Use Cases and User Stories

I have been reading a number of articles on the comparison between User Cases and User Stories

The conclusions I have came to are as follows:

• User stories explain the need
• Use cases explain the behaviours involved

Therefore, they both have their place in the documentation of requirements. User Stories for the Business User and Use Cases for the Developers.

From the Business Users perspective:

• Without prior knowledge Use Cases are difficult to understand, and can be seen as too 'techie'.
• User Stories are easy to read, write and understand.

From the Developers perspective:

• User Stories do not give enough detail on what the system needs to do and how it should behave.
• Use Cases provide more information about the interactions, prerequisites, outcomes etc.

Some from a Business Analysts perspective, should we use both!!!???

Is email dying?

An interesting post on a blog of a former employer.

RackPack Blog - iomart Hosting

It's email but not as we know it.  I would say it is more like the evolution of email rather than death.

The Illustration of Business Analysis

They say that a picture paints a thousand words... I think that most Business Analysts would agree that a good process flow or use case diagram can provide a visual aid that can summerise and explain requirements more concisely than words.

This brings me to the Aotea Studios blog, this blog provides free posters and articles for business analysts and project managers.  The blog covers many areas of business analysis and project management.

I suggest you check it out.  And if you find that they don't have an illustration for an area you are looking for... ask them for it!

IIBA have introduced CCBA for intermediate BAs

The IIBA have launched the Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA).

This designation is a professional certification for business analysis practitioners who want to be recognised for their expertise.  Aimed as a stepping stone to obtaining the Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP), the CCBA requires 3,750 hours (or 2.5 years) business analysis experience as aposed to the 7,500 hours for the CBAP.

However, unlike the CBAP, the CCBA is only valid for 5 years.  It is expected that within this 5 year period that the CCBA recipient will have achieved the CBAP.

For more information see the following websites:

Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
Introducing the Certification of Competency of Business Analysis — webinar recap

This has given me another added boost for my professional development.  It means I do not need to wait around 5 years before gaining a qualification/certification in my chosen profession.

How to become a Business Analyst

I have just finished reading a great article on the ComputerWorld UK website, regarding the type of people who become BAs, the skills required, and possible future roles: How to become a Business Analyst

There are a few quotes that I have found encouraging:

"Given the pivotal nature of the role, it’s no surprise that the successful business analyst can enjoy a stellar career, and earn on a par with the project manager."

and

"The new prominence of the role accounts for the growing ‘professionalisation’ of the business analyst - but there’s still something of a knack to being good at this job: “I’ve seen newcomers who are naturals and senior people who struggle,” says Kevin Brennan, of the International Institute of Business Analysts (IIBA)."

 However, some of the more interesting quotes are around the prior roles and experience of those who become Business Analysts:

"Most people become a business analyst with very little training and so the right mindset and capabilities are all the more important."

"Understanding the language of the business users is more important for success, than any database code language"

"Increasingly, graduates are going straight into this role, primed by a business analysis degree or general business studies degree. " - "There’s no substitute to acquiring on-the-ground experience"

I would recommend anyone looking to move into the realm of Business Analysis, or those new to it to read this article.

Now I am away to find out more about the BCS’ Information Systems Examination Board (ISEB) - Business Analysis / Change courses and the related book Business Analysis 2nd Edition could be my next purchase

T Minus One Month

With just under a month until I make the move into my new role of Multinational Business, I have regained my focus on the new role.

The past few weeks have been focussed on the transition and completion of a number of tasks and project phases, including a product demostration to the client at their London offices.  Spending the week in London allowed me the time for further reading BA related publications.

It was also good timing, as my new boss was in London - from the states - the same week.  This gave us the opportunity to meet up for dinner and get to know each other a little better and discuss the new role.

I have been back onto the ModernAnalyst website to look at software reviews etc, but I stumbled across the Salary Information page.  Unfortunately, it was all US based, but since I have already found a resource for BA Demand in Glasgow I have revisited the site to see the current trends and salary information.

Roll on mid Februray for my new role starting

Skills Matrix

As part of our leason learnt process following UAT cycle 1, we identified a need for a method of assigning defects and queries to those with specific skills.  To this end, I found the following free Skill Matrix webpages based on the Toyota Lean (Kaisen) Skills Matrix. 

Original Skills Matrix
Improved Version

This was just what we needed, however, we did identify the following elements missing from it:

• Inability to filter on skills
• Inability to produce MI reporting
• Potential problems from a User Interaction point of view

With this in mind we amended the Skills Matrix to allow these issues to be resolved.

Filtered and Reportable Version

To edit the spreadsheet you will need to 'Unprotect' the sheets, please remember to 'Protect' them again as this makes the User Interaction better and is used for the MI to be enabled.  (The Calculations tab uses the Unprotected Cells to display the values to be used in MI)

MI and Reporting is not yet completed, but you will be able to easily extract the information from this page. 

Feel free to use and amend as you require... but it would be nice if you shared your improvement with myself and he original site.

Enjoy!