Business Analysis Proficiency

Take this business analysis assessment to your next retrospect. Using the list of analysis skills in our worksheet, have your team members rank themselves on a scale of 1-5. Once everyone is done, tally the score for each category and if you find that you have gaps: discuss how to address those gaps as a […]
Process Flow Chart Symbols
There are many types of diagrams that can be used to show workflow. Commonly used examples include: ANSI (American National Standards Institute) Standard Flow Charts: traditional, well-established diagramming technique that can show all business processes Swim Lane/Functional Flow Charts: a more structured flow chart that focuses on interactions between organizational units UML Activity Diagram: based […]
Risk Response and Planning

It’s important to identify potential project and business risks. But the work doesn’t stop there. For any risk that is likely to happen, or that would have a significant impact if it did, you should plan a proactive risk response. In addition, a contingency plan should be developed to specify how the team will react […]
Non-Functional Requirement Categorization

Non-functional requirements often determine a user’s satisfaction with the solution. They detail constraints that are not addressed by other requirements (thus the term “non-functional”). The BABOK® details 15 common categories of non-functional requirements. Fully specifying non-functional requirements can be challenging. They’re often difficult to measure or test, particularly prior to implementation. They can conflict with […]
Introduction to EARS Technique

The Easy Approach to Requirements Syntax (EARS) is an approach that provides structure to requirements written in text. It makes use of a small number of keywords and a syntax (structure). Requirements are expressed in a consistent format that is easy for audiences to understand. Unlike more extensive standards, EARS requires very little training and […]
SCAMPER Technique

Environmental advocates encourage us to “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. We should do the same in our organizations! It’s not necessary – or even wise – to start from scratch every time we take on something new. The SCAMPER technique encourages us to Substitute, Combine, Adapt, Modify, Put to other uses, Eliminate, or Rearrange the things we […]