Business analysts are speaking of agile analysis more and more often. This analysis technique is becoming more popular as a new generation of business owners takes control. Agile analysis is a hands-on approach and demands more direct communication. The communications include an increased number of in person discussions. Emails and faxes become rare. Still, what is an agile analysis?
Agile analysis applies and expands business troubleshooting. A business analyst who practices agile analysis is a hands-on person. Stakeholders using agile analysis are informed better than upper management without the benefit of an agile analysis. Agile analysis merges stakeholders and participants into a cohesive unit with a single focused task. Communication channels are always open when it is about agile analysis. Agile analysis requires the business analyst to depend on his or her people skills.
The resulting analysis answers the questions:
Who is the project for?
What type of functions do they want?
Why do they want this functionality?
When do they expect it to be delivered?
How much is the product/project going to cost?
Where will the product be used?
Typical, if you can answer these questions with solid information, you are well on your way to creating a solution for problem. However, with Agile analysis we throw all of this out the window.
Agile analysis is a congenial process. The business analyst will be in constant communication with the stakeholders. He or she will have more direct and personal contact with them contrasted with e-mails and faxes. The stakeholders are indispensable in an agile analysis process. They become hands-on clients. They will want to be part of every step of development.
In short, with agile analysis, the business analyst and development teams working together to deliver working software in a swift manner. They will be able to get direct information allowing changes to be made quickly for the client. A working model will target each step or phase. The results are “just in time solutions.”
Questions of compatibility are generated as each phase is presented to the stakeholders. This allows the team to analyze the progress and determine if the product is within the project scope. Each phase meeting is an opportunity to explore the product with a segment of questions and answers. This ensures all parties participating know what is happening and what is going to happen.
In the past few years, agile analysis has continued to become more broadly used. Customers find the quick method to resolving project issues a positive improvement. The agile business analysts enjoy the close contact with the stakeholders and Information and Systems departments. They like being able to produce products that are accepted and liked by their clients. Finally, the requested product improves as expected. Agile analysis is often the most cost effective method. It is a win win situation.
To find out more about Agile analysis, visit the website: http://agile-scrum-project-management.com/
