Step 2 - Business Context and Initial Business Case Development
It is vital to establish the business context for the project. Typically this will will involve determining the real problem, opportunity or challenge that the intended requirements will seek to address. The 'real problem' may well be blocking the achievement of your organisation's business objectives.
Working with you we will review and analyse the way you currently initiate your requirements process. Building upon your current process, we will ensure that a truly problem centred approach is introduced.
We recognise that the critical success factors for requirements engineering and business analysis are very similar to those for project management. Our consultants can then help to integrate your project management process with our problem centred approach to requirements. Having identified the true problem, your project managers will be able to more effectively identify the project objectives and scope.
The mechanism for this integrated approach is typically via a business study, sometimes referred to as a feasibility study. This should be run as a project in its own right and will typically involve experienced business analysts working with business people and subject matter experts. Note that this approach is compatible with recommendations in the Prince 2 project management method.
As well as clarifying the problem, the business study will offer options for a solution. Once an option is selected, our consultants can work with your project managers and business people to clarify the vision, optimise the scope and determine the best approach for a change project.
Our recommended approach may include business process management, business rules management, data analysis and agile techniques as relevant to the project, the problem to be solved and your culture.
We can also review your approach to business case development, suggesting possible improvements where relevant, and creating a process where requirements and project management teams can combine in the creation of an initial business case.