An intensive course covering many aspects of the BA role from requirements interviews and use case models to testing and iterative planning concepts. Major techniques of both Structured and Object-Oriented (OO) techniques are addressed in this course. Each trainee receives a hard copy of all course material as well as a Job Aids booklet, containing useful templates, examples, guidelines and glossary for use back on the job.

Major topics include:
Overview of Brainstorming JAD (Joint Application Design)
Business data modeling with entity relationship diagrams
Use case diagrams and use cases
Work flow analysis with activity diagrams and decision tables
Data flow diagrams of structured analysis
Object oriented analysis – class diagrams
Structured testing principles and methods
Structured walkthroughs
Black box requirements-based testing including boundary value analysis
Systems testing (regression, volume, stress, usability, performance tests)
Mapping business analysis tools to project development phases for: Waterfall and iterative methodologies

Howard Podeswa

Noble Inc.

Howard Podeswa is the co-founder of Noble Inc., a business analysis (BA) consulting and training company and author of UML for the IT Business Analyst, a practical guide for the BA.

He has 26 years experience in many aspects of the software industry, beginning as a developer for Atomic Energy of Canada Ltd. and continuing as systems analyst, business analyst, consultant, and creator of courseware for IT professionals.

He has provided consulting services to a diverse client base, including the Canadian Air Force (MASIS), the South African Community Peace Program, and major financial and consulting organizations (Deloitte, CIBC bank, CGU, etc.).

Podeswa has designed BA OO training programs for numerous institutions, including Boston University, Humber College, and Polar Bear. Most recently, he was a subject matter expert for NITAS—a BA apprenticeship program for CompTIA and a technical reviewer for the IIBA's BABOK (BA Book of Knowledge).