A business analysis methodology
SynopsisBusiness analysis is defined as the process in which business needs are identified and solutionsproposed. This process is regarded as one of the most important parts of systems developmentbecause no other part is more difficult to rectify later. However, current business analysismethodologies are inadequate because they are at a too high level and only address portions ofthe complete business analysis process. In particular, the lack of clear objectives, relevance andoutcomes of the phases make business analysis methodologies inadequate. Moreover, activities,techniques and tools not mapped to those phases are also problematic.The aim of this research was to develop a business analysis methodology for business analystsin the South African financial services environment. The intentions were to identify the phases,as well as objectives, relevance and outcomes for each of these phases. Furthermore, thisresearch intended to identify appropriate activities, techniques and tools to address the objectivesof each phase of a methodology.This was done by presenting a literature review of previous research relating to business analysismethodologies. For information gathering, 45 participants (comprising of business analysts,project managers, IS managers and CIOs) contributed to this research, 22 of whom wereinterviewed individually while 23 participated in focus group interviews. The data from each ofthese methods was analysed independently and did not influence or feed into any of the othermethods. Once the individual interviews and focus group interviews had been transcribed,content analysis and analysis within and between interviews (Merriam, 1998; Strauss, 1987) wasused to analyse the information gathered independently.The phases of a business analysis methodology identified by the research are the:• feasibility phase;• business case phase;• analysis and design phase; and• post-implementation evaluation phase.Objectives, relevance and outcomes of these phases were also identified. In addition, activities,techniques and tools were mapped to each of these phases.
Year of publication: |
2008-03-06
|
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Authors: | Bachoo, Avsharn |
Subject: | Business analysis | methodology | phases | activities | techniques | tools |
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