3 Essential Diagrams for Any Project

Business analysis playbook #3

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Aspiring business analysts often ask, what is the most important diagram in business analysis?

While this question cannot have one straight definitive answer, as projects vary so much in size and scope, I will suggest here three diagrams that are needed on every project. They can be created relatively quickly and present a very good investment of time.

Of course, many projects, especially those touching multiple systems and business processes, will require much more than three simple and high-level diagrams. However, detailed modelling must be based on high-level models. Initial discovery sessions will go much better if supported by the same high-level pictures. Engaging stakeholders in the conversation and framing the conversation effectively can also benefit from these diagrams:

• Context model
• Business use case diagram
• High-level process flow

A context model describes the interfaces and connections of the business or system with the environment in which it exists.

Context models capture how the central object interacts with its environment, be it exchanging data, physical objects, or funds. Context models can be created for an enterprise, a system, or a…