Don't be a zombie writing your stories - Learn some cutting edge analysis techniques - IIBA Brisbane - 21_10_2016

Don’t be a zombie writing your storiesLearn some cutting edge analysis techniques

Ryan McKergow

ryanmckergow

rmckergow

Be like Buzz! He’s our mascot for today

We’re more than story writers…Analysis is essential

Poor analysis creates costly defects

Refer to this article featuring @scottwambler: http://bit.ly/costofchange

Cost

Length of feedback cycle

Analysis defects found via traditional acceptance testing

Collaborative analysis reduces costs of defects

Refer to this article featuring @scottwambler: http://bit.ly/costofchange

Cost

Length of feedback cycle

Analysis defects found via active stakeholder engagement / participation

Analysis defects found via collaborative workshops

Poll: Can you relate to this?

development team

Discussion time: Have you been in this situation? What did you do?

development team

Reading stories ≠ shared understanding

Com

mun

icat

ion

effec

tive

ness

Richness of communication

Reading a document /

stories

Refer to this article featuring @TotherAlistair: http://bit.ly/agilecomms

Talking to people = shared understanding

Com

mun

icat

ion

effec

tive

ness

Richness of communicationRefer to this article featuring @TotherAlistair: http://bit.ly/agilecomms

Face to face conversation

Face to face at a whiteboard

What does this mean for us as Business Analysts?

We need to be T-Shaped individuals

Breadth

Depth

Analysis is essential

“Our job as business analysts is not just writing requirements.”

Analysis is essential

“We help our teams gain a shared understanding of

the problem, the business objectives, &

how we’re going to solve it.”

Cutting edge analysistechniques to try @ work

The Three Amigos

Given… When…Then…?

The Three Amigos – What is it?

“A collaborative technique mindset for

problem solving & gaining a shared understanding.”

The Three Amigos – When should I use it?

All through out the software development

process

The Three Amigos – How do I do it?

Steps:• Where ever you need to clarify

a user story talk to each other at the same time (Time: 5-15 minutes)

The Three Amigos – Does it work?I have a question Me too!

How can I help?

Discussion time: The Three Amigos

“Have you had a similar situation where using

this mindset would have saved you time?”

The Three Amigos – Want more info?

Check out: http://bit.ly/3-amigos-atdd

Story Kickoff

Story Kickoff – What is it?

“A technique to get a shared understanding of a user story when starting development.”

Story Kickoff – When should I use it?

When starting development

on a user story.

Story Kickoff – How do I do it?

Steps:• Gather the team around a

whiteboard• Visually explain the user story• Encourage questions• Start development

(Time: 5-15 minutes)

Story Kickoff – Does it work?

Story Kickoff – Want more info?

Check out: http://bit.ly/story-kickoffs

Customer Journey Mapping

Customer Journey Mapping – What is it?

“A technique to understand what our customers go

through. What are their pains & what are the opportunities to

improve?”

Customer Journey Mapping – When should I use it?

At the start of the project or

an initative.

Customer Journey Mapping - How do I do it?

Steps:• Organise the team for a workshop• Invite a customer(s)• List out the:

• Phases the customer goes through• Activities for each phase• What they gain / is painful about each phase

• Brainstorm opportunities to improve on existing process

Time: 60-120 minutes

Customer Journey Mapping - How do I do it?PhaseActivitiesGainsPainsOpportunities

Customer Journey Mapping – Does it work?

Discussion time: Customer Journey Mapping

“Discuss approaches you could take in your

organisation to spend time with your customers.”

Design Studio Workshop

Design Studio Workshop – What is it?

“A technique to design the user interface together

& identify gaps in our analysis.”

Design Studio Workshop – When should I use it?

When analysing a new feature.

Design Studio Workshop – How do I do it?

Steps:• Organise the team for a workshop• Explain the new feature• Everyone draws what they think the interface

will look like• Present to each other, share & critique ideas• Round 2 of drawing the interface based on

feedback (optional)• Converge on a single design

Time: 30-90 minutes

Design Studio Workshop – Does it work?

Design Studio Workshop – Does it work?

Design Studio Workshop – Want more info?

Check out: http://bit.ly/design-studio-workshop

(Details ¾ way down article)

Tips to facilitategreat collaborative workshops

Preparation

Facilitate with intent

Encourage appropriate behaviours

Engagement from everyone

How you can facilitategreat collaborative workshops

1 Preparation

Encourage appropriate behaviours

Facilitate with intent

Engagement from everyone

3

2

4

Thank youRyan McKergow

ryanmckergow

rmckergow