Business analysis: the underestimated key to project success
Delays occur in many IT projects because interfaces have not been sufficiently analyzed. It is often assumed that existing documentation is correct and that all relevant information is known. However, it is often only late in the development process that it becomes apparent that key details are missing or incorrect, particularly in the case of interfaces.
Why do these problems occur?
There are many reasons for faulty interface analysis:
Documentation is often outdated or incomplete.
Specialist departments or external partners do not always have a complete understanding of all the technical details.
Developers assume that the information provided is correct until they encounter problems during implementation.
Changes in the architecture or requirements are not consistently followed up.
This means that interfaces are only tested during the development process. If problems then occur, the effort required to correct them is enormous. Either developers have to adapt the interfaces themselves afterwards or the project team returns to the business analysis to clarify missing or incorrect information. This results in delays, additional costs and an unnecessary burden for the entire team.
How can these problems be avoided?
In order to reduce these errors, a thorough examination of the interfaces should already be carried out during the business analysis. The following measures have proven effective:
1. test interfaces at an early stage
Instead of relying solely on documentation, interfaces should be tested directly during the analysis phase. Tools such as Postman, which can be used to easily validate REST interfaces, are ideal for this. An early check uncovers inconsistencies and ensures that errors are avoided later on.
2. use automatic documentation
Manual documentation is prone to errors and often not up to date. A sensible alternative is the use of OpenAPI or similar standards for automatic documentation. This offers several advantages:
The documentation always remains up-to-date as it is generated directly from the actual interface definitions.
Business analysts can specify new interfaces in OpenAPI format, creating a clear basis for developers.
Developers can generate code for the REST API directly from the OpenAPI documentation, which speeds up the development process and reduces sources of error.
3. establish a hands-on mentality in business analysis
Business analysis should not only consist of collecting and documenting requirements, but should also include active validation. This means
Think through interfaces and processes not only on paper, but try them out directly.
Early coordination with developers to clarify technical feasibility.
Use of modern tools to simulate and check APIs before the actual development begins.
Conclusion
A precise business analysis lays the foundation for the success of an IT project. Errors in the analysis often lead to problems in development that can only be corrected later with considerable effort. Early interface validation and automated documentation can minimize the risk considerably.
Companies that rely on practical and tool-supported business analysis benefit from shorter development times, fewer errors and a more efficient project process.
Have you already had experience with interface problems in projects? How do you deal with the validation of APIs in business analysis? I look forward to the exchange!
