Context Diagram

One of the key Better Business Analysis Techniques & Approaches (from The Better Business Analysis Framework) is the Context Diagram. A context diagram is a visual tool used in systems analysis and business analysis to depict the relationship between a system and its environment. It’s a high-level diagram that identifies the critical components of a system, the interfaces between those components, and the relationships between the system and its stakeholders. This diagram is a great Business Analysis (BA) technique because it helps to clearly define the boundaries of the system under analysis, making it easier to identify the components in and out of scope. It also aids in identifying functional and non-functional requirements for a system, which simplifies the design and development of the solution. Furthermore, it effectively communicates the project, the issue, and the scope of a program or application, making it a powerful tool for stakeholder communication. Here’s how to create a context diagram: Remember, the goal is to keep the diagram simple yet comprehensive, providing enough detail to be useful without becoming overwhelming. The following is an example Context Diagram template we work through in The Certified Better Business Analyst – Level 1 course