All the Business Analysis Techniques & When To Use Them Explained Quick & Simple Part 1 (BABOK)

Summary

This video script offers an insightful overview of the 50 techniques used by business analysts, as listed in the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge. The presenter plans to cover all techniques in two parts, starting with the first 25. Techniques range from acceptance criteria and backlog measurement to interviews and interface analysis. The script is designed to provide a foundational understanding of each method, encouraging viewers to delve deeper into those relevant to their roles. Aimed at business analysts of all levels, the script emphasizes the importance of these techniques in driving project success and organizational efficiency.

Takeaways

• 📝 Acceptance and evaluation criteria are essential for determining if a solution feature or requirement is satisfactory.
• 📈 Backlog measurement helps a scrum team manage their backlog effectively by defining 'ready' and 'done' states.
• 🏢 The balanced scorecard is a technique used to measure an organization's health across four categories: customer satisfaction, employee growth, business process efficiency, and financials.
• 📊 Benchmarking and market analysis compare an organization's performance against industry standards to identify areas of improvement.
• 🤔 Brainstorming is a creative technique for generating ideas, either individually or in a group, with an emphasis on open exploration and judgment-free sharing.
• 📊 Business capabilities analysis compares an organization's capabilities to a standard, often visualized through categorized and color-coded boxes.
• 📑 The business case is a document that justifies the investment of time, resources, and money in a project or change, incorporating elements from the balanced scorecard.
• 🎨 The business model canvas is a visual tool that outlines what an organization does and how it creates value, similar to what Enterprise architects do.
• 📜 Business rules analysis documents the policies that guide a business's operations, informing the formulation of business processes.
• 🎲 Collaborative games are activities that help groups focus and direct their efforts towards achieving a common goal, such as affinity mapping which is both engaging and easy to participate in.

Q & A

What are acceptance and evaluation criteria in business analysis?

Acceptance criteria are requirements that must be met for a solution feature or requirement to pass, typically used for something under development. Evaluation criteria are used when comparing features of different software, often for potential acquisition.

How does backlog measurement relate to a Scrum team?

Backlog measurement is how a Scrum team manages its backlog, including the definition of ready and definition of done. It's important to research Scrum backlog best practices for more detailed understanding.

What is the purpose of a balanced scorecard in business analysis?

A balanced scorecard is used to gauge the health of an organization by measuring four categories: customer satisfaction, employee growth, business process efficiency, and financials.

What does benchmarking and market analysis involve in the context of business analysis?

Benchmarking and market analysis involve comparing an organization's performance against industry standards to ensure the right measures are being compared.

Can you explain the concept of brainstorming in business analysis?

Brainstorming is a technique for generating ideas, which can be done individually or facilitated in a group. It requires preparation, the right participants, and an environment that encourages free sharing and exploration.

What is business capabilities analysis and how does it differ from benchmarking?

Business capabilities analysis involves comparing an organization's capabilities to a standard, often depicted as organized boxes with color-coding for evaluation. It's similar to benchmarking but focuses more on internal capabilities.

What is the role of a business case in justifying a project?

A business case is a document that justifies the investment of time, resources, and money in a project. It includes items from the balanced scorecard and explains how the project will improve them.

How does a business model canvas help in understanding an organization?

A business model canvas is a standard way to show what an organization does and how it produces value, similar to what Enterprise architects do, and is useful for business analysts to understand the organization's operations.

What is the significance of business rules analysis in business processes?

Business rules analysis documents the policies a business operates under, informing how to formulate business processes. For example, a rule against selling to minors might require age validation steps in a process.

How do collaborative games assist in group decision-making?

Collaborative games are activities that help groups create focus and direction for their objectives. Affinity mapping is an example used to facilitate understanding and participation among group members.

What is the purpose of a data dictionary in business analysis?

A data dictionary serves as a glossary for all data, using complex organization structures to define terms and relationships, which helps in maintaining clarity and understanding within a system.

Why are data flow diagrams important for a business analyst?

Data flow diagrams illustrate the flow of data between applications, providing context and understanding of what teams need to work with when changes are made, which is crucial for effective business analysis.