Business Analysis Techniques: 72 Essential Tools for Success

by James Cadle, Paul Turner, Debra Paul

Business analysts are generally charged with the investigation of ideas and problems. Their role is to formulate options for a way forward and produce business cases setting out conclusions and recommendations. The development of business analysis as a professional discipline has extended the role of the business analyst who now needs the widest possible array of tools. This book provides 72 possible techniques and applies them within a framework of stages such as 'Investigate Situation', 'Define Requirements' and 'Manage Change'. - Business analysts exist in a variety of roles at the heart of business to identify problems and opportunities; - 72 key techniques for all business analysts; - Practical advice to suit all situations; - Of huge benefit to business analysts, managers, and students. The book complements Business Analysis (ed Debra Paul and Donald Yeates).

Genres: Business, Bisexual, Nonfiction

284 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[DBiddle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Editor did a terrible job. Spelling mistakes abound and a key concept is explained then another key concept is explained before showing the original key concept's model/diagram thus giving this book a very disjointed flow.

[Tunde Suleiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book. Easy to read and detailed. Unfortunately, in my opinion, does not address agile methodologies in a great way.
But explains Business analysis and requirement gathering and management excellently. Have read more than twice and still want to go over again.

[Farooq Mazhar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book have number of techniques that can help to analyse business problems. It covered stakeholder management, identification and analysis. Also, techniques such as Porter’s 5 Forces model, PESTEL Analysis, Value Chain, etc. to analysis both internal and external business environments. It only lack real examples or case studies. I think authors should include few short cases or scenarios. I recommend to read further books for getting deep understanding of competitive advantage, competitive strategy, balanced scorecard, and others.

[Khalid Joharji · Rating 5 out of 5]

Possibly one of the most useful books that takes you directly into techniques, with sufficient examples. the book unlike other books in the field is short and to the point which is greatly appreciated.

[Alaa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for learning many essential analysis techniques.

[Barry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I suppose this book does exactly what it says on the tin. I've been interested in systems thinking and process improvement for a while. I have had a few set backs in considering myself for a Business Analyst position but recently I got an interview for the role. I knew my thinking was okay but I was unsure of the range of techniques and models associated with the industry.

Luckily, I picked this book up! What we have are 72 Business Analysis tools to help the Analyst with every aspect of the role. Depending on your organisation and how the role is defined some will be more useful than others.

Each technique is grouped into one of seven chapters which consider all the stages of business improvement activity from strategy to investigation to considering perspectives, analysing needs and evaluating options through to defining requirements and managing change.

Each technique has an introduction to what it is and a demonstration of how it can be used in practice. Each chapter has further reading which I have found useful.

I'll never be a 'typical' Business Analyst and I'm definitely not a techie! I did find the chapter on Defining Requirements a little challenging and I will need to re-read that. Likewise I found the chapter on Change Management a little lacking and really there could have been much more there.

That said the book is very readable, has good examples and I suspect will be well used in future. Yep, I got the job!

[Sarah]

I copy-edited this book for the publisher, working on screen in Microsoft Word. I liaised with the author to resolve editorial queries and returned the text edited and tagged ready for typesetting.

[Bibhu Ashish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a quick reference.Full of techniques and tools for Business analysis.Must for anyone who is looking for quick and concise book on BA

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! This book covers Business Analysis techniques in an effective way. My go-to book for BA techniques. {Will write more soon]