IIBA - Cedar Rapids Chapter Thursday, Sept. 22, 2011

Agenda 11:55-12:05Introductions, Old & New Business 12:05-12:50Meeting Presentation – Discussion 12:50-12:55Wrap-up / Next Meeting

The relationship of the Business Analyst & Project Manager BA + PM > A(BM)M

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 44 The PM/BA Partnership The “happy medium” or “grey area” understanding is the key to successful role definition especially when so many of the tasks seem to overlap between the BA and PM. This happy medium is the area where a strong partnership is required. Pete Kendall – PM Verizon

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 55 International Institute of Business Analysis TM Develop and maintain standards for the practice of business analysis and for the certification of its practitioners The IIBA TM is an international not-for-profit professional association for business analysis professionals. Vision The world's leading association for Business Analysis professionals Mission

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 66 Project Management Institute (PMI) Strategic Plan Core Ideologies Envisioned Future Strategic Principles For more details see:

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 77 The Project Management Professional  “…Project management. - is the application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently. It’s a strategic competency for organizations, enabling them to tie project results to business goals...”  Management.aspx Management.aspx  Who are Project Managers?  “They are organized, passionate and goal-oriented who understand what projects have in common, and their strategic role in how organizations succeed, learn and change….”  Managers.aspx

PM’s have been and will be responsible for…

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 99 The Business Analysis Professional  “A business analyst works as a liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies and information systems. The business analyst understands business problems and opportunities in the context of the requirements and recommends solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals.” “Bringing order out of chaos” – Bob Prentiss, Watermark Learning

Why BA’s and Why Now?  Clarify and differentiate the BA role from the Project Management (PM) role  Serve as a trusted consultant with internal business partners  Demonstrate the value of the BA playing a role much earlier in the project life cycle  Build stronger working relationships

The Role of the Project Manager *Model taken from the B2T Training Website

Facilitation skills to bring groups together to build consensus Ability to clearly document project scope using business terminology Project scope documentation techniques Asking the right questions Active listening Interviewing techniques Facilitation techniques Ability to categorize requirements Analysis skills Understand system development methods Utilize appropriate modeling techniques Prototype user interfaces Run effective meetings Conduct formal and informal presentations Write clear s, memos, and status reports Conduct a comprehensive requirements review Complete understanding of business problem High level of understanding of software design Ability to evaluate vendor solutions Ability to estimate solution costs and benefits and build a business case for implementation Basic understanding of system design concepts Understanding of testing principles Ability to write and review test cases The Role of the Business Analyst *Model taken from the B2T Training Website

Tips to avoid conflicts…  Each work one’s strengths  Keep the good of the organization in front at all times *Portions from Elizabeth Larson, PMP, CBAP, CEO of Watermark Learning “Four Tips for Avoiding Conflict Between the PM and BA“ - March 2010 *Both the PM & BA play leadership roles – the PM for leading the team and delivering the solution and the BA for ensuring the solution meets the business need and aligns with the business and project objectives. Both roles, equally, are required for project success.

Copyright 2008 International Institute of Business Analysis™ 14 The End…??? Questions or Comments?