to build relationships with mentors who can offer guidance
and insight as you grow. Shadowing and volunteering. Another effective way to gain
experience is by shadowing a more experienced business
analyst or volunteering for business analysis tasks within your current
organization. Shadowing allows you to see how an experienced analyst handles tasks like requirements
gathering, stakeholder management,
and problem solving. Volunteering for BA
tasks on the other hand, shows initiative
and demonstrates to your supervisors that you are serious about
growing in this field. Practice projects. If you don't have access to on
the job experience, consider creating your
own practice projects. For example, you could select a business problem
you're interested in, such as improving the
customer service process, analyzing data trends, and
develop a project plan. Even if it's hypothetical, working through the steps of
a project will strengthen your understanding
and allow you to apply concepts in
a practical way. You can even add
these projects to a portfolio to showcase your skills to
potential employers. Case studies and simulations. There are also many
online platforms that offer business analysis, case studies, and simulations. This provides a structured environment where
you can practice problem solving
requirements analysis and other key tasks. While they don't replace
real world experience, they are an effective
way to build confidence and test your
skills in a safe environment.
59. Networking and Community Involvement: Networking and
community involvement. Networking is crucial
for career growth, and business analysis
is no exception. By connecting with
other in the field, you can stay informed
about industry trends, learn about job opportunities, and even find mentors
to guide you. Here are some tips on how
to build a strong network. Joining professional
organizations. Joining professional
organizations like the International Institute
of Business Analysis or the Product
Management Institute, can provide valuable
networking opportunities. Many of these
organizations host events, webiners and conferences
where you can meet other business analysts and learn from
experts in the field. Plus, being a member of a professional organization adds credibility to your resume. Attending industry
events and conferences. Industry events and
conferences are excellent places to meet people who are passionate about
business analysis. At these events, you can
learn about the latest tools, techniques, and best practices
from industry leaders. If you are able to
attend in person events, take advantage of
networking opportunities like meet and grids
or discussion panels. If not, many conferences now offer virtual
attendance options, so you can still
participate from anywhere participating
in online communities. If you're unable to
attend in person events, consider joining
online communities. Platforms like LinkadNRdit, and even specialized forms like Stock Exchange have groups dedicated to business analysis. Engaging in these communities allows you to
connect with others, share insights, and learn from people at all levels
of experience. Remember, networking is about building genuine
relationships, not just collecting contacts. So take the time to connect with others on a personal level, and don't hesitate
to reach out for advice or to share
your own experiences.
60. Staying Updated with Industry Trends and Technology: Staying updated with industry
trends and technology. The field of business analytics
is constantly evolving, so staying on top of the latest trends and tools
is essential to your growth. Let's discuss some strategies to make sure you stay
on the cutting edge. Reading industry
publications and blogs. One of the simplest ways
to stay informed is by following industry
publications and blogs. Websites like Business
Analysis Excellence, Atmes andc.com regularly publish articles on the latest trends, tools, and best practices
in business analysis. By reading this regularly, you can stay informed about new techniques and
changes in the industry. Taking advanced courses and workshops as you
progress in your career, consider enrolling
in advanced courses and workshops to
deepen your expertise. There are many options available from online
platforms like Corsera and Eudemi to specialized business
analysis training providers. Advanced training
can help you learn about new tools, methodologies, and emerging trends, keeping you sharp and competitive
in the field. Experimenting with new tools. The tools business analysts
use are constantly improving. Whether it's a new data
visualization platform, a more efficient
product management tool or an eye driven
analytic solution, experimenting with new tools can help you become
more effective. Take the time to explore
new technologies and determine which ones can add value to your
analysis process. Attending webinars
and industry talks. Finally, many organization
and tech companies host free webinars
or industry talks, where you can learn from
experts on a range of topics. There are a great way to stay current with minimal
time commitment, as they are often short and
accessible from anywhere. Look for webinars hosted by companies in the tech
or data industries, as they often cover tools and trends relevant
to business analysis.
61. Conclusion: Taking Charge of Your Business Analysis Career: Conclusion, taking charge of your business analysis career. As we reach the end of this model and the
course as a whole, I want to encourage you to take charge of your
career journey. Business analysis is a dynamic
and rewarding field full of opportunities
to grow and make a real impact on organizations. By focusing on
continuous learning, gaining practical experience, and building a strong network, you can position yourself
for long term success. Remember, every step you take, whether it's earning
certification, joining a community or
taking on a new project is a step towards your future as a skilled
business analyst. Embrace the journey, stay curious and let your
passion for learning and problem solving lead you to a successful and
fulfilling career. I look forward to
seeing you again in one of my future courses as
you continue to grow, learn, and unlock
new opportunities in your journey toward becoming
a business analyst.