Fundamentals of Business Systems Analysis

Introduction

The short course in the Fundamentals of Business Systems Analysis provides an overview of the key perspectives, techniques and approaches that make up modern Business Systems Analysis.  The course is suitable for junior analysts or for those considering a career in Business Systems Analysis.  The course is balanced between theory and practical exercises.

The first half of the course consists of a series of topics that introduce significant thought areas within Business Systems Analysis, and within the broader domain of software engineering.

The second half of the course focuses on several key practical exercises that will illustrate the most critical aspects that the Business Systems Analyst must consider during a software engineering project.

Part 1

Part I consists of introductory lectures on the following key thought areas within Business Systems Analysis:

  • Introduction to Business Systems Analysis
  • The Historical Context of Business Analysis
  • Business Analysis Perspectives
  • Underlying Competencies of the Business Analyst
  • Business Analysis Key Concepts
  • The SDLC and Software Process Execution Models
  • The System-Holistic View
  • Standards and Bodies of Knowledge
  • Stakeholder Relationships
  • Requirements Engineering
  • Methods, Tools and Techniques
  • Design, Modelling and Architecture
  • Data and Information
  • Process and Flow of Work
  • People and Roles
  • Technology and Enablement

Part II

Part II consists of introductions and practical exercises around the following key aspects of working as a Business Systems Analyst on a software engineering project:

  • Starting the Analysis Work on a New Project,
  • Requirement Elicitation
  • Requirement Representation
  • Requirement Management
  • Requirement Quality Assurance
  • Documentation

Part III

Part III consists of an observation on modern trends in Business Systems Analysis and a course wrap-up.

  • Modern trends
  • Course Wrap-Up

Artefacts

During the course we will produce the following artefacts:

  • Business Process Flow
  • Conceptual Workflow
  • Requirements Case
  • Use Case
  • User Story
  • Information Report
  • Context Diagram
  • Rich Picture
  • Business Rules Diagram
  • Alignment and Content

The course draws its content from several sources, including practical experience and academic research done by the course presenter, from standards such as the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge and other bodies of knowledge, and from the general literature.

Learning Outcomes

The course is designed to achieve the following learning outcomes for the student:

  • An understanding of the key domains of interest and thought areas that influence Business Systems Analysis.
  • An understanding of the key activities that the Business Systems Analyst must consider when approaching the start-up of a software engineering project.
  • An introduction to several critical artefacts that assist the Business Systems Analyst.