Beyond Requirements: Analysis with an Agile Mindset

The Agile Software Development Series

by Kent J. McDonald

Satisfy Stakeholders by Solving the Right Problems, in the Right Ways In Beyond Requirements , Kent J. McDonald shows how applying analysis techniques with an agile mindset can radically transform analysis from merely “gathering and documenting requirements” to an important activity teams use to build shared understanding. First, McDonald discusses the unique agile mindset, reviews the key principles underlying it, and shows how these principles link to effective analysis. Next, he puts these principles to work in four wide-ranging and thought-provoking case studies. Finally, he drills down on a full set of techniques for effective agile analysis, using examples to show how, why, and when they work. McDonald’s strategies will teach you how to understand stakeholders’ needs, identify the best solution for satisfying those needs, and build a shared understanding of your solution that persists throughout the product lifecycle. He also demonstrates how to iterate your analysis, taking advantage of what you learn throughout development, testing, and deployment so that you can continuously adapt, refine, and improve. Whether you’re an analysis practitioner or you perform analysis tasks as a developer, manager, or tester, McDonald’s techniques will help your team consistently find and deliver better solutions. Coverage includes Kent J. McDonald uncovers better ways of delivering value. His experience includes work in business analysis, strategic planning, project management, and product development in the financial services, health insurance, performance marketing, human services, nonprofit, and automotive industries. He has a BS in industrial engineering from Iowa State University and an MBA from Kent State University. He is coauthor of Stand Back and Accelerating Business Agility (Addison-Wesley, 2009).

Genres: Business, Nonfiction

265 pages, Paperback

First published July 25, 2013

Reviews

[Charlie Meneses · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a novice is a really good book to start to work as Scrum Master/Business Analyst/Product Owner, I will definitely recommend it.
However if you have good experience in the Agile/BA/Scrum world, you will see the book has a lot of basic information, (even though is well synthesized). I revisited some good practices that I already do with my teams, and I got some good ideas from the book.
Either way you're a novice or an experience person, you will get good info from here.

[Michael O'Flaherty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had a hard time with this book; there are some nuggets of wisdom, but there were sections that seemed to take off on tangents. I use scrum at work and was trying to broaden my horizons. Can't say that happened with this read, but in all fairness, I gave it three stars for the effort. It was long and mentally exhausting otherwise.

[Pawel Cyzman · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you still think that agile business analysis is just writing user stories, then you should read this book. But remember, "Adopting the appropriate mindset is more important than mastering a specific set of techniques". I recommend this book also to those who are preparing for IIBA® Agile Analysis Certification.

[Bart Schotten · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good overview of some essential ideas that every modern IT analyst should know.