7.1 - BRD – Business Requirements Document

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Introduction to BRD

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we will explore the Business Requirements Document, or BRD. Can anyone explain what you think a BRD is?

Student 1
Student 1

Is it a document that outlines what the business needs for a project?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly, it defines the 'What' and 'Why' of a project from a business standpoint. Remember, BRD stands for Business Requirements Document. Now, who can tell me why it’s important?

Student 2
Student 2

I think it’s important because it helps to get everyone on the same page!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Aligning stakeholders is crucial to project success. Let’s write down the key purpose of the BRD: defining goals, getting buy-in, and initiating projects.

Teacher
Teacher

So, to remember what the BRD does, we can use the acronym 'GBI' - Goals, Buy-in, Initiation. Can anyone think of an example of a business requirement?

Student 3
Student 3

Like, ‘The system shall allow customers to view previous transactions for up to 12 months.’?

Teacher
Teacher

Excellent example! To recap, the BRD outlines crucial information for a project, helping to align expectations and facilitate communication.

Components of the BRD

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Teacher
Teacher

Next, let's dive deeper into the key components of the BRD. Can someone name one?

Student 4
Student 4

The Executive Summary?

Teacher
Teacher

Right! The Executive Summary gives an overview of the entire document. Who can list another component?

Student 1
Student 1

The Business Objectives!

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! The objectives define what the business aims to achieve. These components help ensure clarity. Now, let's discuss the stakeholder list – why is that important?

Student 2
Student 2

Because we need to know who is involved and their expectations.

Teacher
Teacher

Great observation! Understanding stakeholders is essential for alignment. To remember these components, think of the acronym 'EBSHSAC': Executive Summary, Business Objectives, Stakeholders, High-level requirements, Assumptions, Constraints, Success Criteria. Can anyone state why assumptions and constraints matter?

Student 3
Student 3

They clarify what we believe to be true and highlight limitations.

Teacher
Teacher

Absolutely. Keeping track of those will guide project adjustments. In summary, the BRD is structured to clearly communicate what the business intends to accomplish.

The Role of the BA

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's focus now on the role of the Business Analyst. What do you think is their primary responsibility?

Student 4
Student 4

Gathering business needs?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A BA is vital for collecting and validating business requirements. Can anyone tell me how they collaborate with stakeholders?

Student 1
Student 1

They probably hold meetings to ensure everyone is aligned.

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! Communication is key. Now, a quick question: why is it important for a BA to document and communicate the business case?

Student 2
Student 2

To ensure that everyone understands the goals and how to achieve them?

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! A documented case ensures everyone understands the goals and aligns their work accordingly. Let’s summarize the BA’s key roles: gather needs, collaborate, document business cases. Can anyone think of how this might look in practice?

Student 3
Student 3

They might create visual aids like charts to clarify complex points.

Teacher
Teacher

Yes, that's a great approach! In summary, BAs play a crucial role in bridging business expectations with project execution.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

The Business Requirements Document (BRD) delineates high-level business needs and stakeholder expectations essential for project success.

Standard

A Business Requirements Document (BRD) serves to outline critical business objectives, project scope, and stakeholder involvement, establishing a shared foundation for project initiation. The BRD primarily answers the 'Why' and 'What' of a project and is crucial for gaining approval from stakeholders.

Detailed

Business Requirements Document (BRD)

The BRD is a crucial document in requirement management that outlines the overarching business needs, objectives, and stakeholder expectations related to a project. This document plays a pivotal role in ensuring that all stakeholders, including business users and developers, maintain alignment throughout the project lifecycle.

Purpose of the BRD

  • Define Business Goals and Scope: Clearly articulates the aims of the project and parameters defining what is included and excluded.
  • Gain Executive/Stakeholder Buy-in: Essential for securing approval and commitment from those involved.
  • Initiate Project: Establishes a shared understanding which is vital for moving forward.

Key Components of the BRD

  1. Executive Summary / Introduction: Brief overview of the document.
  2. Business Objectives: Clear articulation of business goals.
  3. Project Scope: Includes in-scope (what's included) and out-of-scope (what's excluded) elements.
  4. Stakeholder List: Identification of all individuals and groups who have a vested interest in the project's outcome.
  5. High-Level Business Requirements: Major requirements necessary to meet business goals, such as, "The system shall allow customers to view previous transactions for up to 12 months."
  6. Assumptions and Constraints: Conditions that are believed to be true, and limitations affecting the project.
  7. Success Criteria: Metrics or benchmarks to determine if the business goals have been achieved.

Role of Business Analysts (BAs)

  • Gather and Validate Needs: Ensuring the requirements reflect what stakeholders require.
  • Collaborate: Serving as a bridge between stakeholders and project management to document the business case effectively.

Audience for the BRD

The BRD is primarily targeted at business stakeholders, project managers, and sponsors to ensure everyone involved has a collective understanding of the project's intentions and requirements.

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Definition of BRD

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A Business Requirements Document (BRD) outlines high-level business needs, objectives, and stakeholder expectations. It answers the "Why" and "What" of the project from a business perspective.

Detailed Explanation

The Business Requirements Document (BRD) serves as a foundational document that explains the overall business needs and objectives behind a project. It highlights the reasons for initiating the project (the 'Why') and what it aims to achieve (the 'What'). This ensures that everyone involved understands the project's purpose and goals.

Examples & Analogies

Think of a BRD like a blueprint for a house before it's built. It provides a detailed outline of what the house will look like, why it's being constructed, and what it aims to accomplish, making sure every builder and architect is on the same page about the project.

Purpose of BRD

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● To define business goals and scope
● To get executive/stakeholder buy-in and sign-off
● To initiate the project and establish a shared understanding

Detailed Explanation

The BRD has several important purposes. First, it defines the business goals and the scope of what the project will cover, clarifying what is included and what is excluded. Second, it helps secure approval or buy-in from key executives and stakeholders, which is crucial for moving forward. Finally, it acts as a tool for initiating the project, ensuring that all parties have a common understanding of the project's intent.

Examples & Analogies

Imagine organizing a community event. Before you start, you would need to outline the event's purpose, get the approval from local authorities (stakeholders), and ensure that everyone involved understands what the event will entail. The BRD serves a similar role in a project.

Key Components of BRD

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● Executive Summary / Introduction
● Business Objectives
● Project Scope (In-scope and Out-of-scope)
● Stakeholder List
● High-Level Business Requirements
● Assumptions and Constraints
● Success Criteria

Detailed Explanation

The BRD consists of several key components that guide its structure. The Executive Summary introduces the document, while Business Objectives lay out what the business aims to achieve. The Project Scope details what is included and excluded in the project. The Stakeholder List identifies all parties involved, and High-Level Business Requirements specify what needs to be accomplished. Assumptions and Constraints outline any limitations or expectations, and Success Criteria define how the project's success will be measured.

Examples & Analogies

Consider a strategy plan for launching a new product. You would start with a summary of what the product is, what you expect to achieve, who will be involved, the features it must have, and the challenges you might face. All these elements represent the structure of a BRD.

Example Business Requirement

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“The system shall allow customers to view previous transactions for up to 12 months.”

Detailed Explanation

An example of a business requirement clarifies what the system must be able to do. In this case, the requirement specifies that customers should have the ability to look back at their transaction history for a year, outlining a necessary feature of the system that meets user needs.

Examples & Analogies

Suppose you go to a bank and ask for a feature in its app that allows you to see all your transactions for the last year. This requirement is akin to the example provided, showcasing a critical function that enhances user experience.

BA’s Role in BRD

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● Gather and validate business needs
● Collaborate with stakeholders and sponsors
● Document and communicate the business case

Detailed Explanation

The Business Analyst (BA) plays a crucial role in the development of the BRD. Their responsibilities include gathering and validating the actual needs of the business, ensuring that the documented requirements are accurate. They work closely with stakeholders and sponsors to ensure that the document reflects their expectations, and they prepare the business case that justifies the project's initiation.

Examples & Analogies

If you're planning a surprise party for a friend, you would talk to mutual friends to understand what they think your friend would enjoy (gathering needs). You may then suggest ideas that fit your friend’s preferences and validate those ideas with other friends before finalizing the plan. A BA does something similar when developing a BRD.

Target Audience of the BRD

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Business stakeholders, sponsors, and project managers

Detailed Explanation

The intended audience for the BRD includes business stakeholders, project sponsors, and project managers. These individuals are key decision-makers who will use the BRD to understand the project’s goals and ensure that the proposed solution aligns with business objectives.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the BRD as a presentation meant for a select audience at a company meeting. The people in attendance (stakeholders, sponsors, project managers) need to grasp the project’s essentials to make informed decisions moving forward.

Definitions & Key Concepts

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Key Concepts

  • Business Requirements Document (BRD): A crucial document outlining business needs and stakeholder expectations.

  • Purpose of the BRD: To define goals, secure buy-in, and initiate projects.

  • Key Components: Includes Executive Summary, Business Objectives, Stakeholder List, etc.

  • Role of Business Analysts: Gathering needs, collaborating with stakeholders, and documenting the business case.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • Example of a business requirement: 'The system shall allow customers to view previous transactions for up to 12 months.'

  • Example of success criteria: 'The project will be considered successful if 90% of users report satisfaction with the new system.'

Memory Aids

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🎵 Rhymes Time

  • When you hear BRD, think business and needs; without this clarity, be prepared to take heed.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Imagine a company launching a new app. The BRD guides them, making sure they tap into what users might want, helping them avoid missteps.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • Remember 'GBI' for the BRD's purpose: Goals, Buy-in, Initiation.

🎯 Super Acronyms

EBSHSAC to remember

  • Executive Summary
  • Business Objectives
  • Stakeholders
  • High-level requirements
  • Assumptions
  • Constraints
  • Success Criteria.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Business Requirements Document (BRD)

    Definition:

    A document that outlines high-level business needs, objectives, and stakeholder expectations, primarily answering the 'Why' and 'What' of a project.

  • Term: Stakeholder

    Definition:

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

  • Term: Executive Summary

    Definition:

    A section summarizing the main points of the document for quick reference.

  • Term: Inscope

    Definition:

    Items or features that are included in the project's work and deliverables.

  • Term: Outofscope

    Definition:

    Items or features that are excluded from the project's work and deliverables.

  • Term: Success Criteria

    Definition:

    Measures or metrics used to evaluate whether the project meets its goals.