Listmania!
Business Analysis Basics
Writing Effective Use Cases (Crystal Series for Software Development)Writing Effective Use Cases (Crystal Series for Software Development) by Alistair Cockburn
Buy new: £14.48 / Used from: £14.48
Quite simply the best introduction to use cases there is
Mastering the Requirements ProcessMastering the Requirements Process by Suzanne Robertson
Buy used from: £4.33
A solid, though slightly dry, overview covering elicitation and documentation of requirements
Analysis Patterns Reusable Object Models (OBT)Analysis Patterns Reusable Object Models (OBT) by Martin Fowler
Buy new: £26.57 / Used from: £16.25
Why redesign the wheel when it is already there? A great introduction to analysis patterns
Applying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative DevelopmentApplying UML and Patterns: An Introduction to Object-Oriented Analysis and Design and Iterative Development by Craig Larman
Buy new: £28.68 / Used from: £20.00
Another great, slightly technical analysis and design book
The Mythical Man Month and Other Essays on Software EngineeringThe Mythical Man Month and Other Essays on Software Engineering by Frederick P. Brooks Jr.
Buy new: £15.46 / Used from: £10.26
This is a fantastic introduction to the difficulties of software engineering and is relevant today as it was twenty years ago.
Waltzing with Bears: Managing Risk on Software ProjectsWaltzing with Bears: Managing Risk on Software Projects by Tom DeMarco
Buy new: £13.12 / Used from: £15.97
Easy to read, but illuminating, this book puts risk into perspective
Agile Estimating and Planning (Robert C. Martin)Agile Estimating and Planning (Robert C. Martin) by Mike Cohn
Buy new: £14.48 / Used from: £12.50
Agile and iterative developmentAgile and iterative development by Craig Larman
Buy new: £20.21 / Used from: £14.75
The best introductory book on agile that I know
Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products (Agile Software Development)Agile Project Management: Creating Innovative Products (Agile Software Development) by Jim Highsmith
Buy used from: £12.99
Agile from a project management perspective - full of good practices
Elements of User Experience: User-centered Design for the Web (Voices (New Riders))Elements of User Experience: User-centered Design for the Web (Voices (New Riders)) by Jesse James Garrett
Buy new: £15.30 / Used from: £15.16
This book is a great overview of user centric design, something that is sadly often forgotten
Patterns for Effective Use Cases (Agile Software Development)Patterns for Effective Use Cases (Agile Software Development) by Steve Adolph
Buy new: £26.99 / Used from: £16.00
A more detailed look at how to approach use cases, that complements Cockburn's introduction nicely.
Peopleware: Productive Projects and TeamsPeopleware: Productive Projects and Teams by Tom DeMarco
Buy used from: £92.61
A classic on the human aspects of software engineering
Product Design and DevelopmentProduct Design and Development by Karl Ulrich
Buy new: £36.20 / Used from: £32.44
General product design & development text - highly interesting for analysts on new development projects
Introduction to ITILIntroduction to ITIL by Stationery Office Books
Buy new: £24.04 / Used from: £13.64
Sadly there is no getting around a certain level of operational processes - ITIL represents best practice that analyst should be aware of.
Making the Business Case : How to create, write and implement a successful business planMaking the Business Case : How to create, write and implement a successful business plan by James Cannon
Buy new: £20.43 / Used from: £15.00
This book gives a good overview of a key tool in the analysts repetoire, the business case.
Competitive AdvantageCompetitive Advantage by Michael E. Porter
Buy new: £10.39 / Used from: £6.48
Porter's insights provide a fantastic framework for analysis.
Leading ChangeLeading Change by John P Kotter
Buy new: £10.79 / Used from: £9.50
The business analyst is often a change agent - this classic on change management gives plenty of food for thought.
Sensemaking in Organizations (Foundations for Organizational Science)Sensemaking in Organizations (Foundations for Organizational Science) by Karl E. Weick
Buy new: £27.39 / Used from: £26.58
There aren't many smarter than Weick - a fantastic book on organisations
Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organisations (Organizations)Gods of Management: The Changing Work of Organisations (Organizations) by Charles B. Handy
Buy new: £7.49 / Used from: £0.01
Pretty much anything from Handy is worth reading - this is my favourite though - the organisational guru's best in my opinion
How to Have Creative Ideas: 62 Exercises to Develop the MindHow to Have Creative Ideas: 62 Exercises to Develop the Mind by Edward De Bono
Buy new: £5.73 / Used from: £3.00
He might be a bit assured of himself, but this book contains lots of practical advice to improve creativity
7 Habits of Highly Effective People7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey
Buy new: £7.99 / Used from: £4.45
Analysts are workers like any other - Covey is a bit preachy, but writes a lot of good sense
Type Talk: The 16 Personality TypesType Talk: The 16 Personality Types by Otto Kroeger
Buy new: £7.00 / Used from: £3.98
Understanding people's motivations is critical to successful business analysis - people-people are required!