All Organisations can improve how they work, but the possibilities for improvements are many and varied and these improvements need to be responsive to customer needs.

Peter Drucker has provided the most appropriate comment for this: “Management is doing things right, leadership is doing the right things.”

This distinction between “doing things right” and “doing the right things” is very important. But, you must understand that software may not be the most appropriate solution. The “real” business need has to offer relevant solutions.

Business Analysis:

Business Analysis is a specialist discipline that rose up in the early 1990’s. This was because of the increasing dissatisfaction business staff had with the quality of the IT systems. Systems had to be setup to meet user requirements as chaos would ensue as twice as many people would try to log on to the network.

The business departments (owners of the systems) were looking for a means to have successful business operations. They could outsource the business model which meant that the IT Systems were still supported, but supported outside the Company.

Rationale for business analysis:

Here you translate the business needs and facilitate communication between the business and IT staff. Create a “forward-looking” approach. There is little point in identifying a solution if you don’t understand the problem you’re trying to solve. You have to include all of the elements of the business problem that are to be considered – this is known as a holistic solution.

The PopIT model shows off the link between business and IT – known as “bridging”. This is rarely the entire solution – used as an advisory level to an Organisation. It is important to consider whether a non-IT option would be relevant and valuable.

Definition of business analysis:

Business Analysts offer advice and guidance to the Organisation. The emphasis here is on the business situation, not the existing IT system. Sometimes the business analyst will look at the problem and come up with a solution that requires little or possible no IT change.

This is to facilitate a successful transition to the new system.

The place of Business Analysis in the Development Lifecycle:

Business Analysis is extremely important when investigating ideas or initiatives for change.

Feasibility Study:

Here you are investigating a situation, in order to uncover any issues and evaluating possible options. You also analysis stakeholder needs. Any stated issues cannot end up becoming symptoms of an underlying problem, but an actual cause.

Ask the questions: What the system would need to do? What value would the solution bring to the Organisation?

Business analysts have to identify areas that are problematic or even absent.

Financial Feasibility: Involves examining the costs and benefits associated with a particular option.

Business Feasibility: Involves considering each option to determine whether or not it will “fit” with the Company.

Technical Feasibility: Does the technology exist? Does it support the business? Will it meet the needs of the Company?

The business case is the responsibility of the project sponsor, wants a return on investment – an ROI.