Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring: A Complete Guide

Introduction to Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring is a crucial knowledge area in business analysis that establishes and maintains the foundation for performing effective business analysis work. It appears in the PMI-PBA certification exam as a fundamental concept that every business analyst must master.

Why Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring is Important

This knowledge area is essential because it:

• Sets the framework for how business analysis activities will be executed
• Helps define a clear approach for stakeholder engagement
• Establishes governance processes to oversee business analysis work
• Creates standards for managing requirements and information
• Enables performance measurement of business analysis efforts
• Provides structure for identifying and addressing gaps in the business analysis process

What is Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring?

Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring refers to the tasks that business analysts perform to organize and coordinate their efforts. According to the BABOK® Guide, this knowledge area includes six main tasks:

1. Plan Business Analysis Approach: Defining the overall methodology and process for conducting business analysis work.

2. Plan Stakeholder Engagement: Determining who the stakeholders are and developing strategies for effective collaboration.

3. Plan Business Analysis Governance: Establishing decision-making authorities, change control processes, and approval mechanisms.

4. Plan Business Analysis Information Management: Creating processes for storing, accessing, and managing requirements and other business analysis information.

5. Identify Business Analysis Performance Improvements: Analyzing the effectiveness of business analysis practices and recommending improvements.

6. Plan Business Analysis Activities: Scheduling specific business analysis tasks and estimating the effort required.

How Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring Works

The process typically follows these steps:

1. Assessment: Evaluate the organizational context, project characteristics, and available resources.

2. Planning: Develop appropriate plans based on the assessment, including approach, stakeholder engagement, and information management strategies.

3. Execution: Implement the plans while gathering metrics and feedback.

4. Monitoring: Track progress against plans, identify variances, and make adjustments as needed.

5. Improvement: Continuously refine the business analysis process based on lessons learned.

The planning aspect focuses on proactive preparation, while the monitoring component ensures ongoing oversight and adaptation.

Key Considerations in Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

• Tailoring to Project Size and Complexity: Approaches should be scaled appropriately for the initiative.

• Organizational Context: Existing methodologies, templates, and cultural factors must be considered.

• Resource Availability: Plans must account for team capabilities and constraints.

• Risk Management: Potential business analysis risks should be identified and addressed.

• Alignment with Project Management: Business analysis plans must integrate with overall project planning.

Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring

1. Understand the Six Tasks: Memorize and comprehend each of the six tasks in this knowledge area. Exam questions often test your ability to identify which task is being referenced in a scenario.

2. Focus on Inputs and Outputs: Know what triggers each task (inputs) and what results from each task (outputs). For example, organizational process assets are inputs to planning the business analysis approach.

3. Recognize Key Techniques: Be familiar with techniques associated with this knowledge area, such as stakeholder analysis, process modeling, and metrics and KPIs.

4. Apply Context-Specific Thinking: Questions may present scenarios asking which planning approach is most appropriate. Consider factors like project methodology (agile vs. waterfall), size, complexity, and organizational environment.

5. Connect to Other Knowledge Areas: Understand how Business Analysis Planning and Monitoring relates to other knowledge areas, especially Requirements Life Cycle Management.

6. Watch for Governance Questions: Pay special attention to questions about governance, change control, and approval processes, as these are commonly tested.

7. Look for Continuous Improvement Scenarios: Questions may test your ability to identify opportunities for business analysis performance improvements.

8. Understand Stakeholder Analysis Techniques: Be prepared to identify appropriate stakeholder analysis and engagement strategies for different scenarios.

When answering exam questions, read carefully for clues about which specific task or technique is being addressed, and consider the situational context provided. Remember that the PMI-PBA exam often uses situational questions that require you to apply knowledge rather than simply recall information.

Practice Question Example:

A business analyst is starting work on a new project. The organization has never conducted formal business analysis before. What should the business analyst do FIRST?

The correct answer would relate to planning the business analysis approach, as this establishes the foundation for all subsequent business analysis work in a new environment.

By mastering this knowledge area, you'll be well-prepared for related questions on the PMI-PBA exam and, more importantly, equipped to establish effective business analysis practices in real-world situations.