The role of the Business Analyst has transformed in the Agile world. This intensive training course, "From Requirements to Results: Agile for Business Analysts," is designed to equip traditional BAs with the mindset, skills, and tools necessary to thrive in Agile environments. You will learn to move beyond static requirements documents to become a dynamic and collaborative partner in product delivery. This course provides a deep dive into how to effectively manage a product backlog, write compelling user stories, and engage with stakeholders in a fast-paced, iterative setting.

Over the course of 10 days, this program will help you bridge the gap between business needs and development team execution. You will gain hands-on experience in techniques such as story mapping, behavior-driven development (BDD), and just-in-time requirements gathering. By the end of the course, you will be a valuable asset to any Agile team, capable of contributing to the continuous delivery of value, fostering strong communication, and ensuring that the right product is built for the right purpose.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• Traditional Business Analysts
• Systems Analysts
• Product Owners
• Scrum Masters
• Project Managers
• Software Developers
• Quality Assurance Professionals
• Anyone transitioning to an Agile team
• Stakeholders working with Agile teams
• Team Leads

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of Agile and Lean
• Master the new responsibilities of a Business Analyst in an Agile team
• Learn to write effective user stories and acceptance criteria
• Develop skills in product backlog management
• Facilitate requirements workshops and collaborative sessions
• Understand the importance of the Product Owner role
• Learn to use visual modeling techniques in an Agile context
• Prepare for and participate in Agile ceremonies
• Bridge the communication gap between business and technology
• Deliver continuous value through incremental releases

Course Modules:

Module 1: The Agile Mindset

• The history and principles of the Agile Manifesto
• The difference between Agile and Waterfall
• The role of Lean thinking in Agile
• Understanding the core values of an Agile team
• Embracing continuous improvement

Module 2: The Evolving Role of the BA

• Shifting from a project-centric to a product-centric view
• The BA as a value enabler
• The new relationship with stakeholders
• Collaborating with the Product Owner
• The importance of a T-shaped skill set

Module 3: Agile Requirements

• Moving beyond traditional requirements documents
• Understanding the "just-in-time" approach
• The concept of a user story
• Writing effective user stories with a clear purpose
• Techniques for slicing user stories

Module 4: User Stories and Acceptance Criteria

• The three Cs of a user story: Card, Conversation, Confirmation
• Writing effective acceptance criteria
• The use of Gherkin syntax
• The importance of the INVEST principle
• Best practices for refining user stories

Module 5: Product Backlog Management

• Understanding the role of the product backlog
• Techniques for prioritizing the backlog
• Grooming and refining the backlog
• The role of the BA in backlog management
• The use of different prioritization methods (MoSCoW, etc.)

Module 6: Agile Ceremonies

• The purpose and format of Sprint Planning
• The Daily Scrum: keeping it short and effective
• The Sprint Review: demonstrating value to stakeholders
• The Sprint Retrospective: continuous improvement
• The BA's role in each ceremony

Module 7: Collaborative Requirements Gathering

• The importance of face-to-face communication
• Facilitating workshops and brainstorming sessions
• Using techniques like story mapping
• The role of the BA in creating a shared understanding
• Engaging with difficult stakeholders

Module 8: Behavior-Driven Development (BDD)

• Introduction to BDD and its benefits
• Writing BDD specifications with Gherkin
• The collaboration between the BA, developer, and tester
• The use of living documentation
• How BDD can improve quality and clarity

Module 9: Agile Modeling and Visualization

• Using visual models to communicate requirements
• Techniques like user story mapping
• Creating process flows and data diagrams in an Agile context
• The use of wireframes and mockups
• The value of a shared visual language

Module 10: The Product Owner and the BA

• The relationship between the BA and the Product Owner
• Supporting the Product Owner in their role
• The importance of a shared vision
• Helping the Product Owner manage stakeholder expectations
• The BA as a trusted advisor

Module 11: Agile Metrics and Reporting

• Understanding key Agile metrics
• The use of burn-down and burn-up charts
• Measuring team velocity
• Reporting progress to stakeholders
• The importance of transparency

Module 12: Scaling Agile for the Enterprise

• The challenges of scaling Agile
• An overview of frameworks like SAFe, LeSS, and Nexus
• The role of the BA in a scaled Agile environment
• How to manage dependencies between teams
• The importance of a holistic view of the product

Module 13: The BA as a Change Agent

• The role of the BA in promoting Agile values
• Helping the team and stakeholders adapt to change
• Identifying and addressing impediments
• Building a culture of learning and experimentation
• The importance of being a servant leader

Module 14: Case Studies and Simulations

• Analyzing real-world Agile projects
• Role-playing exercises with a development team
• Collaborative problem-solving sessions
• Applying key concepts to practical situations
• Sharing and learning from peer experiences

Module 15: Tools for the Agile BA

• An overview of popular Agile project management tools
• Using tools for backlog management and collaboration
• Selecting the right tools for your team
• Integrating different systems and platforms
• Best practices for tool usage

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.