Writing Use Cases

During the Q&A for the Free class in May on Planning Iterations, I referred to quite a number of resources.  I had some folks ask me to write up those references. Here they are:

Book: XP Explained, Kent Beck
Certified Scrum Master training – http://www.implementingscrum.com
Book: The Inmates are Running the Asylum, Alan Cooper
IIBA and certifications: http://www.theiiba.org

Analysis is a very important skill, analysis on the problem, the requirements, the solution

Requirements Management Tools
Spirateam from Inflectra:  http://www.inflectra.com
IBM Rational Requisite Pro, http://www.ibm.com
IBM Telelogic Doors, http://www.ibm.com

Free UML Modeling Tool
BoUML, http://bouml.free.fr/

Requirements Writing and automatic activity diagram generation
Ravenflow, http://www.ravenflow.com

Free Documentation Tool
OpenOffice,  http://www.openoffice.org

LinkedIn Group: Starting A Business Analyst Career
Laura Brandenburg – good resource as a BA, and helps people with tuning a resume and job hunting. Her blog is http://www.bridging-the-gap.com/

Network in the Local IIBA chapters – meet other BA’s  http://www.theiiba.org

Business Process Modeling Standard, http://www.omg.org

Author: Geri Schneider Winters

I was asked recently how to increase productivity and performance as a BA. Here are some ideas based on my own experience.

1. Before acting ask yourself the best approach to something.
   • For example, when collecting information we often assume that interviews are the best approach. Before scheduling interviews, think about the information you need. Maybe you can get the information you need more quickly from a document.
   • Another example could be effectiveness. It may be more effective to collect 5 people in a room together where they can discuss an issue, rather than you asking questions of each of the 5, then following up to resolve differences. Acting as a go-between is less effective than letting the people work it out for themselves.
2. Do only what you have to do at each  point in time and no more.
   • Early in a project, we identify just the architecturally significant requirements so that the project architect can do his or her work.  The rest of the requirements are discovered later.
   • When I write use cases, I start with the basic flow. Sometimes I do not have to write any more, but if I do, I write the alternatives when they are needed.
3. Keep focused on the goal of the project.
   • You should not be working on things unrelated to the goal of the project. If you are asked to do so, talk about it with your Project Manager.
4. Keep learning your craft and get better at it.
   • Take classes in areas where you are weak.
   • Look for ways to get additional experience. Many of the skills of the BA can be practiced outside of work. For example, you can practice interviewing by asking a grandmother to tell you stories of her life while you write them. You get to practice asking questions, listening, and writing, and you have stories from grandmother that you can share with the family.

=====================================
Now it is your turn.

What do you do to be more productive? What things have you found that help you work faster?
=====================================

You are invited to re-publish articles from this blog, in your publication or website, as long as the article is intact and you include the following Byline paragraph (with live links) after each article you use…

START BYLINE

* Article used with permission from Wyyzzk, Inc.’s Resources for Business Analysts site at http://www.ResourcesForBusinessAnalysts.com This website of reports and tips contains information to help you succeed as a Business Analyst in IT.

END BYLINE

It is the second week of June, so time for the next Ask Geri Teleseminar. Each second Thursday I spend an hour answering any questions you submit about being a Business Analyst. The next Q&A is on Thursday, June 10 at noon Eastern.

I look forward to your questions!

Geri

The new Business Analyst Fundamentals class started on Monday.

This class is particularly targeted to Career Changers, so we are spending time throughout the course teaching you the skills of a BA and also helping you with techniques for tuning your resume and looking for a BA position. Homework assignments are things you can do from home, even if you are unemployed.

I know it was a holiday weekend, so some of you might have forgotten to register and now think it is too late.

It is not too late to join us!

The first class is recorded, and the replay is posted. The first question and answer session is on Thursday. So you have time to join the class and review the notes and recording before then.

Since this is the only time I am offering this class in 2010, I want to make sure you have the opportunity to join us.

You can register here: http://www.wyyzzk.com/bafundysales.html

I am looking forward to you joining us!

Geri

We have enough people on the Facebook Fan page that I was able to get a custom URL!  No more long string with strange numbers in it. Thanks to all the people who Liked the page and made this possible!

Now you can find my fanpage here: http://www.facebook.com/ResourcesForBAs

When you are on Facebook, you can post comments and questions on the Fan Page. I look at that page regularly and answer what is posted.

See you there!

Geri

Several of you have written to me to say “Geri, I really want to take your Business Analyst Fundamentals class starting May 31, but I am out of work right now and just cannot afford it.”
I have done 2 things for you:

First, I am very excited to tell you about a bonus session I have added to the course. Laura Brandenburg has agreed to host a class and Q&A on resume writing and job hunting. She is including a copy of her ebook “How to Start a Business Analyst Career”, templates for helping your evaluate your resume, and a $50 discount on her resume evaluation service.   This is a very generous offer!

Second, I challenged myself to come up with the lowest price I could for this course. I have been out of work myself in the past, and know how hard it can be.  And because the class is a teleseminar, my costs are fixed, and I can spread them among more students.

So I have cut the price almost 45% – from $1750 the price has been reduced to $970. (Anyone who has already purchased the class is getting a refund for the difference.) I am hoping this means more of you can take the class.

Visit http://www.wyyzzk.com/bafundysales.html and join us for this class.  And as the class goes along, let me know what you need to help you find your new Business Analyst position.

I’m looking forward to having you in the class!

Geri

Many of you have written to me about how to become a Business Analyst. Most often you are a career changer – you already have some number of years of experience, and you think Business Analyst is the job for you.

Starting May 31, 2010 I am offering a new course just for you – Business Analyst Fundamentals.

Imagine it is late summer and you are starting a new Business Analyst position. You are relaxed and confident, because you know just what to do. You make a good impression on your new boss, because right away you identify the most important tasks and start to work on them immediately.

That is what I want to help you achieve through this class – the skills and knowledge that will give you the confidence for your new position. I am offering the class as a 10 week teleseminar series starting 31 May 2010. All the class sessions are recorded, so if you have to miss a day, you can listen to the recording at a time convenient to you. Live Q&A sessions give you the opportunity to ask anything you want, and my Facebook fan page provides a place for everyone attending to interact.

All the details about the class and how to register are here:
Business Analyst Fundamentals

Be sure to look at the bottom of the page for my special benefits: 4 week money back guarantee, free study buddy, and Alumni status means you can retake the class free!

I’m looking forward to interacting with you in this class!

Geri

PS – Not sure about teleseminar training or how it works? Over 200 people have tested teleseminar training in my free May classes. You can do the same here: Free May Classes

Raven just announced RavenCloud. I immediately reviewed the demonstration video.

You have to check this out. It is a great product on a solid foundation with a sexy new user interface.

Very sweet!

http://www.ravencloud.com

I have known the folks at Raven for many years – I think around 10 years now – and I have done some work for them over the years. I just love their products, which is why I do some occasional work for them. It is a way for me to help them continue to do what they do best.

I do not yet have a copy of the current product, but Raven has set up with Silverlight so you can try out the product in your web browser. I like what I see. I’m looking forward to the release of this product!

It is May and I feel like celebrating BA’s this month! So I am offering some free stuff to the community I love working with.

I am offering 3 free 2 hour classes this month:

13 May 2010
Risk Driven Project Management – Planning Iterations
Many BA’s are asked to manage small projects. This class discusses how to plan iterations. This is something you need to do for RUP, Agile, XP, and Scrum projects. The class covers using risk to prioritize, the structure and schedule of an iteration, and the kind of information you need to manage an iteration. Templates and examples are included for a risk management spreadsheet and a simple iteration plan document.

17 May 2010
Creating Test Cases from Use Cases
Many BA’s work closely with the test organization or are asked to be testers. This class shows how to turn a Use Case into one or more test cases. The class also discusses the differences between test plans, test cases, and test scripts and when to use each. Templates and examples are included for a use case, test plan, test case, and test script.

24 May 2010
Web Usability Guidelines for the BA
Many BA’s find they are being asked to design the user interface. This class covers some basic guidelines for usability for web based applications. Sample web sites will be reviewed and a checklist of guidelines will be provided for your use.

These classes are offered as teleseminars and recorded. Go to this page http://www.wyyzzk.com/freeclassessales.html for more information and to register for the courses. If you cannot attend live, registration will give you access to the recordings, which you can download at your convenience.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Geri