Have your expertise recognized, get IIBA CBAP certified!
Business analysis is both a demanding and rewarding profession. A business analyst’s job is to understand the organization’s objectives, identify its needs and propose appropriate solutions to meet them. It acts as a mediator between the stakeholders involved in the problem within the company and those involved in delivering the solution. It is responsible for gathering information, documenting processes and validating final requirements with customers and users.
An effective business analyst must possess a set of key skills that facilitate analysis planning and follow-up, strategic business analysis, requirements management, facilitation of communication between stakeholders, and evaluation and validation of proposed solutions. Developing these skills is essential if they are to perform their tasks efficiently, minimizing constraints on operations and maximizing future operational effectiveness.
Certification and training help business analysts stand out in the field. It confirms that they have mastered the methods and tools required in their field, and in so doing, provides them with proof of their wide-ranging skills. Market studies and surveys carried out by IIBA[i] have repeatedly shown that certified business analysts earn much higher salaries than those who are not.
Other notable benefits of acquiring business analysis certification include:
- The preparation required to obtain certification contributes to the general improvement of skills. A certified business analyst has a broader perspective of business analysis techniques and approaches, and demonstrates greater skills and competencies.
- Certification makes it easier for recruiters to recognize levels of expertise, thus broadening career prospects on the job market.
- Employers who promote the certification of their business analysts demonstrate their confidence in the professional development of their teams, and recognize the added value of business analysis.
Business analysis certifications
IIBA business analysis certifications are the most popular business analysis certifications in the world. The IIBA has been promoting the profession of business analysis and certification for over a decade now.
The certification space for the business analyst community was dominated by the IIBA with its core certifications, namely,
- ECBA – Certificat d’entrée en analyse métier – Beginner’s level, most suitable for beginners and newcomers.
- CCBA – Certification of Competence in Business Analysis – Intermediate level, ideal for professionals with 2-3 years experience working in business analysis.
- CBAP Certified Business Analysis Professional – Advanced level, for professionals with more than 5 years’ experience in business analysis.
The distinction between a certificate and a certification lies in the nature and scope of the validation of the skills they represent. A certificate testifies to the successful completion of an exam and the time invested in its preparation. On the other hand, certification is not limited to assessing theoretical knowledge and problem-solving skills via an exam based on BABOK v3. IIBA also verifies and certifies skills and professional experience, based on the submission of an application file and a questionnaire submitted to the persons responsible for the experience.
What is CBAP?
The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) designation is the most widely recognized business analysis professional certification in the world. CBAP is a certification for senior business analysis professionals with over 5 years’ experience in analysis.
Business analysts with this certification can quickly adapt to rapid changes in the IT industry and manage skills in all phases of business analysis roles.
What are the CBAP eligibility criteria?
CBAP, being IIBA’s level 3 certification, has very strict eligibility criteria. Here are the eligibility criteria for the exam:
- 7500 hours over the last 10 years, including 900 hours in 4 of the 6 knowledge areas of the BABOK Guide Version 3
- 35 hours of professional development over the past 4 years, ideally delivered by an IIBA-recognized Endorsed Education Provider (EEP).
- Two references from a manager, customer or CBAP-certified person
- Code of conduct signed with IIBA
What are the advantages of CBAP certification?
In today’s competitive workplace, a senior business analyst is a key force behind the delivery of a successful project. The fast-growing field of business analysis faces many challenges, including inconsistent terminology across organizations, a lack of standardization, and difficulties in assessing real risks. CBAP training helps business analysts improve their skills and tackle these issues effectively.
Becoming CBAP-certified demonstrates that the professional has years of experience in business analysis, is an expert in identifying the organization’s needs, and suggests the optimal solutions for the organization to achieve maximum value. Continuing your training towards CBAP certification solidifies your knowledge of the wider world of business analysis.
Higher remuneration
According to the IIBA salary survey, BAs with CBAP certification earn 59% more than their non-certified peers. Leading companies around the world prefer to hire CBAP professionals because of their skills and expertise in business analysis. As a result, becoming CBAP certified can get you more job opportunities, a better income and widespread recognition.
Increased competence, enhanced performance
The CBAP exam requires an in-depth understanding of BABOK and the application of its concepts to various business analysis scenarios. Thus, a BA who becomes CBAP certified understands the business analysis principles, practices and techniques described in BABOK v3.0 in detail. He is skilled in implementing the structured approach of Business Analysis to produce reliable and consistent results. They also acquire competence in the six areas of knowledge mentioned in the BABOK, namely
- Business analysis planning and monitoring
- Elicitation and collaboration
- Requirements lifecycle management
- Strategic analysis
- Requirements analysis and design definition
- Evaluating solutions
Career potential
Companies are always on the lookout for highly skilled and qualified BAs. Companies prefer to hire professionals with industry-recognized BA certifications such as CBAP. BA practitioners have reported that certification not only brings the salary increases often sought, but also offers greater opportunities for promotion and new job opportunities.
Recognition by professional peers
The organization, future employers and professional peers see CBAPs as well-qualified and serious about their careers. They are valued as skilled professionals who play a vital role in a project’s success. Simply put, certification badges can be seen as a “stamp of excellence”. Achieving and maintaining certification means making continuous efforts to improve and refine your skills in business analysis practices and activities. This means you can continually identify new learning needs based on your business requirements and do what it takes to reinforce them.
Satisfaction of reaching a personal milestone
Achieving CBAP certification represents a valuable personal milestone, given that the eligibility criteria are rigorous and require a significant investment of time and effort. Preparing for the CBAP exam requires not only an in-depth study of BABOK v3, but also systematic preparation for a MCQ test that we are less used to in Europe. Opting for exam preparation training can ease this burden considerably, thanks to targeted teaching methods. In the context of a master class, an experienced trainer’s perspective can enrich understanding and optimize preparation. However, a personal effort remains essential, if only to read the entire BABOK. This approach not only ensures better assimilation of knowledge, but also more effective application of concepts in real-life situations.
Developing other business analysts
Supervising junior business analysts is a key responsibility for a senior analyst, especially for those who have achieved CBAP certification. This certification, which is demanding in terms of the level of expertise required, not only confers professional recognition but also supports the transmission of knowledge and the guidance of the next generation of analysts.
Within the IIBA Geneva Chapter Study Groups, for example, a CBAP certification holder can take charge of leading these self-study sessions. This enables him to share his experiences, provide practical advice and expand his professional network. These interactions not only enrich participants’ knowledge, but also strengthen the business analyst community by encouraging the exchange of expertise and perspectives.
How do I become a CBAP member?
Preparing for the CBAP exam can be a daunting task. This implies
– Be eligible for certification
– Complete the CBAP exam admissions and approval process
– Preparing for and passing the CBAP exam
The CBAP exam is a 3.5-hour exam, consisting of 120 questions based on the BABOK v3 guide. You can take your CBAP exam either in a central location or in a remote location. Remote online proctoring is now available for the CBAP exam. This new option offers the flexibility of taking the exam online from anywhere in the world, although the test center option is also still available. However, before taking the exam, make sure you meet the eligibility criteria defined by the IIBA.
Find out more about CBAP certification
Our CBAP certification preparation course
[i] https://www.iiba.org/career-resources/the-global-state-of-business-analysis/the-global-state-of-business-analysis-reports-and-surveys/
