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Business Analyst Boot Camp
Basic Training in System Requirements Analysis

BA Boot Camp teaches how to build and utilize basic models and collaboration techniques to define and document business requirements.  Participants learn the foundation skills that enable them to create, read and understand data models, process models, use case diagrams and Unified Modeling Language (UML) artifacts at an elementary level.  They also learn the basics of Joint Application Design (JAD) and how to collaborate as a member of a facilitated team.

BA Boot Camp prepares learners to participate as a team-member in the requirements definition phase of business application projects.  Participants learn the requirements gathering and analysis skills that prepare them to serve in liaison, go-between, leader or facilitator roles.  In this intensive 5-day workshop, participants will learn how to use models to build consensus on the current processes, identify the target processes, and to define and document the requirements of new or revised systems to enable those processes.

BA Boot Camp focuses on the modeling and collaborative tools and techniques needed to work with both technical and non-technical people to derive the “right” requirements for the “right” system.  The workshop teaches practical approaches for analyzing, validating, and reviewing requirements using several different modeling approaches, including data modeling, process modeling and use cases.  Participants learn how to present models expressing the content in business terms- an essential key to confirming that the models represent an accurate understanding of business requirements.

BA Boot Camp combines and integrates key topics from our specialized Modeling Principles, Principles of JAD/Facilitation and UML Literacy courses.  A comprehensive case study gives learners practical experience in applying techniques from multiple methodology disciplines to optimally define and communicate requirements.  Participants, working in JAD teams that simulate actual work experience, learn how to join forces with teammates to develop an understanding of a business situation and develop the models that surface and capture business and system requirements.

What You Will Learn

How to avoid asking for requirements

• Deriving functional requirements from business process needs

• Grouping requirements into schedulable, deliverable and testable units

• Identifying non-functional requirements in ways that aid development

How to read, understand, and create UML diagrams and models

• Understand Business Process and surface improvement ideas

• Scope a systems projects in terms of expected functionality

• Illustrate key business concepts and the information needed to support them

How to plan and organize facilitated work sessions

• Build “buy-in” and support from key stakeholders

• Quickly develop models and resolve differences

• Surface process issues and obstacles and their resolution

Who Should Attend

• Analysis and design professionals beginning their careers as Business Systems Analysts, Business Analysts or related positions

• Business area and IT professionals transitioning into liaison, go-between, leader or facilitator roles

• Technical professionals transitioning to Project Management or Team Leader roles

Seminar Outline

Introduction to Analysis

• The Problem

• Selected Solutions

• Model Based Analysis

• What is UML?

• UML for Domain Modeling

Fundamental Analysis Concepts

• Business Process

• Business Rule

• Class, Object, Attribute, Relationship

• State

Intro to Joint Application Development (JAD)

• What is JAD

• AD Roles and Responsibilities

• The JAD Process

• Integrating JAD in the Approach

Business Process Analysis

• Identifying Business Process

• Activity Identification and Description

• Diagramming the Current Business Process

• Analyzing the Business Process

• Integrating Improvements into the Process Model

Use Case Identification and Analysis

• What is a Use Case

• Use Case Modeling

• Detailing a Use Case

Business Concept Modeling (Domain Model)

• Identifying Business Concepts (Classes)

• Surfacing key Information Needs

• Analyzing Concept Relationships

Surfacing State Dependent Business Rules

• Identifying Key States and Transitions

• Building a State Transition Diagram

• Surfacing State Business Rules

User Interface Modeling

• User Interface Prototyping

• UI Flow Diagram

Summary Review of Class

• Walkthrough of the completed Case Study

• Producing Acceptance Tests from Analysis Models

• Tracing Analysis to Implementation

• Modeling Tools