What is a business analysis glossary?

A business analysis glossary is a collection of terminology and phrases used in business analysis. It often incorporates business analyst language, concepts, and jargon. 

This glossary helps business analysis professionals professionals to successfully communicate and understand a common key terms and topics. 

It can include words such as requirements analysis, stakeholder management, process modeling, and others.

A lexicon of this type is an invaluable resource for anyone working in business analysis initiatives.

What are some the business analysis glossary words?

Here is a list of some common terminology that you might come across in a business analysis glossary:

1. Business Analyst: A specialist who examines an organization’s procedures, systems, and goals in order to find solutions to business challenges.

2. Stakeholder: A person or group who has an interest or involvement in the success of a project or endeavour.

3. Requirements: Statements that explain the functions, features, and limitations that must be met by a solution.

4. SWOT Analysis: A decision-making tool that assesses an organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats.

5. Use Case: A technique for describing and documenting the interactions of a system or process with actors (users or systems).

6. Gap Analysis: The process of comparing current and desired states in order to find disparities or gaps that must be filled.

7. Agile: An approach to project management and development that emphasises flexibility, collaboration, and customer feedback.

8. Waterfall: A traditional approach to project management having a linear and sequential framework.

9. Business Process Modelling: The graphical representation of business processes for the purposes of understanding, analysing, and improving them.

10. ROI (Return on Investment): A metric that measures the profit or value gained from an investment.

11. KPI (Key Performance Indicator): Metrics used to assess a project’s or organization’s success or performance.

12. RACI Matrix: A technique for clarifying project or process roles and responsibilities (Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, Informed).

13. Scope Creep: Uncontrolled changes or additions to the scope of a project, which frequently leads to delays and budget overruns.

14. Change Management: The process of effectively planning, implementing, and managing organisational change.

15. BRD (Business needs Document): A formal document outlining a project’s high-level business needs.

16. User Story: A brief explanation of a software feature from the perspective of the end user, commonly used in Agile development.

17. Decision Matrix: A tool for analysing and comparing alternatives or possibilities based on established criteria.

18. Feasibility Study: An evaluation of a proposed project’s or solution’s practicability and viability.

19. ROI (Return on Investment): A metric that measures the profit or value gained from an investment.

20. Sprint: A time-boxed iteration in Agile development that typically lasts 2-4 weeks and involves the development and testing of a set of features.

These are just a few examples; a thorough business analysis dictionary may have many more terminology and definitions to assist professionals in the subject.