Business analysis and visioning

I believe a simple structured way to analysis is required. I think most analysis can be organised around simple set of canonical model (Goals, Facts, Beliefs, Recommendations).

To be useful the relationships between concepts need to be weighted. But the 1st step is to understand the relationships between Goals and Recommendations (via Facts and Beliefs).

When one reads most analysis documents and tries to assemble a model like this - but usually finds large gaps and inconsistencies (which is really just feeble) e.g. the recommendations can be substainiated or the basis of them is not explicit.

This analysis may strategic or tactical, focus on a current problem or future state (visioning), it may be technical or non-technical.

Forcing the thinking into this simple model helps people understand the basis of beliefs and recommendations.

Goals: are things you are trying to achieve. Sometimes technical people also refer to these as principles e.g. non-functional requirements e.g. reliable - but in fact they are goals.

Issues: are problems you are trying to address (they are actually goals stated in a different way)

Facts: are facts i.e. they are not disputable.

Beliefs: should be based on Facts and relate to Goals/Issues (if they don't relate to Goals/Issues they are not that useful)

Recommendations: are actions based on Beliefs to achieve Goals/address Issues.

Concepts: are a grouper for things terms, patterns, principles, ideas we may refer to when we discuss Goals, Facts, Beliefs and Recommendations.

Classification systems: are ways of organising our thinking and are often based on Reference models (which reflect best practice). Classifications systems may relate to what we (e.g. be business oriented) or the materials we use (e.g. be technology oriented).

No doubt more sophisticated ways of doing analysis can be applied e.g. that considered but I think we start with a very simple approach is a good place to start:
eg.
- Visions, Strategies, Objectives, Measures, KPIs - can all be recorded as Goals
- Laws, Regulations, Market factors etc. - can all be recorded as Facts
- Causes, Findings, Implication - can all be recorded as Beliefs
- Trends - are either Facts or Beliefs
- Risks and Issues - are the failure to achieve goals now or in the future.