"This book provides a "how to" approach to mastering business analysis work. It will help build the skill sets of new analysts and all those currently doing analysis work, from project managers to project team members such as systems analysts, product managers and business development professionals, to the experienced business analyst. It also covers the tasks and knowledge areas for the new 2008 v.2 of The Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) and will help prepare business analysts for the HBA CBAP certification exam."--BOOK JACKET.

This volume presents a detailed explanations of business analysis concepts, terms, tasks, and techniques, and includes examples to help readers understand how to apply them to real-world situations. It also delineates the key activities that are core to the BA role and the diverse range of activities analysts perform based on their career competency level, ranging from problem solving and identification of business opportunities, to complex systems thinking and solution development, to strategic planning and change management. It is a must-have reference for BA generalists, specialists, and hybrids at every career level and industry segment or perspective.

Revised edition of Seven steps to mastering business analysis, c2009.

"This volume in the Business Analysis Professional Development Series presents all the standard practices for performing business analysis work across seven steps, five perspectives, and 74 techniques. It will help business analysts at all levels further develop their skills and capabilities and master the next, or intermediate, level of competency in business analysis needed to advance their careers. This reference provides valuable guidance to everyone who performs BA work, uses BA deliverables, reviews or approves BA deliverables, or manages or mentors BA practitioners. It will help readers comprehend the BA role, responsibilities, and deliverables that ensure business analysis success. For instructors, trainers, and students, the supplemental Mastering Business Analysis Standard Practices Workbook, designed to be used in conjunction with the main text, enables readers to practice the seven-step process they are learning with a realistic case study, exercises, and suggested solutions. It helps facilitate self-learning and course instruction effectively where users can engage the processes before applying them on their own projects. Key Features [bullet] Presents a structured step-by-step process for performing business analysis that any new or experienced practitioner could follow, rather than having to piece the process together themselves [bullet] Addresses stakeholder identification and thoroughly examines stakeholder analysis and management to ensure a deep understanding before planning or engaging stakeholder involvement [bullet] Discusses how to perform situational needs analysis and prepare situational justification for decision makers within the business context [bullet] Demonstrates how to plan the business analysis work effort and develop and execute communication and information management plans [bullet] Shows how to set up a project for success with a clear and concise scope definition boundary, maintain agreement on scope, and control scope in an ever-changing environment [bullet] Provides detailed guidance on developing solution requirements and design definition for building the solution to meet stakeholder needs [bullet] Details the business analysis practitioner's role as the solution is being bui

This inspiring and inventive guide teaches readers how to develop their full potential by following the example of the greatest genius of all time, Leonardo da Vinci. Acclaimed author Michael J. Gelb, who has helped thousands of people expand their minds to accomplish more than they ever thought possible, shows you how. Drawing on Da Vinci's notebooks, inventions, and legendary works of art, Gelb introduces Seven Da Vincian Principles—the essential elements of genius—from curiosità, the insatiably curious approach to life to connessione, the appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things. With Da Vinci as your inspiration, you will discover an exhilarating new way of thinking. And step-by-step, through exercises and provocative lessons, you will harness the power—and awesome wonder—of your own genius, mastering such life-changing abilities as: •Problem solving •Creative thinking •Self-expression •Enjoying the world around you •Goal setting and life balance •Harmonizing body and mind Drawing on Da Vinci's notebooks, inventions, and legendary works of art, acclaimed author Michael J. Gelb, introduces seven Da Vincian principles, the essential elements of genius, from curiosita, the insatiably curious approach to life, to connessione, the appreciation for the interconnectedness of all things. With Da Vinci as their inspiration, readers will discover an exhilarating new way of thinking. Step-by-step, through exercises and provocative lessons, anyone can harness the power and awesome wonder of their own genius, mastering such life-changing skills as problem solving, creative thinking, self-expression, goal setting and life balance, and harmonizing body and mind.

You may be wondering if business analysis is the right career choice, debating if you have what it takes to be successful as a business analyst, or looking for tips to maximize your business analysis opportunities. With the average salary for a business analyst in the United States reaching above $90,000 per year, more talented, experienced professionals are pursuing business analysis careers than ever before. But the path is not clear cut. No degree will guarantee you will start in a business analyst role. What's more, few junior-level business analyst jobs exist. Yet every year professionals with experience in other occupations move directly into mid-level and even senior-level business analyst roles. My promise to you is that this book will help you find your best path forward into a business analyst career. More than that, you will know exactly what to do next to expand your business analysis opportunities.

Business analysts must respond to the challenges of today's highly competitive global economy by developing practical, creative and financially sound solutions and this excellent guide gives them the necessary tools. It is also ideal for students wanting to gain university and industry qualifications. This new edition includes expanded discussions regarding gap analysis and benefits management, the impact of Agile software development and an introduction to business architecture.

Praise for Modeling for Insight "Most books on modeling are either too theoretical or too focused on the mechanics of programming. Powell and Batt's emphasis on using simple spreadsheet models to gain business insight (which is, after all, the name of the game) is what makes this book stand head and shoulders above the rest. This clear and practical book deserves a place on the shelf of every business analyst." —Jonathan Koomey, PhD, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Stanford University, author of Turning Numbers into Knowledge: Mastering the Art of Problem Solving Most business analysts are familiar with using spreadsheets to organize data and build routine models. However, analysts often struggle when faced with examining new and ill-structured problems. Modeling for Insight is a one-of-a-kind guide to building effective spreadsheet models and using them to generate insights. With its hands-on approach, this book provides readers with an effective modeling process and specific modeling tools to become a master modeler. The authors provide a structured approach to problem-solving using four main steps: frame the problem, diagram the problem, build a model, and generate insights. Extensive examples, graduated in difficulty, help readers to internalize this modeling process, while also demonstrating the application of important modeling tools, including: Influence diagrams Spreadsheet engineering Parameterization Sensitivity analysis Strategy analysis Iterative modeling The real-world examples found in the book are drawn from a wide range of fields such as financial planning, insurance, pharmaceuticals, advertising, and manufacturing. Each chapter concludes with a discussion on how to use the insights drawn from these models to create an effective business presentation. Microsoft Office Excel and PowerPoint are used throughout the book, along with the add-ins Premium Solver, Crystal Ball, and Sensitivity Toolkit. Detailed appendices guide readers through the use of these software packages, and the spreadsheet models discussed in the book are available to download via the book's related Web site. Modeling for Insight is an ideal book for courses in engineering, operations research, and management science at the upper-undergraduate and graduate levels. It is also a valuable resource for consultants and business analysts who often use spreadsheets to better understand complex problems.

Business Analysis for Beginners is a comprehensive hands-on guide to jump-starting your BA career in four weeks. The book empowers you to gain a complete understanding of business analysis fundamental concepts and unlock the value of a business analyst to an organization in identifying problems and opportunities and finding solutions. Learn how to define the business needs and apply the most effective tools and techniques to elicit, analyze and communicate requirements with business stakeholders. Business analysis in a nutshell - gain a comprehensive understanding of business analysis fundamental concepts and understand the value of a business analyst to an organization in identifying problems and opportunities and finding solutions.Scope definition & requirements management techniques - learn how to define the business needs and the most effective tools and techniques to elicit, analyze and communicate requirements with business stakeholders. Your BA toolkit - in addition to our step-by-step guide to all business analysis tasks, this book provides a thorough explanation of the different models & methodologies of Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) and business process modeling. Our guide to kick-starting your BA career - we have included virtually every type of interview question you might face. After each chapter, you will find an interview cheat sheet to help you ace interview rounds and land your BA role.

"This book is the definitive guide for SAP NetWeaver BI professionals. Based on their extraordinary expertise with the product, the authors provide deep insights about key innovations in the areas of user experience, query performance, integrated planning, and enterprise-wide data warehousing." —Stefan Sigg, Vice President, SAP NetWeaver Business Intelligence The long-anticipated publication of this second edition reflects the growing success of SAP NetWeaver as well as the various Business Intelligence (BI) capabilities that are embedded with SAP BW version 7.0. Written by SAP insiders, this comprehensive guide takes into account the ever-changing features, functionality, and toolsets of SAP NetWeaver to bring you the most updated information on how to use SAP BW to design, build, deploy, populate, access, analyze, present, and administer data. You'll discover the options that are available in SAP NetWeaver and uncover a new means to improve business performance. This book reflects the process an organization goes through during an implementation of the software. The authors begin with an introduction to BI and SAP NetWeaver and quickly progress to information modeling and enterprise data warehouse concepts. You'll learn how to access and deliver meaningful analytic information to the organization, as well as perform integrated planning functions. Finally, the authors share invaluable insight on warehouse administration, performance, and security. With more than 50 percent new or revised material, this second edition of Mastering the SAP Business Information Warehouse shows you how to: Extract data from online transaction processing systems Store transformed data in a way that best supports reporting and analysis Use the various Business Explorer tools such as BEx Report Designer, BEx Analyzer, BEx Broadcaster, and BEx Web Application Designer Schedule, monitor, troubleshoot, and archive data loads The companion Web site contains sample chapters in Wiki format and the authors' blog where readers may enter discussions about the book and SAP. Wiley Technology Publishing Timely. Practical. Reliable. Visit our Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/ Visit the companion Web site at www.wiley.com/compbooks/mcdonald The companion Web site contains the sample code presented in the text of the book, plus implementation templates.