UML "Plus" Reference Guide for the Business Analyst

There are many good books that deal with UML from an end-to-end systems life cycle perspective. There are few books geared to address our role as Business Analysts in a world which wants to see requirements expressed using the Unified Modeling Language and Use Cases. (Finally something for us!)

The things I liked best about this book are:
1. The material presented is quite extensive and provides more than just UML.
2. Information provided has supporting rationale and examples.
3. There are a number of templates that can be used right away.
4. Workshop Case studies which show how theory hits reality.
5. Good readability - not an abstract academic treatise but written to guide a learner.

I was not enthused by the provision of tool coverage specific to Rational Rose. For the type and number of models that we, as Business Analysts, produce Microsoft Visio works just fine. I think it would have also been useful to distinguish what UML models and artifacts belong in a Business Requirements Document versus a Software Requirements Specification. I am not fully convinced that all the models presented by Howard Podeswa would be understood or appreciated by the end-user, the sponsor, the typical business user. The models are invaluable for telegraphing to the development team direction going forward but not as valuable for John User who is asked to sign off on a Business Requirements Document.

Other Reviews

• Objective praise!
• UML "Plus" Reference Guide for the Business Analyst
• Entry Level
• Not sure
• Must read for business analysts