What do business analysts do?
Business analysts
are agents of change, they use a disciplined and structured approach to research, plan and implement meaningful change in organizations. Business analysts are charged with identifying and defining solutions that maximize the value an organization can deliver to stakeholders.
As such, the role can potentially operate across multiple levels of any given organization, from defining strategy, assuming a leadership role, defining project requirements, supporting the implementation of new IT systems or designing enterprise architecture.BA skillsBusiness analysts
must possess specialized knowledge and understanding that enables them to act as mentors, guides and business leaders. The effective use of business analysis methods can ensure that organizations improve their way of doing business.
Doing this requires a business analyst (or teams of Business analysts) able to identify new opportunities, avoid risks, address the human side of change, model business practices and much more.It is not a role for the faint hearted, but BAs enjoy a level of respect and freedom rarely accorded to middle-management roles.Enhance your skills with our expert-led courses
Self-paced
BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis self-paced online £499 +vat
Self-paced
BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis self-paced online £2,199 +vat
Self-pacedBCS Business Analysis Practice self-paced online
£749 +vat
What qualifications do you need to become a business analyst?
Business analysts need a good mix of ‘soft-skills’ and ‘hard-skills.’ You will need to be good at solving problems and analysing data. You will also need to have excellent communication skills.
The path you might take will depend on your qualifications, education and experience. Many analysts begin in a technical background such as software development. This is helpful, as IT systems and databases can often form a major part of a businesses’ development plans.If you don’t have any IT experience, don’t fret! Often some basic knowledge of SQL is all you’ll be required to have, as systems analysis is a closely related, but otherwise entirely distinct discipline that you won’t have to worry about as a Business analyst.‘Soft skills’ vs. ‘hard skills’
Recruiters will generally look for work experience or an education that may have imparted desirable skills. Any experience you may have had as a manager or team-leader will be especially desirable. Soft skills you may want to highlight in your CV include:
Attention to detail.Communication.Interpersonal skills.
Leadership.
Organisation.
Problem-solving.Teamwork.Time-management.
Additionally, a post-graduate qualification in any of the following studies will make you more marketable as a BA:
Business information systems.
Business management.
Computing and systems development.
Computer science.Beyond this, many employers view recognized business analyst qualifications as an industry-standard. That’s not to say you can’t find work as a business analyst without one, but they will make you more desirable to potential employers and are a great way to make up for a lack of experience if you’re looking for your first business analyst role.Business analysis qualifications are offered by several professional bodies, namely the International Institute of Business Analysis UK (IIBA), The Chartered Institute for IT (BCS) and the
Project Management Institute
(PMI). In the UK, BCS business analysis qualifications are the most popular amongst employers.
What is the best business analyst certification?
We offer 3 internationally recognized business analysis qualification schemes to aid your career progression in the business analysis profession. Each is tailored to suit a different type of candidate and as such, there’s no ‘best’ qualification. For more information on each individual course read on!BCS Business AnalysisBCS business analysis certifications
are unique in that BCS offers a structured training and career progression path.
BCS business analysis qualifications range from entry-level BCS Business Analysis Foundation
certification which requires no previous experience in business analysis, to the more advanced BCS Business Analysis Diploma certification.Owing to the flexibility of their training scheme, and the fact that you never have to venture outside the BCS scheme throughout your entire business analysis career, it’s no wonder BCS remains a firm favourite among business owners and practicing business analysts alike.We offer a range of online Foundation and Practitioner BCS BA modules including:
- BCS Foundation Certificate in Business AnalysisBCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis PracticeBCS Requirements Engineering
AgileBA Foundation and Practitioner course includes 2 exams leading to the AgileBA Practitioner certification. This course is best suited to practicing business analysts and those who wish to begin a career in agile business analysis.This course teaches candidates how to apply the AgileBA approach to any given context. Topics include:
The philosophy and principles of Agile.The business analysis processes within an Agile project.The roles and responsibilities within an Agile project.
Select your preferred training course below:
AGILE BUSINESS ANALYSIS COURSES
Self-pacedSelect your preferred training course below:
BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis self-paced online
CHANGE MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS
£499 +vatSelect your preferred qualification.
APMG CHANGE MANAGEMENT COURSES
Select your preferred training course below: Self-paced BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis self-paced onlinePROGRAMME MANAGEMENT QUALIFICATIONS