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Title:Mastering Business Analysis Standard Practices

Subtitle: Seven Steps to the Next Level of Competency

Author: Kelley Bruns, CBAP, PMI-PBA, PMP, PMI-ACP, CSM, and Billie Johnson, CBAP, PMI-PBA, CSM

Details:Softcover, 7.5×9.25, 400 pages, ISBN: 978-1-60427-138-6, March 2019

Retail Price: $69.95

JRP Direct Price: $59.95

Exclusively for the PM/BA Times community, use the coupon code: BAPM20 at checkout to save an extra 20% on J. Ross Publishing titles.

Reviews:

“The real-life examples alone set this business analysis book apart from the others because you can see what really works in a variety of scenarios. It underscores the concept that not every tool is applicable to every effort and offers guidance for selecting the right tools for the right situation. This reference is not only relevant to BA generalists, but also for specialists or those considering specializing in a business analysis perspective. This is the first BA-related publication I’ve seen that offers that.”

Colleen Meesey, CBAP, Product Manager, International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)

“Mastery of business analysis skills is more important than ever. Bruns and Johnson have authored an invaluable guide for those who want a practical, actionable understanding of how to improve project success through business analysis practices. This should be required reading for all business analysts!”

Andy Kaufman, PMP, Speaker, Author, Executive Coach, Institute for Leadership Excellence & Development Inc.

Description

This volume in the Business Analysis Professional Development Series presents all the standard practices for performing business analysis work across seven steps, five perspectives, and 74 techniques. It will help business analysts at all levels further develop their skills and capabilities and master the next, or intermediate, level of competency in business analysis needed to advance their careers.

This reference provides valuable guidance to everyone who performs BA work, uses BA deliverables, reviews or approves BA deliverables, or manages or mentors BA practitioners. It will help readers comprehend the BA role, responsibilities, and deliverables that ensure business analysis success.

For instructors, trainers, and students, the supplemental Mastering Business Analysis Standard Practices Workbook, designed to be used in conjunction with the main text, enables readers to practice the seven-step process they are learning with a realistic case study, exercises, and suggested solutions. It helps facilitate self-learning and course instruction effectively where users can engage the processes before applying them on their own projects.

Key Features

  • Presents a structured step-by-step process for performing business analysis that any new or experienced practitioner could follow, rather than having to piece the process together themselves
  • Addresses stakeholder identification and thoroughly examines stakeholder analysis and management to ensure a deep understanding before planning or engaging stakeholder involvement
  • Discusses how to perform situational needs analysis and prepare situational justification for decision makers within the business context
  • Demonstrates how to plan the business analysis work effort and develop and execute communication and information management plans
  • Shows how to set up a project for success with a clear and concise scope definition boundary, maintain agreement on scope, and control scope in an ever-changing environment

 About the Authors

Kelley Bruns, President of Bruns Consulting, LLC, is a veteran corporate trainer, mentor, training manager, course developer, and author with more than 25 years of experience helping enterprise project teams solve problems. She is a former Vice President of BA Training at ASPE and a leading expert in business analysis and various approaches to project management and product development.  She holds a Master’s degree in Adult Education with a concentration in Training and Development from Drake University.  Ms. Bruns was actively involved in the IIBA Enhanced Certification Redesign and the Endorsed Education Provider Advisory Group. 

Billie Johnson, an independent trainer and consultant, is a leading business analysis expert and practicing professional who has been involved in establishing business analysis direction, processes, and modeling for almost 30 years—spanning the financial, manufacturing, consulting, education, government, retail, and mining industries. She was an early adopter of the IIBA® Certified Business Analysis Professional™ (CBAP®) certification, receiving her CBAP® in May 2007; as well as the PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA®) certification achieved as soon as it was offered in July 2014.  She is also a Certified Scrum Master (CSM) accredited by the Scrum Alliance.