IFS 231 Business Analysis LECTURE 2 The Business

IFS 231 Business Analysis LECTURE 2 The Business Case

Contents § § Revision: phases of SDLC and BA responsibilities Creating a Business Case document Business Analysis 2

Typical Phases in a Lifecycle § § § Initiation and Establishment (Business Case) Requirements Definition (Functional Spec) Solution Specification (Technical Spec) Construction and Testing (DB and User App) Implementation/ Rollout and Training (User manual) Common in all: Project Management and QA Business Analysis 3

Typical Role/Responsibilities of BA during the SDLC § § § § Interacts with Business and Technical Investigate and Analyse Gather Requirements and Document Find Solutions Produce Specs (URS, BRS or FS) User Acceptance Testing (UAT) Assist with Implementation Business Analysis 4

Business Case Document § § A business case captures the reasoning for initiating a project or task. It is often presented in a well-structured written document, but may also sometimes come in the form of a short verbal argument or presentation. The logic of the business case is that, whenever resources such as money or effort are consumed, they should be in support of a specific business need. Business Analysis 5

Business Case § § An example could be that a software upgrade might improve system performance, but the "business case" is that better performance would improve customer satisfaction, require less task processing time, or reduce system maintenance costs A compelling business case adequately captures both the quantifiable and unquantifiable characteristics of a proposed project. Business Analysis 6

Structure of Business Case § § § § Executive summary Business case analysis team Problem definition Project overview (describe possible solution for problem) Strategic alignment Cost benefit analysis Alternatives analysis Approvals Business Analysis 7

Executive Summary § § § Summary or synopsis Written at the end of document What is the issue / problem? Anticipated outcomes Recommendation – how will the project address the business problem? Justification – why this solution? Business Analysis 8

Business Case Team § § Roles of members in Business Case Doc and Project For Example: • • • Executive Sponsor Technology Support Process Improvement Project Manager Software Support Business Analysis 9

Problem Definition § § § Problem Statement Organizational Impact Technology Migration • • • Hardware + Software Procurement Systems Development Migration / Roll-out Training Business Analysis 10

Project Overview § § § § Project specific information Description Goals and Objectives (SMART) Project Performance Metrics Assumptions Constraints Major Milestones Business Analysis 11

Strategic Alignment § § Projects should align with the company’s strategy and plans Add value; enjoy support Business Analysis 12

Cost Benefit Analysis § § Illustrate cost vs benefits (savings) Is the investment worthwhile? Business Analysis 13

Alternatives Analysis § § Brief summary of considered alternatives + reasons for not selecting Eg, keep existing Outsource Buy COTS Business Analysis 14

Approvals § Needs signatures by board / management to go ahead Business Analysis 15