Business Analysis For Dummies.
Okay, so you bought this book looking for hints about performing business analysis. Or maybe you’re still in the bookstore thinking about whether this book is going to be of any value to you as a business analyst. (Hint: It is.) You may be working as a business analyst now or wondering whether it’s the right job for you.
As a career path, business analysis is a good option. Companies today need business analysis performed so they can solve problems, take advantage of opportunities, make sure they’re chasing the most cost-effective solutions, and streamline efficiency. The good news is that the skills needed to address these concerns are learnable. With even basic knowledge, you can immediately help a company reach its goals. You can make a difference today in the success of your (or someone else’s) business.
However, one of the challenges you face as a business analyst (BA) is that it isn’t black and white; the standard BA answer to almost any question is, “It depends.” Business analysis deals with a lot of variables and changing conditions, which means you have to practice a lot to get good at it. The more you experience, the better you get. Business Analysis For Dummies brings together a lot of experience in one place to help you get a head start and jump in right away.
About This Book.
Part of business analysis is about setting general expectations for the project results and being educated in various techniques and principles, and this book is right in line with that philosophy. No book about business analysis can possibly explain every situation and every approach you may find yourself in. You have to do a certain amount of figuring it out as you go along.
What this book does give you are tools and techniques you can use to set your expectations. We provide tips and starting points for communication with stakeholders and even explain what business analysis terms like stakeholder mean. This book is a reference tool you can turn to in order to understand what particular aspect of business analysis you’re looking for. The beauty of it is that you don’t have to read through the entire book cover to cover to get the information you want out of it. You can simply open to the table of contents, find what you’re looking for, and head directly to that section without passing Go or collecting $200.
Here’s a taste of the useful reference material you can expect to find in Business Analysis For Dummies:
- How to determine whether someone is giving you a solution disguised as a requirement and how to find the root cause of the problem (Chapter 6)
- Why you have to understand what is driving the business to undertake the project and know whether proceeding is a good decision (Chapter 8)
- How to create multiple solutions for a problem (or take an advantage of an opportunity) and recommend which one the business should undertake (Chapter 9)
- How to find and maintain the boundaries of a project so you know exactly what you are (and aren’t) working on (Chapter 10)
About the Authors.
Paul Mulvey has been around analysis in some way, shape, or form since 1985. When promoted from technical writer to business analyst in 1994, his question, “What do business analysts do?” was answered with, “We’re not sure, but they write a lot of stuff and run meetings.” If only he had this book back then, he would’ve had a ready-made career path. Instead, he went through a lot of trial-and-error.
Thankfully, Paul figured it out, rising in the BA ranks to be chosen by UPS to create its global business analysis competency model. During that time, he also earned his CBAP designation, published articles on websites (beginning with batimes.com) and eventually on his own blog at www.b2ttraining.com. He is an often-requested speaker and teacher. You can connect with him at www.linkedin.com/in/paulmulvey.
Kate McGoey has more than 20 years of direct and consulting experience in different application development and lifecycle process roles in the management consulting, publishing, life sciences, aeronautics, and business services industries. After evaluating her career, she found business analysis was her passion and professional center of gravity, so she transitioned into instructional design and training. Kate is Director of Client Solutions at B2T Training.
Winner of the requirements.net inaugural Requirements Lifecycle Award, Kate has broad internal back-office and commercial software product development experience. She has performed principal BA or PM roles on technology and improvement projects and has also led shared service teams, BA CoEs, and PMOs. Originally a charter member of the IIBA NYC chapter, Kate now attends Atlanta chapter meetings and serves on BABOKv3 writer and reviewer teams. She has been a panelist and featured speaker at business analysis industry conferences, various Professional Development Day sessions, and local IIBA chapter meetings. She welcomes connections at www.linkedin.com/in/kmcgoey or twitter.com/kate_mcgoey.
Kupe Kupersmith is president of B2T Training and has more than 15 years of experience in practicing business analysis. He has served as lead business analyst and project manager in various industries. In 2006, Kupe was part of the first group of BAs to earn their certified business analysis professional (CBAP) designations. His passion for business analysis and will to gain worldwide recognition for business analysis led him to run for, and be elected to, a board position with the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA).
As president of B2T Training, Kupe uses his business analysis skills to help manage the day-to-day operations of the company and to define and implement strategic initiatives. His career progression backs his belief that those practicing business analysis are the future leaders of companies. Kupe is a requested speaker in the business analysis field. To connect with Kupe, visit www.linkedin.com/in/kupetheba/.
