For those wishing to explore the range of business analysis tools and techniques, as well as to be able to prepare for the industry recognized certification exam, this is it. We have taken time to compile the frequently asked questions about business analysis as well as provide useful answers to them. We hope you will find this helpful in this period of up-skilling.
What is Business Analysis?
Business analysis is the evolving discipline that deals with identifying your business needs. It includes expressing these needs as business requirements, processes and rules (hereafter business requirements) that the business community and information professionals both interpret the same way. Business requirements serve as the basis for development, testing, deployment, and use of your future information systems. They are the starting point for lifecycle management and business driven development. In a nutshell, these are the critical success factors for delivering information technology that the business community needs and wants.
What problems does business analysis solve?
According to industry reports, the most significant contributing factors to project failure could be traced directly to poor requirements understanding and definition. In a recent Sequent Computer Systems Inc. study of about 500 IT managers the most frequently named cause of project failure was poorly defined and changing requirements. A summary of other studies on the dominant reasons that projects fail indicates that the three most common failure points in developing, enhancing or changing business systems today are:
- Incomplete and/or incorrect business requirements and technical specifications
- Incomplete or ineffective testing (often due to poor requirements)
- Improperly managed projects (Either incompetent project management, or incomplete and incorrect requirements)
Why analyze a business area if the business experts already know what they want
A large number of information technology projects start with a solution that “has to” be implemented. The solution may or may not be the right decision. Whereas it is in IT’s best interest to deliver the solution that the end-user wants, the better the analysis of the thought process behind the decision, the easier it is for them to deliver a working system. Without sufficient understanding, IT may be implementing a solution that will not work.
One good starting point to analyzing a business area is the business analysis technique Problem Analysis.
Who is a Business Analyst?
A business analyst is a person who acts as a liaison between business people who have a problem and technical people who know how to create a solution.
What do business analysts do
Business analysis for projects is the process of analyzing how the business community does whatever the business community does and identifying potential areas for improvement. The improvements quite often include introducing new or updating existing systems, but the focus should be on helping the business community become more efficient or effective.
The primary outcome out of the business analysis process is a set of requirements at varying levels of detail that define a potential solution. Depending on the development approach this set can be business, stakeholder, solution, and transition requirements for traditional approaches or in user story format for agile development.
What makes a Business Analyst different from Project Manager?
Business Analyst ensures the product is built right according to requirement. Project Manager ensures the product is delivered on time and within budget.
What is CBAP?
CBAP means Certified Business Analysis Professional. It is one of the four (4) level certifications attainable by a business analyst or an intending business analyst.
These 4 levels are Entry Certificate in Business Analysis, Certificate of Competency in Business Analysis, Certified Business Analysis Professional and Certified Business Analysis Thought Leader.
Are the levels Pre-requisite to each other?
No. None of the levels are pre-requisite to each other. Exam level to take is dependent on years of experience and other factors (speak to our business analyst expert (NIYI): 08162625986 for more information).
Which body awards this certificate?
The Business Analysis certification is awarded by the International Institute for Business Analysis (IIBA) in Canada. The certificates are globally recognized.
As at today, we have 8525 Certified Business Analyst of various levels in the world out of which 127 are Nigerian.
For our current and upcoming business analysis training
Follow this link http://scilsng.com/new-beta/courses/face-to-face-class/business-analysis-ffc/ or call/sms/whatsapp our subject matter expert (NIYI): 08162625986
