James Robertson is a business analyst, problem solver, author, speaker, instructor, photographer, designer, and coach. He trained as an architect but left that for a career in IT and the sociological side of technology. He left the security of employment in Australia to move and start his own company (with his brilliant wife) in the United Kingdom. Since then he has gone on to co-author seven books, numerous courses, and the Volere requirements techniques and templates, which have been adopted by organizations all over the world as their standard for gathering, discovering, communicating, tracing, and specifying solution needs. James’ career is broad, both in a geographical sense and the areas and systems that he has worked with. It is fair to say that James has worked on almost every type of commercial IT project—from a start as a programmer in a software development house in Sydney, to consulting in New York, London, Rome, and most European capitals. He has earned his experience at the sharp end of both project and research work. He divides his time between London and the French Alps. He skis for as much of the winter as demands on his time allow, and hikes all summer. Suzanne Robertson is having a stellar career in information technology and systems engineering. She is a teacher, practitioner, writer, instructor, and guide. Suzanne is a pioneer in adapting ideas from other domains for automated solutions. She has collaborated in workshops using experts from fields as diverse as modern music, visualization, and cookery. Ideas from these domains were adapted to make major breakthroughs in creative ideas for domains ranging from air traffic control to local government. She is co-author of the best-selling Mastering the Requirements Process, among other books and courses. She is co-creator of the Volere requirements techniques. She was the founding editor of the Requirements Column in IEEE Software. She has also made an impact in the socio-technical arena. This includes research and consulting on managing project sociology, both individually and as collaborative efforts between business, technology, and academia. Her experience with different projects in both the private and public sectors has given her experience in a wide variety of systems and locations. She has worked in Europe, Australia, the Far East, and the United States. Suzanne is a founder and principal of the Atlantic Systems Guild. Her other interests include opera, cooking, skiing, and finding out about curious things.

“James and Suzanne have brought their deep and wide experience in business and systems analysis to bear on the importance of good analysis in agile domains. They cut through the hype and tackle the misconceptions that are rife around agile analysis by providing concrete advice and useful tools for anyone undertaking the vital analysis activities in agile development.” — Shane Hastie, Director of Agile Learning Programs – ICAgile; Lead Editor – Culture & Methods, InfoQ.com “What is a user story but a requirement? But is it the right requirement? The user said it was, but how does the user know? And how can you discover it? “Two words: Step back. “If you step back—and this book shows you how to do that—you can discover the real requirement. Why do you do this? It’s the only way to deliver real value to your customer. “And what could be more agile than that?” — Stephen J. Mellor, Signatory to the Agile Manifesto “This new book is a must-have for business analysts looking to bridge the gap between agile and other development approaches. It combines the best of both, into clear and simple guidance, presented in a delightful and light style.” — Neil Maiden, Professor of Digital Creativity, Cass Business School, City, University of London “ Business Analysis Agility provides the express on-ramp that business process change projects have sorely needed.” — Stephen McMenamin, Ex CIO & VP of Hawaiian Electric “The Robertsons share a plethora of tools and techniques that help you infuse agility in your business analysis. The book includes multiple examples and lively scenarios that engage and invite smart problem and solution exploration.” — Ellen Gottesdiener, Agile Product Coach, Founder EBG Consulting

• Chapter 1: Agile Business Analysis Chapter 2: Do You Know What Your Customers Value? Chapter 3: Are You Solving the Right Problem? Chapter 4: Investigate the Solution Space Chapter 5: Designing the Business Solution Chapter 6: Writing the Right Stories Chapter 7: Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick Glossary Bibliography Index

James Robertson is a business analyst, problem solver, author, speaker, instructor, photographer, designer, and coach. He trained as an architect but left that for a career in IT and the sociological side of technology. He left the security of employment in Australia to move and start his own company (with his brilliant wife) in the United Kingdom. Since then he has gone on to co-author seven books, numerous courses, and the Volere requirements techniques and templates, which have been adopted by organizations all over the world as their standard for gathering, discovering, communicating, tracing, and specifying solution needs. James’ career is broad, both in a geographical sense and the areas and systems that he has worked with. It is fair to say that James has worked on almost every type of commercial IT project—from a start as a programmer in a software development house in Sydney, to consulting in New York, London, Rome, and most European capitals. He has earned his experience at the sharp end of both project and research work. He divides his time between London and the French Alps. He skis for as much of the winter as demands on his time allow, and hikes all summer. Suzanne Robertson is having a stellar career in information technology and systems engineering. She is a teacher, practitioner, writer, instructor, and guide. Suzanne is a pioneer in adapting ideas from other domains for automated solutions. She has collaborated in workshops using experts from fields as diverse as modern music, visualization, and cookery. Ideas from these domains were adapted to make major breakthroughs in creative ideas for domains ranging from air traffic control to local government. She is co-author of the best-selling Mastering the Requirements Process, among other books and courses. She is co-creator of the Volere requirements techniques. She was the founding editor of the Requirements Column in IEEE Software. She has also made an impact in the socio-technical arena. This includes research and consulting on managing project sociology, both individually and as collaborative efforts between business, technology, and academia. Her experience with different projects in both the private and public sectors has given her experience in a wide variety of systems and locations. She has worked in Europe, Australia, the Far East, and the United States. Suzanne is a founder and principal of the Atlantic Systems Guild. Her other interests include opera, cooking, skiing, and finding out about curious things.

“James and Suzanne have brought their deep and wide experience in business and systems analysis to bear on the importance of good analysis in agile domains. They cut through the hype and tackle the misconceptions that are rife around agile analysis by providing concrete advice and useful tools for anyone undertaking the vital analysis activities in agile development.” — Shane Hastie, Director of Agile Learning Programs – ICAgile; Lead Editor – Culture & Methods, InfoQ.com “What is a user story but a requirement? But is it the right requirement? The user said it was, but how does the user know? And how can you discover it? “Two words: Step back. “If you step back—and this book shows you how to do that—you can discover the real requirement. Why do you do this? It’s the only way to deliver real value to your customer. “And what could be more agile than that?” — Stephen J. Mellor, Signatory to the Agile Manifesto “This new book is a must-have for business analysts looking to bridge the gap between agile and other development approaches. It combines the best of both, into clear and simple guidance, presented in a delightful and light style.” — Neil Maiden, Professor of Digital Creativity, Cass Business School, City, University of London “ Business Analysis Agility provides the express on-ramp that business process change projects have sorely needed.” — Stephen McMenamin, Ex CIO & VP of Hawaiian Electric “The Robertsons share a plethora of tools and techniques that help you infuse agility in your business analysis. The book includes multiple examples and lively scenarios that engage and invite smart problem and solution exploration.” — Ellen Gottesdiener, Agile Product Coach, Founder EBG Consulting

• Chapter 1: Agile Business Analysis Chapter 2: Do You Know What Your Customers Value? Chapter 3: Are You Solving the Right Problem? Chapter 4: Investigate the Solution Space Chapter 5: Designing the Business Solution Chapter 6: Writing the Right Stories Chapter 7: Jack Be Nimble, Jack Be Quick Glossary Bibliography Index