Agile methodology is the newest addition to BPMIntitute.org's curriculum appropriately named Agile Business Analysis. It is increasingly clear that traditional software system-development methodologies are being replaced by more Agile approaches. As a result, many organizations are realizing the benefits of faster product deployment at a lower cost, and with less rework.
There is also increasing emphasis in the evolving role of business analysts (BAs) in the Agile methodology. Their skill set is just as applicable to Agile as it is to Waterfall. The BA’s skill in understanding business needs, modeling and communication will continue to be essential as Agile requires the use of cross functional teams and ongoing collaboration. The BA has a clear opportunity to improve the functioning of the entire team, and enhance the roles of key players such as the product owner, the scrum master, and the developers.
Business analysis is the missing link in many of the current agile transformations. By injecting business analysis into an agile environment, the BA has a broader perspective of the overall project. BAs assist project owners with prioritization and stakeholder consensus.
"As a BA, I free the product owner to focus on the needs, desires, and interests of the end customer. The product owner can then maximize the value of the full suite of products and features that our company offers."
"While they're doing that, I'm making sure the project deliverables are analyzed all the way from marketing through ordering, delivery, billing, accounting, and customer support."
"My focus is on making sure internal and external customers will be satisfied, that the impacts are identified and managed so the company has no blind spots, and that the development team has a smooth flow of work to deliver."
Source: The Agile Business Analyst by Ryland Leyton
Whether your company is looking to move from Waterfall to Agile, or you are an individual BA who is preparing to make the shift, these three courses (four days of training) will provide a roadmap for your success. Business process analysts and project managers will find these new courses to be equally topical and valuable.
The Agile Business Analyst Professional (ABAP) Certificate is evidence of having acquired knowledge in leading the transition from waterfall to agile software development and provides the foundation for the approach and the methodology needed to succeed with agile.
Agile 101 is a one-day course that is applicable to all roles—developers, managers, senior leadership, business analysts, etc. This course explores the basic principles of Agile including:
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Agile 101: View All Training Courses
The Agile Business Analyst course gets into specifics for Business Analysts who are ready to make the move to Agile. This one-day course will be of interest to any managers or senior leaders who are tasked with setting up Agile in their company as well as BAs who are ready to change to the Agile methodology. For BAs who are contemplating a change to Agile, this course will provide insight into the changes in thinking that you must make to be successful. It also focuses on the skills that you have that will be repurposed in the new methodology.
Agile values working software over documentation, but not “instead of”. The right amount of documentation is necessary for Agile projects to be successful, and the BA is the right person to collaborate with based on their relationship with business stakeholders. The role of the business analyst is to use their process modeling skills to build context on creating value for customers in Agile. By working with the Product owner, the business analyst reminds the team of the big picture.
The Agile Business Analyst course explores the following:
Course Availability:
The Agile Business Analyst: View All Training Courses
The Practice of Agile Business Analysis course is a two-day deep dive into those specific day-to-day skills that BAs will need when working in Agile. If you were intrigued by the course The Business Analyst in Agile, this course will further your learning and understanding of the role of the BA in Agile. This course will also be interesting to leaders in organizations who are struggling with how to incorporate analysis into their Agile structure. It includes the following:
Course Availability:
The Practice of Agile Business Analysis: View All Training Courses
To be sure, a shift in thinking and attitude must occur in order for a company to move to an Agile methodology. That shift is facilitated by using BAs for their strengths. Their ability to focus on the customer, to utilize proper process modeling, to facilitate cross functional collaboration and to use their techniques for developing performance metrics are all strengths that business analysts possess. The Agile Business Analyst learning path delivers those skills (and others) in depth to give business leaders as well as BAs the necessary perspective to make the change.
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The Agile Business Analyst by Ryland Leyton
Training Courses
The Practice of Agile Business Analysis
Articles
5 Questions to Ask Before Adopting Agile
Process Centric Enterprise Architecture: Towards an Agile Enterprise and Architecture
Integrated Business Management in the Process Age: Creating an Agile Business Management Paradigm
Systems Engineering for the Process Age - Creating systems to adapt to agile business
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