business analysis training

This content is an extract from GetAhead in Business Analysis - the FULL course is in eBook and multimedia CD-Rom format.

Business Analysis.
Business Analysis provides a clear representation of any business function. The technique starts with an overall picture of the business and continues by analyzing each of the functional areas of interest. This analysis can be carried out to precisely the level of detail required. The technique exploits a method called top-down expansion to conduct the analysis in a targeted way. The GetAhead business analysis training course will enable you to produce a series of diagrams that represent the business activities in a way that is clear and easy to communicate.

The Business Model.
A business model comprises one or more business process diagrams.
Initially a context diagram is drawn, which is a simple representation of the entire system under investigation. This is followed by a level 1 diagram; which provides an overview of the major functional areas of the business.

Analyze for the Requirement.
Identifying and understanding existing business processes is an essential part of business analysis training and is covered in the GetAhead business analysis training course. However, it is often not necessary to analyze the business processes in great detail, since the aim of the re-engineering effort may involve radically changing the working procedures. When introducing new technology into the workplace you will need to conduct an analysis into how the existing processes work. These projects often have to take account of wider working procedures. For example the new IT systems may need to communicate with those of external business units. If you are engaged in refining the existing business processes then you must first carry out a detailed analysis. This is necessary in order to isolate specific problems and to prevent unnecessary or potentially undesirable changes being made.

Different Levels of Analysis.
One of the main business scenarios that this business analysis training course is based on is the ‘Roadhire Case Study’. By using the methods explained in this course together with the case study information you will be shown how to draw various business process diagrams that represent it. The diagram shown is the context diagram for the ‘Roadhire’ system. Using this context diagram together with additional information from the ‘Roadhire Case Study’ the level 1 diagram can then be drawn. The level 1 diagram identifies the major business processes at a high level and any of these processes can then be analyzed further - giving rise to a corresponding level 2 business process diagram. You will encounter this level 2 diagram (derived by closer analysis of the process numbered 4 on the level 1diagram) later in the course, and when you have reached that stage you should be able to draw it yourself!

A Simple Example.
The diagram shown below represents a simple banking process which maintains customer accounts. In this example, customers can withdraw or deposit cash, request information about their account (for example the balance) or update their account details (for example with change of address information).
The five different symbols used in this example represent the full set of symbols required to draw any business process diagram.
An external entity is a source or destination of a data flow which is outside the area of study. Only those entities which originate or receive data are represented on a business process diagram. The symbol used is an oval containing a meaningful and unique identifier. In this example the customer exists outside of the banking business system.

data flow diagrams - example dfd

This content is an extract from GetAhead in Business Analysis - the FULL course is in eBook and multimedia CD-Rom format. TOP