All major cards accepted.
Invoice/PO option available in checkout.
Invoice/PO option available in checkout.
Enrol on this course
Please use the region selector at the top of the website if you are purchasing from outside the UK.
Note: *All prices exclusive of VAT.
Choose how you want to study
Choose delivery format:
Overview
This BCS Business Analysis Foundation course gives you a clear, practical introduction to modern business analysis. You’ll learn the key concepts, techniques, and language needed to support successful change in any organisation.
What you will gain
- Understand the role and core competencies of a business analyst
- See how business analysis supports strategy and organisational change
- Learn techniques to investigate and model business situations
- Gain confidence working with stakeholders and requirements
- Prepare for the BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam
Who this course is for
- New or aspiring business analysts
- Professionals involved in change, projects, or product development
- Project managers, product owners, and change managers
- Stakeholders who work closely with BAs or requirements
- Anyone seeking the BCS Business Analysis Foundation certificate
Benefits
Recognised certification
Earn an industry-respected BCS qualification aligned to the Business Analysis 4th edition book.
Stronger analysis skills
Develop practical tools to investigate problems, analyse processes, and define better solutions.
Better stakeholder engagement
Learn techniques to identify, analyse, and manage stakeholders more effectively.
Improved requirements quality
Understand how to elicit, document, and validate clear, traceable requirements.
Practical, real-world focus
Apply concepts through examples and scenarios drawn from real business change.
Career development
Strengthen your CV and open up progression paths into business analysis and change roles.
Delivery
Compare learning options to find the format that suits you best.
Delivery
Duration
Trainer interaction
Start date
Exam
Materials
Access
Best for
Learning experience
Course
This course gives you a structured overview of the business analysis lifecycle - from understanding the organisation’s strategy through to delivering solutions and realising benefits. You’ll build confidence using key techniques and terminology that you can apply immediately in your role.
Understand the BA role
Clarify what business analysts do, where they add value, and how their competencies support successful change.
Work in the strategic context
See how business analysis links to strategy, business models, and performance measures such as CSFs and KPIs.
Investigate business situations
Use workshops, interviews, observation, and other techniques to explore problems and opportunities.
Improve processes and services
Model processes at different levels, identify issues, and propose improvements that enhance customer journeys.
Define solutions and business cases
Apply gap analysis, option development, and business case techniques to justify change initiatives.
Manage requirements effectively
Elicit, document, model, validate, and manage requirements across different delivery lifecycles, including Agile.
Curriculum
The BCS Business Analysis Foundation course covers all topics in the official syllabus, giving you the knowledge required for the exam.
- What is business analysis?
- The competencies of a business analyst
- The strategic context for business analysis
- The business analysis service framework (BASF)
- Investigating the business situation
- Analysing and managing stakeholders
- Improving business services and processes
- Defining the solution
- Making the business case
- Establishing the requirements
- Documenting and modelling requirements
- Validating and managing requirements
- Delivering the requirements
- Delivering the business solution
Full curriculum details
What is business analysis?
- The business change lifecycle and where business analysis fits
- Core principles of business analysis in today’s organisations
- Variants of the business analyst role across projects and products
The competencies of a business analyst
- The T-shaped professional concept
- Personal qualities, business knowledge, and professional techniques
- Developing capability as a practising business analyst
The strategic context for business analysis
- Using PESTLE to analyse the external environment
- Applying VMOST to understand vision, mission, objectives, strategy, and tactics
- Using CSFs, KPIs, POPIT™ and the business model canvas in strategy execution
The business analysis service framework (BASF)
- Key BA service activities from investigation to deployment
- How the framework adapts to different organisational contexts
- The BA role across the end-to-end change lifecycle
Investigating the business situation
- Workshops, observation, interviews, scenarios, and prototyping
- Quantitative techniques such as surveys and document analysis
- User role analysis, personas, rich pictures, and mind maps
Analysing and managing stakeholders
- Identifying stakeholders using the stakeholder wheel
- Power/interest grid and stakeholder management strategies
- Defining responsibilities with RACI charts
Improving business services and processes
- The business process hierarchy: enterprise, event-response, and actor-task levels
- Enterprise-level models: SIPOC, value chain analysis, and value propositions
- As-is and to-be process modelling and improvement strategies
Defining the solution
- Gap analysis between current and target states using POPIT™
- Developing solution options and assessing feasibility
- The principles and stages of design thinking
Making the business case
- The lifecycle of a business case from idea to deployment
- Assessing business, technical, and financial feasibility
- Business case structure, CARDI logs, and investment appraisal techniques
Establishing the requirements
- The requirements engineering framework and key activities
- Actors in requirements engineering and types of requirements
- Requirements hierarchy, elicitation techniques, and analysis filters
Documenting and modelling requirements
- Text-based and diagrammatic documentation styles
- Requirements catalogues, user stories, and product backlogs
- Use case diagrams and class models for data and functional views
Validating and managing requirements
- Formal and Agile approaches to requirements validation
- Horizontal and vertical traceability of requirements
- Change control and maintaining a clear audit trail
Delivering the requirements
- Waterfall, V-model, incremental, and iterative (Agile) lifecycles
- When to use each lifecycle and their pros and cons
- Implications for requirements definition and management
Delivering the business solution
- The BA role during design, development, testing, and implementation
- Readiness assessment, transition and migration options
- Benefits planning and managing realisation through the change lifecycle
Read more
Exam & certification
What to expect from the BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam and how we help you pass.
- Format: Multiple choice (objective test)
- Questions: 40
- Pass mark: 65% (26/40)
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Materials: Closed book
- Prerequisites: None
- Results: Same day
- Exam access: Online
Your path to success
Learn
Build a solid understanding of business analysis with clear, structured lessons.
Practice
Reinforce key ideas with practice questions, recap activities, and tutor tips.
Pass
Enter the exam confident, with focused preparation and clear knowledge checks.
99% pass rate
Our students consistently achieve top results - well above the national average.
Reviews & success stories
Knowledge Train by numbers
25,000+
learners trained across the UK and beyond
20+
years delivering accredited project management training
4.9/5
average rating based on thousands of verified reviews
95%
of customers recommend our courses
15+
years of e-learning design expertise
30+
accredited trainers with 450+ years of combined experience
Trusted by professionals at
FAQs
What is BCS Business Analysis Foundation?
The BCS Business Analysis Foundation is an internationally recognised certification offered by the Chartered Institute for IT. This course provides a solid introduction to business analysis, equipping learners with a standard framework of knowledge needed in today’s business environment.
What are the benefits of the BCS Business Analysis Foundation course?
- Skills and training: Gain crucial skills that are highly sought after in the job market.
- Career advancement: Enhance your professional development and qualifications, paving the way for career growth.
- Essential digital skills: Acquire essential digital and analytical skills to stay competitive.
Why choose the BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification?
Opting for the BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification offers numerous advantages:
- Industry-recognised certification: Enhance your professional credibility and open up new career opportunities.
- Value for money: An excellent investment for both aspiring and current consultants.
- Professional credibility: Recognised across the United Kingdom and beyond, ensuring your skills are respected globally.
What learning methods are available?
We offer two learning methods to suit your needs:
- Self-paced learning: Enjoy the flexibility of studying at your own speed with our e-learning options.
- Instructor-led training: Participate in classroom sessions (virtual or traditional) for a more guided learning experience.
By choosing the Knowledge Train for your BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification, you’re making a smart investment in your future, ensuring you gain valuable skills and credentials.
How long does it take to complete the course?
The duration of the BCS Business Analysis Foundation course depends upon the format:
- Online learning: Complete the course online at your own pace. We recommend to spend 30 hours studying.
- Instructor-led training: Benefit from 3 days of structured training sessions led by experienced instructors.
What jobs can you get with a BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification?
With a BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification, numerous job opportunities become available:
- Business analyst: Improve your prospects in this key role.
- Project manager: Apply business analysis skills to manage projects effectively.
- Consultant: Offer specialised knowledge to various organisations.
- Systems analyst: Use skills in analysing system processes and requirements.
What is the format of the BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam?
The BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam is a multiple-choice, closed-book test. This format ensures that candidates demonstrate their knowledge and understanding without external aids. Set in the United Kingdom, this certification exam typically includes 40 questions to be completed within 60 minutes.
What tips do you have for passing the BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam?
Passing the BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam requires preparation:
- Study regularly: Allocate daily study time.
- Use official study guides: Focus on books and guides recommended by BCS.
- Review past papers: Practice with previous exams to understand question patterns.
- Follow best practices: Create a study plan and stick to it.
How can the certification advance your career?
Earning the BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification can significantly advance your career by:
- Enhancing skills: Gain essential business analysis skills.
- Professional development: Opens doors for continuous learning and growth.
- Career growth: Paves the way for promotions and higher responsibilities.
- Industry recognition: Demonstrates your expertise to potential employers.
How to enrol in the BCS Business Analysis Foundation course?
Enrolling in the BCS Business Analysis Foundation Course is simple. On the BCS Business Analysis Foundation course page on our website:
- Click the “Book Now” button.
- Fill out the enrolment form with your details.
- Complete the payment process.
- Receive confirmation and get immediate access to course materials.
Still have questions? Contact us by phone on 0207 148 5985, via live chat, email, or by completing the form below.
How to find us
Knowledge Train
20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN,
England, United Kingdom.
Call +44 (0)207 148 5985
Opening hours
Monday to Friday – 09:00 to 17:15
Get in touch
BCS Business Analysis Foundation certification for IT professionals
BCS Business Analysis Foundation is a core business analysis certification for IT professionals. This BCS Business Analysis course covers business analysis fundamentals, business analysis concepts, best practices, and methodologies. Completing BCS Business Analysis training helps you understand the BCS business context and business solution design thinking. The BCS analysis foundation exam validates your skills as a business analyst.
BCS certifications, exams and learning opportunities
BCS offers professional certification, with BCS certifications recognised worldwide. Exams and oral examinations are part of the learning process. BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, supports your business career through credentials and certification. The BCS foundation exam and BCS methodology modules are available as online courses or in a virtual classroom.
Business analysis training and professional development
Business analysts benefit from BCS training and business foundation programmes. Apprenticeships, events, and award events help IT professionals and those interested in the business analysis profession. BCS analysis and development courses provide business analysis techniques and principles, supporting a successful business.
Enhancing technical expertise and digital literacy
Business analysis training enhances your technical expertise, sector knowledge, and digital literacy. BCS certification events, news, and the calendar view course dates keep you updated. Register, sign up, or log in to your BCS account to view course modules, research, and opinion articles.
BCS Business Analysis Foundation in diverse categories
The BCS Business Analysis Foundation supports diverse categories, including risk management, solution architecture, and software testing. The programme is based on the SFIA framework and is suitable for educators, project managers, and organisations. Membership, awards, and the BCS bookshop offer added value to your career.
The BCS Foundation is an entry-level certification that provides a basic understanding of IT concepts, digital literacy, and professional skills for those starting a career in information technology.
Explore the comprehensive insights offered by the BCS Foundation in Business Analysis to excel in your professional journey.
What is BCS Business Analysis Foundation
BCS Business Analysis Foundation is an introductory qualification that explains the core concepts, techniques and role of a business analyst within projects and organisations.
Core concepts covered
The syllabus covers requirements elicitation, stakeholder analysis, modelling, and simple techniques for documenting changes and measuring benefits.
Role within project management
Business analysis sits alongside project management and often overlaps with disciplines such as risk management and benefits realisation.
Syllabus and exam structure
The BCS Business Analysis Foundation exam tests knowledge with multiple choice questions and practical scenarios designed for a typical online course or classroom delivery.
Topics in the syllabus
Key topics include introduction to business analysis, stakeholder engagement, modelling techniques, and the influence of governance on requirements.
Exam format and scoring
The exam is usually timed and graded by number of correct answers; candidates can prepare with a study guide, practice papers or a virtual classroom session.
Who should take the BCS Business Analysis Foundation
This qualification suits anyone entering a business analysis role, project managers seeking formal recognition, and professionals preparing for certified career paths.
Benefits for professionals
Holders gain a recognised foundation in business analysis concepts that supports progression to practitioner or specialist qualifications.
Links to other certifications
Business analysts often pair this foundation with project management certifications such as PMP or PRINCE2 to broaden their professional profile.
How to prepare for the BCS Business Analysis Foundation
Effective preparation combines a clear study plan, use of an official syllabus, and practice with sample exams and revision notes.
Study resources
Popular options include provider-led online courses, classroom training, study guides, recorded lectures and hands-on exercises.
Study strategies
Use spaced repetition, create practical examples from work, form a study group and review past papers to build confidence.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the exam take?
The exam duration varies by provider but is typically under two hours for the foundation level.
Is prior experience required?
No prior experience is required; the qualification is suitable for beginners and those switching careers.