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Business Investigation (BI)
Duration: 5 days | Cost: P.O.A. | download brochure
This course is currently not on our public training schedule. To enquire about running the training on your company premises (inhouse), please contact us.
Software development is about solving business problems. Defining problems, finding solutions - and 'selling' them. This part of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) is the least well understood, and is often badly performed. A poor result here sows the seeds of disaster!
Business Investigation is a 5-day workshop that trains business analysts to perform a business investigation professionally and competently. The results will be seen in fewer issues arising during the development and implementation processes and in a faster result! Despite all the aids available today, the process is still fraught with difficulties. It is difficult to distinguish between, and define, problems, objectives, causes and symptoms. You also need to establish good relationships with managers and agree their business requirements - not easy! This five day extensive Business Investigation workshop develops skills in analytical thinking.
You are challenged with questions that test and extend your ability to think problems through. You learn how to conduct a systems investigation, analyse problems and produce an outline solution. A wealth of techniques are taught and practiced.
Who will benefit?
The Business Investigation course is suitable for all computer professionals responsible for the development of small to large projects; business project managers, business analysts, systems analysts, analyst/programmers.
Course objectives
On completion of the Business Investigation course the delegates will have acquired the skills necessary to conduct competent and professional investigations of key business areas. They will be able to write business proposals that define the business solutions and present these to managers. They will be able to use tools and techniques to work through the analysis phase of a computer system development project.
Learning outcomes
On completion of the Business Investigation workshop, delegates will be able to:
- initiate the project
- prepare and conduct interviews
- document the current system
- distinguish and define business problems
- create, evaluate and verify solutions
- prepare and present solutions for clients, manager and IT developers
Learning techniques
Techniques used on the Business Investigation workshop include:
- lectures supported by visual aids
- class examples
- syndicate case study work
- small group sessions
- presentation of syndicate findings
- comprehensive delegate manual
Customer testimonials
Excellent! Very thorough & relevant topics. The course made great efforts to ensure I understood the concepts and techniques
AMP Asset Management
The course is extremely well structured, dynamic and involves a lot of interaction. It emphasised the importance of team spirit and work
Business Analyst, AGL
Timely, relevant, challenging and enjoyable
Business Analyst, Centrelink
You have helped me immensely in managing and investigating future projects
Business Analyst, BT Financial Group
I thought the course was a great introduction to problem scoping, solution identification and presentation skills
Business Analyst, WorkCover
Course content and instructor very thorough and practical. Great stuff
Business Analyst, IBM GSA
Excellent problem examination tools and ways of dissecting problems
Business Analyst, ABC
Good course and very practical. Looking forward to using my new skills
Business Analyst, ATO
An excellent course for beginners & experienced BA's. Very insightful & informative
IT Business Analyst, BCC
INstructor was excellent, course was great
Applications Engineer, Wesley Mission
Course outline
DAY 1
INTRODUCTION
Common problems experienced when specifying systems. Delegates examine this in teams; results are reviewed and noted for reference.
PROJECT INITIATION
Preparation for the client meeting - how to establish a relationship.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Defining the problem or issue, defining clear boundaries and objectives; identifying constraints (time, hardware, people), agreeing deliverables and milestones.
CASE STUDY
Delegates perform a client interview as part of the course case study; these are reviewed and dissected.
INFORMATION GATHERING
Methods of gathering data; observation, reading, interviews, questionnaires.
INTERVIEWING
Preparation, phrasing questions, assessing responses, building guides and checklists, note taking, listening skills, awkward interviewees, identifying exceptions and preparing summaries.
DAY 2
CASE STUDY
More interviews are conducted. Each delegate interviews a client manager.
DOCUMENTATION
Making sense of the information, methods of documenting, graphical versus written representation, verifying the information with the client. The delegates begin to use process modelling techniques to document their findings.
DAY 3
PROBLEM ANALYSIS
Defining business problems, establishing ownership, finding the real cause. Critical analysis, cause and effect analysis and work study techniques are examined.
CASE STUDY
Delegates apply these techniques; problems are identified and prioritised. Interview summaries are completed and reviewed.
DAY 4
PROBLEM SOLVING
Consultations, checking for problems, evaluating ideas, assessing the design, selecting a solution. Delegates make a presentation to the client of their findings to date and request permission to proceed.
CREATIVE THINKING
Finding solutions and evaluation. Left vs. right brain, vertical vs. lateral thinking, brainstorming.
RISK ANALYSIS
Fundamentals of project risk analysis.
CASE STUDY
Delegates prepare a solution to the client's requirements.
DAY 5
PRESENTATIONS
Objectives, timing, audience, attitude and aptitude, venue, visual aids, notes, verbal styles, personality, problems, nerves. Written proposals; construction, presenting facts and figures, fog index, iceberg principle.
CASE STUDY
Teams present their proposed solution to the client in a formal presentation with visual aids.
REVIEW
The proposals, the presentations and then the entire Business Investigation course are reviewed.
IRM provides fully worked solutions to comprehensive case studies.
Delegates are encouraged to use 'real-life' scenarios.
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