Jamie Champagne - Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis

Copyright 2020 by J. Ross Publishing

ISBN-13: 978-1-60427-160-7

Printed and bound in the U.S.A. Printed on acid-free paper.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Champagne, Jamie, 1982 author. |

Title: Seven steps to mastering business analysis : the essentials / by Jamie Champagne.

Description: 2nd Edition. | Plantation : J. Ross Publishing, 2019. | Revised edition of Seven steps to mastering business analysis, c2009. | Includes bibliographical references and index.

Identifiers: LCCN 2019033993 (print) | LCCN 2019033994 (ebook) | ISBN 9781604271607 (paperback) | ISBN 9781604278156 (epub)

Subjects: LCSH: Business analysts. | Business planning. | Organizational effectiveness.

Classification: LCC HD69.B87 C37 2019 (print) | LCC HD69.B87 (ebook) | DDC 658.4/01dc22

LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019033993

LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2019033994

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All rights reserved. Neither this publication nor any part thereof may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

The copyright owners consent does not extend to copying for general distribution for promotion, for creating new works, or for resale. Specific permission must be obtained from J. Ross Publishing for such purposes.

Direct all inquiries to J. Ross Publishing, Inc., 300 S. Pine Island Rd., Suite 305, Plantation, FL 33324.

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Web: www.jrosspub.com

This series is for those interested in developing a career in business analysis. Each book within the series will help practitioners develop the knowledge, skills, competencies, and capabilities needed to master the typical business analysis career path. These instructional texts are designed for use in professional training, continuing education courses, and self-learning.

Successful Business Analysis Consulting: Strategies and Tips for Going It Alone

by Karl Wiegers

Mastering Business Analysis Standard Practices: Seven Steps to the Next Level of Competency

by Kelley Bruns and Billie Johnson

Mastering Business Analysis Standard Practices Workbook

by Kelley Bruns and Billie Johnson

Seven Steps to Mastering Business Analysis, 2nd Edition

by Jamie Champagne

Mastering Business Analysis Versatility: Seven Steps to Develop Advanced Competencies and Capabilities

by Gina Schmidt

Agile Business Analysis: Enabling Continuous Improvement of Requirements, Project Scope, and Agile Project Results

by Kevin Aguanno and Ori Schibi

THE PURPOSE OF THIS BOOK

The purpose of this book is to introduce both the practice and profession of business analysis with the practical applications, skill sets, and techniques needed to drive value in organizations both today and tomorrow. Business analysis has grown from its beginnings solely focused on supporting information technology (IT) development to enterprise levels of strategic importance. The goal of business analysis centers on providing value; yet in todays organizations the opportunities are almost limitless as to where these key analysis skills can drive value from individuals and teams. So whether you are called a business analyst (BA) in your official title or are looking for ways to be more successful in your projects, product development, and strategic planning, this book shows you where those opportunities are and what approaches you can take to ensure value delivery.

While the role of BA has become more popular in todays rapidly changing technology world, many other roles continue to utilize key analysis skillssuch as project managers (PMs), systems engineers, solution architects, and systems analysts who utilize these skill sets and techniques often. However, the demands of the modern organization of flexibility, adaptability, and innovation mean that many other areas of business are requiring these valuable skillssuch as product development, marketing, financial and risk analysis, strategic planning, and even community engagements and nonprofit efforts. This book not only focuses on the role, but emphasizes these key skill sets that are used throughout organizations.

The amount of materialsblogs, templates, videos, etc.that are available today to anyone searching for information regarding business analysis and the profession is almost overwhelmingespecially for someone who wants to start a business analysis career. This book gives you a definition of business analysis and its importance to any organization so that you will have a place to start and essential techniques and skill sets to focus on. This book does go further in explaining the evolution of the role of BAs and how your skills will grow. It also describes some of the evolving techniques needed for tomorrows changing business environment, as well as the career path options you may take. Regardless of the perspectives that resonate the most with you, the essential items covered here are meant to be applicable throughout your business analysis career and provide you with a solid foundation to always come back to throughout your endeavors.

INTENDED AUDIENCE

This book is intended for anyone who plans to, is already performing, or has found themselves thrust into the wonderful world of business analysis. While many people who hold the title of BA will be able to leverage this book as the foundation of key concepts to support their analysis work, the content and structure applies such that anyone who is doing analysis work and seeking to deliver greater value from current and future efforts in their organization can leverage these essential concepts.

Also, those managers who find themselves leading a team of analysts who seek to deliver results will better understand what can be expected from analysis work, along with the ideal career growth path for those maturing analysts. This book will help them define the BA role and to realize the distinction between junior levels, mid-levels, and senior levels of business analysis performance. It will also lend itself to helping define the expected responsibilities of anyone who will hold a title of analyst in an organization.

A theme that will be highlighted throughout this book is both the profession of business analysis and the practice. The titled role of BA may come and go and shift and alter with the same fluid dynamics of the constantly changing world around us, yet the essential skill sets presented here will remain valuable for years to come. The most successful BAs today are going beyond simply asking why and following through to ensure and validate the delivery of value. This book provides key concepts that remain the fundamental skills that all analysts should grasp while walking you through how to grow and expand your reach in business analysis.