Template Contents
If you want to succeed as a Business Analyst...
Then fully understanding and evaluating different solutions options is key.
That's why I'm providing you with these analysis templates.
To help lead you on the way to using the right tools for making the RIGHT decisions.
41. Options Identification
For starters…
The available options for addressing a problem need to be explored
The solution could be
1. Business solution
2. Technical solution
It’s often said that business needs should be considered first and then IT possibilities
However this is changing.
Due to the increasingly intimate involvement IT has on operations
Important: DO NOT reject any options prematurely
Usually a brainstorming workshop is good for identifying the options
BUT once you have them there needs to be a shortlisting exercise
The idea is to end up with 2 or three distinct options to present to decision makers.
42. Feasibility Analysis Template
Break down the long list options into 3 categories
1. Business
2. Technical
3. Financial
Note: the feasibility study will identify issues when solution options are compared.
BUT that does not meant they need to be discarded immediately
Simply take these issues into account
Download the template to see what issues might arise in each category.
43. Force Field Analysis Template
What’s the idea here?
To examine the forces that will tend a solution option towards acceptance
But also what forces will tend a solution towards rejection.
If negative forces are more powerful.
The BA must weaken the negative forces
Done by finding more powerful positive forces for the argument.
Download the template so you can document the forces in a simplified manner.
PREPARING THE BUSINESS CASE
44. Cost Benefit Analysis Template
Also known as CBA
Used to investigate the costs of taking a particular course of action
AND identify the quantitative benefits
Various people should be involved:
· The project Sponsor should be involved
· Users and actors should have a say
- BA should co-ordinate and facilitate
- Developers may also be involved
Download the template to help document costs and benefits in their specific categories
Remember to use the book for all the different costs and benefits that might be identified or calculated
45. Impact Analysis Template
The identification and presentation of effects on a potential project so that managers assessing proposals have complete information to make their decision
Some impacts have associated costs
Others may create risks
The downloadable template indicates some of the things that might be included in an Impact Analysis.
46. Risk Analysis Template
3 stages to Risk Analysis
1. Risk Identification
2. Risk Assesment - Impact vs Probability
3. Actions and Owners
Identifying risks is useless…
Unless there are specific people allocated to deal with the risks.
There are 4 posibilities in dealing with risk
1. Avoidance
2. Mitigation
3. Transference
4. Acceptance
47. Investment Appraisal Template
The process of comparing financial benefits forecast from a proposal or project, with the predicted costs.
Helps determine if it’s worth undertaking
There a 3 common methods of presentation:
- Payback or breakeven analysis
- Discounted cash flow
- Internal rate of return
Each of these are explained in detail in the book
So download the template to complete yout investment appraisal analysis
PRESENT BUSINESS CASE
48. Business Case Report Creation Template
Keep it short.
Make it succinct
AND lead clearly to the conclusion
Why?
Because this will be the core of what allows senior management make the decision as to whether to implement your solution.
A typical structure might include:
- Introduction
- Management Summary
- Background
- Options Considered
- Benfits / Costs
- Investment Appraisal
- Impact Analysis
- Risk Analysis
- Conclusions & Recommendations
- Supporting Appendices
49. Business Case Presentation Template
This is a Business Analysts opportunity to SELL their ideas
The presentation MUST add value
Use this structure:
- Say what you’re going to say (start with a bang)
- Say it (present issues and solutions)
- Say what you said (End on a high)
Tip: Avoid the ‘death by Powerpoint’ complaint by not using too many slides.
pages not found here either please advice – thanks so much
Thanks again, I’ll take a look.
Cheers,
Matt
No. 41 – page not found?
Thanks for the heads up John. I’ll try to get it sorted asap.
Cheers,
Matt
None of the links for the evaluate options templates work.
Hey Louise,
I will take a look at this asap.
Thanks for the heads up. Matt
Hi Matt,
Still page not found errors for all these pages. Any chance you can provide the templates?
Cheers,
Graeme
All working now except for 45 which I don’t currently have a template for. Feel free to donate if you have one 🙂 Thanks Matt
The links for the evaluate templates still don’t work.
All working now except for 45 which I don’t currently have a template for. Feel free to donate if you have one 🙂 Thanks Matt
None of the links are working.
All working now except for 45 which I don’t currently have a template for. Feel free to donate if you have one 🙂 Thanks Matt