The business analysis practice training course follows the official BCS syllabus for Business Analysis Practice that leads to BCS accredited examination. The course is designed for those looking to develop their understanding of and expertise in business analysis and those looking to gain the Certificate in Business Analysis Practice.
The Business Analysis course covers the fundamental aspects of business analysis and comprises two key elements:
1. Development of a business strategy
2. Exploration of a business issue: problem or opportunity
The course will provide you with the skills and techniques that will allow you to successfully:
1. Formulate a business strategy
2. Explore business problems and opportunities in the context of a business strategy
3. Derive visions and options for solving the problem or realising the opportunity
4. Anticipate subsequent stages of process modelling, requirements definition and solution development
The format of the exam is a one hour, open book written exam, based on a business scenario. The pass mark is 50%.
Session 1 - Rationale
A life cycle for business change The role of the business analyst within the life-cycle for business change Other roles within the life-cycle of the business change Purpose of analysing and modelling business systems The framework for business analysis activities
Session 2 - Understanding the Strategic Context
Internal environment analysis
External environment analysis
SWOT analysis
Critical success factors, key performance indicators and performance targets
The balanced business scorecard as a framework for identifying critical success factors and key performance indicators
Session 3 - Project Discipline for Business Analysis Studies
Terms of reference/Project initiation
Business and project objectives
Deliverables from business analysis studies
Session 4 - Understanding the Situation
Stakeholder identification
Overview of investigative techniques
Representing a holistic view of the business situation
Session 5 - Analysing Stakeholder Perspectives
Stakeholder analysis
Identifying different perspectives
Defining perspectives
Session 6 - Analysing and Modelling Business Activities
Developing a conceptual business activity model from a perspective
Identifying business events
Analysing business rules
Building consensus by resolving conflicts
Session 7 - Identifying Potential Solutions
Gap analysis - Comparing the ideal and existing systems
Defining a new business model (the processes, people, technology and organisation)
Identifying IS/IT requirements to support the new business model
Session 8 - Making the Business Case
Structure of a business case
Identifying options for business change
Identifying and categorising costs and benefits
Identifying and categorising risks
Identifying impacts
The life-cycle for the business case