Overview

A model is a visual representation of information used to efficiently arrange and convey a lot of information in a concise manner.

Models can be used for business objectives, requirements, business rules, and design.

Business analysis models are helpful in finding gaps in information and identifying extraneous information.

Categories of Models

The business analysis models can be organized into five categories as listed below.

Category	Description	Examples
Scope Models	Organize the scope of the business domain being analyzed	• Goal and business objectives model • Ecosystem map • Context diagram • Feature model • Organizational chart • Use case diagram • Decomposition model • Fishbone diagram • Interrelationship diagram • SWOT diagram
Process Models	Describe the business processes and how stakeholders interact with those processes	• Process flow • Use case • User story
Rule Models	Describe the business rules	• Business rules catalog • Decision tree • Decision table
Data Models	Document the data used in a process or system	• Entity relationship diagram • Data flow diagram • Data dictionary • State table • State diagram
Interface Models	Describe the interfaces between systems	• Report table • System interface table • User interface flow • Wireframes • Display-action-response