C8 Defining the Solution

Question 1

What is gap analysis and what areas can it be used to examine?

Answer 1

Gap analysis requires thae business analsyst to explore the differences between the current state and the desired state. The BAM and consensus BAM can be used to denote the desired future state. Each of the areas on the BAM can be examined in order to determine where deficiencies lie.

Gap analysis can help to examine the following areas:

1) the as-is and to-be process models;
2) the competenecies held by an individual and those required by a particular role;
3) the IT system requirements and the features offered by an off-the-shelf software package.

Question 2

The activities on the BAM should be inspected and categorised in order to identify those requiring further attention. What are three categories used for the activities?

Answer 2

1) operating satisfactorily - no immmediate action,
2) some issues to be addressed - action required,
3) Not in place - urgent consideration.

Question 3

Explain how the POPIT / 4 View model can be used when conducting GAP ANALYSIS?

Answer 3

Processes- usual starting point- looks at as-is and to-be proceses. Processes require other POPIT elements to change.

Information and Technology - What about:
IT support / Accessibility / Alignment with enterprise and architecture.

Organisation - often overlooked in gap analysis. McKinseys 7S model can be used to understand the elements that contribute to the organisational view:
RECAP: hard 1) strategy 2) structure 3) systems, soft 2) shared values 5) skills 6) syle 7) staff.

People - it’s all about communicating the changes to any affected staff. What about: Skills that the job roles require (training?) / Recruitment if skills gaps / Staff development / Motivation and reward.

Question 4

When formulating options we must ensure proposal are feasible. What areas can we look at in terms of feasibility?

Answer 4

Financial,
business,
technical perspectives.

The key is that options are holistic and to look at all the elements of the POPIT / 4 View model.

Question 5

What is a definition of business architecture?

Answer 5

The Business Architecture Guild (2014)

A blueprint of the enterprise that provides a common understanding of the organisation that can be used to align strategic objectives and tactical demands.

Question 6

How can a robust business architecture benefit an organisation?

Answer 6

• the strategy drives changes to the business architecture,
• the business architecture informs and refines the strategy,
• the business architecture translates the strategy for execution,
• the strategy execution enables and generates improvement to the overall business architecture.

Question 7

What are the three objectives of Business Architecture?

Answer 7

1) To promote organisational health (longevity and well-being of the organisation)
2) To help fulfil unrealised opportunities (promoting appropriate reaction to external influences and proposed initiatives)
3) To aid organisational performance in a competitive market place: (implementing best practice / monitoring metrics / encouraging reuse).

Question 8

What might you document in business architecture artefacts?

Answer 8

capabilities, values, information, products, suppliers and partners, motivations, business units, policies.

Question 9

There are two techniques that form the essence of an effective Business Architecture. What are they?

Answer 9

Business Capability Modelling ,

Value stream analysis.