Agile and the role of the business analyst

Transcription

1 Agile and the role of the business analyst Debbie Paul & Paul Turner

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3 The history of Agile 1985 Spiral model 1991 RAD 1994 DSDM 1999 XP 2000 Agile Manifesto DSDM for all IT projects 2002 DSDM for all projects (Business and IT) 2007 DSDM Atern more business centred ???

4 The Agile Manifesto We are uncovering better ways of developing software by doing it and helping others do it. Through this work we have come to value: Individuals and interactions over processes and tools Working software over comprehensive documentation Customer collaboration over contract negotiation Responding to change over following a plan That is, while there is value in the items on the right, we value the items on the left more.

5 Question One What does an Agile approach offer the Business Analyst?

6 What is business analysis? The Philosophy The Scope The Activities The Techniques The Guiding Principles

7 The Philosophy Organisation Information Technology People Processes

8 The Scope Analyse business needs Business benefits Assess delivery of business benefits Define requirements Acceptance criteria Business Analysis Test for user acceptance Design IT system System test criteria Test IT system Build system modules Module test criteria Test system modules Business Analysis?

9 The Scope Analyse business needs Business benefits Assess delivery of business benefits 1 st increment Define requirements Design IT system Acceptance criteria Business Analysis Analyse business needs System test criteria Test IT system Test for user acceptance Business benefits Assess delivery of business benefits 2 nd increment Build system modules Module test criteria Define requirements Test system modules Design IT system Acceptance criteria Business Analysis Analyse business needs System test criteria Test IT system Test for user acceptance Business benefits Assess delivery of business benefits Build system modules Define requirements Module test criteria Test system modules Acceptance criteria Business Analysis Test for user acceptance Design IT system System test criteria Test IT system 3 rd increment Build system modules Module test criteria Test system modules

10 The Scope Analyse business needs Business benefits Assess delivery of business benefits Define requirements Acceptance criteria Business Analysis Test for user acceptance Design business system System test criteria Test business system Build system modules Module test criteria Test system modules Business Analysis?

11 The Activities

12 Techniques Context Diagram Data Modelling Interviews Prototyping CATWOE Questionnaires Workshops PESTLE Analysis Discounted Cash Flow Swimlane diagrams Brainstorming Use cases Impact Analysis Mind maps SWOT Analysis

13 uiding principles for business analysis Root causes not symptoms Business improvement not IT system change Creative options not prescribed solutions Feasible requirements not all suggestions Entire lifecycle not just requirements definition Negotiation not conflict avoidance Business agility not business perfection

14 What is Agile? Agile Project Management vs Agile Solution Development DSDM, SCRUM, XP, RUP DSDM Atern: DSDM Atern Pocket book PRINCE2 and DSDM Atern publication

15 Key features of an Agile approach Flexibility of requirements within a base lined scope Iterative development evolutionary prototyping Incremental delivery prioritisation (MSCW) Business representation in the development team Time-boxing and cash-boxing Continuous testing Suitability Filter to help select appropriate projects Guidance on Project and Configuration Management

16 Agile Principles The eight underlying principles are: Focus on the business need Deliver on time Collaborate Never compromise quality Develop iteratively Build incrementally from firm foundations Communicate continuously and clearly Demonstrate control

17 A sample Agile lifecycle Underpinned by guidance on: Project Suitability Project Management Testing Iterative development Configuration Management Timebox Planning Prioritisation

18 Typical Agile roles (from DSDM Atern) The project level roles are: Business Sponsor Business Visionary Project Manager Technical Coordinator The solution development Team Roles are: Team Leader Business Ambassador Business Analyst Solution Developer Solution Tester Other roles include: Business Advisors

19 DSDM Atern Roles & Responsibilities Project roles Development roles Other roles DSDM Consortium 2007

20 DSDM Atern Roles & Responsibilities BA role introduced in DSDM Atern DSDM Assist Consortium Knowledge 2007 Development, 2010

21 DSDM Atern Roles & Responsibilities Champion of the Prioritised Requirements List Bridge between business and technical aspects Thinks through implications of ideas Identifies dependencies, overlaps and conflicts Considers effects on corporate objectives and direction BA role introduced in DSDM Atern DSDM Assist Consortium Knowledge 2007 Development, 2010

22 Question Two What is the role of the Business Analyst in an Agile development environment?

23 Exercise Three Some key Agile techniques: Storyboarding and scenarios MoSCoW prioritisation Timeboxing Prototyping and iterative development Hothousing Identify some business analysis activities (unrelated to software development) where these techniques may prove useful.

24 Agile and the role of the business analyst Debbie Paul & Paul Turner