A business analyst uses various tools in the process of requirement elicitation, analysis, documentation, illustration and graphical representation.
These tools enhances the effectiveness of the content being presented and facilitate productivity. Let’s understand what tools a business analyst comes across and their uses.
MS Visio
Microsoft visio is a diagramming and vector graphics application and is part of the Microsoft Office family.
It is used to visualize, explore, and communicate complex information and aids in creating flowcharts, business process models, flow diagrams and numerous other diagrams. Visio also helps in representing ideas graphically, prototyping, mockups, structures and other layout.
A business analyst heavily uses Microsoft visio for requirement modeling, depicting process flows, flowcharting and concepts representation.
Enterprise Architect
Enterprise Architect is a modeling, business simulation and project management software.
It provides full life cycle modeling for Business and IT systems, helps requirement traceability and analysis, aids document generation and test deployment scripts.
A Business Analyst may use EA to create high-level models of business processes including business requirements, activities, work flow, and the display of system behavior. Additionally, the business analyst could create activity diagrams and display the system behavior.
Rational Requisite Pro
Rational Requisite Pro is an IBM product which is widely used for requirement management and their documentation.
This product assists in analyzing the problem, creating, modifying and managing requirement and also manage the changes to requirements. It also integrates with MS word and helps requirement traceability.
Owing to the systematic approach of Rational Requisite Pro, a business analyst extensively uses this tool to manage documents, improve project communication, reduce project risk and control project scope.
MS PowerPoint
Microsoft PowerPoint is a slide show presentation tool developed by Microsoft.
MS PowerPoint is heavily used by a business analyst to graphically and electronically depict presentations, ideas, concepts and reports.
MS Word
Microsoft Word is a word processor developed by Microsoft.
MS word is the standard tool for word processing and a business analyst uses the same for capturing, storing, editing, managing and communicating the requirements.
MS Excel
Microsoft excel is a spreadsheet application by Microsoft.
MS excel with its advanced capabilities greatly assists business analyst in capturing information, tracking the details, analyze data, filter results and also share and communicate information amongst different stakeholders.
DOORS
IBM Rational DOORS is a requirements management application by IBM. DOORS is an acronym for Dynamic Object-Oriented Requirements System.
This tool is used to capture, analyze, trace and manage requirements and helps control the project by managing project scope and cost.
A business analyst uses Rational DOORS to manage requirement change control workflow, link requirement to design items, test plans etc., manage requirements, and integrate this tool with other rational tools.
Balsamiq
Balsamiq is a wireframing and mock up generation tool used to create user interface and sketch-style wireframes.
Business analysts are required to create wireframes to represent ideas and concepts and Balsamiq comes in handy to create sketches online. Balsamiq has many drag and drop UI elements, allows quick sketching, version control and collaboration capabilities. Also, it allows the designer to arrange pre-built widgets using a drag-and-drop WYSIWYG editor. The application is offered in a desktop version as well as a plug-in for Google Drive, Confluence and JIRA.
Other Tools
A business analyst might sometimes use other tools like: Blueprint Requirements Center, MS OneNote and MS Access.
A business analyst must constantly strive to keep himself above the competition by being familiar with the latest tools in his domain. Let us know by commenting below, which tools you frequently use and how valuable they are in the process of analysis and elicitation.
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