Lab: Quantify and Validate a Business Solution
Estimated time: 30 minutes
Learning objectives
After completing this lab, you will be able to:
- Apply BABOK principles to quantify and validate a given solution
Prerequisites
You can complete your tasks using any text editor, such as Word, Google Docs, or Notepad.
If you install Microsoft Word, you can proceed directly with the instructions. However, if you don't have Microsoft Word, you can sign up for a free version of Microsoft 365 online. Follow these instructions to create your account.
You can also use Word Online with a Microsoft 365 subscription or access through a free account. If you're new to Word and would like to learn how to get started, you can find helpful resources here: Getting Started with Word Online.
Introduction
The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK) principal guides business analysts in evaluating solutions by providing a structured approach to define and validate requirements, which ensures alignment with business goals. The framework's requirements analysis and design definition (RADD) phase helps analysts understand the project scope and assess solutions against stakeholder needs. Additionally, BABOK's planning and monitoring tools support analysts in identifying core business needs and developing solutions that address those needs effectively, ultimately leading to better business outcomes.
Exercise
In the Evaluate Business Solution and Develop Recommendations lab, you
- Evaluated the proposed solution and performed a cost-benefit analysis and
- Developed recommendations
In this lab, you will identify potential risks associated with your recommendations and prioritize the requirements.
You will apply BABOK principles to quantify and validate the effectiveness of the proposed business solutions. By engaging in a case study, you will learn to:
- Evaluate how the organization should implement the changes proposed.
Let's begin!
Scenario overview (Refresher)
RetailCo, a mid-sized retail company, is experiencing a decline in sales and growing customer dissatisfaction. To address these issues, the company has decided to implement a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. This CRM is designed to enhance customer experience and boost sales through data-driven insights and personalized interactions. Management has outlined key features for the CRM to help achieve these goals.
Key information provided:
- Current sales data: Sales have decreased by 20% over the last year.
- Customer feedback: Surveys show customers feel unvalued, and many report that their inquiries are not addressed promptly.
Proposed CRM features:
- Customer data analytics dashboard: To provide actionable insights into customer behavior and preferences.
- Automated follow-up emails: To ensure timely and personalized communication with customers.
- Integration with social media platforms: To allow RetailCo to engage customers on social media channels.
- 24/7 customer support chatbots: To offer round-the-clock support, enhancing the responsiveness of customer service.
Template to use
If you're using Microsoft Word, download Template_Quantify-and-Validate-a-Business-Solution.docx template to perform the tasks outlined in the lab. Right-click the link to open the document in a new tab to download the file.
If you're using any other word-processing software, you can download the PDF format. Right-click the link to open the PDF in a new tab.
Task 1: Address challenges and questions
Step 1: Identify and list the potential risks associated with implementing the new CRM system.
Example:
| Potential risks of implementing the new CRM system | Description |
|---|---|
| Resistance to change | Employees may be reluctant to adopt new systems or processes |
Step 2: Determine ways to engage customers in the evaluation process.
Example:
| Method to involve customers in the evaluation | Description |
|---|---|
| User testing | Conduct user testing with a group of selected customers to provide feedback on usability and features during the CRM implementation process |
Step 3: Use BABOK techniques to prioritize the identified requirements.
Example:
| Prioritization techniques | Description |
|---|---|
| MoSCoW prioritization | Use techniques such as MoSCoW (Must have, Should have, Could have, Won't have) to classify requirements based on urgency and importance |
Task 2: Quantify and validate the solution
Use the self-assessment checklist to validate your solution.
Example:
| Checklist | Yes/No |
|---|---|
| Did you identify all key stakeholders? | |
| Were the business needs clearly defined? | |
| Did you document at least five requirements for the CRM? | |
| Did you evaluate the proposed solution against those requirements? | |
| Were recommendations made based on evidence from your analysis? |
Summary
Congratulations on completing the hands-on lab, “Quantify and Validate a Business Solution.” In this lab, you identified potential risks associated with your recommendations and validated the effectiveness of the proposed business solution.
Here is an exemplar you can refer to analyze the business needs and identify gaps in a business solution. Right-click the link and open it in a new tab to download the file. Please remember that the exemplar is just a point of view and not a definitive solution.