IBM Software Group. Mastering Requirements Management with Use Cases Module 4: Analyze the Problem

Transcription

1 IBM Software Group Mastering Requirements Management with Use Cases Module 4: Analyze the Problem 1

2 Objectives Define problem analysis and its goal. Describe activities for problem analysis. Identify the stakeholders. Gain agreement on the problem. Find actors and define system boundaries. Start development of the project Vision. Define a problem statement. Identify constraints on the project. Establish common vocabulary. 2

3 Where Are We in the Requirements Discipline? 3

4 Analyze the Problem: Activities and Artifacts 4

5 Problem Analysis Is the process of understanding real-world problems, how they relate to stakeholder needs, and proposing solutions to meet those needs. What is the goal of problem analysis? Gain a better understanding before development begins. Identify root causes. Help find the right solution. Avoid the Yes, but Minimize extra work. What is the real problem? 5

6 Definition of a Problem A problem can be defined as the difference between things as perceived and things as desired. (Problem) perceived desired Gause & Weinberg,

7 Problem Analysis Steps Identify stakeholders. Understand the root causes. Gain agreement on the problem definition. Identify constraints on the system or project. Identify and validate the solution against the root causes. Define the solution system boundary. 7

8 Problem Analysis Roadmap Business Problem Identify stakeholders for problem. Root cause analysis. Solution idea or Opportunity Business problem defined Actual problem identified and defined Understand the problem in the context of the business goals. Problem validated/adjusted Choose the best solution(s) to meet the goals. Best solution identified Reassess that the solution idea is the best solution. Elicit Requirements Expand stakeholder list for solution. 8

9 Stakeholders: Definitions Stakeholder An individual who is materially affected by the outcome of the system or the project(s) producing the system. Stakeholder Representative A stakeholder representative represents one or more stakeholders. They are directly involved in the steering, shaping, and scoping of the project. 9

10 Identify the Stakeholders Each group of stakeholders needs a representative. Not all stakeholder groups need to be consulted. Some will provide requirements. Customers, users, system administrators Some may not provide requirements. Shareholders Who are some of the stakeholders for your projects? 10

11 Describe Stakeholders in the Vision Document Stakeholder Representative Description Type Responsibilities Success Criteria Involvement Deliverables Comments/ Concerns Registrar Kelly Hansen User The Registrar is typically a college-educated professional with full computer skills. The Registrar is trained and experienced with the use of the current batch-oriented registration. The Registrar is responsible for administering course registration for each school term. This includes supervising administrative and data entry personnel. The registrar s primary responsibility will be maintaining student and professor databases, and opening/closing courses to registration. The registrar s office will also be required to perform. The registrar s primary responsibility will be maintaining student and professor databases, and opening/closing courses to registration. The registrar s office will also be required to perform.. Management reviewer especially related to functionality and usability of features required by the Registrar staff. None 11

12 What Is the Problem Behind the Problem? Fishbone Diagram Techniques The perceived business problem. Want Privacy when banking Too much waiting No Banking at night Customers are dissatisfied with our service. Banking in airports Want more banking locations Queues in the branches are too long List contributing causes to the identified problem. Keep asking Why? (expand each rib). 12

13 Problem Analysis Validating a Solution The perceived solution to some ill-defined problem. No Banking at night Too much waiting Customers are dissatisfied with our service We need ATMs. Banking in airports Want more banking locations Queues in the branches are too long List the reasons why the solution is the right solution. Keep asking Why? (expand each rib). 13

14 Focus on Largest Contributors - Pareto s Law Benefit 80% 20% of the effort yields 80% of the benefit. 20% Effort Rank in order. Use the Rule to focus on the top contributing causes to address the greatest portion of the problem. 14

15 Understand the Broader Context of the Problem A lack of understanding the business and its goals increases risk. Does the problem have an organization/process component? Does the team understand the domain in which the problem exists? Does solving the problem present the opportunity to make process improvements? 15

16 Business Modeling and Requirements Disciplines The connection between disciplines. Business Modeling Requirements 16

17 Business Models Model organization structure and dynamics. Business processes Organizational structure Roles and responsibilities Products Deliveries Events Visualize the organization and its processes. Help understand current problems. Identify potential improvements. Derive and validate system requirements needed to support the organization. 17

18 Describe the Problem in the Vision Document Problem Definition Stakeholder Requests Vision Document Use-Case Model Supplementary Specification Design Specifications User Documentation Specifications 18

19 Vision Document Communicates information between management, marketing, and the project team. Provides initial customer feedback. Fosters general understanding of the product. Establishes scope and priority of high-level stakeholder requests and features. A system-level document that describes the what and why of the product. A document that gets all parties working from the same book. Vision 19

20 Vision Document Outline 1. Introduction 2. Positioning 3. Stakeholder and User Descriptions 4. Product Overview 5. Product Features 6. Constraints 7. Quality Ranges 8. Precedence and Priority 9. Other Product Requirements 10. Documentation Requirements 11. Appendix 1 - Feature Attributes 20

21 Gain Agreement on the Problem Definition Problem Statement The problem of affects the impact of which is a successful solution would (describe the problem) (the stakeholders affected by the problem) (what is the impact of the problem) (list some key business benefits of a successful solution) Vision 21

22 Identify Constraints Environmental Political Economic Technical System Feasibility 22

23 Identify the Best Business Solution Identify a number of solutions for the main contributing problems. Technical, non-technical, or both. Choose the ones that: Best solve the root causes. Support the business goals. Gather the requirements to implement the solution. 23

24 Define the Solution System Boundary Other Systems Users New System Legacy System Maintenance Communications Reports 24

25 Actors Help Define System Boundaries System boundary? PC PC Server PC Server PC PC User Is the client software part of the system or is the client an actor? 25

26 Capture a Common Vocabulary Define terms used in the project. Help prevent misunderstandings. Glossary Capture common vocabulary Start as soon as possible. Continue throughout the project. RUCS2: Glossary 26

27 Visualize the Glossary With a Domain Model Trade Customer * Trading Acct. 1 * Transaction Market transaction Limit Transaction Transfer 27

28 Review: Analyze the Problem 1. What are the activities in problem analysis? 2. How do you gain agreement on the problem? 3. Who are the stakeholders in your project? 4. How can actors be used to help determine the boundaries of a system? 5. Why is it important to establish a glossary? 6. What should be included in a problem statement? 28