Objectives:
At the end of this Business Analysis training course, participants will be able to:
- Define the term business analysis and distinguish it from systems analysis
- Identify a number of approaches to business analysis
- Distinguish between business systems and IT systems and understand the relationship between these two concepts
- Analyze the external business environment and the strengths and weaknesses of an organization
- Describe and develop a ‘rich picture’ of a business situation
- Define a business perspective using the CATWOE format from soft systems
- Build a business activity model
- Apply creative thinking techniques to aid problem-solving
- Explore the gap between the current and desired business situation
- Develop end-to-end process maps
- Develop a business case, including cost/benefit, impact and risk analysis
Who should attend?
All managers, supervisors and department heads.
Course Outline:
Business analysis rationale:
- What is a business system
- The place of business analysis
- Business analysis versus systems analysis
- Approaches to business analysis
Strategic analysis in context
Understanding the organization's strengths:
- and weaknesses
- External analysis – PESTLE
- Internal analysis – Resource Audit
- Building a comprehensive SWOT analysis
A project approach to business analysis:
- Business analysis studies as projects
- Terms of reference and project initiation
- Assuring business benefit
Understanding the situation/issues:
- Types of business ‘problem’
- Rich pictures
- Defining the problem
- Review of investigation techniques
Business perspectives:
- Business perspective - introduction
- Defining the perspective – CATWOE
Analyzing and modeling the business activities:
- Modeling business activities
- Five types of business activity
- Modeling multiple perspectives
- Decomposing activities
- Validating the business activity model
- End-to-end process maps
Creative problem solving:
- Barriers to creativity
- Brainstorming
- Stimulating creative thinking
Identifying potential solutions:
- Exploring the gap between the current and desired situation
- Areas for business improvement (structure, processes, people)
- Holistic approach to business solutions
- Discussion of business change programs
Making the business case:
- Contents of a business case
- Options
- Costs and benefits
- Impacts and risks
- Payback and discounted cash flow
- Presenting the business case
Course summary and review:
- Review of concepts and approaches covered
WORKSHOP STYLE
A mixture of short presentations, interactive discussion, individual exercises and group work. The emphasis throughout is on a practical approach using case material and examples.
