Business Analysis Certification and Business Analysis Techniques e-book
Phone: +44 (0)207 148 5985 Email: info@knowledgetrain.co.uk
TABLE OF CONTENTS What is a business analyst (BA)? Becoming a business analyst Business analyst certification Techniques for business analysts SWOT business analysis technique SMART business analysis technique POPIT model business analysis technique PESTLE business analysis technique MOST business analysis technique Mind maps business analysis technique McKinsey 7-S model business analysis technique Fishbone diagrams business analysis technique CATWOE business analysis technique
What is a business analyst (BA)?
What is a business analyst? In general, a business analyst (or BA) is central to helping an organisation meet its key goals. Business analysts normally work on projects. Their role involves: Understanding the current organisational situation; Identifying future needs; Defining solutions which will meet those needs. Many business analysts develop their careers by attending a business analyst course, either to learn some initial business analyst skills, or to further develop existing business analysis skills. These courses typically teach a wide variety of different business analysis tools and techniques.
What do business analysts do? A business analyst is an advisor. He or she advises business decision makers about potential changes or improvements to
business IT systems and processes which align with the needs of the business. A large part of what a business analyst does involves identifying and evaluating options for improvements to business systems, and helping business users define and elaborate their business needs so that they can be turned into a new business process, product or system which helps the organisation meets its business goals.
Responsibilities of a business analyst These are the main tasks of a business analyst: Investigate business systems – this involves looking at the current organisational structures, business IT systems and current business processes; Evaluate actions – this is done to identify potential improvements to current business systems and processes. This involves assessing staff development needs so that they align with any proposed process redesign or IT systems; Elaborating business requirements - this is done by working closely with users of the proposed or modified business systems or processes; Documenting business requirements - for the IT systems support; Writing business cases for projects - this involves weighing up the benefits against the costs, risks and timescales for a project.
Senior business analyst role More senior business analysts can be involved in other areas as well, including: Strategic implementation – working closely with senior management to help define the most appropriate business IS systems and processes which help meet the organisation’s strategic business needs; Business case production – defining a robust business case to justify the investment. This is often done with experts from finance;
Benefits realisation – this is where he or she is involved in
post-project reviews which measure the achievement of benefits; Specification of IT requirements – this is done using standard industry modelling techniques such as data modelling or use case modelling.
Business analyst focus A business analyst will often focus on certain key areas, including: Understanding root causes not symptoms – this is important if business problems are to be resolved in ways which meet business needs; Business improvement not IT change – the focus must always be on business improvement and whether existing systems can best support those improvements; Options not solutions – a business analyst must challenge current orthodoxy and pre-conceived ideas and to identify alternatives for meeting business needs; Prioritising requirements – helping business users understand that not all their requirements can be met within the constraints of time and budget which is allowed. Therefore, requirement must be prioritised so that the most important ones are delivered; The entire business change lifecycle – business analysts should not just focus on the requirements phase of a project, but also on the effective development, testing and deployment of IT systems. They should also be involved in post-project benefits reviews; Negotiation not avoidance – there will inevitably be conflicting view and requirements between stakeholders. It is the responsibility of the business analyst to negotiate these conflicts so that business needs are met.
Other names for business analysts A business analyst is often referred to as a BA, but they can also be known by other names too, including: Business systems analyst; Requirements engineer;
Business architect; Enterprise analyst; Product manager; Systems analyst; Process analyst; Product owner.
Business analyst skills Some of the skills you will need as a business analyst include the following: Personal qualities
Business knowledge
Communication; Relationship building; Influencing; Team working; Political awareness; Analytical skills; Critical thinking; Attention to detail; Problem solving; Leadership; Self-belief; Professional development.
Business finance; Business case development; Domain knowledge; Subject matter expertise; Principles of IT; Organisation structure; Supplier management; Business architecture.
Professional techniques Project management; Strategy analysis; Stakeholder analysis; Stakeholder management; Investigation techniques; Requirements engineering; Business modelling; Data modelling; Gap analysis; Facilitation skills; Portfolio management; Benefits management; Business case development; Agile thinking.
Business analyst qualifications Having a qualification in business analysis will help you stand out from the crowd. It helps to equip you with the knowledge and techniques in business analysis. There are UK accreditation bodies that provide certification in business analysis and agile business analysis. Business analyst courses can be expensive, but you can expect a return on your investment.
Business analyst salary According to glassdoor.co.uk, the average salary of a business analyst is over £38k per year. This depends upon your qualifications and experience.
Can you be a business analyst?
If you have the skills, the knowledge and experience, you could be a business analyst. If you tick all the boxes in the list, it is worth thinking about it. If you are considering a change in your career path, check our guide to business analysis careers.
Becoming a business analyst
Why become a business analyst? You may have different reasons why you want to become a business analyst (BA). You might want a career change, a higher salary or you simply might have an interest in business analysis. In any case, you might have a few questions you want answers for: Do I have the right skills? What is a business analyst role? Can I change career to become a business analyst? What Business Analyst training or qualification do I need to get a business analyst job?
5 steps to becoming a business analyst To keep you at ease, here are 5 steps you can take to help you become a business analyst:
1. Understand the business analyst role This step is all about doing your research. Read about business analysis to have an understanding about
the industry; Research about the tasks and responsibilities of a business analyst; Talk to people who are business analysts to ask their advice.
2. Check your current skills You need certain skills to work as a business analyst. If you have the skills in the following list, you are well on your way. If you are missing any, enrol in training or workshops: Analytical skills - studying and analysing data and information; Critical thinking and evaluation skills - listening to stakeholders and asking the correct questions to determine needs. Interpersonal and negotiation skills - coordinating and discussing with team members and stakeholders. People skills can come in handy when managing a team. Organisational skills - prioritising tasks and being efficient with time and resource allocation. Problem solving skills - understanding real problems facing an organisation and achieving mutual agreement on solutions. Research skills - analysing documents, observe procedures, and interview stakeholders to identify core issues. Technical skills - familiarising yourself with SQL, Oracle, .NET, C#, and other computer skills on a basic level. Written and verbal communication skills - conducting interviews and meetings to understand company requirements. They can be face-to-face or virtual meetings. You must be able to write in a clear and concise way.
3. Get a business analysis qualification The next step would be getting a qualification in business analysis. Professional certifications help you to gain the knowledge, tools, processes and techniques which are commonly used by business analysts.
Depending on which accredited association you choose, you can start with a Business Analysis Foundation or entry level course. There are university degrees in business analysis. If you or your employer can fund it, that is great. Having a BA qualification on your business analyst resume will boost your confidence levels and make you stand out from the crowd. As a result, you will for sure find a return on your in investment when you are employed. It is worth mentioning that some BA jobs may require experience or qualifications in other subjects such as: IT service management such as ITIL; Project management like PRINCE2 or APM PFQ; Agile Project Management such as AgilePM.
4. Look for BA jobs Look for business analyst jobs internally in your organisation. If there aren’t any, you can then look for jobs externally at: Conferences and job fairs; Social media, especially LinkedIn; Job Sites like Reed, Monster and Jobsite; Recruitment agencies; Walk in or direct approach through an organisation’s website.
You could be hired as a business analyst on a project or get employed by a large technology firm, moving between departments.
5. Work as a BA and keep up it up! So, after following the 4 previous steps, if you now become a business analyst, congratulations! But don’t assume your journey now ends. You will now have to: Embrace new challenges; Listen and learn every day;
Approach assignments with an open mind; Develop real world strategies which get successful results; Continue your business analysis education while you're working. Are you ready to become a business analyst? After reading our steps above, are you encouraged to make a change in your career? If yes, we at Knowledge Train are happy to assist you in your new career journey. Contact us today!
Business analyst certification
Business analyst certification in the UK To become a business analyst, you must study for a professional business analyst qualification. Business analyst job descriptions in many companies require you to have a qualification in business analysis. You can study business analysis and gain a professional qualification with one of these accreditation bodies:
BCS (The Charted Institute of IT). APMG International. IIBA® (The International Institute of Business Analysis). Project Management Institute (PMI®).
BCS (The Chartered Institute of IT)
BCS offers business analyst qualifications from Foundation to Expert level. Each level is mapped according to the SFIA industrystandard framework.
Foundation level
The BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis is a beginners course. It is a knowledge-based qualification for delegates who want to understand the basics of business analysis. Hence, there are no entry pre-requisites for this certification. The exam is 40 multiple choice questions for one hour and the pass mark is 26/40 (65%).
Practitioner level
Practitioner-level qualifications are more specialised and detailed in nature than the Foundation certificate. There are 7 Practitionerlevel certificates in total, including 2 core modules. The 2 cores modules are: 1. Business Analysis Practice. 2. Requirements Engineering.
Other modules include: 1. Benefits Management and Business Acceptance. 2. Systems Development Essential.
3. Systems Modelling Techniques. 4. Data Management Essentials. 5. Modelling Business Processes.
International Diploma in Business Analysis
This is for business analysts who want to demonstrate they have a detailed understanding of business analysis. To earn this qualification, you must sit an oral examination and pass 4 modules: A knowledge-based module - Business Analysis Foundation. Two core modules (Business Analysis Practice and Requirements Engineering). Any 1 of the 5 practitioner selective modules.
Professional level
After gaining an International Diploma, you can progress to the professional level where you must demonstrate that you have analytical, business and people skills.
Consultant level
This level is for senior business analysts and it recognises business analysis experience and expertise. To gain this qualification you must:
Have a minimum of five years’ experience in business analysis. Contribute to the BA community. Pass an oral exam. Complete four professional level modules.
Expert level
This is award is the highest level in the BCS business analysis certification scheme. It recognises both your higher skills and expertise. It validates a business analyst’s ability to: Conduct complex business analysis activities. Engage with senior stakeholders. Improve the organisation at a strategic level. [1] To gain the Expert BA Award, you must go through an interview, a formal assessment and a project assignment.
APMG International
Since agile methods are becoming popular in executing projects nowadays, APMG International has developed a qualification that blends agile practices with business analysis. AgileBA® aims to develop a candidate’s skills to become an agile business analyst. The right candidate for this certification is someone currently working as a:
Business analyst. Change analyst. Project manager. Agile developer.
This qualification will certify your ability to manage your role in an agile project delivery. AgileBA has two levels:
Foundation level
You will learn in this course: Agile processes, principles and practices. Roles and responsibilities within an agile project. The exam is 50 multiple choice questions for 40 minutes. The pass mark is 25/50 (50%). After you pass the foundation course, you will be eligible to sit the practitioner exam. This is recommended if you really want to boost your CV as an agile business analyst.
You will study the DSDM Agile Project Framework. You’ll learn how to put agile methods into practice, such as MoSCoW Prioritisation. The exam is 4 complex multiple-choice questions worth 20 marks each for 2.5 hours. The pass mark is 40/80 (50%).
IIBA® (The International Institute of Business Analysis)
Based in Canada, IIBA® has become one of the world leading associations for the business analysis profession. [2] Like BCS, IIBA® has qualification levels from an entry level up to an advanced degree. They use the BABOK® Guide as their manual. It ensures business analysts achieve the necessary competencies for each level. There are 4 levels in total:
Level 1: ECBA™ (Entry Certificate in Business Analysis™) This qualification is for individuals who are entering business analysis for the first time. You will need 21 hours of studying to have general awareness and practical knowledge of the six knowledge areas. Those areas are: Business analysis planning and monitoring.
Elicitation and collaboration. Requirements life cycle management. Strategy analysis. Requirements analysis and design definition. Solution evaluation.
The exam is 50 multiple choice questions for one hour.
Level 2: CCBA® (Certification Business Analysis™)
of
Capability
in
To earn this qualification, you will need: Two to three years of practical business analysis work experience. 21 study hours of the requirements for this qualification. This level requires from you to be skilled in: Recommending action. Applying the knowledge. Modifying the rules of the six knowledge areas by using key behaviours such as: 1. Creative thinking. 2. Decision making. 3. Verbal & von-verbal communication. The exam is 130 scenario-based multiple-choice questions for three hours.
Level 3: CBAP® Professional™)
(Certified
Business
Analysis
To earn this qualification, you will need: Two to three years of practical business analysis work experience. 35 hours of study. In this level, you will be able to: Create the rules.
Guide the practice. Excel in skills such as: 1. Written communication. 2. Problem solving. 3. Conceptual & system thinking. The exam is 120 case study-based multiple-choice questions for 3.5 hours.
Level 4: CBATL™ Thought Leader™)
(Certified
Business
Analysis
This is a new accreditation from IIBA® and is similar to the BCS Expert level. It recognises Business Analyst professionals with advanced skills who have over 10 years of experience.
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMIPBA)® The PMI (Project Management Institute) is known for its project management certification. However, its Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)® certificate is one which has become popular in the USA. Although this is an entry-level Business Analysis qualification, prerequisites include: Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate’s degree. 7,500 hours of business analysis experience. 35 contact hours of education in business analysis. or Bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent. 4,500 hours of business analysis experience. 35 contact hours of education in business analysis. The (PMI-PBA)® exam is 4 hours and contains 200 multiplechoice questions. To maintain PMI-PBA® certification, a student must earn 60 professional development units (PDUs) in business analysis topics every three years.
Conclusion
There are many options to choose from. What you need to do is map exactly where your business analysis knowledge and skills are. If you are a total beginner, you should look for a business analyst course for beginners. Then you can study your way up from there. Accreditation bodies may help you with the advanced levels of certification if: You have more working experience. You want to be recognised as a professional business analyst. In general, business analysts will benefit from studying these qualifications. As they will:
Enhance the success of your career path. Make your resume stand out in the crowd. Let you perform your BA duties in confidence. Make a difference in the business analysis community. Recognise your education level in business analysis. Boost your confidence in front of employers.
References [1] Unknown. (Unknown). Expert BA Award. Available: https://certifications.bcs.org/category/17851. Last accessed 20/08/2018.
[2][2] Unknown. (2014). History of IIBA. Available: https://www.iiba.org/About-IIBA/History-of-IIBA.aspx. Last accessed 22/08/2018.
Techniques for business analysts
Business analysis techniques and tools A business analyst needs a variety of techniques and analytical tools to:
Analyse business needs; Evaluate options; Define requirements and; Help to deliver change.
Techniques are important for business analysts (BAs) because they: Help identify root problems within systems, software and processes; Help understand the interconnections within parts of the business; Provide analytical information for decision makers; Help to clarify and define roles and responsibilities; Provide effective results;
Here is a list of some of the best business analysis techniques which you can learn on one of these business analyst courses.
1. McKinsey 7-S model
This model helps when executing strategy. It helps understand the tangible and intangible factors which can affect the implementation of strategy.
2. POPIT model
The POPIT model ensures that all internal business aspects are considered when investigating a business area. It helps a business analyst identify where problems exist. This holistic approach helps ensure the analyst considers all relevant areas.
3. SWOT analysis
SWOT analysis is a technique used to analyse: External factors affecting an organisation (opportunities and threats); Internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) that can help an organisation address the external factors.
4. MOST analysis
Any successful change requires starting from a clear understanding of the organisation’s current business situation. MOST analysis can help to achieve this.
5. PESTLE analysis
PESTLE analysis is a tool used to analyse the key drivers of change in the strategic or business environment.
6. CATWOE analysis
CATWOE is a technique that helps the business analyst understand different stakeholder perspectives.
7. SMART technique
The SMART technique is used when conducting requirements analysis, which is the process of describing the users’ expectations of a business solution.
8. Fishbone diagrams
A Fishbone diagram is a problem analysis technique. It helps understand the basic causes of a business problem. Sometimes
the root cause of the problem may be obvious. At other times, only the symptoms may appear.
9. Mind maps
Mind maps are useful tools for brainstorming. Their simple visual form highlights connections between ideas and topics. They can help identify problems and solutions.
SWOT business analysis technique
SWOT analysis SWOT stands for:
Strengths; Weaknesses; Opportunities; Threats.
It is a technique used to analyse: External factors affecting an organisation (opportunities and threats); Internal factors (strengths and weaknesses) that can help an organisation address the external factors. This is a good example of how many of these common business analysis techniques can be used together. For example, doing a MOST analysis can help you identify strengths and weaknesses. Also, a PESTLE analysis can help you identify opportunities and threats. This technique is covered in detail on these BCS business analyst courses.
Infographic
SMART business analysis technique
SMART analysis SMART analysis is a process of describing the users’ expectations of a business solution. It involves analysing, planning, documenting, elaborating, validating and managing business system requirements. You can learn this technique in detail on one of these Business Analyst training courses. When analysing the requirements, a business analyst checks that all the requirements are SMART:
Specific; Measurable; Achievable; Relevant; Time-framed.
Infographic
POPIT model business analysis technique
POPIT model The POPIT model ensures that all internal business aspects are considered when investigating a business area. It helps a business analyst identify where problems exist. This holistic approach helps ensure the analyst considers all relevant areas. This technique is covered in detail on these business analysis courses. There are 4 areas to check for problems in this model:
Processes; Organisation; People; Information Technology.
Processes
A common starting point when conducting gap analysis is to consider the ‘as is’ and ‘to be’ processes. Changes made to one POPIT element inevitably impact on the others. For example, changing a job description may mean 2 jobs roles are combined, the skills of the staff and possibly the processes governing the use of IT system must change.
Organisation
This is an area often overlooked but it’s often the area where gaps exist which have the potential to undermine the new business systems and processes.
People
Any proposals to change must be communicated effectively to the staff affected. The analysis must include the impact on the people who will perform the work and identify any gaps. Typically, such gaps are found in the areas of skills, recruitment, staff development and reward.
Information technology
Business process improvements often require the moving information around. Therefore, data modelling techniques can help understand the information requirements of new business IT systems which can support the business improvements. This must consider IT support, accessibility and alignment to enterprise architecture.
Infographic
PESTLE business analysis technique
PESTLE analysis PESTLE analysis is a tool used to analyse the key drivers of change in the strategic or business environment. You can learn this technique in detail on a BCS business analyst course. PESTLE stands for:
Political; Economic; Social (or Socio-cultural); Technological; Legal; Environmental.
PESTLE analysis is often used when conducting a SWOT analysis. It helps the business analyst understand external factors affecting the organisation.
Infographic
MOST business analysis technique
MOST analysis Any successful change requires starting from a clear understanding of the organisation’s current business situation. MOST analysis can help to achieve this. You can study this technique on any of these business analyst courses. MOST stands for:
Mission; Objectives; Strategy; Tactics.
Mission
This is usually a statement describing what business are the organisation is in, and what it is trying to achieve.
Objectives
These are the specific goals against which the organisation’s achievements can be measured.
Strategy
This is the medium to long term approach to achieve the organisation’s mission and objectives.
Tactics
The short-term means by which the strategy will be executed.
Infographic
Mind maps business analysis technique
Mind maps Mind maps are useful tools for brainstorming. Their simple visual form highlights connections between ideas and topics. They can help identify problems and solutions. You will learn this technique in detail if you study one of these Business Analysis courses. A mind maps is constructed by: Adding the central business system or problem to the centre of the diagram The main elements are connected to the centre via branches which are labelled to represent a particular area or issue. The main elements should be labelled simply using just one word (ideally). Second-level branches can be added which emanate from the main elements. These represent more detailed elements. Further levels can be added if more detail is required.
Infographic
McKinsey 7-S model business analysis technique
McKinsey 7-S model This model helps when executing strategy. It helps understand the tangible and intangible factors which can affect the implementation of strategy. Learn this technique in detail on a BCS Business Analyst course. McKinsey’s model supposes that an organisation is made up of 7 components. Four of these are known as ‘hard’ components, and three are known as ‘soft’ components. They are: Tangible factors (Hard Ss): 1. Strategy; 2. Structure; 3. Systems. Intangible factors (Soft Ss): 4. Shared values; 5. Skills;
6. Staff; 7. Style. When implementing strategy, all seven components are interlinked. The business analyst can consider these components as levers to be pulled. When one component is moved, all the others will be affected. In the 7-S model, the connections between components are as important as the components themselves. For example, the strategy itself will be flawed if there is a disconnect between the style of management adopted, and the shared values of the organisation.
Infographic
Fishbone diagrams business analysis technique
Fishbone diagrams
A Fishbone diagram is a problem analysis technique. It helps understand the basic causes of a business problem. Sometimes the root cause of the problem may be obvious. At other times, only the symptoms may appear. Fishbone diagrams are similar to mind maps but are purely diagnostic. This technique is covered in detail on these Business Analysis courses. Like a fishbone, the diagram consists of a head containing the name of the problem, a backbone which connects everything together, and spines which are connected to the backbone. Attached to each spine is a possible area for causes of the problem. Four approaches can be taken when labelling the spines. These are: 1. The four Ms: Manpower; Machines; Measures; Methods; 2. The alternative four Ms:
Manpower; Machines; Materials; Methods. 3. The six Ps: People; Place; Processes; evidence; Product/service; Performance measures. 4. The four Ss: Surroundings; Suppliers; Systems; Skills.
Physical
Infographic
CATWOE business analysis technique
CATWOE analysis
CATWOE is a technique that helps the business analyst understand different stakeholder perspectives. This technique is covered in detail on the BCS Business Analyst courses. CATWOE stands for:
Customers; Actors; Transformation; Worldview; Owners; Environment.
This technique is best done in the sequence WTCAOE. Customers Stakeholders will have differing views of who are the customers of the organisation. This represents their understanding of the customer(s).
Actors These are the people who carry out the transformation. They are staff within the organisation who perform business operations. Transformation This is the principal business activity of the organisation or business system. It ‘transforms’ inputs into outputs. Worldview This summarises the stakeholder’s beliefs about the organisation. It explains why it exists and what is should be doing. Owners This is perspective of who is in control of the organisation or business process and who can instigate change. Environment These are the constraints of the organisation dictated by external factors. These can be identified through PESTLE analysis.
Infographic