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1 - Chapter 24: Real-time Business Case Challenge

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Understanding Requirement Elicitation

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Teacher
Teacher

Welcome, everyone! Let's dive into the first phase of our project, which is Requirement Elicitation. Can anyone tell me why identifying stakeholders is crucial in a business analyst's role?

Student 1
Student 1

It's important because stakeholders provide the necessary details about what the system needs to accomplish.

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent point, Student_1! We can think of stakeholders as the 'eyes and ears' of our project. Now, can anyone name a few types of stakeholders we might encounter?

Student 2
Student 2

Customers, delivery team, and store staff?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, Student_2! We also gain insights from administrative personnel. Remember, we can use a stakeholder matrix which maps out who is Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed – that’s RACI for you. This will keep our project organized!

Student 3
Student 3

Could you explain what a mock interview is?

Teacher
Teacher

Sure! A mock interview simulates a real interview scenario where we role-play to extract information from stakeholders. It's a great practice tool. To summarize our session: identifying stakeholders is essential, and using a RACI matrix can help clarify roles.

Documenting Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Let’s move on to documenting requirements! How do we ensure that our requirements are well understood?

Student 1
Student 1

By writing user stories in the INVEST format!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! INVEST stands for Independent, Negotiable, Valued, Estimable, Small, and Testable. This makes our user stories clear and concise. Can anyone provide an example of a user story?

Student 2
Student 2

As a customer, I want to add products to my cart so that I can purchase them.

Teacher
Teacher

Great job, Student_2! Now, we also define acceptance criteria using the Gherkin format. Who can remind us what that entails?

Student 4
Student 4

It uses 'Given', 'When', and 'Then' to set the condition for a test case.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Let’s recap: use the INVEST format for user stories and Gherkin for acceptance criteria to ensure clear documentation of our requirements.

Modeling the System

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Teacher
Teacher

In our next phase, we focus on modeling the system. Can someone explain what a Use Case Diagram represents?

Student 3
Student 3

It shows the interactions between users and the system!

Teacher
Teacher

Great answer! It's essential for understanding system functionality. Now, let's talk about wireframes. What purpose do they serve?

Student 1
Student 1

They help visualize the layout of key screens in our application.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Wireframes are our sketch of the user interface, helping to communicate ideas effectively. Remember, creating diagrams helps ensure everyone shares the same vision. To summarize, Use Case Diagrams and wireframes are vital tools for visualizing system functionality.

Introduction & Overview

Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.

Quick Overview

This section outlines a capstone project simulating a Business Analyst's real-world tasks, including requirement elicitation, documentation, modeling, testing, and presentation.

Standard

Learners are guided to work through a mini-project on developing an Online Grocery Ordering System. The section details key project phases such as requirement elicitation, documentation, system modeling, and preparing for the presentation. Each phase includes specific tasks and deliverables to help learners achieve a comprehensive understanding of the Business Analyst role.

Detailed

Chapter 24: Real-time Business Case Challenge

This chapter presents a practical capstone project aimed at simulating realistic tasks that a Business Analyst (BA) would encounter in a professional setting. The project revolves around designing an Online Grocery Ordering System, allowing students to experience the entire lifecycle of a BA assignment. The chapter is structured around five key phases:

  1. Elicit Requirements: Students engage with stakeholders (customers, staff, etc.) to understand their needs and document these requirements through interviews and personas.
  2. Deliverables: Stakeholder List, Interview Notes, Requirement Summary.
  3. Document Requirements: Here, students convert elicitations into actionable user stories using the INVEST criteria and define acceptance criteria with Gherkin syntax.
  4. Deliverables: User Stories Document, Acceptance Criteria Sheet, BRD or FRD, Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM).
  5. Model the System: Recognizing user interactions, students will create visual diagrams (Use Case and Activity Diagrams) and wireframes to showcase system functionality.
  6. Deliverables: Use Case Diagram, Activity Diagram, Low-Fidelity Wireframes.
  7. Test Planning (Optional): If time allows, students will develop test cases to ensure the requirements are met during system testing.
  8. Deliverables: Test Case Table, Defect Log.
  9. Presentation & Review: Finally, students summarize their findings and present their project deliverables to peers or mentors, reinforcing their skills in business communication.
  10. Deliverables: Slide Deck and optionally a video walkthrough.

Ultimately, this challenge emphasizes the importance of clarity, value, and structured documentation in delivering successful Business Analysis.

Audio Book

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Objective of the Mini-Project

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To prepare and present a complete business analysis deliverable pack for a given case scenario by applying all techniques learned throughout the course.

Detailed Explanation

The objective of this mini-project is to create a comprehensive business analysis deliverable pack. This requires students to utilize the various techniques they have learned in their coursework to demonstrate their understanding of business analysis. Essentially, students will be simulating a real-world project where they take on the role of a Business Analyst, which includes gathering requirements, documenting them, and preparing presentations.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are planning a wedding. You need to gather details about the couple's preferences (requirements), document them in a checklist (deliverables), and later present everything to a wedding planner (presentation). This process mirrors the approach expected in the mini-project where planning and execution are crucial.

Suggested Case Scenario

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Project: Online Grocery Ordering System (Mini MVP)
Problem Statement:
A local grocery chain wants to launch a simple web-based system where customers can view available products, add them to a cart, place an order, and schedule home delivery.

Detailed Explanation

This section presents a case scenario in which students are tasked with developing an online grocery ordering system. The problem statement outlines the basic functionality desired by the local grocery chain, which includes product viewing, cart management, order placement, and scheduling for home delivery. Understanding the problem statement is vital as it sets the context for all subsequent activities in the project.

Examples & Analogies

Think of it as opening an online shop for groceries where you want to ensure that your customers can easily find what they need, place orders, and have items delivered to their homes, similar to how services like Instacart work.

Phases & Deliverables Overview

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Phase 1: Elicit Requirements
- Identify stakeholders (e.g., customers, store staff, delivery team, admin)
- Conduct 2–3 mock interviews or prepare stakeholder personas
- Create a stakeholder matrix (with RACI if possible)
Deliverables:
- Stakeholder List & Roles
- Interview Notes / Persona Profiles
- Stakeholder Requirement Summary

Detailed Explanation

In this phase, the focus is on eliciting requirements. This involves identifying various stakeholders who will interact with the online grocery system, such as customers, staff, and delivery personnel. Students will conduct mock interviews or create personas to better understand the needs of these stakeholders. A stakeholder matrix helps visualize roles and responsibilities, which is crucial for clear communication. The deliverables include a list of stakeholders, notes from interviews or persona profiles, and a summary of the requirements gathered from these sources.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine launching a new app for fitness enthusiasts. You would need to identify users (gym-goers, trainers, nutritionists) and find out their preferences and needs through interviews. This step ensures the app fulfills its purpose effectively.

Deliverables in Each Phase

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Phase 2: Document Requirements
- Write 5–8 user stories using INVEST format
- Define acceptance criteria using Gherkin (Given–When–Then)
- Categorize requirements: business, functional, non-functional
- Create a Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM)
Deliverables:
- User Stories Document
- Acceptance Criteria Sheet
- BRD or FRD (can be simplified)
- RTM in Excel or Table format

Detailed Explanation

In Phase 2, students shift to documenting the requirements. They need to write user stories that capture the needs of the users, ensuring that these stories are crafted in the INVEST format (Independent, Negotiable, Valuable, Estimable, Small, Testable). Next, acceptance criteria are defined, which specify conditions under which a product is acceptable to its stakeholders. Requirements are categorized into business, functional, and non-functional for clear understanding. A Requirement Traceability Matrix (RTM) is also created to track the lifecycle of requirements from inception to implementation. The deliverables from this phase include various documents summarizing these points.

Examples & Analogies

If you were developing a home automation app, you might outline user stories such as 'As a user, I want to control lights remotely.' Each user story will have acceptance criteria to ensure it meets user expectations, just like drafting a recipe before cooking.

System Modeling Techniques

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Phase 3: Model the System
- Draw Use Case Diagram for order placement
- Draw Activity Diagram for customer flow (browse → checkout)
- Create Wireframes or Mockups (use Draw.io, Balsamiq, or Figma)
Deliverables:
- Use Case Diagram
- Activity Diagram
- Low-fidelity Wireframes (for 2–3 key screens)

Detailed Explanation

Phase 3 focuses on modeling the system to visualize how it will work. A Use Case Diagram shows the interactions between users and the system during order placement, outlining essential functions. The Activity Diagram illustrates the flow of actions a customer goes through from browsing to checkout, highlighting critical touchpoints. Wireframes or mockups are low-fidelity representations of the system’s user interface, allowing stakeholders to visualize design concepts. Deliverables include the diagrams and wireframes created during this phase.

Examples & Analogies

Think of these diagrams as blueprints for a house: they help everyone understand what the finished product will look like and how different areas will be used, whether it's showing how a room flows into another or how to move through a store.

Testing Phase (Optional)

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Phase 4: Test Planning (Optional)
- Write 3–5 test cases
- Map them to requirements in RTM
- Identify a sample defect (if any) from testing
Deliverables:
- Test Case Table (ID, Steps, Expected Result)
- Defect Log (Optional, for extra challenge)

Detailed Explanation

In Phase 4, testing is introduced as an optional step to ensure that the system functions as intended. Students will write test cases that provide specific scenarios to validate whether the requirements are met based on the previously created user stories and acceptance criteria. These test cases will be mapped to the RTM to track coverage. A defect log can also be maintained to document any issues encountered during testing. The deliverables consist of a table outlining the test cases and an optional defect log.

Examples & Analogies

This phase is akin to a dress rehearsal before a big show. Just like actors run through their lines to ensure everything works smoothly, the testing phase verifies that all parts of the online grocery system function correctly before the actual launch.

Final Presentation Preparation

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Phase 5: Presentation & Review
- Create a summary presentation (6–8 slides max)
- Include business problem, solution scope, user stories, diagrams, and next steps
- Present your project to peers or mentor (live or recorded)
Deliverables:
- Slide Deck (PDF or PPT)
- Optionally, record a 5-minute video walkthrough

Detailed Explanation

In the final phase, students prepare to present their work. The presentation serves as a summary of the entire project, including the initial business problem, the proposed solution, key user stories, diagrams, and the next steps for implementation. Presenting can be done live in front of peers or recorded for review. The primary deliverables are a concise slide deck and potentially a video walkthrough, aimed at showcasing not just the analysis but also the student's understanding of the project.

Examples & Analogies

Consider this phase as pitching a new restaurant concept to investors. You would present a clear and engaging slideshow summarizing your business idea, including your menu (solution scope), customer feedback (user stories), and marketing strategy (next steps) to demonstrate your readiness and passion.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Requirement Elicitation: The process of gathering information from stakeholders to define project needs.

  • User Stories: Short, clear descriptions of functionality from the end-user perspective, adhering to the INVEST criteria.

  • Acceptance Criteria: Defined conditions that must be met for the completion of a user story.

  • Use Case Diagram: A diagram that illustrates how users interact with the system.

  • Wireframe: A visual representation of a web page's layout.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.

Examples

  • A user story example: 'As a grocery shopper, I want to filter products by category to find what I need quickly.'

  • A Gherkin example: 'Given the user is on the product page, When they select a category, Then the relevant products should display.'

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When gathering needs in our project spree, we ask the stakeholders to help us see.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a grocery store online where shoppers choose with a single line – they add to cart, check out fast, thanks to requirements detailed and vast!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • U-S-C-R (User Stories, Clarity on Requirements) to remember what we focus on in documentation.

🎯 Super Acronyms

G-W-T (Given, When, Then) helps us remember how to write acceptance criteria clearly.

Flash Cards

Review key concepts with flashcards.

Glossary of Terms

Review the Definitions for terms.

  • Term: Stakeholder

    Definition:

    An individual or group who has an interest in the outcome of a project.

  • Term: Mock Interview

    Definition:

    A practice interview used to prepare for real interviews, focused on gathering requirements.

  • Term: User Story

    Definition:

    A brief statement capturing a functionality from the user’s perspective.

  • Term: Acceptance Criteria

    Definition:

    Conditions that must be met for a user story to be considered complete.

  • Term: Use Case Diagram

    Definition:

    A visual representation of the interactions between users and a system.

  • Term: Wireframe

    Definition:

    A visual guide that represents the skeletal framework of a website or application.