Documents Prepared by a Business Analyst

In the ever-evolving world of business analysis, professionals rely on a multitude of documents to communicate, analyze, and drive effective decision-making. These documents are essential for project success, regulatory compliance, and a clear understanding of business needs. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the various documents prepared by a business analyst.

Business Requirements Document (BRD)

What is a BRD?

The Business Requirements Document, commonly known as BRD, is a foundational document that outlines the high-level business needs and objectives of a project. It’s the roadmap for project stakeholders and acts as a reference point for the entire project lifecycle.

What does it Include?

Business Objectives: Clear and measurable objectives that the project aims to achieve.

Functional Requirements: Detailed descriptions of the system’s functionality and its components.

Non-Functional Requirements: Performance, security, and other non-functional aspects that the system must adhere to.

Use Cases and User Stories: Real-world scenarios that help in understanding system functionality from an end-user perspective.

Functional Requirements Document (FRD)

What is an FRD?

The Functional Requirements Document, or FRD, is a detailed breakdown of the functional aspects of a project. It outlines precisely what the system should do, often accompanied by data models and flowcharts.

What does it Include?

Detailed Use Cases: In-depth descriptions of specific user interactions with the system.

Data Models: Diagrams that illustrate data structures, relationships, and data flow.

System Interfaces: Descriptions of how the system interacts with external entities.

Use Case Documents

What are Use Case Documents?

Use case documents provide a narrative description of how a system will be used by its various stakeholders. They focus on individual scenarios, outlining the expected interactions between users and the system.

What do they Include?

Actors: Descriptions of the people, systems, or entities interacting with the system.

Main and Alternate Flows: Detailed sequences of events, including normal and alternative paths.

Preconditions and Postconditions: Conditions that must be met before and after a use case is executed.

Wireframes and Mockups

What are Wireframes and Mockups?

Wireframes and mockups are visual representations of the user interface. They provide a visual guide for designers and developers, ensuring the final product aligns with business requirements.

What do they Include?

Layouts: Arrangement of elements on a screen.

UI Elements: Buttons, menus, and other interactive components.

Annotations: Explanations and notes for design and functionality.

Test Plans and Test Cases

What are Test Plans and Test Cases?

Test plans and test cases are critical for the quality assurance phase of a project. They define how the system will be tested to ensure it meets all requirements and functions as intended.

What do they Include?

Test Objectives: Clear goals for each testing phase.
Test Scenarios: Different scenarios to test various aspects of the system.
Test Data and Expected Results: Data inputs and expected outcomes for each test case.

Impact Analysis Documents

What is an Impact Analysis Document?

Impact analysis documents assess the potential effects of proposed changes on a project. They help in understanding the consequences of changes to requirements or project scope.

What do they Include?

Change Requests: Detailed descriptions of requested changes.

Risks and Mitigations: Analysis of potential risks and strategies to mitigate them.

Cost and Effort Estimates: Estimations of the resources required for implementing changes.