1.3 The scope of business analysis work

The three following areas compose the range of business analysis:

1. Strategic analysis definition.
2. Business analysis.
3. IT systems analysis.

• Strategic analysis and definition

Overall organisation's strategy that imply business transformations has to be taken in account and clearly understood by the business analyst for identifying business needs and opportunities.

• IT systems analysis

Mostly considered as part of technical analysis of business needs, this role is based on data modelling and process/function modelling of the IT solution.

• Business analysis

The BABOK defines business analysis as "a set of tasks and techniques used to work as a liaison among stakeholders in order to understand the structure, policies and operations of an organization, and to recommend solutions that enable the organization to achieve its goals".

• implies performing a detailed identification and analysis of business needs.
• involves defining and validating a strategy that allow business achievements or goals.
• includes measuring performance of current or applied strategies and anticipating future business needs.
• means being able to understand IT and rely system requirements to business requirements.
• anticipates risks and brings a business justification for delivering business benefits.
• confirms if benefits predicted were delivered.