Business analysts are responsible for understanding the needs of businesses and users, and then translating those needs into requirements for software systems. To do this effectively, they need to use a variety of tools and techniques.
Here are the 3 most important tools and techniques for business analysts, with more information about how they can be used:
Story mapping
Story mapping is a technique for visualizing the requirements for a system. It helps business analysts to understand the flow of work, identify dependencies, and prioritize requirements.
Story mapping is a great way to get everyone on the same page about the requirements. It can be used to involve stakeholders early in the process and to get their feedback. Story mapping can also be used to identify potential problems with the requirements and to make sure that everyone is aligned on the goals of the project.
Story mapping is a technique used to sequence user stories, based upon their business value and the order in which their users typically perform them, so that teams can arrive at a shared understanding of what will be built.
To create a story map, you will need to start by identifying the different steps in the process that you are trying to map. Once you have identified the steps, you can then start to add the requirements for each step. You can use different colors or symbols to represent different types of requirements.
See the below video to know more about using Story mapping.
This video is part of "The Ultimate PMI-PBA Exam Prep. Course 35 PDUs"
Of course, the most common usage of story mapping is utilizing it as an alternative to “flat” backlog management, where each item is viewed in a vacuum instead of in a visual, big-picture context.
Data flow diagram
A data flow diagram (DFD) is a graphical representation of the flow of data through a system. It helps business analysts to understand how data is processed and stored, and to identify potential problems.
DFDs are a powerful tool for understanding how data flows through a system and for identifying potential problems. In some cases, shaving even a minute or two off can lead to substantial savings.
To create a DFD, you will need to start by identifying the different entities in the system. Once you have identified the entities, you can then start to draw the arrows that represent the flow of data between the entities.
You can use different symbols to represent different types of entities and data flows. For example, a rectangle represents a process, a circle represents a data store, and an arrow represents a data flow.
Once you have created the DFD, you can then use it to communicate the design of the system to stakeholders. You can also use it to track the progress of the development process and to make sure that the design is being implemented correctly.
See an example of using DFDs in the following video.
This video is part of "The Ultimate PMI-PBA Exam Prep. Course 35 PDUs"
Peer reviews
Peer reviews are a technique for evaluating the work of others. They can be used to improve the quality of requirements, designs, and code.
Peer reviews are a great way to get feedback on your work. They can help you to identify potential problems and to improve the quality of your work. As business analysts, we should all have someone review our work periodically, even if it's not required. This is a great opportunity to learn and improve.
Types of Peer Reviews range from quick, ad hoc reviews to formal inspections. To know more about types of Peer reviews watch the following video.
This video is part of "The Ultimate PMI-PBA Exam Prep. Course 35 PDUs"
These three tools and techniques discussed are essential for any business analyst who wants to be successful. By mastering these tools and techniques, you can improve your ability to understand business needs, gather and analyze requirements, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
You can learn master more tools and techniques by becoming a PMI-PBA certified business analyst, If you want to learn more about the PMI-PBA cretification download your free guide now from here.