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EmailApply Business Analysis to Iterative Projects
- Traditional Classroom: 2-day
- Virtual Instructor-led: Four 3-hour sessions
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, or 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, depending 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 builds upon the associated tasks and techniques introduced in its prerequisite, Core Competencies for the Business Analyst by examining the role of the business analyst (BA) in iterative projects that apply a range of process rigor.
Throughout the course practical tasks and techniques are presented to equip the BA with the skills and knowledge required to effectively perform his or her role on iterative development projects. Participants will 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. 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. To support learning back at the office, 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.
Target Audience
Individuals who will benefit from this course include:
- Business analysts with two or more years of experience and their managers
- Self-taught business analysts requiring a course that fills in skill gaps
- Systems analysts and programmers interested in expanding their roles
- Quality assurance professionals
- Project managers
Learning Objectives
- Understand 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.
- Understand the role of the BA on projects employing modern iterative methodologies.
- Perform tasks associated with the BA role in all phases of iterative projects.
- Describe iterative and agile project management principles and techniques.
- Describe how the role of the BA 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).
Key Takeaways
- Spectrum of process rigor
- Main themes of iterative projects
- Iterative life cycle phases
- Inception phase: activities and techniques
- Kickoff meeting
- Vision statement
- Problem statement
- Stakeholder perspective 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
- 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
Module 1: System Development Life Cycles
- Overview of Life Cycles
- Process Rigor
Module 2: Iterative Themes
- Main Themes of Iterative Models
- Overview of the Iterative Life Cycle
Module 3: Inception
- Overview of the Inception Phase
- Inception Phase Artifacts and Techniques
- Risk Management
- Prototyping
Module 4: Elaboration
- Overview of the Elaboration Phase
- Use Cases and Domain Models
- Iteration Planning
- Estimating Techniques
Module 5: Construction
- Overview of the Construction Phase
Module 6: Transition
- Overview of the Transition Phase
BAV117 Course Code
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