Shared understanding of requirements Archives

Business Analysis Tools and Techniques

by Yulia KosarenkoMay 23, 2020June 22, 202112 Comments

After the Explain many times, many ways post, I’ve received a lot of feedback. In this post, I will follow-up on the most popular question: “Based on the different learning types and stakeholder needs, what business analysis methods or techniques…

Shared Understanding Tip #6: Structure the Requirements, Do Not Pile Them Up

by Yulia KosarenkoFebruary 3, 2020April 21, 20214 Comments

Creating a shared understanding of business requirements is like picturing a building instead of a pile of bricks. You cannot achieve it without organizing requirements in a structure that makes sense. More than that: how can you, a business analyst,…

Shared Understanding Tip #5: Review, Refine & Repeat

by Yulia KosarenkoJanuary 26, 2020April 21, 20213 Comments

Achieving a shared understanding of business requirements is an iterative process. Recap the main points after each requirements discussion – reconfirm agreement. Restate the problem, objectives and findings before the next meeting. If you see confused faces – recall previous…

Shared Understanding Tip #4: Share As You Go, Requirements Are Not a Secret

by Yulia KosarenkoJanuary 16, 2020May 23, 20212 Comments

Achieving a shared understanding of requirements is a process, not an event. Business requirements are just a format for capturing shared understanding of the problem and required solution. So, requirements are not a secret that needs to be kept from…

Shared Understanding Tip #3: Explain Many Times, Many Ways

by Yulia KosarenkoJanuary 12, 2020April 18, 20216 Comments

You and I may differ in how we learn and absorb information. I like to see for myself, you want to hear things explained to you, someone else may need a group discussion to accept a new concept. Therefore, the…

Shared Understanding Tip #2: Consistent Terminology

by Yulia KosarenkoJanuary 8, 2020April 18, 20213 Comments

Continuing the topic of getting to shared understanding of business requirement, here is the next tip: use consistent terminology. Define the terms, publish and share the definitions in a glossary or business dictionary. Then, promote the correct terms. As a…

Shared Understanding Tip #1: Context Model

by Yulia KosarenkoJanuary 6, 2020June 22, 20214 Comments

What you write may not be what I read. What I read may not be what I understand. And what I understand now may not be what I remember later…When you capture the result of your analysis, how do you…