Strategic Business Analysis (Advanced) Course

Don’t get left behind…

Organisations need to remain viable if they are to thrive in today’s challenging economic environment. Regardless of industry or sector, organisations develop strategic plans that are based on key drivers such as compliance, operational efficiencies, or market growth to help them remain viable.

The Expert BA* plays a key role in helping organisations develop and realise their strategic goals. The formalisation of Business Analysis practices has seen the need for Expert BAs to act in the capacity as strategic business advisors, mentors for less experienced Business Analysts, and as a champion for outstanding organisational Business Analysis practices.

Whereas a Project BA responds to objectives and defines requirements within boundaries, the Expert BA understands organisational strategies, defines critical objectives, and seeks out requirements that help improve a business. The Expert BA therefore assumes a more consultative role and aspires to be a trusted advisor to the executive team.

This course is aligned with International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA^®) Competency Standards, which are supported by A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge^® (BABOK^® Guide).

* The term ‘Expert BA’ is used here to denote any person who performs business analysis activities at a senior or enterprise level, regardless of their job title or role. The IIBA^® term for this role is an Advanced Generalist BA.

Key Topics

Key competencies of an Expert BA

Using emotional and cultural intelligence to enhance stakeholder interactions.

Enterprise and business acumen

The role of the Expert BA across different levels of the organisation. The importance of developing a cross-functional focus. Evaluating the impact of proposed business changes on the organisation. Reviewing the relationship between enterprise and business strategy. Exploring environmental and strategic analysis models.

Implementing organisational strategy

The analyst’s role in conducting Enterprise Analysis. Exploring the link between business need, objectives, scope and benefits.

Demonstrating value through benefits management

The role of an analyst in benefits management. Exploring ways to identify, quantify, model, and manage benefits. Justifying initiatives through cost-benefit analysis. Optimising senior stakeholder interactions using a range of personal, interpersonal and leadership skills.

Improving Business Analysis Practices in the Organisation

The senior analyst’s role in developing BA skills and competencies in an organisation. Evaluating analysis plans to ensure a successful project / program outcome. Managing risk at a project, programme and enterprise level.

Course Objectives

By the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Assess an organisation’s problems and needs in light of its strategies, objectives, and industry position
• Contribute to the selection of high-value initiatives through enterprise analysis and cost-benefit analysis
• Develop high-level enterprise models that facilitate business transformation
• Develop a ‘big picture’ view that will help improve integration between strategy and implementation.
• Undertake rigorous mapping and benefits management activities to enable the successful execution of strategy
• Assess internal control requirements to minimise an organisation’s risk exposure
• Act as a mentor and reviewer for less experienced analysts

Successful completion of this course will enable participants to:

• Assess an organisation’s problems and needs in light of its strategies, objectives, and industry position
• Proactively seek out requirements that help improve a business
• Contribute to the selection of high-value initiatives through enterprise analysis and cost-benefit analysis
• Undertake rigorous mapping and benefits management activities to enable the successful execution of strategy
• Develop high-level enterprise models that facilitate business transformation
• Identify and analyse internal control requirements to minimise an organisation’s exposure to risk
• Act as a mentor and reviewer for less experienced analysts
• Conduct effective management presentations