Outline
MODULE 1 (1 day): Business Analysis Fundamentals
On the opening day, we build the foundation of the certificate program. We discuss the competencies, responsibilities of the Business Analyst and the relationship between the BA role, the stakeholders and the project team. We also introduce a real-world case study and establish teams for homework assignments.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Understand the project/product life cycle and the role of the Business Analyst
- Learn the competencies of the Business Analyst
- Determine the project team and team members' roles
- Review the knowledge areas of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Body of Knowledge (BABOK)
MODULE 2 (2 days): Creativity and Critical Thinking
Think "outside of the box" and apply critical thinking, creativity and innovation to your business analysis practices and solutions.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Learn proven techniques to enhance your personal creativity and strategic thinking skills
- Determine root causes
- Draft a problem statement that clearly defines your challenge
- Identify the best solutions and create successful action plans
MODULE 3 (2 days): Planning, Validating and Managing User Requirements
Develop a plan that includes determining and estimating the requirements activities a BA typically performs and how to control and manage changes to the deliverables. Create a high-level test plan to verify and validate your user requirements and achieve quality performance.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Identify and analyze all relevant stakeholders
- Develop a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) that is requirements driven, focusing on planning, testing and managing responsibilities
- Develop a risk plan and a high-level test plan
- Learn strategies for managing change in the requirements
MODULE 4 (2 days): Communications Input: Questioning, Listening, Facilitating and Managing Conflict
Elicit requirements, recommend the business solution and achieve commitment by effectively communicating and negotiating with all stakeholders, from user groups to technical teams.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Ask the right questions from the start
- Apply effective listening and clarifying techniques
- Facilitate a group requirements session
- Learn to manage conflict and build consensus
MODULE 5 (2 days): Eliciting User Requirements
Equip yourself with the ability to gather, document and identify user requirements.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Capture, clarify and confirm prototype requirements
- Write clear, complete and unambiguous requirements
- Identify high-risk requirements and what to do about them
- Manage the change control process and requirements sign-off
MODULE 6 (3 days): Modeling the Business Problem and Solution
Learn the key analysis models BAs should have in their toolkits, their purpose and strengths, and when to use each of them. These techniques will help you analyze, formalize and validate business and system requirements.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Techniques to document, analyze and redesign business processes
- How to build a logical data model to represent an organization's information requirements and business rules
- How to develop a Use Case Model, considered to be 'industry best practice' in representing functional requirements
- Fundamental business rules concepts and the interrelationships between Business Rules, Business Processes, Logical Data Models and Use Case Models
MODULE 7 (2 days): Communications Output: Planning, Writing and Presenting
Write effective, readable documents and present clear requirements and solutions by defining your objectives and your audience. Develop a communications plan to get buy-in from stakeholders.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Write clear and concise requirements
- Assemble a requirements package, complete with executive summary and a plan for how requirements will be communicated
- Present requirements to different types of audiences and ensure that the contents are understood
- Create a communication plan detailing stakeholders, the information needed by each, and forms of communication
MODULE 8 (2 days): Filling in the Gaps
Review all material and take an in-depth look at the Enterprise Analysis sections of the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Body of Knowledge (BABOK). This module equips potential candidates to sit for the IIBA Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) exam.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Review of course material mapped to the IIBA Body of Knowledge
- Enterprise analysis activities and the BA role in Enterprise Analysis
- A review of the CBAP exam process
MODULE 9 (2 days): Final Exam and Simulation Execution
The final exam consists of multiple-choice questions and covers all the course material presented in the program.
In Project Simulation, all participants in assigned teams present their completed real-world case study, applying the knowledge and skills learned throughout the modules. Each team follows the case study through the project life cycle, using critical thinking and creativity and resolving issues of communication and negotiation.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN:
- Gain insight into different approaches to the case study
- Relate concepts taught in the course to the case study
- Produce and present the deliverables needed to complete the project successfully
