Knowledge Area: Solution Assessment and Validation

Solution Assessment and Validation is the procss of ensuring that the solution built matches the requirements.

Solution Assessment

Once requirements are handed to the solutions team the business analyst will be expected to assess the design returned to the project team. The Business analyst maintains much of the project's intelectual property - especially about requirements and is the most able person to assess the apropiateness of the solution design in terms of alignment and quality. (Others such as the sponsor and project manager may have more ability to asess value for money.)

Often the Requirements Traceability Matrix and Requirements specifications documents are used as tools to assess the solutions comprehensiveness.

Solution Validation

Solution validation is the activities of explaining the solution's appropriateness to stakeholders and sponsor. This often involves explaining technical concepts to lay-people. Often a business analyst will be required to get a document approved by one or many people.

Solution validation also involves inspecting or managing the test plans and activities. Often documents are created to govern the testing process including a test strategy and test plan.

At each of these quality checks the BA should be in a position to highlight problems or acknowledge that the solution has been built to the appropriate standards. The V-Model expands upon the testing activities of the SDLC further.

THe RTM is also used for the validation of the solution during the test and implement project phases.

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