Business Analysis & Process Design Masterclass

(BX-04)

Business Analysis has traditionally focused on improving process efficiency and effectiveness within the business functions and operational silos. Business analysis is based on a project-structured approach tp problem-solving, process/ procedural improvement and local innovatory change.

Furthermore, many of the core skills of business analysis also underpin the structured approach to end-to-end process innovation that is the driving force of Business Process Management

The Business Analysis Masterclass is Intended to Benefit

  • Recent recruits to the Business Analysis role
  • Practising business analysts seeking to structure their approach to process analysis and design
  • Leaders of the business analysis role and function, seeking a project-based structure to underpin their delivery of effective change
  • Project Managers who use/ incorporate the business analysis role within their functional responsibilities
  • Business Managers and Executives who work within a project environment, and who interface with Business Analysts and other change professionals.
  • Experienced Business Analysts who need to update or formalize their implicit understanding of their role, accountabilities and activities

Delegates will Learn How to

  • Organize business analysis using a project-structured approach
  • Define the key role of the business analyst in the
  • consensus-based requirements definition process
  • Focus the goals of an analysis project by linking diverse stakeholder requests to the underlying business issues
  • Apply basic process analysis to investigate the root causes of a business problem
  • Construct process diagrams of both current process state (AS-IS) and future state (TO-BE)
  • Bring together the business analysis and IT roles and functions to jointly deliver organisational and operational requirements

Business Analysis and Process Design Masterclass Two-day Structure

1. Introduction to the Business Analysis Masterclass

  • The What, How, Why, Who of Business Analysis
  • Business Analysis Masterclass Objectives
  • Business Analysis and Process Design - Definition, Aims and Objectives
  • Business Performance and Productivity – an Overview
  • Role of the Business Analyst
  • Organisational Options For Business Analysis
  • Business Analysis: Status in the Organisation
  • Types of Business Analysis Project
  • Business Analyst Personal Skills & Attitudes
  • Developing/ Sustaining Client-Analyst Relations
  • Business Sponsors: Involvement in Projects

2. Project Based Approach to Business Analysis, Process Design and Delivery

  • A Procedural Approach to Business Analysis Project Delivery
  • The Ten Stage Project System
  • Purpose of Each Project Stage
  • BA&PD Tools and Techniques

Stage One: Initiation/ Selection of Business Analysis Projects

  • Project Selection Criteria
  • Output of Selection/ Initiation Stage:
  • Initial Business Case: Process of “Agreement to Proceed” on a Project

Stage Two: Defining Project Terms of Reference

  • Setting Business Analysis Project “SMART” Objectives
  • Criteria for the Approval of Project Objectives
  • Terms of Reference: The Contractual Basis of Effective Projects
  • The Business Analysis Project Planning Process
  • When Timing Is Vital.... Plan Backwards!
  • Ten Characteristics Of A Good Plan
  • Essential Components of A Plan
  • Monitoring Progress - “Tasks” & “Achievements”

Stage Three: Gathering Data, Modelling Information

Data & Information Gathering

  • Building a Toolkit: Data & Information Gathering Techniques
  • Direct Observation
  • Self Recording
  • Workshops
  • Records Analysis
  • Interviewing for Project Data
  • The Approach to Questing
  • The Interview Process

Process and Procedure Modelling in Business Analysis

  • Why Charting and Modelling?
  • Benefits of Structured Charting Techniques
  • Charting/ Modelling: A Health Warning
  • Principles of Process Thinking
  • Process Modelling Definitions
  • Components of the Process Definition Approach
  • Completing the Definition Approach
  • Process Definition Checklist
  • Visualisation – the Process as a System
  • Core Charting Techniques in Overview
  • Process Flow Charts
  • Matrices – ‘X’ Charts
  • Forms Flow Charts
  • Multiple Activity Charts
  • The Idef 0 Process Modelling Approach
  • Data Flow Modelling
  • Procedure Charting
  • The Case Study: Syndicate Procedure Charting Practical Exercise

Stage Four: Examine & Analyse the Information – an Overview

  • Examine the Information - Identify the Problem
  • Strands of the Examination Process
  • Creative .v. Analytical: Process Steps
  • Flow of Discussion in Problem Solving
  • Reasons for NOT Applying A Systematic Approach to Problem Solving
  • Problem Solving - Current Practice - How can we Improve?
  • The Analytical Approach – Tools and Techniques
  • Modelling
  • Checklists
  • Force Field Analysis
  • Decision Tables
  • SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
  • Pareto Analysis: The Pareto Principle in BA
  • Problem Analysis
  • Creative Problem Solving – Tools and Techniques
  • Brainstorming: A Procedural Approach
  • Reverse Brainstorming
  • Analogies
  • Morphological Analysis
  • Attribute Listing
  • Checklists
  • Mind Mapping
  • Synectics
  • Forced Relationships
  • Heuristics
  • Critical Examination

Stage Five: Sponsors, Stakeholders and the Requirements Definition Process

  • The Sponsor and their Role
  • Characteristics of Effective Sponsor Commitment
  • Evaluating Sponsor Effectiveness
  • Stakeholders Roles, Interests & Significance
  • Determining Personal Stakes in Change
  • Identifying the Process Stakeholders
  • Sustaining Stakeholder Ownership of the Change Process
  • Understanding What the Business System Should Do
  • Assimilating Business and Systems Needs to Create Functional Requirements
  • Developing Business Process Evaluation Criteria

Stage Six: Design & Development of New Systems & Procedures

  • Development of Alternative Processes and Procedures
  • Principles, Processes and Methodology
  • Overview of the Elements of the Development Process
  • Process .v. Functional Thinking
  • Development of Alternatives: Basic Principles
  • Role of the Business Analyst in IT
  • Why Systems Fail: Hard and Soft Issues
  • Job Descriptions, Specifications & Procedure Manuals
  • Understanding the Organisation in Order to Change It
  • Characteristics of High and Low Performing Organisations
  • Reflecting Organisation Objectives
  • Techniques Used in Organisation Study
  • Design issues of Responsibility, Authority and Accountability

Stage Seven: Communication and Benefits Management in the Process Project
  • Selling Change through its Benefits
  • Benefit Management Activities and Responsibilities in Projects
  • The Stages Within Benefits Management
  • Definition and Ranking of Criteria of Evaluation
  • Non-Financial Evaluation Criteria
  • Calculation of Savings from Headcount Reductions
  • Communication Throughout the BA Lifecycle
  • The Management Summary
  • Meeting Subject & Audience Needs
  • Structure of the Oral Presentation Process

Stage Eight: Role of Work Measurement in Business Analysis

  • Work Measurement in Performance and Productivity
  • Indicators of Need for Work Measurement
  • Range of Available Techniques and Selection Criteria
  • Identification of Ineffective Time
  • Control Use of Time Standard

Stage Nine: Installation of New Systems & Procedures

  • Key Aspects of Implementation
  • Responsibility for Implementation
  • Trialling and Testing
  • Potential Problem/ Risk Analysis
  • Training for Implementation of New Procedures

Stage Ten - Monitoring Effects of Change, Maintaining New Systems & Procedures

  • Objectives and Mechanisms of Monitoring
  • Response to the Signals
  • Method, Systems and Procedure Drift
  • Responsibilities for Effective Maintenance
  • Maintenance Methods

 

3. Case Study: Syndicate Presentation of Case Study by Oral Report

  • Group Presentations
  • Assessment and Appraisal
  • What Actually Happened

4. Delivering Strategic Change: the Role of the Business Change Professional

  • The Skills of Making Business Change Happen
  • Change Professionals – where are they?
  • The Key Roles of the Change Professional
  • Overview the need and nature of professional competence
  • Business Change Professionals & their “Fit” in the Management Competency Model
  • Means of appraising competence levels
  • Business Analysis Capability Assessment Tool
  • The Advanced Professional Qualifications for Business Change Professionals
  • Qualification: Methods of Attainment
  • In Overview: the stages of the overall qualification process
  • The Certification Process
  • CPD - Continuing Professional Development for Business Change Professionals
  • Performance Management and Professional Development: An Integrated Approach

5. Course Review and Close

  • Review of Learning Objectives

Course Closure