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1.1 - Prepare a Mini-Project End-to-End: Elicit, Document, Present

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Eliciting Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we'll start with the first phase, which is eliciting requirements. Can anyone tell me what we mean by eliciting requirements?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it about gathering information about what the users need?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Eliciting requirements involves engaging with stakeholders to understand their needs. It’s crucial to identify all key players, such as customers and staff. Can anyone name a few stakeholders for our grocery project?

Student 2
Student 2

Customers, store staff, and delivery teams would be stakeholders.

Teacher
Teacher

Great! Now let’s create a stakeholder matrix to clarify their roles. The acronym RACI can help us remember: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed.

Student 3
Student 3

So, we’ll assign who is responsible for what task regarding requirements?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A stakeholder matrix can clarify responsibilities and facilitate effective communication. Let's summarize: identify stakeholders, conduct interviews, and document findings.

Documenting Requirements

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Teacher
Teacher

Now that we've gathered our requirements, how do we organize and document them effectively?

Student 4
Student 4

We could use user stories?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly right! User stories should follow the INVEST criteria: Independent, Negotiable, valuable, Estimable, Small, and Testable. How does that sound for our grocery project?

Student 1
Student 1

It sounds structured, but could you explain the Gherkin format for acceptance criteria?

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! The Gherkin format uses 'Given-When-Then' statements. For example, 'Given I am a customer, when I add an item to my cart, then it should appear in my cart.'

Student 2
Student 2

That simplifies defining what needs to work!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! By following these guidelines, we ensure that everyone has a clear understanding of the requirements. Always remember to categorize them into business, functional, and non-functional requirements!

Modeling the System

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Teacher
Teacher

Moving on to Phase 3, we begin modeling the system using diagrams. Why do you think this is important?

Student 3
Student 3

It helps visualize how users will interact with the system!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We’ll create a Use Case Diagram for ordering, along with an Activity Diagram to depict the customer flow. Who can explain what a Use Case Diagram entails?

Student 4
Student 4

It shows the interactions between users and the system for specific functions.

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! Let’s not forget about creating low-fidelity wireframes. These sketches give a basic representation of key screens. What tool could we use for that?

Student 1
Student 1

We could use Balsamiq or Figma!

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Visual tools facilitate understanding and promote feedback. Let’s summarize: User flows, diagrams, and drafts help visualize the system and enhance clarity.

Test Planning

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Teacher
Teacher

If time allows, we can conduct Phase 4 – Test Planning. Is anyone familiar with why we write test cases?

Student 2
Student 2

To ensure that the system meets the requirements and functions as expected!

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! We’ll map test cases back to our requirements in the RTM. Let's say one requirement states a user can schedule a delivery, what might be a test case for that?

Student 3
Student 3

We could check if a user can select a delivery time and confirm the order?

Teacher
Teacher

Spot on! By planning our tests, we enhance the likelihood of identifying defects before launch.

Presentation & Review

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Teacher
Teacher

Finally, we need to present our project. What elements do you think are necessary for our presentation?

Student 4
Student 4

We should include the business problem, proposed solution, and user stories!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! A summary presentation should include all facets clearly and engagingly. How can we make our presentation more engaging?

Student 1
Student 1

Including visuals like diagrams and wireframes can help!

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely! Visuals enhance clarity and engagement. Let’s remember to review what we’ve learned through this project: Eliciting, documenting, modeling, testing, and presenting our findings.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

This section outlines the process of preparing a mini-project in business analysis, covering requirement elicitation, documentation, system modeling, test planning, and presentation.

Standard

Learners will engage in a capstone-style activity simulating a real-world business analysis project, where they will elicit and document requirements, model the system, conduct optional test planning, and finally present their findings related to the development of an online grocery ordering system.

Detailed

In this section, the capstone activity aims to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the business analyst's role throughout a project lifecycle. The primary objective is to prepare and present a complete business analysis deliverable pack by working through five phases:

  1. Elicit Requirements: Identifying stakeholders and gathering requirements through interviews or persona creation. Deliverables include stakeholder lists and interview notes.
  2. Document Requirements: Writing user stories in the INVEST format and defining acceptance criteria using Gherkin syntax, along with categorization of requirements.
  3. Model the System: Creating various diagrams to visualize the system functionality and design, including use case and activity diagrams, alongside wireframes for key screens.
  4. Test Planning (optional): Developing test cases and identifying potential defects.
  5. Presentation & Review: Compiling a slide deck summarizing the business problem, proposed solutions, and project diagrams. This structured approach fosters practical experience and prepares students for real-world business analysis scenarios.

Audio Book

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Overview of the Mini-Project

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This capstone-style activity is designed to simulate a real-world BA project. Learners will go through the complete lifecycle of a Business Analyst assignment — from requirement elicitation to final presentation.

Detailed Explanation

This mini-project simulates the real-world duties of a Business Analyst (BA). As a BA, you will be involved in various phases of project development, starting with requirement elicitation, where you gather information from stakeholders. You'll then document these requirements clearly and present the final analysis to your audience, which may include peers or mentors.

Examples & Analogies

Think of this mini-project like planning a big event, such as a wedding. You start by talking to the couple (your stakeholders) to find out what they want. Then, you document the details like the venue, guest list, and catering. Finally, you present your plan to them and any other involved parties to get their approval.

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 primary goal of this mini-project is to create a comprehensive deliverable package that showcases your understanding and application of business analysis techniques. You will be addressing a specific scenario, which in this case is the Online Grocery Ordering System, and utilize skills learned throughout your course to present a thorough analysis.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine you are preparing a final presentation for a course. You gather all your notes, create slides, and rehearse your speech. By the end, you have a complete package that demonstrates everything you have learned throughout the course.

Case Scenario Description

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Suggested Case Scenario: 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 chunk introduces the specific scenario you'll be working on for the mini-project. The Online Grocery Ordering System is a project where you will define the requirements for a system that allows customers to browse products, add them to their shopping cart, and arrange for home delivery. Understanding the problem statement clearly is essential as it guides every step of your project.

Examples & Analogies

Consider the process of ordering food online. Just like you would specify what meal you want and how you want it delivered, this project focuses on the requirements for an online grocery platform providing a convenient shopping experience for customers.

Phases & Deliverables Overview

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Phases & Deliverables: Phase 1: Elicit Requirements, Phase 2: Document Requirements, Phase 3: Model the System, Phase 4: Test Planning (Optional), Phase 5: Presentation & Review.

Detailed Explanation

This section outlines the different phases you will go through to complete the mini-project, along with the expected deliverables for each phase. Each phase focuses on a specific aspect of the business analysis process, starting from understanding and collecting requirements to documenting and finally presenting your findings. It provides a structured approach to ensure you cover all necessary areas.

Examples & Analogies

Think of building a house. First, you plan and get the approval (requirement elicitation). Next, you create blueprints (documentation) and then build the house (modeling the system). Before moving in, you inspect everything to make sure it’s safe (testing), and finally, you invite your friends for a housewarming party (presentation). Each step is crucial for ensuring the final result meets expectations.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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

Key Concepts

  • Requirement Elicitation: Engaging with stakeholders to gather their needs.

  • User Stories: Short narratives describing a feature from the user's perspective.

  • Acceptance Criteria: Specific conditions under which a feature is accepted.

  • Use Case Diagram: Visual representation of the functionality of a system.

  • Wireframes: Basic visual sketches representing UI layouts.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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

Examples

  • Example of a user story: 'As a customer, I want to add items to my cart so that I can purchase them later.'

  • Example of a Gherkin acceptance criteria: 'Given I am on the product page, when I click 'Add to Cart,' then the item should appear in my shopping cart.

Memory Aids

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

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In malls or stores, to get what's in store, elicit their needs, and open the door.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Once upon a time in a grocery store, a business analyst listened at the door. They asked the customers what they wished to see, creating a system designed perfectly!

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember the acronym RACI: Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed for tracking who does what.

🎯 Super Acronyms

To remember user story quality

  • INVEST – Independent
  • Negotiable
  • Valuable
  • Estimable
  • Small
  • Testable.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Elicitation

    Definition:

    The process of gathering requirements from stakeholders.

  • Term: Stakeholder

    Definition:

    An individual or group with an interest in the project.

  • Term: User Story

    Definition:

    A brief statement defining a feature from the user's perspective.

  • Term: Gherkin

    Definition:

    A language used to define acceptance criteria in a structured format.

  • Term: Use Case Diagram

    Definition:

    A diagram showing the interactions between users and the system.

  • Term: Activity Diagram

    Definition:

    A diagram that illustrates the flow of control or data in a system.

  • Term: Wireframe

    Definition:

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