What is Business Analysis?
Business Analysis is a practice of enabling change within an organization or an enterprise by identifying needs and recommending solutions that will deliver value to the stakeholders. To proffer solutions, proper engagement with the stakeholders is needed. The engagement with the stakeholder helps to understand the organization’s structure, policies, and operations in order to yield a more effective and efficient result.
The needs identified can be problems or opportunities. The recommended solution may consist of process improvement, innovation or process re-engineering within the organization itself or more strategic planning. Now, you may ask, “Where do I need business analysis?” The answer is “In new and existing organizations”
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For new organizations, the idea is to get things right the first time. Similarly, getting things right means doing the right business. Statistics has it that 80% of businesses crash within their first 3 years of starting up in Sub-Saharan Africa like Nigeria. What exactly is the cause of this whopping crash? This bizarre failure can be largely attributed to the inadequate understanding of the basics of a starting and growing a successful business. Detailed Business Analysis is required before embarking on a business. This will help you gather the necessary requirements, determine the costs involved, collaborate with the key stakeholders. As such, eliminate inappropriate ideas and avoid unnecessary costs.
The success of an existing organization depends on two things. First, being able to launch new ideas or products successfully. Secondly, improving existing processes within their system. Business Analysis will help to define the current state, the future state and the transition for the current state to the future state of your organization. This is done by eliciting the actual needs of stakeholders, which frequently involves investigating and clarifying their expressed desires in order to determine underlying issues and causes of the problems in the first place.
The successes big organizations like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, IBM etc., have recorded can be attributed to effective Business Analysis practice in these organizations.
Due to the criticality of this practice to organizations, there is a need for set rules, guidelines and techniques to ensure those involved in the practice act consistently. Just like other professions such as medicine, law, pharmacy, journalism etc., there is a need for professional competence and due care. Different bodies such as the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA), Project Management Institute (PMI) and British Computer Society (BCS) have helped to standardize the Business Analysis profession. The most popular of these institutes is IIBA and they have been helpful in ensuring professionals understand what to do and how to do them. Thereby, recognizing their knowledge and skills, and supporting their career progression.
IIBA’s Business Analysis is based on the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABoK). The
BABoK is a framework that contains sets of tasks and techniques used in expanding the scope of business analysis, providing essential direction and support for practitioners. IIBA conceived the framework using “tried & tested” methodologies by speaking with thousands of experts and thought leaders of varying industries across the globe using insights and contributions from business communities.
IIBA comes up with updates frequently in order to incorporate changing requirement in the business world. As a result, Agile Extension has been incorporated in the most recent edition of the “IIBA’s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABoK)”.
IIBA validates your business analysis knowledge at different levels with the ECBA, CCBA, and CBAP exams respectively. The Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) is for individuals entering into the profession. Certification of Capability in Business Analysis (CCBA) is for individuals with at least 2-3 experience in the profession. Whilst the CBAP exam is for professionals who have been in the profession for more than 5 years.
Since the success of any organization is largely dependent on effective business analysis, it is no surprise that certified professionals significantly increase their earning potential and marketability. When an organization adopts and implements the framework, it shows a mark of commitment to global best practices. In addition, the organization can leverage the framework to continually satisfy customers’ need and deliver value to the stakeholders.
Having had a brief on what Business Analysis is about, See the below questions for more information on the qualification.
How did Business Analysis evolve?
From time immemorial, Business Analysis has been in existence. On a daily basis, we practice it knowingly or unknowingly. As a practice within an organization, it started in the 1940s when the first programmable computer was birthed. Then, the use of computer systems was primarily by the government, universities and the organizations that invented them.
As we all know, change is inevitable. Things changed in the early ’90s leading to a rapid increase in the need to incorporate the use of IT in businesses. User-friendly programs and interfaces were invented. As a result, the demand for software programmers grew significantly. One will imagine that after this, a problem has been solved. But, NO! Something was still wrong.
In as much as the advancement of IT was to improved to fulfill its purpose, It was still expensive! Why?
Find out more in our “History page”
Is Business Analysis globally relevant?
Yes, it is globally relevant. An organization’s success is largely dependent on how effective their business analysis practice is. The practice is universal. As such, it is not specific to any geographical location. As of 2014, IIBA has recorded thousands of members with 109 chapters on 6 continents including Nigeria.
If you are looking for a certification that is sought-after in Nigeria and overseas, this qualification is an ideal choice for you.
How many people have this certification globally and in Nigeria
According to IIBA, there are over 29,000 qualified members, 117 Chapters and over 290 Corporate Members in the world. From the data gathered from Linkedin, there are only about 200 certified Business Analysis professionals in Nigeria and the number is only growing.
Is this course acceptable/valuable to employers?
Yes, it is relevant to employers. Individuals with the Business Analysis certification are one of the most sought after in the business world today. Being qualified demonstrates to employers that you can identify needs, prioritize those needs by value, and make necessary changes.
Is this course specific to a particular industry?
No, the business analysis course is not specific to an industry. Adopting the practice in any industry is a leap in the right direction. As a result, its use is not specific to any particular industry. Currently, the framework is used in industries of varying sizes such as manufacturing, IT, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, and even non-profit organizations.
So, whatever industry your organization you find yourself, you are all covered!
Who is Business Analysis for?
Business Analysis is for individuals entering the profession, career switchers and individuals with a high level of experience. The IIBA Business Analysis is in 3 levels and each level has its prerequisites. However, there are no prerequisites for attending training.
Visit our Business Analysis qualification page to see how the exam work for the different level
What will I learn if I opt for Business Analysis?
The course covers the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge(BABoK). you can find a break down of what you will learn in the syllabi for the different levels of qualification.
Visit our ‘Business Analysis Resources’ page to learn more.
At Harrybaker we’re determined to ensure learners pass the Business Analysis exam at the first sitting. My only question is, will it be you?
