BUS 362 Business Process
Analysis
Dr. Eman Nasr
Getting to know you …
Module 1: Information
Systems Development
Dr. Eman Nasr
Learning Objectives
1. Explain the importance of developing information systems
and the phases of development lifecycle
2. Create a system request for initiating an IT project
3. Explain the different roles of system analysts
4. Discuss and list some CASE tools
Information Systems Development
Technical
Side
Managerial
Side
(Business
Analysis)
Business Analysis
• Business analysis is the practice of enabling change in
an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions
that deliver value to stakeholders.
• Business analysis allows an enterprise to articulate needs and
the rationale for change, and to design and describe solutions
that can deliver value.
• Good business analysis enables an organization to be agile,
to respond well and rapidly to the changing environment, and
to better meet customer needs.
https://www.iiba.org/professional-development/knowledge-centre/articles/business-agility-and-business-analysis-in-sync-for-success/
6
Business
Agility
(Good)
Business
Analysis
Data
Orientation
Process
Orientation
Skills for Good Business Analysis
• Project management, communication, facilitation
• Analytical skills
• Problem solving
• Creative thinking
• Organizational knowledge
• Of course, tech savvy (diagrams and CASE tools)
What’s Your Biggest Strength
Managing a transformational systems
project from inception to deployment
IS Project: What and why
• A one time, scoped and timed endeavor aimed at altering
business processes using one or more technologies.
• Reasons for pursuing IT projects:
▪ Fixing a problem or point of pain
IT Project Business
▪ Pursuing a business opportunity
Processes
▪ Catching up with competition
▪ Requirement (e.g. government or regulatory body)
▪ Automating processes or redesigning them
▪ Business Process Management
▪ Continuous analysis and improvement of business processes (IT)
BPM Topologies
• Business Process Automation
• “Create or adjust electronic workflows to match the improved process maps”
• Business Process Improvement
• Study the business processes
• Create new, redesigned processes to improve the process workflows, and/or
• Utilize new technologies enabling new process structures
• Business Process Reengineering
• Total overhaul of work processes
Copyright ©2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
12
Walmart’s Fulfilment Centre
How Are IT Systems Built?
• Steps; AND Typologies to follow the steps in certain order
1. Steps - Systems Development Life Cycle (S D L C)
▪ Planning
▪ Analysis
▪ Design
▪ Implementation
Copyright ©2019 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
14
Planning
Analysis
• Why an information system should
be built, and determining
• How the project team will go about
building it.
• Two steps:
• Who will use the system
• What the system will do
• Where it will be used
• When it will be used
• The project team
1. project initiation, the system’s
business value to the organization is
identified (How will it lower costs
or increase revenues?).
2. project management, the project
manager creates a work plan, staffs
the project, and puts techniques in
place to help the project team
control and direct the project
through the entire SDLC.
▪ investigates any current system(s)
▪ identifies improvement
opportunities and
▪ develops a concept for the new
system
Design
Implementation
• how the system will operate, in
terms of the
• During the implementation
phase, the system is either
developed or purchased (in the
case of packaged software) and
installed.
• This phase is usually the longest
and most expensive part of the
process.
▪ hardware, software, and network
infrastructure;
▪ the user interface, forms, and
reports that will be used;
▪ and the specific programs,
databases, and files that will be
needed.
Which Stage Takes Up Most Project Time
Mapping to the Course
Planning
Analysis
Design
• Feasibility Analysis – Chapter 1
• Managing an IT Project – Chapter 2
• Requirements Analysis – Chapter 3
• Use Case Analysis – Chapter 4
• Process Analysis/Modeling – Chapter 5
• Data Analysis/Modeling – Chapter 6
• Physical System Design – Chapter 7
• Architecture Design – Chapter 8
• Interface Design – Chapter 9
Typologies for SDLC (More in chapter 2)
• Structured Systems Development
• Waterfall, Parallel Development, and, V model)
• Rapid Application Development
• Iterative Development, System Prototyping, Throw-Away
Prototyping
• Agile
Initiating an IT Project
1. Identify business need
2. Someone steps up! Project Sponsor
3. Create System Request
4. Approval Committee reviews the System Request
5. If approved, the project goes to Feasibility Analysis, then,
create a Project Plan
System Request
Element
Description
Examples
Project Sponsor
The person who initiates the
project and who serves as the
primary point of contact for the
project on the business side
Several members of the finance department
Vice president of marketing
C IO
CEO
Business Need
The business-related reason for
initiating the system
Reach a new market segment Offer a capability to keep up with
competitors
Improve access to information
Decrease product defects; Streamline supply acquisition processes
Business
Requirements
The new or enhanced business
capabilities that the system will
provide
Provide onIine access to information
Capture customer demographic information
Include product search capabilities
Produce performance reports, Enhance online user support
Business Value
The benefits that the system will
create for the organization
3% increase in sales
1% increase in market share
Reduction in headcount by 5 FTEs
$200,000 cost savings from decreased supply costs
$150,000 savings from removal of outdated technology
Special Issues or
Constraints
Issues that pertain to the approval
committee’s decision
Government-mandated deadline for May 30 System needed in time for
the Christmas holiday season
Top-level security clearance needed by project team to work with data
System Analyst – Your Ultimate Role!
… Architect
… Engineer
… Scientist
Technical
Side
Managerial
Side
(Business
Analysis)
• Business Analyst
• Requirements Analyst
• Change Management
Analyst (other titles too)
• Project Manager
The BA Career Road Map
System Analyst – Career Paths
Business Insider: Top 30 highest
paying jobs (2021)
#1 Software developers and
software quality assurance
analysts and testers
https://www.businessinsider.com/best-jobs-future-growth-2019-3
Immigration Canada Top 15 Most
In-Demand Jobs in Canada (2021)
#1 Technology and Engineering
https://www.immigration.ca/canadas-top-15-most-in-demand-jobs-in-wake-of-covid-19-pandemic
FIGURE 1-1 Career Paths
for Systems Developers