1. Putting the Business Analyst in context
Programme/Project Manager
“The sponsor will get it all,
now and for free”
Owner/sponsor
“I want it all
I want it now
I want it for free”
BUSINESS
ANALYST
Solutions developers
“Given all the other projects we are already doing for you, the best we can do is a bit, in 6 months and it will of course cost a bit”
Subject Matter Experts/Users
“We must have this
- and soon! -
or our business will fail”

2. Sponsor: We’re going to the moon!
Project Manager: ok, we have to plan…first off,
SME’s, what do you need?
SME: We’ll need a spaceship and spacesuits! Business Analysts: Do we need anything else?
Business Analysts: to answer your question I need to know…
Why are we going to the moon?
(Problem analysis)
How will we know it was a worthwhile trip?
(Objectives analysis)
Therefore - what will we need to ensure it is worthwhile?
(Requirements analysis)
Developer: in that case we need to develop solutions for the following requirements…

3. Scope of the Business Analyst role
Scope of the Business Analyst role
There is a chain of reasoning that leads from the statement of a problem to the implementation of solutions…
…involving up to 10 groups of people…
Owners
defines measures of success and $targets
…Business Analysts confirm & document
$Money!
Strategists
determine the strategy to hit the targets
…Business Analysts help research, create strategy, challenge & document
Sponsors
establish a Programme that delivers the strategy
…Business Analysts document Programme TOR and help build the Business Case
Programme Managers
Institute Projects that implement the programme
…Business Analysts document the Project TOR
Project Stakeholders
…Business Analysts specify requirements for Projects (in the Business Model)
Design Analysts
design solution that satisfies the requirements
…Business Analysts write functional specifications, protect requirements & document compromises
Solution Builders
build solution
…Business Analysts protect requirements & document compromises
Solution Builders & Business
test solution
…Business Analysts ensure tested against requirements
Project managers
Implement solution
…Business Analysts help with
Process and data migration
Cutover planning
Rollout
Users
Accept solution
…Business Analysts help with
$MEASURING $BENEFITS $REALISATION
POST-IMPLEMENTATION
Business Analysts feed back to the Owner how well their measure of success has been achieved
Copyright smart-BA 2008 3

4.
Chain Of Reasoning:
There is a chain of reasoning that leads from the sufficient definition of the problem to the sufficient definition of the requirements for the solution.
Break any one link in the chain and the rest of the chain is unsupported: un-provable.
There are (almost!) infinitely more ways to get a solution wrong than right.
BLACK HOLE – projects that get it wrong
REQUIREMENTS – wrong until PROVED right…so HOW do you PROVE that?
Change Requirements must be assumed to be wrong until they are proved to be right
Copyright smart-BA 2008 4

5. Scope of analysis of change requirements
Change requirements can be for (amongst others)
Processes
Organisation units
Locations
Channel
Data
Applications
Technologies
Non-functionals
…oh – and the valid intersections!!!
IF:
All change projects must consist of changes to business capabilities
THEN:
all analysis methods must analyse changes to business capabilities
Copyright smart-BA 2008 5

6. Requirements Scope - Example
We need to change how we take orders (process)…
…by the tele-orders team (organisation unit)…
…at our Leeds contact centre (location)…
…by phone or (channel)
…to capture alternate delivery addresses (data)…
…on the Chordiant system (application)…
…running on the intranet (technology)…
…and make it available 24/7/365 (non-functional).

7. All the Links in the Chain Of Reasoning
Driver
The problems / opportunities that the business face
Key
Many
One
Addressed as
measured by
The measures and targets that will enable us to declare the change project has been successful
Project
Objective
Delivered by
Definitions of what changes are required that will affect the measures of success (objectives) sufficiently for the project to be declared successful
Change
Requirement
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Enforces
What rules must be implemented by the changes specified in the requirements
Business Rule
Copyright smart-BA 2008 7

8. How to forge links in the Chain Of Reasoning
How to forge links in the Chain Of Reasoning
Key
Many
One
Driver
Problem / opportunity analysis
Addressed as
measured by
Specific – there is a precise definition of the objective
Measurable – there are units that the objective will be measured in
Achievable – the measures can be achieved ‘in the real world’
Relevant –this project will actually affect this objective
To-die-for – the project has failed if it does not achieve the objective
Project
Objective
SMART objectives
Delivered by
Business…
Functional…
Non-functional…
…high level
…mid level
Change
Requirement
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Enforces
Process model
Process specification
Non-functional specifications
Data model
Attribute specification
…low level
Business Rule
Copyright smart-BA 2008 8

9. EXAMPLE way of documenting…
Driver
Problem / opportunity analysis
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Copyright smart-BA 2008 9

10. EXAMPLE way of documenting…
EXAMPLE way of documenting…
Driver
Problem / opportunity analysis
Addressed as
measured by
Project
Objective
SMART objectives
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Copyright smart-BA 2008 10

11. EXAMPLE way of documenting…
Driver
Problem / opportunity analysis
Addressed as
measured by
Project
Objective
SMART objectives
Delivered by
Business…
Functional…
Non-functional…
…high level
…mid level
Change
Requirement
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Copyright smart-BA 2008 11

12. EXAMPLE way of documenting…
Driver
Problem / opportunity analysis
Addressed as
measured by
Project
Objective
SMART objectives
Delivered by
Business…
Functional…
Non-functional…
…high level
…mid level
Change
Requirement
Driver: Problems that the business must solve
Opportunities the business can exploit
Rules that the business must conform to
…etc
Vision: The ideal state of the business after the drivers have been addressed
Objective: The measures of success that will
DEFINE if a project has been successful:
Increase [measure] to the value of …
Decrease [measure] to the value of …
Maintain [measure] at the value of …
Deliverable: The output of a project that affects the Objectives in the desired way.
Function
Business Procedure
Technology
Skill
Proof of compliance
Benefit: Which (and how much?) Deliverable
contributes to which Objective
Requirement: Functional
Non-functional
Scope (Org, App and Tech)
Data
Requirement Benefit: Which (and how much?) each Requirement
contributes to which Benefit
Business Rule: Process model
Data model
Rule definition
Business logic
Requirement Business Rule: Which rules are utilised within which Requirements
EXAMPLE:
Driver:
Don’t know how to get to Olympia on the tube
Taxi arriving in 20 minutes
My computer is packed up
Vision:
I have no problems knowing which tubes to get when I arrive at Euston, and where to change, to get to Olympia
Objective:
I have the knowledge to get me from Euston to Olympia the time the taxi arrives
Deliverable:
A map of the tube stations from Euston to Olympia
Requirement
To know which tube line and direction I need from Euston
To know at which tube station to change tube trains and lines
To know what direction of travel I need
To know when I have arrived at Olympia
Business Rule
The tube line is highlighted for all tube stations
The tube lines I need to take is highlighted
The tube stations I need to use are highlighted
The direction of travel is indicated from any tube station I need to depart from for the relevant tube line
Kensington is the tube stop for Olympia
Enforces
Process model
Process specification
Non-functional specifications
Data model
Attribute specification
…low level
Business Rule
Copyright smart-BA 2008 12

13. Process execution rules
EXAMPLE PROCESS RULES
A BA can request one of 4 types of support:
Phone or based query about a specific point
Informal review of a project deliverable
Formal review of full set of project deliverables
Facilitated workshop of how to apply analysis to a specific project
1. In the case of phone or query about a specific point
the BA poses the question and the training provider will provide guidance for how the technicalities of Business Analysis apply to the problem
Informal reviews of project deliverables will be done by and will only discuss the technicalities of Business Analysis in relation to the document
Formal reviews will involve the BA sending the full set of Analysis deliverables to the training provider who will critique them from a technical perspective and then deliver the feedback in a one-to-one structured feedback session on the client site
Facilitated workshops will be initiated by the BA - the training provider will supply workshop agenda and prerequisites which the BA will use to organise the workshop. The training provider will then facilitate the workshop for the project.
Process execution rules
Who is interacts with process
Where they are
Availability of process
Volumetrics
Performance of process
Security & Authorisation levels
Non-functional Rules
Time to start
Training course
BA requests
support
Conduct
Training
Provide
BA support
Analysis Phase
Of Project
concludes
Monitor
Analysis
quality
Process dependency rules

14. Data relationship rules
EXAMPLE DATA RULES
Attributes
Name
Start Date
Course duration
Contact details
Content
Review feedback
Description
Course.Start Date
Definition: the date/time the course is scheduled to start
Data type: Numeric
Size: 12
Domain: Datetime
Data rules:
Format is DD/MM/YYYY HH:MM
When created must be in the future
Cannot be a Saturday or Sunday or Bank Holiday
Data content rules
Who is allowed access to the data?
How long must this data be kept?
How many instances of it must be supported?
Non-Functional Rules
Course
Attends
Delegate
Support Type
receives
Supplies
Data relationship rules
Analysis
Deliverable