Course description

Selecting the appropriate methodology for a project is a crucial decision that will determine the structure of the team and the underlying assumptions for planning, estimating and conducting the work. Development life cycles fall within a range from sequential (such as waterfall) to iterative. Iterative development projects concentrate work in short cycles, called iterations, during which a functioning product is produced. If changes in the requirements arise, they are reviewed by the team, and high priority changes are implemented in a subsequent iteration.

Projects also apply a degree of process rigor, ranging from disciplined to agile. The level of process rigor, or agility, is adjusted based on many factors including how quickly the product must be delivered, the structure and characteristics of the organization and project team, and the amount of technical documentation necessary.

This course examines the role of the business analyst (BA) in iterative projects that apply a range of process rigor, from disciplined to agile. Practical tasks and techniques are presented to equip the BA with the skills and knowledge required to perform the BA role effectively on iterative development projects. Students learn to identify and analyze stakeholder perspectives, write problem statements, assess risks, develop and prioritize use cases, estimate and plan iterations, accommodate and assess change, and develop story-based tests. Students also explore the characteristics and applicability of many current iterative and agile methodologies in use today.

Key characteristics that differentiate this course from others include:

Mapping to the IIBA Body of Knowledge

Corporate Education Group (CEG) is designated by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) as a Charter Endorsed Education Provider. As the activities and techniques of iterative projects are explored in this course, they are compared (when applicable) to the corresponding coverage of the activities and techniques within the Knowledge Areas of IIBA’s current Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK).

Experiential Training

Two case studies are integrated into the course to allow participants to view demonstrations of work products and techniques and then apply learned skills within a consistent context. Much of the class time is devoted to exercises in which participants can practice the skills being taught.

Experience

The course is written and delivered by professionals with extensive experience in business analysis.

Applied Focus

The Participant Guide includes dozens of job aids that are referenced throughout the course and available to the participant after training; these include work product templates and samples, as well as checklists for processes and best practices.

Who should attend

The course is intended to serve several audiences and meet a variety of needs. The material in the course is directed at both the novice looking to enter the field and the self-taught veteran looking to fill gaps in his or her skills or knowledge.

The course assumes preliminary knowledge of use cases and workflow models; supplemental information is provided via Participant Guide appendices for those who lack this prerequisite knowledge. BA111: Core Competencies for the Business Analyst may also be taken as a prerequisite to provide this foundational knowledge.

Individuals who perform business analysis in organizations are known by various titles including business analyst, systems analyst, business/systems analyst, functional analyst, project manager, and tester. Individuals who will benefit from this course include:

• Entry-level business analysts and their managers
• Self-taught business analysts requiring a course that fills in the gaps and puts all the pieces together
• Systems analysts and programmers interested in expanding their roles into the business area
• Project managers

What you will achieve

• Describe the nature of iterative life cycle models.
• Distinguish between project management life cycle and systems development life cycle.
• Assess a project environment and determine the degree of rigor to which business analysis techniques are applied.
• Describe the role of the business analyst on projects employing modern iterative methodologies.
• Perform tasks associated with the business analyst role in all phases of iterative projects.
• Describe how risk management processes are performed throughout the phases of iterative projects.
• Describe iterative and agile project management principles and techniques.
• Describe how the role of the business analyst in iterative projects aligns with the Knowledge Areas of the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK).
• Compare and contrast the characteristics and applicability of current iterative and agile models including Unified Process, Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF), eXtreme Programming (XP), Scrum, Crystal, and Dynamic Solutions Delivery Model (DSDM).

What you will learn

• Spectrum of process rigor
• Main themes of iterative models
• Iterative life cycle phases
• Inception phase: activities and techniques
• Kickoff meeting
• Vision statement
• Problem statement
• Stakeholder perspectives table
• Business use case analysis and prioritization
• Risk log
• Prototyping
• Elaboration phase: activities and techniques
• Iterative elaboration
• Iteration plan
• Use case model
• Domain model
• Sizing and estimating
• Release points
• Baselining requirements
• Construction phase: activities and techniques
• Change management
• Continuous risk assessment
• Test cases
• Transition phase: activities and techniques
• Lessons learned
• Spiral model
• Unified Process (UP)
• Microsoft Solutions Framework (MSF)
• Scrum
• Extreme Programming (XP)
• Crystal
• Dynamic Solutions Delivery Model (DSDM)

Course Outline

Day One

• Software Development Life Cycles
• Process Rigor
• Iterative Themes
• Iterative Life Cycle Phases
• Inception Phase: Activities and Techniques
  • Problem Statement
  • Stakeholder Perspectives Table
  • Prioritized Use Cases
  • Prototyping
  • Risk Management

Day Two

• Elaboration Phase: Activities and Techniques
  • Use Cases
  • Domain Models
  • Workflow Models
  • Iteration Planning
• Construction Phase: Activities and Techniques
• Transition Phase: Activities and Techniques
• Current Iterative and Agile Methodologies