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ICTSAD609 Plan and monitor business analysis activities in an ICT environment
student assessment tasks
Plan and monitor business analysis activities in an ICT environment
CONTENTS
Introduction
The assessment tasks for ICTSAD609 Plan and monitor business analysis activities in an ICT environment are outlined in the assessment plan below. These tasks have been designed to help you demonstrate the skills and knowledge that you have learnt during your course.
Please ensure that you read the instructions provided with these tasks carefully. You should also follow the advice provided in the IT Works Student User Guide. The Student User Guide provides important information for you relating to completing assessment successfully.
Assessment for this unit
ICTSAD609 Plan and monitor business analysis activities in an ICT environment describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish and manage Information and Communications Technology (ICT) business analysis activities in a medium-to-large organisation.
For you to be assessed as competent, you must successfully complete two assessment tasks:
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge questions – You must answer all questions correctly.
Assessment Task 2: Project – You must work through a range of activities and complete a project portfolio.
Assessment Task 1: Knowledge Questions
Information for students
Knowledge questions are designed to help you demonstrate the knowledge which you have acquired during the learning phase of this unit. Ensure that you:
review the advice to students regarding answering knowledge questions in the IT Works Student User Guide
comply with the due date for assessment which your assessor will provide
adhere with your RTO’s submission guidelines
answer all questions completely and correctly
submit work which is original and, where necessary, properly referenced
submit a completed cover sheet with your work
avoid sharing your answers with other students.
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Assessment information
Information about how you should complete this assessment can be found in Appendix A of the IT Works Student User Guide. Refer to the appendix for information on:
where this task should be completed
the maximum time allowed for completing this assessment task
whether or not this task is open-book.
Note: You must complete and submit an assessment cover sheet with your work. A template is provided in Appendix C of the Student User Guide. However, if your RTO has provided you with an assessment cover sheet, please ensure that you use that.
Questions
Provide answers to all of the questions below:
Describe a general business analysis process. In your answer include:
a definition of business analysis in an ICT environment
steps that outline the business analysis process
examples of business analysis deliverables.
Complete the table outlining legislation, standards and organisational policies and procedures related to business analysis.
Description
Example (provide one)
Legislation
Standards
Policies and procedures
List four tools often used in business analysis to identify and understand problems, needs or opportunities in a workplace.
Describe a general project management process. In your answer include:
a definition of project management in an ICT environment
steps that outline the project management process
Summarise two project management techniques that are often associated with an ICT environment. Use the table below for your answer. An example has been provided for you in the first row.
Technique
Description
Waterfall
This method builds on the classic method and is suitable for more complex projects. It focuses on the sequential performance of tasks. Gantt charts are often used.
Complete the table explaining the types of risk that may be associated with a business analysis initiative and its stakeholders. For each type of risk, you are required to provide an ICT relevant example. The first row has been completed as an example for you to follow.
Type of risk
Description
Example
Strategic risk
These risks can occur at any time and are related to the business or organisation’s strategy.
Initiate process automation throughout the organisation at the expense of personal client relationships and interaction.
Compliance risk
Financial risk
Operational risk
Explain three strategies that may be used to mitigate and manage risks associated with a business analysis initiative. You answer should include:
an explanation of the mitigation strategy
appropriate example to illustrate the strategy.
Complete the table below, outlining a general stakeholder management process.
Step
Description of what the step involves
Tools/techniques
(provide two per step)
Identify stakeholders
Classify stakeholders
Develop stakeholder management strategy
Plan communication
Execute communication
List three communication constraints that may impact stakeholders.
Summarise requirements management as it relates to business analysis. In your answer include:
an explanation of what requirements analysis is
outline of how requirements can be managed
a description of four types of requirements
tools or techniques relevant to requirements management.
Define “technology solution patterns”.
List four metrics that can be used when monitoring business analysis performance.
Assessment Task 1: Checklist
Student’s name:
Did the student provide a sufficient and clear answer that addresses the suggested answer for the following?
Completed successfully?
Comments
Yes
No
Question 1
Question 2
Question 3
Question 4
Question 5
Question 6
Question 7
Question 8
Question 9
Question 10
Question 11
Question 12
Task outcome:
Satisfactory
Not satisfactory
Assessor signature:
Assessor name:
Date:
Assessment Task 2: Project Portfolio
Information for students
In this task, you are required to demonstrate your skills and knowledge by working through a number of activities and completing and submitting a project portfolio.
You will need access to:
a suitable place to complete activities that replicates a business environment including a meeting space and computer and internet access
your learning resources and other information for reference
Project Portfolio template
Performance evaluation template.
Ensure that you:
review the advice to students regarding responding to written tasks in the IT Works Student User Guide
comply with the due date for assessment which your assessor will provide
adhere with your RTO’s submission guidelines
answer all questions completely and correctly
submit work which is original and, where necessary, properly referenced
submit a completed cover sheet with your work
avoid sharing your answers with other students.
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Assessment information
Information about how you should complete this assessment can be found in Appendix A of the IT Works Student User Guide. Refer to the appendix for information on:
where this task should be completed
how your assessment should be submitted.
Note: You must complete and submit an assessment cover sheet with your work. A template is provided in Appendix B of the Student User Guide. However, if your RTO has provided you with an assessment cover sheet, please ensure that you use that.
Activities
Complete the following activities:
Carefully read the following:
This project requires you to demonstrate your ability to plan and monitor two business analysis activities for business-critical projects in an ICT environment. As part of the assessment you will:
identify and define two business analysis initiatives applicable to business-critical ICT projects
plan an approach to business analysis for each initiative considering requirements laid out in legislation, standards and organisational policies and procedures
conduct a stakeholder analysis to identify and assess stakeholders associated with each initiative
plan business analysis activities including the scope and project management of work to be done and stakeholder communication
plan the requirements management associated with each initiative
establish and manage business analysis performance.
This project must be based on two separate business analysis initiatives related to an ICT environment with numeric and financial data available to support business analysis planning. You can use the case study business provided to you by your assessor, or you may like to base this on your own business, or a business you are currently working for or are familiar with. It is important that this business has organisational policies and procedures related to your business analysis initiative already developed. Speak to your assessor to get approval if you want to base this on your own business or one you work for.
You will also need to seek input from people who work for, or are involved, in this business analysis initiative several times. Fellow students or your assessor can be involved in these meetings and play the roles of process stakeholders as relevant.
You will be collecting evidence for this unit in a Project Portfolio. The steps you need to take are outlined below.
Project planning
Familiarise yourself with the business you’re basing this assessment on and identify two business analysis initiatives applicable to a business-critical ICT project in the business or case study. Make sure your chosen initiatives have numeric and financial data to support business analysis planning.
Complete Page 4 of your Project Portfolio for this unit.
Read through the requirements of Section 1, 2 and 3 of your Project Portfolio as well as the necessary background information, relevant policies and procedures.
Plan business analysis approach
Complete Section 1 of your Project Portfolio.
When you complete Section 1, you need to:
Provide an overview of your chosen business, including:
The name of the business
a description of what the business does
Describe the ICT business analysis initiatives associated with the business, including:
a brief outline of each initiative, illustrated with an appropriate business analysis tool (for example SWAT analysis)
an explanation of how each initiative supports the organisation’s vision and strategy
two objectives of each initiative.
Establish the legislative and organisational requirements related to each business analysis initiative, including:
a summary of the relevant legislation outlining how it applies to the initiative
a summary of applicable standards outlining how it applies to business analysis activities
a summary of the associated organisational policies and procedures outlining how it applies to business analysis activities.
Identify all stakeholders (using an appropriate technique) for each initiative and:
create a list of key internal and external stakeholders who have authority over business analysis activities
explain how to identify and deal with new stakeholders throughout the duration of each initiative.
Establish applicable organisational process needs, including:
relevant personnel (engagement with staff members on how work should be done)
a description of an appropriate project management method or technique
plan the execution of business analysis activities for each initiative according to organisational requirements.
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence – review the documents you need to attach as outlined in Section 1 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.
Make sure you have answered all questions in Section 1. Submit to your assessor for review.
Arrange a meeting with at least one key internal stakeholder and one key external stakeholder. Separate meetings are required for each business analysis initiative. For the purpose of this role-play, your assessor or another student can act as a one or more stakeholders.
Before each meeting, select and familiarise yourself with an applicable business analysis tool (e.g. context diagram) to use as part of the meeting to understand stakeholder requirements.
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For the purpose of this role-play, your assessor or another student can act as a one or more stakeholders.
Stakeholder meetings
Meet with the key internal and external stakeholders of each initiative. Have separate meetings for each initiative. Take notes so you can complete Section 2 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. Each meeting should last for approximately 15 mins.
At the meeting:
assess stakeholder attitudes toward the initiative
identify at least two potential risks associated with the stakeholders
discuss and establish business analysis deliverables (at least three), including:
descriptions of the deliverables
tasks/activities associated with each deliverable
approval of which activities will be performed and when
stakeholder requirements using the technique selected in step 3.
During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning
communicating information clearly and concisely
building rapport with stakeholders by positive friendly interaction.
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This meeting can either be viewed in person by your assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you follow the instructions above and meet the timeframes allocated.
Plan business analysis activities and communication
Complete Section 2 of your Project Portfolio.
When you complete Section 2, you need to:
Summarise the outcomes of each stakeholder meeting, including:
stakeholder attitudes towards the initiative (including competing demands)
at least two risks associated with the stakeholders
risk mitigation approach
at a detailed description of at least three business analysis deliverables
stakeholder requirements
Determine business scope for each initiative considering deliverables, associated activities and general stakeholder requirements. Explain how you addressed competing demands.
Develop estimates for business analysis work applicable to each initiative, using numeric and financial information and an appropriate tool/technique for mathematical calculations.
For each stakeholder, plan internal and external stakeholder communication to receive, distribute, access, update and escalate information. Consider at least two communication constraints.
Establish business analysis performance metrics to measure work performed by the business analyst. Identify an appropriate format.
Establish a requirements repository for requirements under development, under review and approved. Include:
a description of the repository
attributes to be captured
identify key factors outlining the need and process for traceability
a requirements change process.
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence – review the documents you need to attach as outlined in Section 2 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.
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Assume that a period of time has passed and the business analysis initiative has progressed. A few deliverables have been completed by the business analyst and you are required to assess their performance as part of a continuous improvement effort. Feedback from stakeholders regarding the business analyst’s deliverable has been positive. The stakeholders have been particularly impressed with the attention to detail in the business analyst’s work. A number of stakeholders commented on the interpersonal skills of the business analyst, in particular their ability to build rapport and establish a friendly professional relationship with the stakeholders.
Implement your chosen communication system/process or practice (completed earlier in this step) to arrange two separate meetings (for each initiative) with:
at least one stakeholder to discuss progress
business analyst to discuss work performance.
Before each stakeholder meeting, update the project schedule to reflect progress to share with stakeholders (you can make assumptions here).
Before each business analyst meeting, assess their performance using the metrics determined earlier in this step (use performance evaluation template if applicable).
Stakeholder update meeting
Meet separately with the relevant stakeholders of each business analysis initiative. Take notes so you can complete Section 3 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. The meeting should last for approximately 10 minutes.
At the meeting:
share an update on the progress (e.g. via a project schedule)
review and discuss the project progression
discuss any changed positions or requirements the stakeholders may have
identify any new stakeholders
During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning
communicating information clearly and concisely
building rapport with stakeholders by positive friendly interaction.
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This meeting can either be viewed in person by your assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you follow the instructions above and meet the timeframes allocated.
Performance management meeting
Meet with the business analyst. Take notes so you can complete Section 3 of your Project Portfolio after the meeting. The meeting should last for approximately 10 minutes.
At the meeting:
discuss the business analyst’s performance on each business analysis initiative (share the performance evaluation you prepared at the end of step 5 against the metrics established as part of your planning in step 5)
identify where problems may be occurring
recommended corrective action
During the meeting, you will need to demonstrate effective communication skills including:
seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning
communicating information clearly and concisely
building rapport with stakeholders by positive friendly interaction.
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This meeting can either be viewed in person by your assessor or you may like to video record the session for your assessor to watch later. Your assessor can provide you with more details at this step. Make sure you follow the instructions above and meet the timeframes allocated.
Manage business analysis
Complete Sections 3 of your Project Portfolio.
When you complete Section 3 you need to:
Summarise the outcomes of your meeting with the stakeholders for each business analysis meeting, including:
a description of any changed positions or requirements the stakeholder may have
a list of any new stakeholders
an explanation of how the changes will be managed.
Summarise the outcomes of your meeting with the business analyst
Confirm recommendations for corrective action (e.g. via draft email)
Explain how you managed problem solving for business analysis activities drawing on your existing experience.
You are also required to attach certain documents as part of your evidence – review the documents you need to attach as outlined in your in Section 3 of the Project Portfolio and make sure you attach these upon submission.
Submit your completed Project Portfolio
Make sure you have completed all sections of your Project Portfolio, answered all questions, provided enough detail as indicated and proofread for spelling and grammar as necessary. Remember to submit all necessary attachments as indicated.
Submit to your assessor for marking.
Assessment Task 2: Checklist
Student’s name:
Did the student:
Completed successfully?
Comments
Yes
No
Plan the business analysis approach, by
Providing an overview of their chosen business, including:
the name of the business
a description of what the business does.
Describe the ICT business analysis initiative associated with the business, including:
a brief outline of two initiatives, illustrated with an appropriate business analysis tool
an explanation of how each initiative supports the organisation’s vision and strategy
two objectives of each initiative.
Establish the legislative and organisational requirements related to each business analysis initiative, including:
a summary of the relevant legislation outlining how it applies to the initiative
a summary of applicable standards outlining how it applies to business analysis activities
a summary of the associated organisational policies and procedures outlining how it applies to business analysis activities.
Identify all stakeholders (using an appropriate technique) for each initiative and:
create a list of key internal and external stakeholders who have authority over business analysis activities
explain how to identify and deal with new stakeholders throughout the duration of the initiative.
Establish applicable organisational process needs, including:
relevant personnel
engagement with staff members on how work should be done
a description of an appropriate project management method or technique.
Plan the execution of business analysis activities according to organisational requirements.
Plan business analysis activities and communication for each initiative, by:
Summarising the outcomes of the stakeholder meetings, including:
stakeholder attitudes towards the initiative (including competing demands)
at least two risks associated with the stakeholders
risk mitigation approach
at a detailed description of at least three business analysis deliverables
stakeholder requirements
Determining business analysis scope for each initiative considering deliverables, associated activities and general stakeholder requirements.
Explaining how they addressed competing demands.
Developing estimates for business analysis work, using numeric and financial information and an appropriate tool/technique for mathematical calculations.
Planning internal and external stakeholder communication to receive, distribute, access, update and escalate information.
Considering at least two communication constraints.
Establishing business analysis performance metrics to measure work performed by the business analyst. Identify an appropriate format.
Establishing a requirements repository for requirements under development, under review and approved, including:
a description of the repository
attributes to be captured
outline of the need and process for traceability
requirements change process
Preparing for a stakeholder update meeting for each initiative.
Preparing for performance evaluation meeting.
Manage business analysis by:
Summarising the outcomes of their meetings with the stakeholders of each initiative, including:
a description of any changed positions or requirements the stakeholder may have
a list of any new stakeholders
an explanation of how the changes will be managed.
Summarising the outcomes of their meeting with the business analyst.
Confirming recommendations for corrective action (e.g. via draft email).
Explaining how they managed problem solving for business analysis activities drawing on their existing experience.
Demonstrate effective communication skills including:
seeking the views and opinions of others by active listening and questioning
communicating information clearly and concisely
building rapport with internal and external stakeholders by positive friendly interaction.
Task outcome:
Satisfactory
Not satisfactory
Assessor signature:
Assessor name:
Date:
Final Results Record
Student name:
Assessor name:
Date
Final assessment results
Task
Type
Result
Satisfactory
Unsatisfactory
Did not submit
Assessment Task 1
Knowledge questions
S
U
DNS
Assessment Task 2
Project Portfolio
S
U
DNS
Overall unit results
C
NYC
Feedback
My performance in this unit has been discussed and explained to me.
I would like to appeal this assessment decision.
Student signature: Date:
I hereby certify that this student has been assessed by me and that the assessment has been carried out according to the required assessment procedures.
Assessor signature: Date: