A few nice business analysis images I found:
Agile Information Management
Image by Wonderlane
Agile Information Management
Agile development models include just in time information gathering processes. Agile information gathering processes include rapid collection of content and the clear appearance of the resulting documents. Collecting technical business requirements and immediately folding them into the client template is an agile information management method.
Business Analyst Teams need to capture requirements as they are clarified. This is especially important when:
1. The deliverable is the requirement document first and foremost
2. The outline for documenting incoming requirements already exists
3. Tight deadlines exists and there is any risk of delays in documentation, or in overlapping out-of-date information being presented to the client–
4. Or if the document control tool, which is commonly used for working together interactively, is flakey and as a result document versions may become dated
It is not an agile process to wait to add known requirements. For example having project management, or development directing a business analyst to wait until later to add or modify incoming requirements prior to a document presentation. It makes sense to put the correct and current requirements into the current document. It is more logical to keep found things found by categorizing them immediately.
1. It is a waste of time and money, searching when editing the same document repeatedly, or by different individuals, when the requirement should be added on the fly
2. It is frustrating for the BA, it is frustrating for the client when they read out of date requirements
3. It creates unnecessary control issues
4. It runs counter to the clients’ actual needs and requests
5. It isn’t agile any more, it is an outdated technique
Presentation of business requirements is 50% of the job of development consulting, that is, what a document actually looks like really matters to governance and business people
1. Because they spend all their time in documents, generally they want them to look familiar and be formatted correctly, so it makes sense to use their templates
2. They care about documentation, and that is your value to them
3. Your clients will never have your depth of knowledge regarding technology, which means you will have to explain your processes and reasons if you do it any other way (slowing the process down) besides using their processes and procedures
4. The business and governance or project management office people will participate in decision making about actually building the project, or not, and you want them to want to work with you, by showing that you will work with them!
Labels: agile, Agile Information Management, analysis, best practices, business analysis, Business Analysts, development, governance, keeping found things found, rapid development, technology, templates
USACE Sacramento Teammates advice small business owners
Image by USACE HQ
Marjorie McDonald, chief of safety at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sacramento District, will be one of a handful of Corps employees coaching small business owners about safety at an annual convention in Sparks, Nev., April 10-12, 2012. McDonald and her district safety team hope to advise small business owners on assembling safety plans and other risk-analysis documents, required before work can begin on most Corps projects. (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers photo by Todd Plain)
