BABOK (v3) Inside Mind Map – Mind Maps of the Things

BABOK (a.k.a., BABOK Guide), one of the most important publications of IIBA, “International Institute of Business Analysis“. It is the ultimate reference for the ones who are interested in Business Analysis, a discipline of research. BABOK stands for “Business Analysis Body of Knowledge” and it serves as a guide to the activities of this discipline. The latest BABOK has the version number three and this article introduces the table of contents of BABOK (v3) in brief with the following mind map:

Chapter 1: Introduction

Firstly in this section the purpose of the BABOK Guide is introduced. Secondly the definition of the Business Analysis is made. Thirdly the possible Bussiness Analyst roles are explained. Lastly the structure of the BABOK (v3) is described which makes up the BABOK Guide‘s format. A little detailed expression of this structure is as follows:

1.4 Structure of The BABOK Guide

Basically the content in the center of the BABOK Guide consists of business analysis tasks organized into knowledge areas. These tasks are (not sequentially but) logically related to each other in their respective knowledge areas. “The Business Analysis Key Concepts“, “Underlying Competencies“, “Techniques“, and “Perspectives” sections extend the core content in the BABOK Guide helping business analysts to perform better in business analysis tasks. Whereas the knowledge areas have a common structure, these extended contents have their own specific structures.

1.4.1 Key Concepts

Providing a basic understanding of the main ideas required to understand the BABOK Guide, some key concepts are introduced in Chapter 2.

1.4.2 Knowledge Areas

Certain business analysis funcionality areas include related tasks which form knowledge areas. Each knowledge area has its own group of tasks, but in all knowledge areas tasks are presented in similar format in the BABOK Guide.

1.4.3 Tasks

Tasks are discrete pieces of works may be performed and are grouped into knowledge areas and can be performed from all knowledge areas sequentially, iteratively, or simultaneously. The BABOK Guide has the following format for the tasks of the knowledge areas:

Purpose
Description
Inputs
Elements
Guidelines/Tools
Techniques
Stakeholders
Outputs

1.4.4 Underlying Competencies

One can successfully perform the business analysis role with the help of underlying competencies which reflect knowledge, skills, behaviours, characteristics and personal qualities. The BABOK Guide has the following format for the underlying competencies:

Purpose
Definition
Effectiveness Measures

1.4.5 Techniques

On ways that a task may be performed, techniques provide additional information. The BABOK Guide has the following format for the techniques:

Purpose
Description
Elements
Usage Considerations

1.4.6 Perspectives

To provide focus to tasks and techniques specific to the context of the initiative, perspectives are used within business analysis work. The BABOK Guide has the following format for the perspectives:

Change Scope
Business Analysis Scope
Methodologies, Approaches, and Techniques
Underlying Competencies
Impact on Knowledge Areas

Chapter 2: Business Analysis Key Concepts

The first key concept introduced in this section is the BACCM, “Business Analysis Core Concept Model“; serves as a conceptial framework for business analysis.

The second key concept introduced in this section is the Key Terms; maintain the definitions of main concepts.

The third key concept introduced in this section is Requirements Classification Schema; helps the stakeholders in categorizing the requirements.

The fourth key concept introduced in this section is Stakeholders; possible participators in the execution of the tasks related to the requirements.

The fifth key concept introduced in this section Requirements and Designs; includes a comparison between a requirement and a design.