ANSWER

Wireframes are visual representations of a webpage, application, or system interface, outlining the structure, layout, and functionality of a digital product. They serve as blueprints that help stakeholders, designers, and developers understand the placement of key elements before actual development begins.

Purpose of Wireframes

Wireframes help in early-stage planning by focusing on:

• User Experience (UX) Design – Ensuring logical and intuitive navigation.
• Information Architecture – Organizing content in a user-friendly way.
• Functional Layout – Defining interactions like buttons, menus, and forms.
• Stakeholder Communication – Aligning expectations among business teams, designers, and developers.

Types of Wireframes

• Low-Fidelity Wireframes – Simple sketches, often hand-drawn or created using basic tools like Balsamiq. These focus on layout and structure without design details.
• Mid-Fidelity Wireframes – More refined versions with structured placeholders for images, text, and buttons. Created in tools like Figma or Axure.
• High-Fidelity Wireframes – Detailed representations that closely resemble the final UI, often including typography, colors, and interactions. Used for development-ready designs.

Example Use Case for Business Analysts

Imagine a business analyst is working on a new online banking portal. Before developers start coding, the analyst collaborates with UX designers to create wireframes that outline:

• Login Screen – Placement of username, password, and authentication options.
• Dashboard Layout – Sections for account summary, transactions, and quick actions.
• Navigation Flow – How users move between account details, fund transfers, and settings.

These wireframes ensure all stakeholders agree on the structure before investing time in UI/UX design or development.

Why Wireframes Are Important for Business Analysts

For business analysts, wireframes serve as a visual tool to:

• Clearly define system requirements and functionality.
• Improve stakeholder collaboration by offering a tangible representation of ideas.
• Identify potential UX issues early, reducing costly rework in development.
• Enhance documentation by linking wireframes to business process flows and user stories.

In summary, wireframes are essential for business analysts to bridge the gap between business needs, user expectations, and technical feasibility, ensuring efficient and user-friendly system design.