Business Analysis Practice
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 36 Hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2023 teaching periods
Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 |
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Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
Aims and objectives
This unit aims to build an appreciation of the complex business context in which business analysts operate, and to develop the knowledge and skills required to manage in such contexts. In particular, this involves developing skills and understanding of the challenges of working with multiple stakeholder groups (often involving large numbers of people), working in multi-disciplinary teams, and through leadership and facilitation, help evolve an understanding of the nature of the problem, the desired future state and how that future state might be achieved.
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Apply coherent and advanced knowledge of the key aspects and characteristics to facilitate and lead individuals and groups towards an improved understanding of the challenges and the desired future states for the business.
2. Critically evaluate the role of the business analyst in analysing, communicating, managing and building readiness for Information Technology (IT) enabled change.
3. Communicate proficiently in professional practice to a variety of audiences, function as an effective leader or member of a diverse team.
4. Apply business analysis fundamentals to the analysis, and design of business problems and opportunities using appropriate methods and tools in a variety of contexts.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment and content.
Teaching methods
Face to Face Mode:
Class 36 hours (12 x 3 hours)
Independent Learning
114 hours (12 x 9.5 hours)
Student workload:
For all teaching and learning structures (both face to face and online), students are expected to spend an average of 150 hours per unit in total over the duration of the study period.
This includes all:
• Scheduled teaching and learning events and activities (contact hours timetabled in a face-to-face teaching space) and scheduled online learning events (contact hours scheduled in an online teaching space), and
• Non-scheduled learning events and activities (including directed online learning activities, assessments, independent study, student group meetings, and research.
To be successful, students should:
• Read all prescribed materials and/or view videos in preparation for each class
• Attend and engage in all scheduled classes (face to face or online)
• Start assessment tasks well ahead of the due date, and submit assessments promptly
• Read / listen to all feedback carefully, and consider it for future assessment
• Engage with fellow students and teaching staff (don’t hesitate to ask questions)
Assessment
Assignment (Individual) 20 - 40%
Literature review (Individual) 30-40%
Assignment and Presentation (Group) 30 - 40%
Content
• Role and Practices of Business Analysts in contemporary organisational contexts
• Business Analysts as Boundary Practitioners
• Communication in the context of Business Analysis (BA): cross-cultural communication, communication planning
• BA professional practice – understanding relationships and ethical standards critical to the practice of BA
• Interviewing skills
• Methods and tools for BA practice: Focus groups & surveys for requirements elicitation, Rapid Application Development (RAD) and Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions, influencing and negotiation skills
• Business analysis in rapid and agile systems development contexts
• Managing stakeholder expectations
• Alignment of proposed solutions with business strategies & goals, and enterprise architecture
• Managing the change associated with IT innovations
• User experience design
• Design thinking and decision thinking in the context of business analysis
• Business Analysts as Boundary Practitioners
• Communication in the context of Business Analysis (BA): cross-cultural communication, communication planning
• BA professional practice – understanding relationships and ethical standards critical to the practice of BA
• Interviewing skills
• Methods and tools for BA practice: Focus groups & surveys for requirements elicitation, Rapid Application Development (RAD) and Joint Application Development (JAD) sessions, influencing and negotiation skills
• Business analysis in rapid and agile systems development contexts
• Managing stakeholder expectations
• Alignment of proposed solutions with business strategies & goals, and enterprise architecture
• Managing the change associated with IT innovations
• User experience design
• Design thinking and decision thinking in the context of business analysis
Study resources
- Reading materials and references.
Reading materials
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading.
References
Students are advised to check the unit outline in the relevant teaching period for appropriate textbooks and further reading