What is the role of the business analyst in the business change lifecycle?
To support the business through change, ensuring requirements are understood, solutions are feasible, and the benefits of change are realised.
What is the business analyst’s role during the design stage?
• Facilitate communication between business and technical staff
• Develop or enhance models/documentation for clarity and consistency
• Clarify requirements using techniques like scenario or impact analysis
• Work with solution architects to ensure IT and information requirements are met
What is the business analyst’s role during the development stage?
Assess the impact of proposed features across the solution, identify potential problems, and suggest alternatives.
What is the business analyst’s role during the testing stage?
Support business staff in User Acceptance Testing (UAT) using techniques such as:
• Use case descriptions
• Decision tables
• State charts
What is the SARAH model used in the implementation stage?
A model for managing emotional response to change:
• Shock
• Anger
• Rejection
• Acceptance
• Hope
What is the purpose of a business readiness assessment?
To check if a business area is prepared to accept and operate new ways of working before implementation.
What frameworks can be used in business readiness assessment?
• McKinsey 7S – Strategy, Structure, Systems, Style, Staff, Skills
• CPPOLDAT – Customer, Product, Process, Organisation, Location, Data, Application, Technology
What is a benefits plan?
A plan that outlines:
• Why the change is needed
• Expected benefits
• Roles and responsibilities
• How benefits will be realised
How is benefit realisation reviewed?
Through a benefit reviews management process:
• Scheduled reviews – at project decision gates
• Unscheduled reviews – triggered by events affecting expected benefits (e.g., major change requests, stakeholder changes, strategy changes)
Why is a benefits plan important?
No plan → no benefit. The success of benefit realisation depends on how well the plan is written and managed.
What is direct changeover (big bang) implementation?
The old system is completely replaced by the new system at once.
• High risk because there is no fallback
• Sometimes necessary (e.g. legal compliance or obsolete systems).
What is parallel running implementation?
The old and new systems run at the same time for a period.
• Reduces risk because the organisation can revert to the old system
• Expensive because both systems must be maintained.
What is pilot running implementation?
The new system is introduced in one part of the organisation first.
• Allows testing in a real operational environment
• Adjustments can be made before wider rollout.
What is phased implementation?
The new system is introduced gradually in stages, with different parts implemented over time.
What does People in POPIT focus on?
A: Skills gap analysis, training, and support to help staff adopt new ways of working.
What does Organisation in POPIT involve?
Defining new structures, job roles, role descriptions, and performance measures (CSFs/KPIs).
What does Processes in POPIT focus on?
Designing and implementing ‘to-be’ business processes as part of the change solution.
What is the business analyst’s role in information and technology during business change?
Helping ensure the software solution meets requirements and supports business processes.
What role can a business analyst play during user acceptance testing (UAT)?
Documenting test outcomes and advising on how issues should be resolved.
