Course Description

Enterprise and Strategic Analysis - 100% Online

Due to COVID-19, Dalhousie University moved this normally classroom-based program online, with an altered schedule as outlined below. It will consist of 6 instructor-lead sessions scheduled for June 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, & 17 from 9:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern Standard Time each day. 

The online version of this course was created using sound instructional design principles and is specifically tailored to an e-learning environment, taking advantage of the latest tools to create a learning experience that is interactive, engaging, and effective.

While training will still contain some elements of instruction (lectures) with slides and voiceover, to make the experience more personal, there will be a video window in which you can see the instructor. Additionally, if you have a webcam, it may be possible to see each other as participants ask questions or provide input. Interactivity is included with the ability to have online polls and quizzes. To assess comprehension, participants may be asked to complete a short online quiz at the end of each module. The results are immediately available to the facilitator who can use the data to address any gaps or areas of confusion.

The online learning technology, combined with a skilled facilitator, will ensure a positive and productive learning environment.

Session 1: June 8, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Session 2: June 9, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Session 3: June 10, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Homework - Assignment to be completed between sessions 3 & 4

Session 4: June 15, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Session 5: June 16, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Session 6: June 17, 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (EST)

Participants will gain practical skills to:

• Discuss enterprise analysis tasks and techniques
• Analyze and document a business problem
• Devise a business case
• Contrast viable solutions against developed decision criteria
• List possible solutions and approaches
• Evaluate causes through the application of problem analysis techniques
• Isolate major causes of business problem and where to focus resources
• List types of gap analyses
• Assess limitations through the creation of a gap analysis
• Recall the phases of the project life cycle
• Conduct a Strength Weakness Opportunity Threat (SWOT) analysis
• Appraise competitive intelligence through a benchmarking study
• Build on previously learned techniques to develop high level requirements for the business case
• Defend business case recommendations
• List the sections of an RFP
• Describe the steps in RFP development and vendor selection
• Apply data conversion strategy and mapping to existing data

Who Should Attend

The Enterprise and Strategic Analysis is appropriate for individuals who are:

• Pursuing a career in Business Analysis
• Business or Information Systems managers or staff who is new to business analysis
• Experienced Business Analysts requiring better understanding of the role, or desiring formal recognition through certification
• Project staff or managers currently combining the role
• Business Analyst role with other duties
• Business staff or managers who are working in Business Analyst environments, needing to interact with project managers and business analysts

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for this course. It functions as a stand alone-course.

Course Outline

Introduction

• Course Introduction
• Enterprise analysis
• Solution assessment and validation

Business Need

• Business goals and objectives
• Business problem or opportunity statement
• Business requirements
• Root Cause Analysis
• Process flows
• Cause and effect diagram
• Pareto diagram
• SWOT Analysis
• Benchmarking
• Completing gap analysis
• Uses of gap analysis
• Gap analysis process
• Gap analysis techniques

Viable Solution

• Best practices for determining solution
• Decision criteria
• Alternative solutions
• Decision matrices
• Cost benefit analysis

The Business Case

• Purpose of a business case
• Approaches for developing a business case
• Presenting a business case

Solution Assessment and Valuation

• Writing and evaluating an RFP
• Assess sample proposals
• Assessing organizational readiness
• Completing force field analysis
• Defining transitional requirements
• Data conversion strategy
• Data Mapping

Notes

Testimonials

"Very knowledgeable and engaging instructor, very enthusiastic."

Sergey Averin
Enterprise & Strategic Analysis, November 2015

"The instructor was exceptionally knowledgeable."

Gary Carter,
Enterprise & Strategic Analysis, November 2014

"The instructor was very engaging, used real-world examples."

Matt Dickinson,
Enterprise & Strategic Analysis, November 2014

Applies Towards the Following Certificates

• Business Analysis Certificate Program : Required
• Project Management (Classroom) : Elective(s)