Without a toolkit, a business analyst is just another person with an opinion.

The extensive toolkit that has been carefully curated within this book shows the breadth of situations which require a logical approach, analytical thinking and a commitment to communication. The techniques provide the means for business analysts to analyse situations and communicate their findings effectively and efficiently.

Many of the techniques presented stem from the works of prominent researchers and thought leaders, including Michael Porter and Peter Checkland, which provides a sound evidence base for their use. More importantly though, these techniques have been applied by thousands of business analysts and other change professionals across all sectors and industries. These practitioners have road-tested the techniques in a vast range of situations with a wide variety of stakeholders.

Applying the appropriate technique, with the appropriate audience at the appropriate time is, of course, the challenge facing business analysis practitioners. Selecting the right approach is influenced by our breadth of knowledge and depth of experience. The authors have shared their knowledge and experience in way which is easy to follow, and guides practitioners to successfully select and apply the techniques.

Diagrams and pictorial elements of techniques provide a key element of the toolkit. Business analysts must produce outputs which promote engagement and debate, which encourage contribution and simplify complex concepts. The visual techniques included in this book provide a range methods to facilitate positive and inclusive discussion and enable holistic thinking.

The book is now structured around the business outcome that is required from the analysis effort, from understanding the strategic context to defining requirements; from assessing feasibility, to deploying change. By identifying which service we are offering, from the BA Service Framework (BASF), we can identify which techniques will be most useful.

The third edition adds new techniques, which reinforces the evolutionary nature of business analysis. It is the responsibility of all analysts to commit to continuous professional development, go beyond our comfort zones and try new methods to support investigation and analysis within our organisations. Contained within these chapters is the knowledge needed carry out methodical and structured business analysis, tailored to the environment. Through the application of these techniques we will gain the experience and confidence to transform this knowledge into valuable skills. Above all else, this book reminds us that business analysis is not a single activity (e.g. workshops) with a narrow range of outputs (e.g. user stories). We must consider people, processes and data, and to do this we need a wide range of techniques at our fingertips.

Christina Lovelock

Business Analysis Leader, Co-Author of Delivering Business Analysis: The BA Service Handbook