Blog Posts

What is Software Development Life Cycle

19/1/2023

Software Development Lifecycle Phases

Let us start with SDLC Phases or Software Development Lifecycle phases. SDLC phases in order are: Planning and Analysis, Design, Development, Testing and Integration, Deployment or Implementation and Maintenance. We will learn about these SDLC phases now.

Planning and Analysis Phase:Here in this phase the project timelines are planned by the team. Solution Architecture is planned or finalised by the architect. Business Analyst has the key role to play in this phase he develops the requirements by identifying stakeholders. Business Analyst focuses on requirements. He Elicits, Analyses, Documents and validates the Requirements.

Design Phase: In the Design phase, Software designer prepares the design specification this should answer the question "How will we build this?". Here high level design, low level design, code and component architecture is designed.

Development Phase: In the Development phase, Basis Analysis (What will be the behaviour of software) and Design (What will be the structure of software) outputs, development team develops the software

Testing Phase: In this phase, application is tested in the testing environment, all areas of the application are tested in detail to spot any defects, bugs or other problems.

Deployment or Implementation Phase: In this phase: Software is deployed in the live environment. Before software is made live, deployment of implementation activities may include: Installation, Configuration, Demonstration, Training, Handholding Test Run, Live Run etc.

Maintenance Phase: This phase involves updating and supporting the software after it has been delivered to the market.

Thank-you for watching SDLC, Software Development Life-cycle video and learning from the blog. Contact us for Business Analyst, SCRUM, Product Owner and Product Manager related career roles. https://wa.me/919810055734

What is the reason for stakeholder conflicts? How to resolve stakeholder conflicts on IT projects

17/1/2023

Stakeholder Conflict Management

Reasons for stakeholder conflicts on IT Projects

An IT Project is an exercise of change. Where-ever there is change there is challenge and conflict. Conflict happens because of differences in the world view of different stakeholders, their priorities, responsibilities and goals. Reasons for conflict can be due to

Prioritisation: Stakeholders may have different priorities for the project, and may disagree on which features or requirements should be given the most attention. Say some stakeholders may prefer higher security compared to speed.
Budget: Stakeholders may have different ideas about how much money should be allocated to the project and may disagree about how to allocate resources. A Chief Finance Officer may have different outlook towards budget allocation viz a viz an end user.
Timeline: Stakeholders may have different expectations for how long the project will take, and may disagree on the schedule or deadlines. Some stakeholders may not have a realistic estimate on effort and time required for developing new features for a complex software system.
Scope: Stakeholders may have different ideas about the scope of the project, and may disagree on what features or requirements should be included. Sometimes almost every stakeholder is ready with a list of new features which is expected from the system. Stakeholders may even try to show off their knowledge with their suggestions.
Quality: Stakeholders may have different expectations for the quality of the final product, and may disagree on the standards or testing processes that should be used. What might be acceptable to some may not be the same for others.
Risk: Stakeholders may have different opinions on the risks associated with the project, and may disagree on how to mitigate or manage those risks.
Technical decisions: Stakeholders may have different opinions on the technical decisions of the project, and may disagree on how to approach certain technical challenges. Say a complex configurable design viz a viz simple less complex and less costly design.
Decision making: Stakeholders may have different opinions on how decisions should be made, and may disagree on who should be making the decisions. Some times a few stake holders may wish to impose their decisions on every one else.

It's important to note that conflicts are normal in any project, and the Product Manager or Product Owner or Scrum Master has the role of helping the team and the stakeholders to understand each other's perspectives and find a resolution that works for everyone.

Understanding stakeholder conflict with an example.

A software product company is developing a new software application for their clients. The development team has been working on the project for several months, and they have completed several iterations of the product. However, stakeholders from the Sales department and the Marketing department have different ideas about how the application should be marketed and sold to the clients. The Sales department wants the application to be marketed as a stand-alone product, while the Marketing department wants it to be bundled with other products and services. The development team is caught in the middle, and they are not sure which approach to take.

Resolving Stakeholder Conflicts

In this scenario, either the the Product Manager or Product Owner or Scrum Master will have to facilitate a meeting between the stakeholders to understand the different perspectives and priorities of each department. They will also have to help the stakeholders to understand the impact of different approaches on the final product, and the development team's work. The Product Manager or Product owner or Scrum Master will also have to help the stakeholders to find a resolution that works for everyone, while ensuring that it aligns with the goals and objectives of the project.
Product Manager , Product owner, Scrum Master, Client Representatives should proactively communicate with each other to resolve current and potential conflicts.

How can a Business Analyst Practise Empathy

15/1/2023

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What is Empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It involves being able to put oneself in another person's shoes and see the situation from their perspective. Empathy is different from sympathy, which is feeling sorry for someone else's situation, empathy is feeling with them.
For example, a customer service representative who demonstrates empathy would be able to understand and relate to a frustrated customer's situation and respond in a way that addresses their concerns and needs. Similarly, a manager who is empathetic towards their team members would be able to understand and support them through difficult situations, such as a personal crisis or a challenging project.
Another example, A doctor who demonstrates empathy would be able to understand and relate to a patient's feelings and concerns, which can help to build trust and improve the doctor-patient relationship.
Empathy is a critical component of effective communication, teamwork, and leadership, and is often seen as an important soft skill in many different fields.

Tips and suggestions to a Business Analyst for practising empathy

A Business Analyst can practice empathy by actively listening to and understanding the perspectives and needs of stakeholders, such as customers, clients, and team members. They can also put themselves in the shoes of the end user to better understand their pain points and goals. Additionally, they can use techniques such as user interviews and surveys to gather feedback and gain insights into the experiences of others. It's also important for a Business Analyst to be aware of their own biases and actively work to overcome them in order to approach a situation with a truly empathetic mindset.

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What is Design Thinking. Can we learn Design Thinking with simple examples

14/1/2023

What is Design Thinking

Design Thinking is a problem-solving approach that involves empathy for the user, creativity in generating ideas, and experimentation to test those ideas. It is often used in product design and development, but can also be applied to other fields such as business and education. The process typically includes five stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. The goal of Design Thinking is to arrive at innovative solutions that are both practical and desirable for the end user.

Learning Design Thinking with an Example of a Senior Citizen Mobile App

As mentioned, Design Thinking is a user-centered approach to problem-solving that involves empathy, creativity, and experimentation.
The process typically includes five stages: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.

Design Thinking Stages

Empathize: In this stage, the goal is to understand the needs, wants, and constraints of the user. This can be done through research methods such as interviews, surveys, and observation. For example, a company developing a new mobile app for seniors may conduct interviews with elderly individuals to understand their needs and pain points when it comes to technology.
Define: Once the research is completed, the problem or opportunity is defined by synthesizing the information gathered in the empathize stage. This stage helps to understand the users and the challenge at hand. For example, based on the research, the company developing the mobile app for seniors may define the problem as a lack of user-friendly technology for older adults.
Ideate: In this stage, the goal is to generate a wide variety of ideas to address the problem or opportunity defined in the previous stage. Techniques such as brainstorming, mind mapping, and sketching can be used to generate ideas. For example, the company developing the mobile app for seniors may generate ideas such as a larger font size, simplified navigation, and the ability to call emergency contacts with a single button press.
Prototype: The prototype stage is about building a physical or digital model of the best ideas generated in the previous stage. The prototype can be simple or complex, and it is used to test the ideas and gather feedback. For example, the company developing the mobile app for seniors may create a simple paper prototype of the app with a large font size and simplified navigation to test with elderly individuals and gather feedback.
Test: The final stage is about testing the prototype with users and gather feedback. This stage helps to validate or invalidate the assumptions made in the previous stages. Based on the feedback, the prototype may be iterated upon. For example, the company may test the paper prototype with a small group of elderly individuals and gather feedback on the font size, navigation, and emergency contact button. Based on the feedback, the company may make adjustments to the design before developing a final version of the app.

In summary, Design Thinking is a problem-solving approach that puts the user at the center of the process and encourages creativity and experimentation to arrive at innovative solutions.

What are roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce Business Analyst

14/1/2023

Roles and Responsibilities of a Salesforce Business Analyst

A Salesforce Business Analyst is responsible for analyzing the business needs of an organization and designing solutions using the Salesforce platform. Some key roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce Business Analyst include:

Gathering and analyzing business requirements: The Salesforce Business Analyst works with stakeholders to understand the business needs and objectives of the organization, and then translates those requirements into functional and technical specifications for the Salesforce platform.
Configuring Salesforce: The Salesforce Business Analyst configures the Salesforce platform to meet the specific needs of the organization, including setting up custom objects, fields, and validation rules, as well as configuring workflow and approvals.
Designing and implementing solutions: The Salesforce Business Analyst designs and implements solutions using the Salesforce platform, including custom objects, workflows, reports, and dashboards.
Testing and quality assurance: The Salesforce Business Analyst is responsible for testing and quality assurance, ensuring that the solutions they design meet the requirements and function as expected.
Training and support: The Salesforce Business Analyst provides training and support to end-users, ensuring that they are able to use the Salesforce platform effectively.
Maintenance and support: The Salesforce Business Analyst provides ongoing maintenance and support for the Salesforce platform, troubleshooting issues and making updates as needed.
Collaboration: The Salesforce Business Analyst works closely with other team members, such as developers, project managers, and stakeholders, to ensure that the solutions they design are aligned with the overall goals of the organization.
Continual improvement: The Salesforce Business Analyst continuously looks for ways to improve the performance of the Salesforce platform and processes, and implements new features and capabilities as needed.

In summary, Salesforce Business Analyst is responsible for understanding the business needs, translating them into functional and technical specifications, configuring the Salesforce platform to match the needs, designing and implementing solutions, testing, and providing training and support to end-users.

How To Deal With Rude Stakeholders

13/1/2023

Rudeness breeds toxicity, it has to be checked with firmness albeit politely

Dealing with rude stakeholders can be challenging, but there are a few strategies that can help:

Remain calm and professional: Responding to rudeness with rudeness will only escalate the situation. Instead, try to remain calm and professional, and avoid getting defensive.
Address the behavior: Let the stakeholder know that you find their behavior unacceptable and that you expect to be treated with respect. Explain that rudeness is not productive and will not be tolerated.
Focus on the issue: Instead of getting caught up in the personal attack, try to redirect the conversation back to the issue at hand. This will help to keep the conversation productive and focused on finding a resolution.
Seek help: If the behavior persists, seek help from a supervisor or manager. They may be able to intervene and help to resolve the situation.
Take care of yourself: Dealing with rude stakeholders can be emotionally draining. It is important to take care of yourself and practice self-care to avoid burnout.
Follow up: Keep a record of the behavior and follow up with the stakeholder to ensure that the behavior has stopped and to ensure that the situation is not repeated in the future
Keep Communication Clear: Communication is key, ensure that all stakeholders understand their roles and responsibilities, and communicate any changes or concerns in a clear and timely manner.

Remember that it is important to be assertive but respectful when dealing with rude stakeholders. The goal should be to resolve the situation in a professional manner and to maintain a productive working relationship.

What is Digital Transformation, What is the role of Business Analyst on Digital Transformation Projects

13/1/2023

What is Digital Transformation

Digital transformation refers to the process of integrating digital technologies into all aspects of a business, in order to improve performance, efficiency, and competitiveness. This process includes the re-imagination of how an organization operates, serves customers, and creates new business models. It also includes the integration of digital technologies such as cloud computing, big data, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, into the organization's systems, processes, and culture.
Digital transformation is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of activities and can be applied to any industry. This can include:

Automating and digitizing business processes
Leveraging data and analytics to make better decisions
Enhancing customer experiences through digital channels
Improving operational efficiency through digital technologies
Developing new business models and revenue streams
Creating a digital culture within the organization

Digital transformation is not only about the implementation of new technologies, but also about the cultural shift, and the change management that comes with it. It's about the ability to adapt to the constantly changing digital landscape, and to continuously innovate and improve.

What is the Role of a Business Analyst of Digital Transformation Projects

Digital Transformation Business Analyst

The role of a Business Analyst (BA) on digital transformation projects is to act as a liaison between the business and technical teams, and to ensure that the project aligns with the overall business strategy and objectives. The specific responsibilities of a BA on a digital transformation project may include:

Identifying and documenting business requirements: The BA will work with stakeholders to identify and document the specific business requirements that the digital transformation project is intended to address.
Defining functional requirements: Based on the identified business requirements, the BA will define the functional requirements for the project, including the specific features and capabilities that the new digital solution should have.
Identifying and mitigating risks: The BA will identify potential risks and issues that may arise during the digital transformation project, and will work with the project team to develop mitigation plans.
Managing and communicating project progress: The BA will work with the project team to establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables, and will communicate project progress and updates to stakeholders.
Assessing and evaluating project results: Once the digital transformation project is complete, the BA will work with the project team to assess the results and evaluate the overall success of the project in achieving the intended business objectives.
Continuously monitoring and improving the system: Once the digital transformation project is complete, the BA will work with the business and technical teams to continuously monitor the performance of the new digital solution and make improvements as needed.

Overall, the BA plays a crucial role in ensuring that the digital transformation project is aligned with the overall business strategy and objectives, and that it is delivered on time, within budget, and with expected results.

Business Analysis Vs Data Analysis

10/1/2023

What is the difference between Business Analysis and Data Analysis

Business analysis and data analysis are both important activities that help organizations make informed decisions, but they have different focus areas.
Business analysis is the process of understanding a company's operations, identifying problems and opportunities, and then recommending and implementing solutions to improve the overall performance of the business. Business analysts often review business processes, gather and analyze data, and work with teams to implement new systems or processes. They may also be involved in project management and testing. The primary goal of business analysis is to understand the needs of the business and find ways to improve overall performance.
Data analysis, on the other hand, is the process of collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify patterns, relationships, and insights that can inform business decisions. Data analysts use statistical techniques, data visualization, and machine learning to analyze data and make predictions. They may also be responsible for creating and maintaining data warehouses and other data management systems. The primary goal of data analysis is to extract useful insights and information from data to support decision-making.
In summary, Business Analysis focuses more on understanding the business operations, identifying pain points and providing solutions, while Data Analysis is more focused on collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data to identify patterns and insights that can inform business decisions. Both activities are important and they help organizations make data-driven decisions.

Business Analyst : Why Should We Hire You

10/1/2023

"Why should we hire you" is a common interview question that is often used to assess a candidate's qualifications, as well as their ability to effectively sell themselves.

When answering this question, it's important to highlight your relevant skills, qualifications, and experience that make you a good fit for the position. You should also be able to demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the needs of the company and the specific role you're applying for.

It's also a good idea to talk about your unique qualities and attributes that set you apart from other candidates. For example, you can discuss your ability to work well in a team, your willingness to go the extra mile, your leadership skills, etc.

Additionally, you should be able to express a genuine enthusiasm for the company and the role, as well as your desire to contribute to its success.

It's important to keep in mind that the purpose of this question is to give the interviewer insight into who you are and what makes you the best fit for the position. It is not intended to be a trap question or an opportunity to brag, but to give a thoughtful and candid answer.

It is also recommended that you prepare for this question in advance, practice and tailor your answer to the company and position you are interviewing for.

How to Write Clear and Effective "Acceptance Criteria" for User Stories

10/1/2023

How to write Good Acceptance for User Stories

How to Write Good Acceptance Criteria for User Stories

Acceptance criteria are a set of conditions that a software product must meet in order to be accepted by a user, customer, or other stakeholders. They are used to define the boundaries of a user story and help ensure that everyone involved in a project has a clear understanding of what is being built.

Here are some guidelines for writing good acceptance criteria for user stories:

Be specific and clear: The acceptance criteria should clearly define what the user story is supposed to accomplish. Avoid ambiguity and use specific, measurable terms.
Be testable: The acceptance criteria should be testable, meaning that they can be verified through testing or inspection. Each criterion should be expressed in a way that allows it to be tested.
Be independent: Each acceptance criterion should be independent of other criteria. This means that passing or failing one criterion should not affect the results of any other criterion.
Be based on the user's perspective: Acceptance criteria should be written from the perspective of the user or customer. This helps ensure that the final product meets the needs of the people who will be using it.
Use a consistent format: Using a consistent format for acceptance criteria can make it easier to understand and verify them. An example format could be : "Given [initial context], when [event occurs], the system [expected behavior]"
Be concise: Keep acceptance criteria as concise as possible without losing their meaning. Avoid including irrelevant information or going into too much detail.

An example of a user story with acceptance criteria:

User Story: As a shopper, I want to be able to filter search results by price so that I can quickly find items within my budget.

Acceptance Criteria:

The shopper is able to specify a price range using a minimum and maximum value.
The search results are filtered to show only items within the specified price range.
Items that are on sale or have discounts are also considered when filtering results.
The shopper is given feedback when no items are found within the specified price range.

It's important to note that acceptance criteria are not a definitive list of the requirements. The criteria should be written with enough detail to guide the development of the feature but also flexible enough to allow for changes that may occur during the development process.

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What is Software Development Life Cycle

Software Development Lifecycle Phases

What is the reason for stakeholder conflicts? How to resolve stakeholder conflicts on IT projects

Reasons for stakeholder conflicts on IT Projects

Understanding stakeholder conflict with an example.

Resolving Stakeholder Conflicts

How can a Business Analyst Practise Empathy

What is Empathy

Tips and suggestions to a Business Analyst for practising empathy

What is Design Thinking. Can we learn Design Thinking with simple examples

What is Design Thinking

Learning Design Thinking with an Example of a Senior Citizen Mobile App

What are roles and responsibilities of a Salesforce Business Analyst

How To Deal With Rude Stakeholders

Rudeness breeds toxicity, it has to be checked with firmness albeit politely

What is Digital Transformation, What is the role of Business Analyst on Digital Transformation Projects

What is Digital Transformation

What is the Role of a Business Analyst of Digital Transformation Projects

Business Analysis Vs Data Analysis

Business Analyst : Why Should We Hire You

How to Write Clear and Effective "Acceptance Criteria" for User Stories

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Software Development Lifecycle Phases​

Reasons for stakeholder conflicts on IT Projects

Understanding stakeholder conflict with an example.

Resolving Stakeholder Conflicts

What is Empathy

Tips and suggestions to a Business Analyst for practising empathy

What is Design Thinking

Learning Design Thinking with an Example of a Senior Citizen Mobile App

Rudeness breeds toxicity, it has to be checked with firmness albeit politely

What is Digital Transformation

What is the Role of a Business Analyst of Digital Transformation Projects

Archives

Services

Company

Support

Software Development Lifecycle Phases