The Business Analysts Handbook

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Treva Pingree says...

This is a great on the job reference book. I find it valuable for ensuring I am up to date with BA terms.

Posted on February 26, 2011

Terri Macari says...

I strongly recommend this book for any kind of manager. Why? Because there are always problems and projects, and this book gives you great ideas for a structured thinking. Many times, I've seen people that when crisis or problems come, they start with whatever comes to their mind first. Rather than that, some of the ideas of this book is to go to the basis and understand all the components. Even when this book doesn't address problem solving as its main target the book does great for this purpose.



Obviously if you are working on the Information Systems Analysis and Design, Consulting or similar areas, this book is a must.



I'd love to see a QuickReference Version (like a HandPocket Book)!

Posted on February 28, 2011

Hortencia Stuller says...

Love the book, the tools and best practices have really helped me on the job. I've noticed some of the comments below have referenced that the table of contents is incorrect. Just wanted to mention that my copy doesn't seem to have this issue.

Posted on February 28, 2011

Zella Requarth says...

The author says in the introduction that he began his career in Chemical Engineering and attempted to create a book similar to Perry's Chemical Engineer Handbook.At first I thought it was a neat idea to have everything I could ever need to know as a BA in one place.After muddling through the first couple of chapters, I noticed that this book contains way *too much* information in one place.It's like trying to read an encyclopedia cover to cover.This book may have its place in very rigorously structured environments where BAs need to quickly reference something, but as a comprehensive starting point for Biz Analysts it fails miserably.I think the biggest failure of this book is that it attempts to formalize everything too much without first getting across a hi-level overview of what a BA is supposed to learn from a particular section.

As a BA for several years, I can say that I found nothing in here of practical value.The organizations in which I have worked did not place much value of formal structure of analysis, so that may be why I do not find this book worthwhile.

Plus, the writing style is dreadfully dry.As my title suggests, when an engineer writes a book about soft skills this is about what you might expect.I'm a former engineer myself and have first hand knowledge of the low value placed on communication skills by many otherwise competent engineers (of course there are exceptions). I got more techniques for analysis out of Project Management books than this one (like the portable MBA series book on Project management) and I believe there are much better books out there but they probably don't have Business Analyst in the title.

Posted on March 1, 2011

Tandy Larr says...

I like the book a lot. It gives a thourough overview of close to all aspects of the business analyst. It's therefore a must have for a BA. For a dutch person working in the Netherlands there are some mismatches in names of e.g. project phases, but it all maps very well to my working life.

Posted on March 1, 2011

Pilar Penwarden says...

I agree with all the good reviews about this book, it is helping me a lot in my practice with focused insight for every step of the BA tasks. I only wish somebody could have checked out the table of contents for accuracy, the page numbers starting @ Chapter 4 are all wrong!, for a handbook this is a dismal defect.

Posted on March 1, 2011

Jennefer Qualle says...

OK, so as I started to read through this book I couldn't help but start laughing out loud.



The book is definitely written by an engineer trying to convey soft skills.It reminded me of Data on The Next Generation.



The only practical purpose I see is for an engineer trying to move to the BA role.For those who are not engineers you will probably want to pass on this one.

Posted on March 2, 2011

Octavia Nicklaw says...

This book has solid reference material that experienced Business Analysts can utilize on virtually any assignment. This is not the best book for a new Business Analyst and is really geared towards a practitioner that understands their craft and appreciates additional guidance. Coverage of techniques and models is very comprehensive.

Posted on March 2, 2011

Sharita Freidel says...

In my experience most technical books are either overly dry and are useful as a reference tool or completely theoretical leaving it up to the reader to determine application modes.Howard Podeswa does a great job of blending the two.He also does this in the context of one of the most important and least discussed role - the Business Analyst.



Over the years I have had the privilege to be part of many software teams.We have had great successes and a few failures.One thing that is a constant is the impact of the Business Analyst role on project success.The The Business Analyst's Handbook provides a complete tailorable approach to facilitating, organizing and disseminating business information that is sure to have a positive impact on any team.



This is a book that should be near and dear to any professional Business Analyst.

Posted on March 2, 2011

Marilou Gettinger says...

Once upon a time, one would be hard pressed to find many reference books on doing business analysis work properly but since the creation of the International Institute of Business Anlysis professional association and the advent of the CBAP certification in 2005, there has been a welcome torrent of titles.



I recommend this as an essential tool in your BA toolkit especially if you perform business analysis in Agile software development environments, though many of these techniques can be adapted to other software development methodologies as well.

Posted on March 8, 2011