Abstract
The six core concepts in the BACCM are: Change, Need, Solution, Stakeholder, Value, and Context. Each core concept is an idea fundamental to the practice of business analysis, and all the concepts are equal and necessary. Each core concept
is defined by the other five core concepts and cannot be fully understood until all the concepts are understood.
The BACCM is an example of a Common language system
| Core Concept | Description |
|---|---|
| Change | The act of transformation in response to a need. |
| Need | A problem or opportunity to be addressed. |
| Solution | A specific way of satisfying one or more needs in a context. |
| Stakeholder | A group or individual with a relationship to the change, the need, or the solution. |
| Value | The worth, importance, or usefulness of something to a stakeholder within a context. |
| Context | The circumstances that influence, are influenced by, and provide understanding of the change. |
Change
The act of transformation in response to a need.
Change works to improve the performance of an enterprise. These improvements are deliberate and controlled through business analysis activities.
Need
A problem or opportunity to be addressed.
Needs can cause changes by motivating stakeholders to act. Changes can also cause needs by eroding or enhancing the value delivered by existing solutions.
Solution
A specific way of satisfying one or more needs in a context.
A solution satisfies a need by resolving a problem faced by stakeholders or enabling stakeholders to take advantage of an opportunity.
Stakeholder
A group or individual with a relationship to the change, the need, or the solution.
Stakeholders are often defined in terms of interest in, impact on, and influence over the change. Stakeholders are grouped based on their relationship to the needs, changes, and solutions.
Value
The worth, importance, or usefulness of something to a stakeholder within a context.
Value can be seen as potential or realized returns, gains, and improvements. It is also possible to have a decrease in value in the form of losses, risks, and costs.
Value can be tangible or intangible. Tangible value is directly measurable. Tangible value often has a significant monetary component. Intangible value is measured indirectly. Intangible value often has a significant motivational component, such as a company’s reputation or employee morale.
In some cases, value can be assessed in absolute terms, but in many cases is assessed in relative terms: one solution option is more valuable than another from the perspective of a given set of stakeholders.
Context
The circumstances that influence, are influenced by, and provide understanding of the change.
Changes occur within a context. The context is everything relevant to the change that is within the environment. Context may include attitudes, behaviours, beliefs, competitors, culture, demographics, goals, governments, infrastructure, languages, losses, processes, products, projects, sales, seasons, terminology, technology, weather, and any other element meeting the definition.