Timeline of Main Events & Concepts

This timeline isn't based on a specific narrative with chronological events. Instead, it's a logical progression of the concepts and stages in a business analysis project, as outlined by the book.

Pre-Project:

• Understanding the Role of a BA: Recognizing that business analysis involves defining objectives, addressing challenges, and defining solutions. (Chapter 1)
• Recognizing BA Skills: Identifying communication, research, time management, and big-picture thinking as essential BA skills. (Chapter 1)
• Understanding the IIBA BABOK: Getting acquainted with the industry standard for business analysis practices. (Chapter 1)
• Preparing for a new Project: Clearing calendars, organizing and getting to know the team (Chapter 17)

Project Initiation and Planning:

• Identifying Stakeholders: Understanding who has an interest in the project and will be affected by it. (Chapter 3)
• Creating a RACI Matrix: Defining roles and responsibilities for stakeholders. (Chapter 3)
• Planning Elicitation Sessions: Determining what information to capture, who to capture it from, and a meeting schedule (Chapter 6)
• Document Analysis: Reviewing company documents to gather background information. (Chapter 7)

Elicitation and Requirements Gathering:

• Framing Questions: Asking questions that reveal core needs, not just solutions. (Chapter 6)
• Various Elicitation Techniques: Interviewing, observing, performing tasks, brainstorming, etc. (Chapter 7)
• Investigating Needs: Distinguishing between wants and actual needs and seeking the root cause of problems (Chapter 8)
• Analyzing the Mission and Market: Gaining context around company goals and existing problems. (Chapter 8)

Problem Evaluation and Solution Definition:

• Evaluating the Problem: Assessing the impact and value of solving the identified problem. (Chapter 8)
• Establishing Costs and Benefits: Determining the risks and benefits associated with different solutions. (Chapter 8)
• Defining SMART Objectives: Setting goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound (Chapters 8, 9)
• Creating a Business Case: Building an argument for a proposed solution and course of action. (Chapter 9)

Scope Management and Planning:

• Creating and Maintaining Scope: Understanding what is and isn't relevant to the project (Chapter 10). Using Context Level Data Flow Diagrams (Scope Diagrams). (Chapter 10)
• Managing Scope Creep: Identifying and addressing changes that fall outside the defined boundaries. (Chapter 10)
• Project Planning: Understanding People, project characteristics and project processes (Chapter 11)

Requirements Management and Analysis:

• Categorizing Requirements: Organizing requirements into business, stakeholder, solution, and other types. (Chapter 12)
• Documenting Requirements: Writing down the problem/opportunity and defining what has to be done (not how) (Chapter 12)
• Non-Functional Requirements: Defining how well a solution must perform. (Chapter 12)
• Data Modeling: Identifying data attributes, relationships, and cardinalities. (Chapter 12, 18)
• Functional Decomposition: Breaking down high level tasks into subtasks (Chapter 13)
• Decision tables: mapping out various conditions and results (Chapter 13)

Verification and Validation:

• Smoke Tests: Verifying if full testing can begin. (Chapter 13)
• Requirements Verification: Confirming if the system was built correctly against the requirements. (Chapter 13)
• Requirements Validation: Ensuring the correct system was built (Chapter 13)

Post Project:

• Networking: Developing relationships with business partners (Chapter 17)
• Continuous Learning: Improving skills and exploring new methodologies. (Introduction)