This document discusses the role and importance of enterprise business analysis as a strategic capability for achieving business and IT alignment and driving innovation. Some key points: - Enterprise business analysis can help translate business strategy into objectives, ensure IT solution delivery is aligned to strategy/objectives, and contribute to solution delivery governance. - It involves analyzing business requirements and processes associated with changes, defining business solutions to deliver requirements/processes, and rebuilding the conversation between business and IT. - Multiple levels of business analysis (enterprise, functional, IT) are needed to effectively prevent fragmentation across the organization and deliver solutions in response to business needs from strategy through delivery. - Without this capability, IT risks delivering solutions that are not

1. Enterprise Business Analysis
Capability - Strategic Asset
for Business Alignment and
Driving Innovation
Alan McSweeney
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/alanmcsweeney

2. Enterprise Business Analysis
• Introducing the concept of Enterprise Business Analysis as
a strategic resource to achieve business and IT alignment
May 11, 2015 2

3. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business Solution Delivery In Context
May 11, 2015 3
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes

4. Business Solution Delivery In Context
• Solution delivery needs to be a continuum from business
strategy to operational and managed solution
• Solution delivery needs to work in the context of business
changes and the need for the business to respond to
changes
May 11, 2015 4

5. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT Requirements And IT Alignment
May 11, 2015 5
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes
Business Solution Design
And Delivery
IT Function Underlying
Solution Delivery And
Operation Enablement
Structure
Business Needs
Market Changes
Regulatory Changes
Customer Requirements
Organisational Changes
New Products/ Services
Competitive Pressures

6. Business IT Requirements And IT Alignment
May 11, 2015 6
Business Needs
Market Changes
Regulatory Changes
Customer Requirements
Organisational Changes
IT Function Underlying
Solution Delivery And
Operation Enablement
Structure
Business Solution Design
And Delivery
Alignment
New Products/ Services
Competitive Pressures

7. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business Solution Delivery In Context
May 11, 2015 7
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes
Alignment Means Being
Able To Draw A Straight Line
From Business Strategy
Through To Delivered And
Operational Solutions
Implemented To Respond To
Business Needs

8. Dimensions Of Changes
May 11, 2015 8
Business
Needs
Market
Changes
Competitive
Pressures
Organisational
Changes
New
Products/
Services
Regulatory
Changes
Customer
Requirements
Business
Needs
Market
Changes
Competitive
Pressures
Organisational
Changes
New
Products/
Services
Regulatory
Changes
Customer
Requirements
Business
Needs
Market
Changes
Competitive
Pressures
Organisational
Changes
New
Products/
ServicesRegulatory
Changes
Customer
Requirements
Pace And Impact of
Business Changes
Increasing

9. Business IT Requirements And IT Alignment …
• … Means …
• Having an IT function with an underlying delivery-oriented structure,
attitude, approach, intention
• Being able to analyse and define business requirements associated with
business changes
• Being able to analyse and define business processes associated with
business changes
• Being able to define and design business solutions that deliver
requirements and processes
• Rebuild the fragmented and disjointed conversation between business and
IT
− Business and IT Alignment requires more than just relationship
management – it requires actual engagement by IT with the
needs of the business
May 11, 2015 9

10. Business Analysis And Business Operating
Environment
May 11, 2015 10
Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Merger/
Acquisition/
Divestment
Regulatory
Changes
Market
Changes
Competitive
Pressure
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change
New
Products/
Services
Customer
Requirements

11. Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change
Business Analysis Across Business Operating
Environment
May 11, 2015 11
Enterprise
Business
Analysis
Functional
Business
Analysis
IT Business
Analysis
Business And IT Alignment

12. Levels Of Business Analysis And Business Analyst
May 11, 2015 12
Functional Business Analyst
Understand business objectives
and solution functional
requirements
Analyse, define and optimise
business processes
Understand products and
services provided and associated
processes and solution
Assist with the optimisation of
the solution portfolio
Participate in optimisation of
organisation structure of
business function
Enterprise Business Analyst
Assist with translation of
business strategy to business
objectives
Ensure IT solution delivery is
aligned with business strategy
and business objectives
Assist with optimising IT solution
delivery activities
Contribute to solution delivery
governance
Support optimisation of
organisation structure
IT Business Analyst
Gather and analyse business
requirements
Map and document the business
processes
Assist with the creation of
solution functional specifications

13. Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change
Business Analysis Across Business Operating
Environment
May 11, 2015 13
Enterprise
Business
Analysis
Functional
Business
Analysis
IT Business
Analysis
Strategic Tactical

14. Effective Business Analysis Prevents Discontinuity
And Fragmentation
May 11, 2015 14
Local Fragmentation and
Discontinuity
Organisation Wide Fragmentation and Discontinuity

15. Levels Of Business Analysis And Business Analyst
May 11, 2015 15
Functional Business Analyst
Enterprise Business Analyst
IT Business Analyst
Greater
Business
Analysis
Capability
Delivers
Greater
Effectiveness

16. Preventing The Bumpy And Uncomfortable Journey From
Business Strategy To Execution And IT Solution Delivery
May 11, 2015 16
Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change

17. What IT All Too Frequently Delivers
May 11, 2015 17
Lack of response to business
needs
Slow and costly solution delivery
High solution maintenance and
operation costs
Fragile solutions with many
manual workarounds
Excessive and duplicated
development effort and
operation
Duplicated and costly
investments in many solutions
Siloed applications with lack of
integration
Poor return on investment
Too little, too late, not
what was wanted or
needed
Business Needs
Market Changes
New Products/ Services
Regulatory Changes
Customer Requirements
Organisational Changes
Competitive Pressures
The IT Funnel of
Fragmentation
and
Discontinuity

18. Integrated Approach To Business Analysis Optimises
Delivery, Removes Friction And Creates Effective Linkages
May 11, 2015 18
From …
To …

19. IT Does Provide Competitive Advantage
• IT does really provide competitive advantages to
organisations
• Business really does need IT to operate and grow
• Business can and does bypass the IT function if it does not
listen to the business and deliver solutions that enable
delivery of business objectives
• The business will look elsewhere for the necessary IT
solutions
• The consequence will be a fragmented and balkanised IT
solution landscape that is costly to operate and support
May 11, 2015 19

20. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Preventing The Balkanisation Of IT Solution
Landscape
May 11, 2015 20
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes
If This Is Not In
Place …
External
Suppliers
External
Suppliers
External
Suppliers
… Then The
Business Functions
Will Look To Bypass
The IT Function
External
Suppliers

21. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Preventing The Balkanisation Of IT Solution
Landscape
May 11, 2015 21
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes
External
Suppliers
External
Suppliers
External
Suppliers
… Leading To A
Disconnected And
Disintegrated
Solution Portfolio
External
Suppliers

22. Enterprise Business Analysis
• A highly capable business analysis function is a key enabler
of business change
• Identifier of solutions to business problems
• Driver of solution innovation and renovation
• Assist the business to address its challenges
• Business and IT alignment is a continuous process
• Assists in bridging the gap between the business and IT
• Mediates between the business and IT
• Ensures that IT is relevant to the business
May 11, 2015 22

23. Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change
Business Analysis Across Business Operating
Environment
May 11, 2015 23
Enterprise Business
Analysis
Functional
Business Analysis IT Business Analysis
Siloed Business
Analysis
Collaboration And
Sharing Across
Organisation
Functions
Organisation-Wide
Analysis Capability
With Consistent,
Repeatable
Processes

24. Business xNovation
May 11, 2015 24
Business
Strategy
Business
Objectives
Changes In
Products/
Services
Changes in
Organisation
Process Changes
Changes In IT
Solutions To
Enable Business
Change
Innovation
Renovation

25. Business xNovation
• Businesses need to:
− Innovate – introduce new into the organisation
− Renovate – update and modernise existing services, products and
offerings and support systems and processes
• Enterprise Business Analysis can play a central role in
successfully driving xnovation through the business
through to IT
May 11, 2015 25

26. Business
Objectives
Business
Operational
Model
Enterprise
Architecture
Solution
Implementation
and
Delivery
Management
And
Operations
Business
Processes
And
Analysis
Required
Operational
Business
Systems
Business
Strategy
Business
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business IT
Strategy
IT Function
Strategy
Required
Operational
Processes
Required
Infrastructure
Business
Systems
IT/Support
Systems
Design/
Selection
Business And IT Alignment Runs Both Ways
May 11, 2015 26
Solution
Portfolio
Solution
Portfolio
IT Function
Structure
And
Processes
Business and IT alignment
means managing expectations
between both parties

27. Business And IT Alignment Runs Both Ways
• An effective Enterprise Business Analysis capability within
the IT function means that IT call sell itself to the business
May 11, 2015 27

28. Business And IT Alignment Runs Both Ways
• IT needs:
− Enterprise Architecture that supports and enables solution
delivery and operation
− Enterprise Business Analysis function that provides a
comprehensive view of business processes, solution portfolio,
business requirements
− Enterprise Business Analysis function that speaks the language of
both business and IT and can act as a translator between both
parties
May 11, 2015 28

29. Enterprise Business Analysis Capability
• Without Enterprise Business Analysis Capability
− Siloed operation
− Inconsistent and fragmented operation
− Inconsistent and limited results
− No focus on overall business strategy
− Limited collaboration and sharing of knowledge and experiences
• With Enterprise Business Analysis Capability
− Consistent solution analysis process and approach with predictable
results
− Collaboration across organisation
− Business knows it is being listened to and that commitments will be met
− Effective knowledge management
− Analysis governance and standards
− Enable business respond to changes quickly and effectively
May 11, 2015 29

30. It Is Not About The Project – It Is About The Solution
• The IT project exists to deliver a solution that meets the
requirements of the business and that is usable, operable,
supportable, maintainable and cost-effective
• The focus needs to change from project management to
solution delivery
• The individual business solution exists within the context of a
portfolio of business solutions
• The solution requirements – functional – what it must do – and
non-functional – usability, performance, supportability,
maintenance, reliability, availability – must be delivered on
• Effective solution delivery requires effective business and IT
alignment
May 11, 2015 30

31. It Is Not About The Project – It Is About The Solution
• Capable and effective enterprise-wide business analysis
means the focus will remain on the solution rather than
the project
• A solution can only be regarded as successful if, over its
lifetime, it delivers the defined business results to all its
participants subject to schedule and budgetary constraints
May 11, 2015 31

32. Solution Is Not Just Functionality
• Solution success needs to be assessed against functional and
service/operational factors:
− Usability
− Operability
− Supportability
− Maintainability
− Security
− Integration
− Performance
− Reliability
− Integratability
• Enterprise Business Analysis capability ensures that complete
view of solution exists from the start
• High probability of success is embedded into solution design
from the start
May 11, 2015 32

33. Solution May Not Just A Single Application
May 11, 2015 33
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
Extended Application(s)
System
Component
System
Component
System
Component
External
Component
External
Component
External
Component
Core
Application
End To End View Of Solution

34. Solution May Not Just A Single Application
May 11, 2015 34
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
Extended Application(s)
System
Component
System
Component
System
Component
External
Component
External
Component
External
Component
Core
Application
Limited View All
Too Often Taken

35. Solution May Not Just A Single Application
May 11, 2015 35
System
Component
System
Component
System
Component
External
Component
External
Component
External
Component
Automated
Process
Automated
Process
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
Manual
Process
Manual
Process
External
Manual
Interaction
External
Manual
Interaction
Manual
Process
Manual
Process
Extended Application(s)
Core
Application

36. May 11, 2015 36
Hierarchy Of Requirements – From Enterprise To
Solution
Business Vision and
Goals
Business Strategy
Business Objectives
and Plan
Programmes for
Strategic Objectives
Solutions
Operation of
Solutions
Solutions delivered by
programmes and projects
cascade from business vision
to ultimate operation and
service delivery
Solutions delivered by
programmes and projects
need to be aligned to the
overarching business vision
and goal

37. Solution Delivery Boundaries
May 11, 2015 37
Enterprise Architecture Defines the
Solution Technical Boundary
Business
Data
Technical
Functional
Implementation
Management
and Operation
Solution
Enterprise
Business
Analysis
Defines the
Solution

38. Solution May Not Just A Single Application
• Overall solution may consist of core application and integration
points with existing applications
• Overall solution may operate with a mix of automated and
manual processes in a structured or ad-hoc manner to deliver
the required results
• Understanding the overall set of integration points and
processes and their operation is crucial to successful results
• Need to see the entire picture to understand how a solution
should operate
− Core system/application are just one part of this solution universe
• Unambiguous definition of processes is required
• Processes that are to be automated define the scope of the
development and implementation work
May 11, 2015 38

39. Extended Dimensions Of Overall Solution
May 11, 2015 39
Solution
Core
Application
Functionality
Solution
Operational
Characteristics

40. Enterprise Business Analysis
• All too often complete end-to-end view of the solution is
not recognised or appreciated
• Enterprise Business Analysis enables the full scope of the
solution and its operational framework to be understood,
defined and scoped at an early stage
• A realistic end-to-end view maximises the likelihood of
solution success
− All the functional and operational requirements are identified and
quantified
May 11, 2015 40

41. Achieving Alignment
• No doubt that business and IT alignment is necessary and
worthwhile
• But
− What exactly does alignment mean?
− What are the goals of alignment?
− How can its success be assessed?
− What is needed to achieve it?
May 11, 2015 41

42. Achieving Alignment
• Alignment requires enterprise-level commitment and
decisions made at an enterprise-level
• Need enterprise business analysis context within which to
operate
• Need enterprise business analysis framework where
business model, objectives and processes are held
May 11, 2015 42

43. Enterprise Business Analysis Capability – Key
Elements
May 11, 2015 43
Approach
Consistent and
repeatable
approach to
business analysis
Quick and
predictable
results
Top-down
approach
Framework
End-to-end
business
definitions
Cross-functional
process view
Business process
inventory
Teamwork
Collaboration
across and
between teams
Management
commitment
Mentoring and
training
Forum
Quality assurance
and control
Information
Management
Tools and
Techniques
Governance and Management
Information
sharing and
collaboration
tools
Information
management
processes
Complete set of
templates,
artefacts, tools
Consistent
implementation
and use
Management commitment, funding and support
Measurement and reporting
Demand and resource management

44. Achieving Enterprise Business Analysis Capability
• Senior Commitment and Sponsorship
− Without this, the initiative will fail
− There must be a strong belief that the approach will work
− View that Enterprise Business Analysis represents a strategic asset
− Needed to overcome obstacles and setbacks
• Defined Vision
− Articulated goal of what is to be achieved
• Achievable Implementation Plan
− Financial and resource plan to achieve goals that is realistic and
achievable
• Business Acceptance
− Target users of the service must accept the approach
• Skills and Experience
− Appropriately skilled and experienced team
May 11, 2015 44

45. Summary
• Business and IT alignment needs real engagement and not
just relationship management
• Enterprise Business Analysis capability provides a strategic
approach to achieving business and IT alignment
• Projects ≠ Solutions
• Solutions ≠ Functionality
• Enterprise Business Analysis ensures a complete end-to-
end view of solution delivery maximising success and
return on investment
May 11, 2015 45

46. May 11, 2015 46
More Information
Alan McSweeney
http://ie.linkedin.com/in/alanmcsweeney