Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Workbook*
PMI-PBA Exam Prep and
Business Analysis Training
Email: support@gototraining360.com
*To be used as a reference material only. Not an exact duplicate of the video lectures and may not
be in the same sequence as the lecture slides.
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ROI Calculation
• Formula: Profit/Benefit Divided by Cost of Investment
• 1. Whole Pizza Corp Investment $1,000
• 2. Sold investment (or shares) for $1,200
• 3. Profit ( above: #2 less #1) $200
What is a Stakeholder
What is a Solution
Key components of a solution can include the following
• Organizational restructuring
• Business process reenginerring (BPR)
• Business process improvement
• initiatives
• IT based business enhancements
When organizations lack in-house expertise to provide end-to-end solutions, experts (consultants)
are hired to design and develop a solution that would solve a business problem or exploit an
opportunity
What is a Stakeholder
§ In general, A person with an interest or concern in something, especially a business.
§ From a project standpoint, A stakeholder is either an individual, group or organization who is
impacted by the outcome of a project.
§ They have an interest in the success of the project, and can be within or outside the
organization that is sponsoring the project.
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10
What is a Project?
• A project is temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product or service.
• Projects are different from ongoing operations in an organization, because unlike
operations, projects have a definite beginning and an end - they have a limited duration.
11
What is a Requirement
From a project standpoint, Requirement is a condition or task that must be completed to ensure the
success or completion of the project.
They provide a clear picture of the work that needs to be done. They're meant to align
the project's resources with the objectives of the organization
Needs
vs
Features
12
Plan vs
Require-
ments vs
Tasks vs
Risk
13
Needs vs Requirements?
14
Needs Vs Features
15
16
Why Projects
Fail Because
of Poorly
Defined
Requirements
17
18
4 Types of Requirements
1. Business requirements
A capability or condition that is required in a product or service or result to satisfy a contract or other
imposed specification
2. Stakeholder requirements
These are the needs of the stakeholders that must be met in other to achieve the business
requirements
3. Solution requirements
Capabilities and qualities of a solution that meets stakeholder requirements. They provide
appropriate level of detail to allow development and implementation of solution
- Functional requirements – capabilities, including system-level capabilities, that a solution
must have
- Non-functional requirements – describe the conditions under which a solution must remain
effective or qualities that solution must have
4. Transition requirements
The capabilities that the solution must have and the conditions the solution must meet to facilitate
transition from the current state to the future state, but which are not needed once the change is
complete.
19
• Presentation skills
• Organizational skills
• Political awareness
• Technical awareness
• System thinking
20
What is PMI?
PMI is the most widely-recognized nonprofit project management organization and offers eight
certifications that recognize knowledge and competency within the profession.
Website: pmi.org
21
22
• The candidate is encouraged to acquire from PMI, or other sources e.g. Amazon /Google the
PMI Guide to Business Analysis and Business Analysis Practitioner, A Practice Guide, (both
publications are free to PMI members.)
• Also to download from pmi.org the PMI-PBA Exam Content Outline and PMI-PBA Handbook
• The instructor will be available through the Q&A forum to field questions regarding the
course and exam content outline.
• The Q&A section of the Udemy course will be the ideal Q&A forum and will be utilized to
answer questions.
23
24
25
Welcome to Domain 1
Needs Assessment
q Related Needs Assessment Knowledge and Skills (including Tools and Techniques) (Exam
Content Outline)
q Additional review materials including any terminology alignments compiled from PMI Guide
to Business Analysis
26
What is a
Needs
Assessment?
27
28
29
30 Comic Relief
• Breaking it down:
Needs:
• Describes a lack of something useful.
• “Missing capabilities” (typical in
organizations)
Assess
• To estimate the importance of
something.
THEREFORE – you are looking at
something the organization is
lacking, and figuring out its
relative value
31
32
Task 1 of 5
Define or review a business problem or opportunity using problem and opportunity analysis
techniques in order to develop a solution scope statement and/or to provide input to create a
business case
• Purpose
To develop a solution scope statement and/or to provide input to create a business case
• Highlighted Technique
Problem and Opportunity Analysis Techniques
• Output
Solution scope statement
Input to a business case
33
1. Brainstorming
Performed in a group setting and led by a facilitator to engage stakeholders to quickly identify a list of
ideas for a specific topic in a relatively short period of time.
2. Benchmarking
Comparison of practices against established standards or ”best in class” within its industry
Problem Solving and Opportunity Identification Tools and Techniques (# 26)
3. Value engineering
A systematic method to improve the “value” of goods, product or services by using examination of
function.
4. Scenario analysis
Process of analyzing possible future events by considering alternative possible outcomes (sometimes
called "alternative worlds"). Helps decision makers answer the “what if” queries.
34
Today we have too many release failures that result in too many rollback failures. If we ignore this
problem, resources will need to increase to handle the cascading problems, and we may miss critical
We will use our Kaizen Blitz methodology in evaluating the last release to help us improve our
processes. (Method)
35
36
Task 2 of 5
Collect and analyze information from a variety of sources using valuation tools and techniques to
contribute to determining the value proposition of the initiative
• Purpose
To contribute to determining the value proposition of the initiative
• Highlighted Technique
Valuation Tools and Techniques
37
Financial analysis tool used to determine the benefits provided by a project (or
portfolio component or program) against its costs.
38
39
2. Kano model
A technique to model and analyze product features by considering the features from the viewpoint of
the customer
40
41
42
43
The problem or opportunity can be broken down into either the root causes or opportunity
contributors so that a viable and appropriate solution can be recommended
44
Pareto Analysis
This is a statistical technique in decision-making used for the selection of a limited number of tasks that
produce significant overall effect.
It uses the Pareto Principle (also known as the 80/20 rule) the idea that by doing 20% of the work you
can generate 80% of the benefit of doing the entire job
45
Fishbone Diagram
A fishbone diagram, also called a cause and effect diagram or Ishikawa diagram, is a visualization tool
for categorizing the potential causes of a problem in order to identify its root causes.
A fishbone diagram is useful in brainstorming sessions to focus conversation. After the group has
brainstormed all the possible causes for a problem, the facilitator helps the group to rate the potential
causes according to their level of importance and diagram a hierarchy.
The design of the diagram looks much like a skeleton of a fish. Fishbone diagrams are typically worked
right to left, with each large "bone" of the fish branching out to include smaller bones containing more
detail
46
Relative estimation
A technique for creating estimates that are derived from performing a comparison against a similar
body of work rather than estimating based on absolute units of cost or time.
It consists of estimating tasks or user stories, not separately and in absolute units of time, but by
comparison or by grouping of items of equivalent difficulty
47
Estimation poker
Consensus based, each estimator holds a deck of Planning Poker cards with values 0, 1, 3, 5, 8, 13, 20,
40 and 100.
The values represent the number of story points, ideal days or other units on which the team
estimates.
After discussing features and other product questions, each estimator privately selects one card to
represent his/her estimate.
48
Quadrant analysis
49
T-Shirt sizes
Items are categorized into t-shirt sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL. The sizes, if needed, can be given numerical
values. Usually based on open, collaborative discussion.
50
Dependency Graphs
Shows dependent relationships
51
User Stories
A one or two sentence description written from the point of view of the actor that describes a function
that is needed. Format: As an <actor>, I want to <function>, so that I can <benefit>
52
Task 3 of 5
Collaborate in the development of project goals and objectives by providing clarification of business
needs and solution scope in order to align the product with the organization’s goals and objectives
• Purpose
Development of project goals and objectives by providing clarification of business needs and solution
scope.
• Highlighted Technique
Collaborate in the development of project goals and objectives
53
Management
• Functional Managers
• Project Sponsor
• Senior Managers
Business
• Subject Matter Experts
• Users
• Governance
• Other stakeholders
External
• Customers
• Government
Vendors
54
55
56
Task 4 of 5
Identify stakeholders by reviewing goals, objectives and requirements in order that the appropriate
parties are represented, informed and involved.
• Purpose
Identify stakeholders to ensure the appropriate parties are represented, informed and
involved.
• Highlighted Approach
57
So what is a stakeholder?
Individuals, groups or organizations that may impact, are impacted, or are perceived impacted by the
area under assessment.
The interest of the stakeholders should be taken into account throughout the business analysis process
58
59
2. Personas
An archetype user representing a set of similar end users described with their goals, motivations and
representative personal characteristics.
3. Role definitions
In business analysis, represents a defined function to be performed by a product team member, such as
research, analyze, model, specify, review or update.
60
Task 5 of 5
Determine stakeholder values regarding the product, using elicitation techniques in order to provide
a baseline for prioritizing requirements
• Purpose
• Highlighted Technique
Elicitation techniques
• Output
61
2. Interviewing techniques
Formal or informal approach to elicit information from individuals or groups of stakeholders by asking
questions and documenting responses.
. Focus groups
Brings together prequalified stakeholders and subject matter experts to learn about their expectations
and attitudes about a proposed product, service or result.
4. Observation
Views individuals in their own environment performing their jobs or tasks. It can also be done with
observer performing and experiencing the work.
5. Facilitated workshops
Structured meeting led by
a skilled or neutral facilitator and carefully selected group of stakeholders to collaborate and work
toward a stated
objective.
62
6. Prototyping
Used to obtain early feedback on a requirement by providing a model of the expected solution before
building it. Also known as PofC (proof of concept)
• Storyboarding
Shows sequence or navigation through a series of images or illustrations.
• Wireframes
Diagrams that represent a static blueprint or schematic of a user interface to identify basic functionality
7. Evolutionary
A prototype that is the actual finished solution in process
8. Document analysis
Analyze existing documentation to identify relevant product information.
9. Research
Elicit useful information from relevant sources in a timely and effective manner
63
2. The key Knowledge And Skills (Tools and Techniques) used in Needs Assessment are:
•Problem and Opportunity Identification,
•Stakeholder Analysis,
•Valuation Tools and Technique
•Elicitation Tools and Techniques
64
Tips
•Businesses have multiple needs and often must prioritize recommended solutions or options based
on different reasons.
The cost-benefit of a proposed solution and the relative urgency of the need (e.g. the company
cannot afford the rate it is losing customers) or a proposed solution is a “must do” to comply with
government regulation) are prime factors that affect prioritization.
It is important to take the time to investigate the reasons for the need to properly recommend viable
solutions
65
Terminology Alignment
1.The PMI Guide to Business Analysis (Guide) introduced the following:
Knowledge Areas roughly equivalent to the domains in the Exam Content Outline (ECO)
• As in the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), the Guide introduces the business
analysis process groups and under each process groups are tasks similar to the domain tasks in
ECO.
• Inputs, Tools and Techniques and Output for each of the steps (or tasks) in the the knowledge
areas.
• There are 7 steps (tasks) in Needs Assessment Knowledge Area.
For Inputs, the following are new or the terminologies used in the ECO are not exactly aligned with
the Guide
• Enterprise environment factors (EEFs) . Both external and internal.
• Enterprise and business architecture
• Organizational goals and objectives
66
Practice Questions
Note: PMI-PBA exam questions are multiple choice and situation-based. The test-taker is presented
with realistic, hypothetical scenarios and ask the individual to identify the most appropriate response
or to rank the responses in the order they feel is most effective
. Which of the following statements is the best example of a business problem statement
a. We need to speed up the query search time in the database
b. To increase productivity in the Help Desk, we need to speed up the query search time in the
problem database
c. Speeding up the problem data search time will save the company about $250,000 a year and
prevent increases in staff
d. Help Desk staff wait an average of 40 seconds per query, resulting in an average of 15% longer
calls than the industry average.
2. Which of the following role is responsible for identifying problems or opportunities while
assessing business need
a. Product Manager
b. Project Manager
c. Business Analyst
d. None of the above
3. The BA is using Focus Groups, Interview Techniques, Facilitated Workshops. What is he trying to
do:
a. Create the Requirements Management Plan
b. Develop the WBS
c. Collect Requirements
d. Facilitate Requirements
4. Your sponsor has requested an estimate of the cost it would take to complete a new software
system. You are unsure of the value of the new system to the organization. To explain your concerns,
you should:
a. Draft a solution scope and business case
b. Document the requirements, assumptions and constraints
c. Develop a business analysis plan showing the time required to elicit requirements
d. Determine viable future state solution
5. Your customer has several ideas about how to solve a problem. He has asked you to recommend a
solution. After reviewing each idea, you found 3 feasible options. What should you do next?
a. Recommend the option with longest life expectancy
b. Tell your customer your choice, but let him make the final decision
c. Develop a ranking system to assess how well each option meets the business need.
d. Recommend the option with least cost and shortest time to complete
67
Student Assignment
68
Welcome to Domain 2
69
Overview
The Planning domain focuses on the preparation required to effectively manage the business
analysis activities that will occur within the project.
This includes establishing tools, policies and procedures for:
• Requirements management plan
• Requirements traceability
• Change management
• Document control
• Acceptance criteria (agreement with stakeholders)
Note: this domain sets the stage for the work of the remaining 3 domains of Analysis, Traceability
and Monitoring and Evaluation
70
Task 1 of 6
Review the business case and the project goals and objectives, in order to provide context for business
analysis activities
• Review business case and project goals and objectives
• Task Purpose: Provide context for business analysis activities
71
Task 2 of 6
Define strategy for requirements traceability tools and techniques in order to establish the level of
traceability necessary to monitor and validate the requirements.
• Task Purpose
To establish the level of traceability necessary to monitor and validate requirements.
• Highlighted Techniques / Approach
q Types of traceability decisions the business analyst should consider:
q Type of requirements to be traced
q Level of detail to trace to
q Relationships that will be established and maintained
q Requirements attributes to be tracked
q Requirement state that drives the requirement life cycle (e.g. approve, defer, reject,
etc.)
q Tools used to perform the traceability
q Process decisions regarding how traceability will be established and maintained.
q Output – Strategy for Requirements Traceability Tools and Techniques
72
What is a requirement?
A condition or capability needed by a stakeholder to solve a problem or achieve an objective.
A condition or capability that must be met or possessed by a solution or solution component to satisfy
a contract, standard, specification, or other formally imposed documents.
In software, a requirement explains a feature that is to be met by a product or a software component.
73
Solution Requirements
describe the characteristics of a solution that meet both the business and stakeholder requirements.
Solution Requirements are functional and qualitative. Therefore they describe behavior and
environmental conditions that a business solution must have to remain effective.
• Functional Requirements
defines a function of a system or its component. A function is described as a set of inputs, the
behavior, and outputs. ... This should be contrasted with …
• Non-functional requirements
which specify overall characteristics such as cost and reliability.
74
• Project requirements
Focus on aspects of project execution
• Quality requirements
Acceptability of an attribute based on quality of result
75
• Feature model
Shows the 1st, 2nd and 3rd level of features involved in a project
76
77
5. Traceability structure
Which requirement attributes will be captured on the traceability matrix
78
• Acceptance Criteria
Condition that need to be met before a solution is accepted
• Given-when-then formula
The Given-When-Then formula is a template intended to guide the writing of acceptance tests
for a User Story:
• (Given) some context.
• (When) some action is carried out.
• (Then) a particular set of observable consequences should obtain.
79
Task 3 of 6
Develop requirements management plan by identifying stakeholders, roles and responsibilities,
communication protocols, and methods for eliciting, analyzing, documenting, managing, and
approving requirements in order to establish a roadmap for delivering the expected solution.
80
81
A formal project evaluation is useful during the end of a phase as it can give you a clear indication of
how the project is performing against the original estimates.
Information is then used to grant (or withhold) approval from moving on with the next chunk of work.
226
82
Stand up meetings
The meetings are usually timeboxed to between 5 and 15 minutes, and take place with
participants standing up to remind people to keep the meeting short and to-the-point.
Mind maps
is a diagram used to visually organize information. A mind map is hierarchical and shows relationships
among pieces of the whole.
A mind map is an easy way to brainstorm thoughts organically without worrying about order and
structure. It allows you to visually structure your ideas to help with analysis and recall.
A mind map can turn a long list of monotonous information into a colorful, memorable and highly
organized diagram that works in line with your brain's natural way of doing things
A mind map can be used as a simplified content management system (CMS). It allows you to store all
your data in a centralized location to stay organized. With the various mind mapping software
programs out today, you can attach files to different branches for even more flexibility. You can also
change to various different views in order to find one that suits you best.
83
Brown Paper Sessions are a common way for many people to contribute to the future strategy of their
business. They are intended to examine a process that exists, document it to an appropriate level of
detail and allow everyone to see the Big Picture providing the momentum for improvement.
The process typically involves lining the walls of a large room in brown paper (or any other paper type -
as long as it is large), then capturing content by sticking notes to the paper which record peoples
contribution based on their area of expertise.
84
Process simulation
A simulation is an imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system. The act of simulating
something first requires that a model be developed; this model represents the key characteristics,
behaviors and functions of the selected physical or abstract system or process.
The model represents the system itself, whereas the simulation represents the operation of the system
over time.
Games - especially when they serve a valuable purpose. is now formally recognized as a common tool
amongst Business Analysis professionals.
This technique includes playing structured games, generally directed by a facilitator, who helps a team
to achieve a goal by encouraging participation and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders.
Benefit
By engaging people in a more tactile and visual way, with a structured set of rules, people are able to
open up and be creative.
They can also help reveal hidden assumptions, encourage normally reserved people to participate
more, and may expose business needs that aren’t being met.
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Role Playing
happens when two or more people act out roles in a particular scenario. It's most useful for helping
you prepare for unfamiliar or difficult situations.
You can also use it to spark brainstorming sessions, improve communication between team members,
and see problems or situations from different perspectives.
To role-play:
• Identify the situation.
• Add details.
• Assign roles.
• Act out the scenario.
• Discuss what you have learned.
Demo
a demonstration of a product or technique. It is a proof or example of something.
A method demonstration is a teaching method used to communicate an idea with the aid of visuals
such as flip charts, posters, power point, etc
In agile software development, a product demonstration (or "demo" for short) is a promotion where
a feature or a set of features of a produce being developed is demonstrated to stakeholders. The goal
of such a demo is to obtain rapid feedback from the stakeholders.
85
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Task 4 of 6
Select methods for requirements change control by identifying channels for communicating requests
and processes for managing changes in order establish standard protocols for incorporation into the
change
• Select method for requirements change control by identifying channels for communicating:
• Requests, and
• Processes for managing changes
• Task Purpose
Establish standard protocols for incorporation into the change management plan
• Highlighted Technique / Approach
Change Control Tools and Techniques
88
Change control tools and techniques (#8) / Also Change Management Plan in PMBOK Guide
• Expert judgment (e.g. consultants, stakeholders, including customers and sponsors,
professional and technical associations, SMEs, PMO
• Meetings – Change control/ Change Control Board
• Role and responsibilities of CCB clearly defined
• Decisions of the CCB documented and communicated to stakeholders
• Cost of Implementing Change – impact to cost and schedule
• Integrated Change Control – includes process approve change requests
•
• Change log – document changes to
the requirements that occur during the
project
• Change control tools selection based on
needs of stakeholders
89
Task 5 of 6
Select methods for document control by using documentation management tools and techniques in
order to establish a standard for requirements traceability and versioning
• Task Purpose
89
This type of tool enables project team members and business stakeholders to
• reference source material for requirements on demand,
• promoting a diversified review of the resulting project work.
90
Task 6 of 6
Define business metrics and acceptance criteria by collaborating with stakeholders for use in
evaluating when the solution meets requirements
• Define
• Business metrics
• Acceptance criteria
By collaborating with stakeholders, for use in evaluating when the solution meets the requirements
• Task Purpose
Define business metrics and acceptance criteria for use in evaluating when the solution meets
the requirements
1. Collaboration tools and techniques (#5) – we will go ahead and cover shortly collaboration
tools and techniques in this task 6 lecture.
2. Validation tools and techniques on acceptance criteria (#37) – previously covered
3. KPIs and Business metrics (#20)
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PLANNING : this domain is about the BA preparing the business analysis activities that happens in
the project
YOU THE BA need to plan or establish the :
1. Tools, policies and procedures for RMP (Task 3)
2. Requirements traceability (RTM) (Task 2)
So when do you need to start preparing for the business analysis activities?
93
So when do you need to start preparing for the business analysis activities?
The answer is as soon as you are assigned as a business analyst to a project.
During planning, and supplement the BA business analysis activities preparation, the BA must address
and have clarity on the following:
ü Type of elicitation activities will be conducted – workshops,
interviews, focus groups or?
ü How to communicate requirements to stakeholders?
ü Roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders participating
in the requirement activities?
ü Analysis models to produce and document – diagrams,
use case specifications etc?
ü How to prioritize, approve, monitor and maintain requirements?
ü How will requirements be validated and verified?
ü How the acceptance criteria will be determined for the requirements and solution
validation?
94
95
For the PMI-PBA exam, the questions from this domain that you should be prepared for will include
stakeholder analysis, interviewing, document analysis along with the traditional PM planning tools such
as work breakdown structure (WBS) and estimating.
The BA works closely with the PM in the development of the business analysis plan. The PM, when
doing the dual role of PM and BA (i.e. no separate BA), also has to prepare the business analysis plans
along with other project management plans. Thus the presence of a BA is music to the ears of the PM
96
1. A major stakeholder is requesting a change in the requirements, what’s the first thing the BA
should do?
o Inspect the impact of the change to the requirements baseline
o Agree and make the change as its looks like an easy fix
o Request the change to go through the change control board
o Ask the sponsor to make a decision
2. Within business analysis, planning consists of the activities that are performed in order to ensure
that the optimal business analysis approach is selected for the project . Which of the following
statement is true with respect to the same. (#348)
o Stakeholders are thoroughly identified and analyzed
o Business analysis activities and deliverables are defined and agreed to
o The process of proposing changes to requirements is defined and understood
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o All of the above
3. During planning, this stakeholder will be able to provide information about acceptance criteria
and provide names of the stakeholders who will be involved in providing and approving
requirements. Which stakeholder is responsible for the previous statement (#319)
o Product owner
o Business SME
o End user
o Project Manager
4. Which of the below are classification models used for stakeholder analysis (#440)
o Power / interest grid
o Power / influence grid
o Influence / impact grid
o All of the above
5. Which of the below should be captured in a stakeholder management plan (#443)
o Power and interest of stakeholder
o Current attitude of stakeholder
o Support desired from stakeholder
o All of the above
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6. You the BA is working on identifying the stakeholders. Why is it important to you to identify the
stakeholders?
o So that the stakeholder knows who you are
o So you know who to bill for the work
o So that you know who to report to
o So that it helps you with ensuring that the stakeholder receives timely delivery of requirements
and deliverables
7. The BA is using Oral and Written words which are highly structured, what type of communication
tool is the BA using?
o Open ended communications
o Verbal communications
o Non verbal communication
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All planning decisions should be documented in a clear and easily understood manner so that
stakeholders know what to expect when business analysis activities begin and can review and approve
it in a straightforward manner.
When the
• business analysis deliverables,
• tasks and activities,
• timing,
• dependencies and
• required resources
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for completing the work are known, the BA ideally should prepare business analysis work plan.
99
100
Welcome to Domain 3 –
101
Task 1 of 8
Elicit or identify requirement, using individual and group elicitation techniques in order to discover and
capture requirements with supporting details (e.g. origin and rationale)
Task Purpose
To discover and capture requirements with supporting details (e.g. origin and rationale)
Highlighted Technique / Approach
Elicitation tools and techniques, for example:
• brainstorming,
• focus groups,
• interviewing techniques,
• workshop
• facilitations,
• observations,
• document analysis,
• research,
• surveys, and Questionnaires
101
Task 2 or 8
Analyze, decompose and elaborate requirements using techniques such as dependency analysis,
interface analysis, and data and process modeling in order to collaboratively uncover and clarify
product options and capabilities.
Task Purpose
To uncover and clarify product options and capabilities
Highlighted Technique / Approach
• Dependency analysis
• Interface analysis
• Data and process modeling
Other Analytic tools and techniques
• Decomposition
• Progressive elaboration
• Gap analysis
• Impact analysis
• Risk analysis
• Assessment (covered thoroughly in
needs assessment)
101
102
Decomposition
The technique of dividing and subdividing a high-level concept into lower level concepts.
It is typically used during the requirements analysis phase of a project to break either an organizational
unit or the solution scope into its component parts. Each resulting part may have its own set of
requirements.
This is very similar to building a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) for a project where you break down
or decompose the project scope into phases, work packages and deliverable
103
104
105
The key benefit of this process are that it supports proactive management of uncertainties in business
analysis activities and proactively addresses areas of potential strengths or weakness in the product.
106
Task 3 of 8
Evaluate product options and capabilities by using decision-making and valuation techniques in order
to determine which requirements are accepted, deferred or rejected
Task Purpose
Determine which requirements are accepted, deferred or rejected
Highlighted Technique / Approach
• Decision-making and valuation
techniques (Covered in Domain 1)
• Assessment
107
108
109
Multi-voting
A method also called dot voting because it can be performed by providing stakeholders with a
prescribed number of colored dots and allow them to vote by placing their dots on the requirements
they feel are the most important.
All votes are aggregated and requirements are ranked by the number of dots/votes received
110
Option Analysis
Refers to the practice of evaluating every possible pathway that leads to a desired outcome.
Options analysis is an important aspect of project management because it helps leaders ensure they
have considered all possible routes before choosing the best fit for their project.
For example, in an effort to increase value, legislators in the US Congress approved a program that
would provide incentive money for healthcare facilities to eliminate paper medical records and replace
them with an electronic health record (EHR).
If a provider adopted the electronic health record, they received the incentive; if they failed to do so,
their Medicare reimbursements would be subject to a 1% penalty. So it is like feast or famine – you
adopt you get the incentive, you refuse, you get penalized.
SWOT Analysis
A technique for analyzing the strengths (S) and Weaknesses(W) of an organization, project or option
and the opportunities (O) and threats (T) that exist externally
It is a widely used tool to help understand high-level views surrounding a business need
It can be used to create a structured framework for breaking down a situation into its root causes or
contributors
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• MoSCoW – Must have, Should have, Could have, Would like to have in the future
• Monopoly Money – ask customers to give out (fake) money to individual business features to
compare relative priority
• Dot voting / Multi-voting – everyone is given a limited number of dots (~20% of the number of
all options) to vote on the options
• Kano analysis – plot the features on a graph axis as Need Fulfilled, Not Fulfilled vs Satisfied,
Satisfied. Each feature will then be classified as “exciters, satisfiers, dissastifiers, indifferent.”
Exciters have the highest value.
• Wideband Delphi and Planning Poker
• This is another one inspired from Toyota’s lean manufacturing techniques
• Principles of Systems Thinking
• Allows you to see the “whole” rather that the “pieces”
• In Agile, you see the business as a large ecosystem and development process as one
component
• Binary Thinking is the opposite of Systems Thinking
• Binary thinkers see Agile values as “black & white” absolute terms.
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Task 4 of 8
Allocate accepted or deferred requirements by balancing scope schedule, budget and resource
constraints with the value proposition using prioritization, dependency analysis, and decision-making
tools and techniques in order to create a requirement baseline
Task Purpose
Create a requirement baseline
Highlighted Technique / Approach
• Decision-making and valuation techniques
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Task 5 of 8
Obtain sign-off on requirements baseline using decision-making techniques in order to facilitate
stakeholder consensus and achieve stakeholder approval
Task Purpose
Facilitate stakeholder consensus and
achieve stakeholder approval
Highlighted Technique /
Approach
Decision-making tools and
techniques
• Delphi
• Multi-voting
• Consensus building
• Option analysis
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Task 6 of 8
Write requirements specifications using process (such as use cases, user stories) data, and interface
details in order to communicate requirements that are measurable and actionable (i.e. suitable for
development)
Task Purpose
Communicate requirements that are measurable
and actionable
Highlighted Technique / Approach
• Process analysis tools and techniques
• User stories
• Use cases
• Data and Process model
• Data flow diagrams
• Dependency graphs
• Interfaces
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Task 7 of 8
Validate requirements using tools and techniques such as documentation review, prototypes, demos,
and other validation methods in order to ensure requirements are complete, accurate and aligned with
goals, objectives and value proposition.
Task Purpose
Ensure requirements are complete, accurate and aligned with goals, objectives and value proposition
Highlighted Technique / Approach
Validation tools and techniques
• Documentation review
• Prototypes
• Demos
• Acceptance criteria
• Given-when-then
• User acceptance testing
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Task 8 of 8
Elaborate and specify detailed metrics and acceptance criteria using measurement tools and
techniques for use in evaluating whether the solution meets the requirements.
Task Purpose
Evaluate whether the solution
meets the requirements
Technique / Approach
• Measurement tools and
techniques - acceptance
criteria, metrics
Great
Progress!
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The actual needs of the customer are found through the magic of elicitation and analysis.
As a BA, these are your two key tasks in this domain. Not to marginalize the other tasks of course.
Properly eliciting those needs through the use of elicitation techniques, documenting them and
analyzing will go a long way and cannot be over emphasized.
Tip :
We covered a lot of tools and techniques.
It is best to go over them again at least once.
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Knowledge and Skills (Tools and Techniques) Applicable to ALL (5) Domains
Needs Assessment, Planning, Analysis, Traceability and Monitoring and Evaluation
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This domain includes the activities related to managing the life cycle of requirements. The tasks
within this domain comprise the
• continuous monitoring and
• documenting of
requirements as well
as the communication
of the requirements
status
to the stakeholders.
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Task 1 of 5
Track requirements using a traceability artifact or tools, capturing requirements’ status, sources and
relationships (including dependencies), in order to provide evidence that the requirements are
delivered as stated.
Purpose
• Capture requirements’ status
• Sources
• Relationships (including dependencies)
To provide evidence requirements are delivered as stated
Highlighted Technique
• Requirements traceability tools and techniques (covered in Domain 2)
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Task 2 of
Monitor requirements throughout their lifecycles using a traceability artifact or tool in order to ensure
the appropriate supporting requirements artifacts (such as models, documentation, and test cases) are
produced, reviewed and approved at each point in the lifecycle.
Highlighted Technique
• Requirements traceability tools and techniques
Purpose
• Ensure appropriate supporting requirements
artifacts (models, documentation, test cases)
are:
ü Produced
ü Reviewed
ü Approved
At each point in the lifecycle
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Task 3 of 5
Update requirement’s status as it moves through its lifecycle states by communicating with
appropriate stakeholders and recording changes in the traceability artifact or tool in order to track
requirements towards closure.
Highlighted Technique
• Communication tools and techniques
• Requirements traceability tools and techniques
Purpose
• Track requirements towards closure
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Task 4 of 5
Communicate requirements status to project managers and other stakeholders using communication
methods in order to keep them informed of requirements issues, conflicts, changes, risks, and overall
status.
Highlighted Technique
• Communication tools and techniques
• Requirements traceability tools and techniques
Purpose
• Keep the PM and stakeholders informed of
requirements issues, conflicts, changes, risks and
overall status
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Task 5 of 5
Communicate requirements status to project managers and other stakeholders using communication
methods in order to keep them informed of requirements issues, conflicts, changes, risks, and overall
status.
Highlighted Technique
• Communication tools and techniques
• Requirements traceability tools and techniques
Purpose
• Keep the PM and stakeholders informed of
requirements issues, conflicts, changes, risks and
overall status
• This is the end of the lecture on Tasks 1 thru 5 of 5 – Traceability and Monitoring
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Evaluation
Domain V Solution Evaluation – 4 Tasks
10%, 20 Questions (+/-)
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Overview
Overview
This domain includes activities that relate to the assessment of how well the delivered solution
fulfills the requirements and meets the business need.
The tasks in this domain include:
• Testing the solution
• Determining if there are gaps
• Obtaining sign-off
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Task 1 of 4
Obtain stakeholder sign-off on the developed solution using decision-making techniques in order to
proceed with deployment
Highlighted Technique
Purpose
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Task 2 of 4
Analyze and communicate the solution’s identified gaps and deltas using quality assurance tools and
methods in order to enable stakeholders to resolve discrepancies between solution scope,
requirements and developed solution.
Highlighted Technique
Purpose
ü Solution scope
ü Requirements , and
ü Developed solution
• Quality Control – the process of determining whether or not a delivered product meets
or exceeds acceptance criteria.
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• Cost of Quality
the cost associated with providing poor quality products and services
• Control Charts
A graph used to study how a process changes over time. Data are plotted in time order. It has a central
line for the average, an upper line for the upper control limit and a lower line for the lower control
limit.
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Benchmarking (covered)
Flowcharting
Shows the steps as boxes of various kinds, and their order by connecting the boxes with arrow. It
illustrates a solution model to a given problem
Cause and effect diagrams (covered)
Pareto chart (covered)
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Scatter diagram
A graph in which the values of two variables are plotted along two axis, the pattern of the resulting
points revealing any correlation present.
The scatter diagram gives a visual understanding about the relationship between (or among) variables
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Task 3 of 4
Obtain stakeholder sign-off on the developed solution using decision-making techniques in order to
proceed with deployment
Highlighted Technique
Purpose
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Task 4 of 4
Evaluate the deployed solutions using valuation techniques in order to determine how well the
solution meets the business case and value proposition.
Highlighted Technique
Purpose
• To determine how well the solution meets the business case and value proposition.
Solution Evaluation
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Solution Evaluation
Solution evaluation includes the processes to validate
• a full solution or
• a segment of a solution that is about to be or has already been implemented.
Evaluation determines how well a solution
• meets the business needs of the stakeholders,
• delivers value to the customer.
Processes:
• Evaluate solution performance
• Determine solution evaluation approach
• Evaluate acceptance results and address
defects
• Obtain solution acceptance for release
Solution Evaluation
Early and Often
Evaluating a solution or a segment should be done – early and often.
The evaluation results provide:
• comparison between the planned and actual values,
• facilitates go/ no go decision and
• may lead to solution refinement or new solutions.
The BA should plan for what needs to be evaluated and how it will be performed.
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For example - let’s say you have to implement a new warehousing solution that needs to reduce the
time it takes to accommodate goods from trucks, into different storage locations to their final
destination.
Elapsed time may be sufficient evaluation metric, but what if you need another metric: a further
breakdown of the time spent in each location?
In this case you need to plan what additional data must be captured and include this as requirement in
the scope early enough, so it is incorporated on time (as opposed to re-doing part of the code to
include this functionality at a later
Solution Evaluation
Testing defects (problems or gaps)
The BA should be prepared to resolve testing defects. There will always be defects – this is a given.
How many defects will largely depend on how well the team has
• Planned
• Elicited
• Analyzed and
• Managed the requirements
Test Plans
The BA/team should ensure the test plans satisfy the acceptance criteria.
In case of problems or gaps, the BA/team should decide on the best corrective action or, if
unavoidable due to timing constraints, a work around.
Post implementation evaluation
Especially after a warranty has expired or after it has been rolled out to users for a little while, the
solution must be evaluated to see if it continues to provide the value it was intended to deliver.
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6. 1 Analytical Skills
Creative thinking - Ability to resolve a problem or set of problems by exploring multiple and different
solutions to arrive an improved result.
Conceptual and detailed thinking - Is the ability to move between high-level and detailed thinking, for
example analyzing holistically and then analyzing a specific detail of a whole
Decision making - Ability to weigh the benefits and drawbacks associated with a set of options and
articulate, choose an option and articulate the rationale for the choice.
Design thinking - An approach that uses solution-based thinking as its focus rather than problem-based
thinking. Teams determine an end goal to achieve, rather that a problem to solve.
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7. Systems Thinking
It is the ability to analyze information from both a holistic and detailed viewpoint.
Applying systems thinking at the organizational level requires skills to recognize and analyze the
organization as a system made up of component parts in the form of people, processes, and tools.
Recognizing the organization by the
1. components and
2. the relationships between them
is necessary to ensure proposed organizational changes are analyzed to understand how a change to
one component can impact related items.
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Professional writing, and
Relationship building
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This is a plan devised for an outcome other than in the usual (expected) plan.
It is often used for risk management for an exceptional risk that, though unlikely, would have
catastrophic consequences.
The purpose is to allow an organization to return to is daily operations as quickly as possible after an
unforeseen event.
It protects resources, minimizes customer inconvenience and identifies key staff, assigning specific
responsibilities in the context of the recovery.
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BA Competencies
• Analytical skills
• Expert Judgment
• Communication skills
• Personal skills
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o Adaptability
o Ethics
o Learning
o Multitasking
o Objectivity
o Self-awareness
o Time management
o Work ethic
o Leadership skills
o Tool knowledge
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Terminology Alignment
The PMI-PBA certification exam was recently updated to harmonize with terminology in the the PMI
Guide to Business Analysis (Guide).
Released in December 2017, the guide is a foundational standard or practice guide that is used as a
reference for the exam.
Note: the current PMI-PBA exam content outline (ECO), per PMI, will remain unchanged at this time.
Process-based Guide
This is a process-based standard, aligned with A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge
(PMBOK Guide) 6h Edition.
Business Analysis for Practitioners – A Practice Guide.
PMI recommends use of this Practice Guide in conjunction with the PMI Guide to Business Analysis to
receive the most value.
What vs How To
Where the guide describes the “what”, the practice guide describes the “how to”.
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End of lecture on
Terminology Alignment
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4. During your 1st week of review devote 2 2-hour review sessions a day to bone up on the concepts,
principles and techniques
4.1 Research in cognitive psychology has shown that studying for shorter periods across several days
promotes learning and test performance.
4.2 Continue this onto the 2nd week (and so on) until you get into a consistent pattern or habit.
4.3 The key is disciplined consistency and repetition.
5. Know how to study for the PMI-PBA exam.
5.1 Studying is more than just reading the references materials we enumerated for you.
5.2. It is important that you understand what type of a “learner” you are.
5.3 And It takes dedication and perseverance.
5.4 For example – do you learn best through reading (books, online), visually (graphics, video), listening
(podcasts, books on CD?) or a combination of all three.
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5. Whatever style of learning works best for you, there are lots of resources online tailored to your
learning styles. Check them out first before subscribing.
6. Baselining your knowledge on business analysis against the Guide and the Practice Guide is the 1st
step to develop a study/preparation plan.
6.1 Know your strengths and weaknesses. Taking and retaking the assessment quizzes and the final
exam will help you determine your baseline knowledge.
7. Prepare a PMI-PBA exam schedule
7.1 What can be measured, can be managed
7.2 That which is scheduled, gets done
7.3 Make studying a priority and stick to it.
7.4 Treat studying for PMI-PBA like a project – plan the work, and work the plan
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7.5 This means developing meaningful milestones and realistic schedule to implement your study plan.
7.6 Identify what you will study, when and for how long
7.7 Be aware that you study schedule, like any other project, can be affected by unforeseen events
that will require to manage the change, revise your schedule and move on.
7.8 Many candidates for PMI-PBA exam find creative ways to uncover “extra time” in their days to
prepare for the exam. Listening to Podcasts or video lecture over the internet during your work
commute and during lunch periods.
7.9 Be honest with yourself about your ability to maintain the schedule and close the knowledge gap.
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Identify
skills/knowledge
gaps and plug
them!
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Hope this has been helpful as you prepare for the PMI-PBA exam.
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