The Certification World Of Business Analysis

Business Analysis has become one of the most promising career options currently in the corporate world.  The most prominent reason for failure of most projects has been attributed to poor business analysis which includes reasons like inadequately captured requirements, unclear business goals and objectives. There is a gap between what the clients wants and what we deliver to the client. Effective business analysis can help bridge that gap. Companies have started to realize the importance of business analysis, and there are opportunities globally to identify suitable business analysts to drive the projects to be successful, to ensure the client remains satisfied as we are able to deliver what is expected, and also the solution proposed provides business value to the client and also helps increase the revenues of the organization. It has now become important for a person to be certified in business analysis to take on the opportunities of business analysis in the organizations

IIBA, International Institute of Business Analysis, the leading organization in business analysis have realized that there is a certification program to cater to any kind of professional in the industry. There are 4 kinds of certifications offered by IIBA based on the experience level of an individual. The certifications on offer are the ECBA ® (Entry Level Certificate in Business Analysis), CCBA® (Certification for Competency in Business Analysis), CBAP® (Certified Business Analysis Professional) and Certified Business Analyst Thought Leader® (CBATL)

• ECBA ®(Entry Level Certification in Business Analysis):-
  This is the certification for individuals who want to enter the field of business analysis.
  Some key pointers about ECBA® are:
  (1) No prior experience in business analysis is a prerequisite to this certification.
  (2) 21 hours of professional development in last 4 years is required to apply for this exam.
  (3) ECBA® exam is of 1 hour long duration and includes 50 multiple choice questions.
• CCBA®(Certification for Competency in Business Analysis):-
  This  CCBA certification for professionals with a minimum of 3750 hours or 2 to 3 years of business analysis experience.
  Some key pointers about CCBA® are:-                           
  (1) 3750 hours of work experience in the last 7 years of which a minimum of 900 hours in atleast 2 of the 6  BABOK®(Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) Guide Version 3.0 knowledge areas or minimum of 500 hours in atleast 4 of the 6 BABOK®(Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) Guide Version 3.0 knowledge areas is required
  (2) 21 hours of professional development in last 4 years is required to apply for this exam.
  (3) CCBA® exam is of 3 hour long duration and includes 130 multiple choice questions.
• CBAP ® (Certified Business Analysis Professional):-
  This CBAP certification for business analysis professionals with a minimum of 7500 hours or 5 years of business analysis experience.
  Some key pointers about CBAP® are:-
  (1) 7500 hours of work experience in the last 10 years of which a minimum of 900 hours in atleast 4 of the 6     BABOK®(Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) Guide Version 3.0 knowledge areas is required.
  (2) 35 hours of professional development in the last 4 years is required to apply for this exam.
  (3) CBAP® exam is of 3.5 hour-long duration and includes 120 multiple choice questions.
• CBATL® (Certified Business Analysis Thought Leader):- This is the certification for business analysis professionals which have over 10 years of experience.

Pursuing these certification programs provides a large number of advantages to the working professionals looking to build their career in the field of business analysis:-

1. Personal Recognition:- Being a certified business analyst provides you recognition across the business analysis community and also in being connected with like minded business analysis professionals.
2. Effective Business Analysis Execution:- Knowledge possessed by reading the BABOK®(Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) can be applied in the real life environment, and this leads to effective business analysis execution as the best practices outlined in the BABOK® are put into practice.
3. Professional Development Opportunities:- Business Analysis is a promising career option and there are opportunities available worldwide for certified business analysis professionals.
4. Increased Income:- Completing the business analysis certification can get you a promotion from a business analyst to a senior business analyst position in your organization, or can land you a job in a prestigious company in a business analysis profile.