1Business analysis rationale:

• What is a business system.
• The place of business analysis.
• Business analysis versus systems analysis.
• Approaches to business analysis.

2Strategic analysis in context:

• Understanding the organisation's strengths and weaknesses.
• External analysis - PESTLE.
• Internal analysis - Resource Audit.

3A project approach to business analysis:

• Business analysis studies as projects.
• Terms of reference and project initiation.
• Assuring business benefit.

4Understanding the situation/issues:

• Types of business 'problem'.
• Rich pictures.
• Defining the problem.
• Review of investigation techiques.

5Business perspectives:

• Business perspective - introduction.
• Defining the perspective - CATWOE.

6Analysing and modelling the business activities:

• Modelling business activities.
• Five types of business activity.
• Modelling multiple perspectives.
• Decomposing activities.
• Validating the business activity model.
• End-to-end process maps.

7Creative problem solving:

• Barriers to creativity.
• Brainstorming.
• Stimulating creative thinking.

8Identifying potential solutions:

• Exploring the gap between the current and desired situation.
• Areas for business improvement (structure, processes, people)
• Holistic approach to business solutions.
• Discussion of business change programmes.

9Making the business case:

• Contents of a business case.
• Options.
• Costs and benefits.
• Impacts and risks.
• Payback and discounted cash flow.
• Presenting the business case.

10Course summary and review:

• Review of concepts and approaches covered.