How to Plan Business Analysis Activities and Manage Risks

Planning business analysis activities is often perceived as a project manager responsibility. Indeed, what makes the business analysis activities of a project any different than any other activity? Because study after study indicate that missed or misunderstood requirements are the number one cause of project failure, paying special attention to these critical areas would seem to be a good idea.

This virtual workshop focuses on the first half of techniques recommended by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA^® in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK^®). Targeting senior business analysts, we present and apply techniques that plan how requiremetns will be approached, traced, and prioritized, identify appropriate stakeholders for the project, determine and manage risks associates with the project.

1. Introduction to Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

Planning and Monitoring Business Analysis Activities

Key Concepts in this Course

Business Analysis Planning

Monitoring Business Analysis Activities

Keys to a Successful Course

Exercise: Your priorities for this course

2. BABOK Knowledge Area 2

KA2 Plan and Monitor Business Analysis Activities

Introduction to the IIBA® Body of Knowledge

BABOK Structure: Knowledge Areas, Tasks, and Techniques

Knowledge Areas of the BABOK®

Requirements a la BABOK®

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

Business Analysis Planning & Monitoring

Key Concepts in this Knowledge Area

Business Analysis in Your World

Exercise: Requirements Risks

3. Planning the Business Analysis Approach

Finding the Right Approach

Goals of this Module

Project Management Plans

Business Analysis Approach

Inputs to Determining the Business Analysis Approach

Spectrum of Project Life Cycles

Discussion: Plan-driven or change-driven?

Timing of BA Work

Formality of BA Deliverables

Level of Detail

Requirements Prioritization

Change Management

Interaction with Stakeholders

Requirements Traceability

Exercise: Plan the Business Analysis Approach

4. Discovering and Quantifying Business Analysis Risks

Dealing with Requirements-Based Risks

Exercise: Risk Experienced

What is Risk?

Uncertainty

Impact

It’s Not Always Negative

How to Describe a Risk

You Can’t Fix Everything

Risk Assessment

Exercise: Requirements Risks

Exercise: Risk Planning

5. Planning Business Analysis Activities

Getting Down to Business Analysis Activities

Example Work Breakdown Structure

Information Gathering Activities

Example WBS with Activities

Exercise: WBS for your Deliverables

Discussion: Business Analysis Activities

Exercise: Identify WBS and Activities

Exercise: Decompose Activities

Exercise: Plan when the Activities Will Occur

Divide Up the Work

Exercise: Update the RACI

• Defend the need for planning and monitoring business analysis activities
• Distinguish between change-driven and plan-driven initiatives
• Select the best fit business analysis approach based on project and organizational parameters
• Recognize and prepare for risks related to business analysis activities
• Plan business analysis activities based on project variables

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We do not currently have a public offering of this class scheduled. To add your name to the waiting list or request alternate offers, please contact us.
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