โA complete BA deliverables checklist: BRD, SRS, RTM, and more โ learn definitions, benefits, steps, tools, and best practices to ensure project success
โจ Introduction: Why BA Deliverables Define Project Success
Ever been in a project where nobody knows which document is the latest version or key requirements got lost?
Thatโs where a well-defined set of BA deliverables saves the day.
A Business Analystโs deliverables act as the blueprint, roadmap, and contract between stakeholders and delivery teams.
Whether itโs a Business Requirements Document (BRD), a System Requirements Specification (SRS), or a Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM), each artifact plays a critical role in avoiding confusion, managing scope, and ensuring successful delivery.
In this guide, weโll cover:
- Core BA deliverables and their purpose
- Benefits of maintaining a deliverables checklist
- Step-by-step approach to creating each key document
- Future trends like AI-assisted documentation
๐ Section 1: What Are BA Deliverables?
BA deliverables are the documents, diagrams, and visual assets a Business Analyst creates to:
- Capture business needs and solutions
- Align stakeholders, developers, and testers
- Track requirements across the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC)
๐ In short: Deliverables translate ideas into structured, actionable insights.
๐ Section 2: Why a Deliverables Checklist Matters
| Benefit | Why Itโs Important |
| Consistency | Ensures all projects follow a standard documentation process |
| Transparency | Keeps stakeholders informed about progress |
| Traceability | Tracks requirements from idea to implementation |
| Compliance & Audit Readiness | Essential for regulated industries like Finance & Healthcare |
| Reduced Rework | Clear documents prevent scope misunderstandings |
๐ Section 3: The Complete BA Deliverables Checklist
Hereโs a comprehensive list of key deliverables, grouped by project phases:
1. Initiation Phase
- Project Vision Document: Describes the purpose, scope, and goals.
- Stakeholder Register: Identifies key players and their roles.
- Business Case: Justifies the investment in the project
2. Requirements Phase
- Business Requirements Document (BRD): Captures what the business needs.
- Stakeholder Analysis Matrix: Shows influence, interest, and engagement levels.
- Requirements Elicitation Notes: Summaries from interviews and workshops.
- Process Maps & Workflows: Often modelled with BPMN diagrams
3. Analysis & Design Phase
- Functional Requirements Document (FRD): Explains how the solution will meet BRD needs.
- System Requirements Specification (SRS): Defines functional & non-functional system specs.
- Use-Case Diagrams (UML): Visualize user interactions with the system.
- Wireframes & Mockups: Demonstrate user interfaces.
- Data Flow Diagrams (DFD): Show how data moves across systems.
4. Traceability & Validation Phase
- Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM): Links each requirement to test cases and delivery status.
- Gap Analysis Document: Highlights whatโs missing compared to current processes.
- Acceptance Criteria Checklist: Defines measurable conditions for requirement approval.
5. Testing & Delivery Phase
- User Acceptance Test (UAT) Plan & Scripts: Ensures business validation before release.
- Change Request Log: Tracks approved changes with their impact on scope/timeline.
- Transition Plan: Supports handover to operations or support teams.
6. Post-Implementation
- Lessons Learned Report: Captures insights for future projects.
- Post-Project Review Document: Measures project outcomes against objectives
๐ฅ Section 4: Spotlight on Key BA Deliverables
๐ 1. Business Requirements Document (BRD)
Defines business needs, scope, and objectives.
Acts as a contract between business stakeholders and delivery teams.
๐ Key Sections: Executive Summary, Business Goals, High-Level Requirements, Scope & Out of Scope.
๐ 2. Functional Requirements Document (FRD)
Details specific solution features, rules, and workflows derived from the BRD.
๐ Example: โSystem must generate invoice PDFs automatically after checkout.โ
๐ฅ๏ธ 3. System Requirements Specification (SRS)
Bridges business needs and technical implementation, specifying:
- Functional requirements
- Non-functional requirements (e.g., performance, security)
- Integration details.
๐ 4. Requirements Traceability Matrix (RTM)
Ensures every requirement is implemented and validated.
Tracks requirement ID โ linked test case โ deployment status
๐บ๏ธ 5. Process Maps & Workflows
Visual diagrams (like BPMN swimlanes) that illustrate the end-to-end business process.
๐จ 6. Wireframes & Mockups
Provide visual context for user interfaces, improving understanding of requirements.
๐ช Section 5: Steps to Create and Manage BA Deliverables
Step 1: Understand Project Scope & Goals
- Align with business sponsors and project managers.
Step 2: Identify Required Deliverables
- Choose based on methodology (Waterfall vs Agile) and regulatory needs.
Step 3: Use Templates for Consistency
- Standardize formats for BRD, SRS, RTM to save time.
Step 4: Collaborate with Stakeholders
- Co-create diagrams, workflows, and wireframes during workshops.
Step 5: Version Control & Documentation
- Use tools like Confluence, SharePoint, or Jira to manage document versions.
Step 6: Review & Approve Validate deliverables with stakeholders and sign-offs at each phase
๐ Section 6: Tools for BA Deliverables
| Deliverable Type | Recommended Tools |
| BRD, FRD, SRS | MS Word, Confluence, Google Docs |
| RTM | Excel, Smartsheet, Jira + Zephyr |
| Process Maps & Workflows | Lucidchart, Visio, Draw.io |
| Wireframes | Balsamiq, Figma, Adobe XD |
| Collaboration & Storage | SharePoint, Notion, Confluence |
โ๏ธ Section 7: Best Practices for BA Deliverables
- โ Start with a deliverables checklist for each project
- โ Maintain traceability links across documents
- โ Keep visual artifacts (diagrams, workflows) simple and clear
- โ Review frequently with stakeholders to prevent gaps
- โ Automate updates where possible to save time
๐ง Section 8: Common Mistakes to Avoid
| Mistake | Impact |
| Skipping stakeholder reviews | Leads to missed requirements |
| Creating overly detailed documents too early | Causes delays and confusion |
| Not updating RTM during scope changes | Leads to defects and testing failures |
| Storing deliverables across multiple platforms | Causes version conflicts and lost data |
๐ฎ Section 9: Future Trends in BA Deliverables
- AI-powered documentation assistants to auto-generate drafts from workshops
- Integrated dashboards connecting BRDs to live project KPIs
- Real-time collaborative diagrams for hybrid and remote teams
- Blockchain-backed document verification for compliance-heavy industries
๐ Section 10: Quick BA Deliverables Checklist
โ
Project Vision Document
โ
Stakeholder Register
โ
BRD โ FRD โ SRS
โ
Process Maps & Workflows
โ
RTM โ Gap Analysis โ UAT Scripts
โ
Change Request Log โ Transition Plan
โ
Lessons Learned & Post-Project Review
๐ Key Takeaways
- BA deliverables are the backbone of successful projects.
- A checklist approach reduces risks and improves collaboration.
- Combining clear documentation with modern tools makes BA work faster, easier, and more transparent
๐ฌ Conclusion: Deliverables that Drive Clarity and Success
Strong BA deliverables arenโt just paperwork โ theyโre communication tools that align everyone on what needs to be built and how success will be measured. ๐ Whether youโre a new BA or a seasoned pro, following a structured deliverables checklist will help you ensure quality, compliance, and stakeholder confidence in every project
๐ก Call to Action
Download this checklist and start using it in your next project kickoff meeting โ your future self will thank you.










