4. Performing Business Analysis

4.2 Approaches to Your Work

The Business Analysis Standard

IIBA.org KnowledgeHub The Business Analysis Standard 4. Implementing Business Analysis 4.2 Approaches to Your Work

Step-by-step

4.2.1 Predictive Approach

Predictive approaches start with a plan. They are considered predictive because they try to identify all the information needed to create the desired value.

Plan all the work up front and then work your plan
Consider everything that needs to be done
Create documents and models to describe what will be built, including:
- Scope statement
- Requirements documents
- Design documents
- Schedule baseline
- Cost baseline
- Test plans
Track progress against the plan

Learn and adapt

4.2.2 Adaptive Approach

Adaptive or iterative approaches focus on delivering value in small, prioritized increments.

Prioritize high-value outcomes or deliverables
Plan for the upcoming iterations first
Create the outcome defined for each increment (just enough and just-in-time documentation)
Focus on:
- Value creation
- Workable solutions
- Speed of delivery
- The time it takes to create the desired value
Share what is created with stakeholders to elicit feedback

Refer to the BABOK Guide: Perspectives — Agile Perspective — Approaches for information on various Agile approaches.

Use what works best

4.2.3 Hybrid Approach

Hybrid approaches describe work in an organization where:

Some initiatives use a predictive approach and others use an adaptive approach
Parts of an initiative use a predictive approach and parts of the same initiative use an adaptive approach

In some cases, an approach will be imposed on the team. Whenever the business analysis professionals can choose the approach, they should consider:

Using a predictive approach where the work is:
- Well-defined
- Heavily regulated
- Relatively straightforward, or
- Can be completed sequentially
Using an adaptive approach when a solution is being built to:
- Address business needs that are complex
- Find solutions for poorly defined challenges
- Deal with uncertainty, or
- Manage emerging needs as the solution is being built
Learning how to create value using any of the approaches

Refer to “How do I…Identify What Needs to Be Done.” This provides additional information about both predictive and adaptive approaches, including case study examples.