Modification History
Release |
Comments |
Release 1 |
This Unit first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0 |
Unit Descriptor
This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to establish and manage IT business analysis activities in a medium to large organisation.
Application of the Unit
This unit applies to senior business analysts in medium to large organisations who ensure business analysis activities for a particular business analysis effort are properly initiated, planned and managed.
Their job roles combine high-level management, business and technical skills necessary to manage complex analysis efforts within the information and communications technology (ICT) industry, often as part of business critical IT projects.
Licensing/Regulatory Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.
Pre-Requisites
Not applicable.
Employability Skills Information
This unit contains employability skills.
Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content
Element |
Performance Criteria |
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency. |
Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide. |
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Plan business analysis approach |
1.1 Establish organisational process needs and objectives that apply to the initiative and if necessary define the requirements that the process must meet 1.2 Review existing organisational standards, including standards, guidelines and processes relating to the current initiative 1.3 Tailor approach to the needs of a specific business analysis initiative, according to organisational standards if required 1.4 Engage with the appropriate stakeholders to determine how the work will be completed 1.5 Plan the execution of business activities |
2. Conduct stakeholder analysis |
2.1 Recognise stakeholders who may be affected by the business need or a new solution 2.2 Assess stakeholder attitudes toward and influence over the initiative 2.3 Decide which stakeholders will have authority over business analysis activities 2.4 Instigate regular reviews to identify new stakeholders or changed positions as clarity of business needs evolve |
3. Plan business analysis activities |
3.1 Decide the type of project or initiative and the business analysis deliverables 3.2 Determine the scope of work for business analysis activities 3.3 Approve which activities the business analyst will perform and when 3.4 Develop estimates for business analysis work |
4. Plan business analysis communication |
4.1 Determine how best to receive, distribute, access, update and escalate information from project stakeholders 4.2 Decide how best to communicate with each stakeholder according to stakeholder needs and constraints to communication |
5. Plan requirements management process |
5.1 Establish a requirements repository for storing requirements, including those under development, those under review, and approved requirements 5.2 Assess the need and process for requirements traceability based on relevant factors 5.3 Conclude which requirements attributes will be captured 5.4 Determine the process for requirements change management |
6. Manage business analysis performance |
6.1 Determine which metrics will be used to measure the work performed by the business analyst 6.2 Report performance in an appropriate format based on the needs of the project 6.3 Assess performance measures to determine where problems may be occurring in executing business analysis activities 6.4 Identify preventative or corrective actions as required |
Required Skills and Knowledge
This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.
Required skills
- analytical skills to review organisational and technical business solutions
- communication skills to:
- conduct focus groups and requirements workshops
- conduct research, interviews and liaise with stakeholders
- planning and organisational skills to:
- develop mitigation strategies
- manage an analysis project
- manage risk and implement contingency plans
- problem-solving and analytical skills to brainstorm requirements and approaches
- technical writing skills to develop requirements documents and specifications
- technical skills to develop models of systems, processes and solutions.
Required knowledge
- business-analysis process, procedures and techniques
- project management process, procedures and techniques
- risk management strategies
- technology and technology solution patterns.
Evidence Guide
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment |
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Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit |
Evidence of the ability to:
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Context of and specific resources for assessment |
Assessment must ensure access to:
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Method of assessment |
A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit:
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Guidance information for assessment |
Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Initiative may include: |
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Approach defines: |
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Appropriate stakeholders may include: |
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Business activities may include: |
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Influence may include: |
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Authority may relate to: |
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Stakeholder needs and constraints to communication may include: |
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Requirements repository may include: |
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Relevant factors may include: |
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Requirements attributes may include: |
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Appropriate format may include: |
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Unit Sector(s)
Systems analysis and design