"The right questions to the right person, in the right place, at the right time…"

One of the most important prerequisites for a successful IT software project and the right software solution is to conduct an effective business analysis. Good business analysis is only possible with the right questions. I wrote the "What Should You Ask? Eliciting Requirements for Software Solutions" as a supportive reference for conducting successful business analysis studies. The book covers the entire process of business analysis, with over 2000 sample questions in four categories comprising application lifecycle management, business analysis process, product, and non-functional dimensions. It also includes over 300 samples of business analysis information, 25 checklists, and 22 exercises not only for the analysts at the beginning of their careers but also for the experienced ones.

What you'll learn:

• 5 Ws + How


• Asking Questions


• The 4 Dimensions of Business Analysis


• Application Lifecycle Management Dimension


• Pre-Project Works


• New Solution Development


• Existing Solution Implementation


• Software Maintenance


• Analyzing Current State and Business Needs


• Defining Future State, Business Value, and Gap Analysis


• Dealing with Uncertainty


• Stakeholders


• Transition


• Business Analysis Process Dimension


• Planning


• Elicitation


• Business Analysis Information Management


• Collaboration


• Requirements Analysis and Conceptual Design Definition


• Scope and Change Management


• Business Analysis Process Improvement


• Product Dimension


• User - User Role


• Functional Requirements and Functionality


• User Interface


• Business Objects and Data Structure


• Reporting and Data Analytics


• Non-Functional Requirements Dimension


• Functional Suitability


• Performance Efficiency


• Compatibility


• Usability


• Reliability


• Security


• Maintainability


• Portability

Who should read this book?

The primary audience for this book is anyone who performs analysis tasks in software solutions, regardless of what the business card says. The following audiences will benefit most from this book:

• Analysts


• Systems Analysts


• Systems Engineers


• Business Analysts


• Requirements Engineers


• Process Analysts


• Web Designers


• User Experience Designers


• Developers


• Test Experts


• Project Manager


• Demand Managers


• Service Managers


• Consultants


• Solution Developers


• Product Managers


• Scrum Masters

Apart from those, other positions such as key users, operational support staff, and process owners in business units, can also benefit from this book if they are to contribute to software solutions. Although the book is primarily written for beginners in business analysis, experienced analysts will also benefit from it, as it offers different perspectives.

What this book is not:

It is not a book about any particular industry (finance, manufacturing, retail, etc.). Besides that, this book comprises sample questions that the analyst can use in the business analysis process. It does not contain questions to prepare for certification of business analysis.