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The Business Analysis Certification Program (IIBA - ECBA)

1. Program Overview

The Business Analysis Certification programmer is aligned with the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge Guide and has total of 14 sections that are also presented as individuals with your courses for your convenience. In the first course, the one called Introduction to Business Analysis, we are going to talk about some of the foundational concepts related to business analysis. First, we are going to look at Business Analysis and what it is, what a business analyst does, and some of the core concepts related to working in this field. Then we will look at some of the key terms such as stakeholder requirements and design. In the second core, the one called Business Analytics Planning and Monitoring, we are going to begin looking at the Business Analysis knowledge Areas. Beginning with Business Analysis, Planning and Monitoring, the task in this knowledge area produce documents that direct you as a business analyst throughout the project. These documents include a general approach that you will take, the plan for engaging stakeholders and how you will manage information and changes to the requirements. In the third course, the one called Business Analytics Elicitation and Collaboration, we are going to examine the ongoing process of elicitation and collaboration and find out how business analysts identify and reach agreement with stakeholders own requirements. The task in your knowledge area describe how you as a business analyst reach mutual understanding of various types of business analyzed information with stakeholders. The activities associated with this task include workshops, surveys and ad hoc collaboration and conversations. In the fourth course, the one called Business Analyzes and Requirements Lifecycle Management, were going to begin looking at the Business Analyzes knowledge area called Requirements. Lifecycle Management requirements are the foundation of all your business analysis activities. If the objective of a project is to deliver solutions that best meet requirements, then you best keep a close eye on those requirements and the designs that address them. So we will look at what your role is in tracing and maintaining requirements and design. In the fifth course, the one called Business Analysis and Strategy Analysis, we are going to look at the knowledge area called Strategy Analysis and the four tasks that make it up. It covers everything from assessing the current state of operations, doing some visioning regarding a desired future state, determining what the risk of that will need Tobe managed, and then coming up with the best strategy for realizing the desired future state. In the 6th course. The one on Business Analysis and Requirements Definitions. We are going to begin looking at the knowledge area. Requirements Analysis and Design definition this course covers the first three tasks. Which involves creating a list of requirements and then verifying that they are of sufficient quality to be used for further work and then of course. Validating them to ensure that they deliver benefits to the stakeholders. Align with business goals and align with the objectives of the change. The 7th course is part two of requirements analysis and Design Definition Topic it covers the last three tasks which are all related to creating a requirement architecture to develop a set of designs and analyze those to determine where the best value is. The final step is to develop the solution recommendation that represents the best design. In the eight course, the one on Business Analysis and Solution Evaluation, we will look at all the tasks that make up the final knowledge area. Solution Evaluation it involves measuring and analyzing solution performance as well as identifying limitations with in the solution and the enterprise that may be keeping the solution from reaching its full potential value. The final task is to recommend actions to remove the limitations and thereby increase the value of the solution. Corner Online is the one on analytical techniques used for business analysis. One definition of analyses is to breakdown a problem or process into its elemental parts to identify solutions. It could also apply to breaking something down to identify problems or opportunities for change. Analytical techniques assist the business analyst to identify problems and to find solutions. This course will introduce analyzing tools for scoping and planning models that support business analysis and analyses that support decision making. Some examples benchmarking and market analysis, document analysis, scope modelling and state modeling. We are also going to discuss about process modeling, process analysis, organizational modeling, interface analysis, data flow diagrams, data mining, data modelling and prototyping. Finally, some words about risk analyses and management, financial analysis, root cause analysis, sport analysis, and decision modelling and decision analysis. In the course number ten, the one called Activities and Tools Used for Business Analysis, we will continue to look at many of the techniques that you will use as a business analyst. The categories of techniques covered in this course include idea generation and data gathering techniques that you can use with groups such as brainstorming, collaborative games and workshops. We will also look at decision making techniques such as estimation and prioritization. Finally, we will talk about several tools used for business analysis such as backlog management, balanced scorecard and business Model canvas. In the 11th course, the one called Documentation and Criteria used for Business Analysis, we are going to look at types of documents that you will use as a business analyst. Some of them are groceries and business rules that you'll need. Others are documents that you will create and that contain business cases, use cases, and user stories. The final type of documents we will look at contain metrics and criteria that you will use for evaluating performance and establishing requirements. The course number twelve, the one called Business Analysis competencies Personal Skills is the first in a two-part series on business analyses competencies or underlying competencies as they are called in the guide. These competencies represent skills and knowledge that all business analysts should have in order to excel at their jobs. There are six categories of competencies altogether and in this course we will be looking at three of them analytical Thinking and Problem solving, communication skills and interaction skills. Course number 13, the one called Business Analyzed Competencies professional effectiveness covers behavior characteristics such as personal accountability, trustworthiness, adaptability and organization and time management. We will also look at various areas of business knowledge that are important to business analysis. Finally, we will talk about some of the tools and technology that business analysts use on the job. In the 14 course and the last one of this program, the one called Business Analyzed. Perspectives we will be looking at five different perspectives from which business analysts may need to view their work. Perspectives are used within business analysis to provide focus for the task that you'll carry out. They will also come with a set of techniques that are specific to the context of the Change initiative. The perspective that we will look at include agile development, business intelligence, information technology, business architecture, and business process management. That’s the broad picture. Next, some guidelines for better learning.

2. Program Guidelines

You might notice I am adding it to any course in the introductory section, but just in case some suggestions to improve your learning for a better learning experience, change your view settings to HD. Depending on your Internet connection, the quality of your video lesson should be better on your playing device. This course includes closed captions, at least in English, so if you want to watch videos quietly or defeat noise, it is a good idea to turn them on. Or maybe it's just easier for you to take video lessons if you also see the subtitles. It would also be a good idea to check for additional resources for every video lesson. Most of the time an audio version will be available and a PDF presentation. Some documents will be posted as an independent lesson, but the others will have learning AIDS. In the resources section, use the discussion board for questions and to invite our student colleagues to share personal experiences. Interaction will improve your learning and I’ll be here to help. It might not be easy to be the first one task a question or make a comment, I know, but I will take care of it and start a discussion. If you are on a computer or iPad type device, you can also take notes. I’m not saying you should, but this is also very helpful to improve retention and you will find an easy reference if you need to revisit the course. Demy offers you the option and you will see by yourself that not taking while watching video lectures is highly effective, there will become exercises to complement end of section quizzes. For some it would help to stop the video for one or two minutes and try to respond before continuing. Every time I will give the correct answer so you can compare. Of course you can just continue without stopping, but it's good if you try your hand on the question before comparing. It might be that for some exercises you will need more time and to work on a template. I use this for skill development and I believe in practice most of the time you learn more from this than from my presentation. So take your time and do it as guided. You are the client, so you have the right to make suggestions and to ask for more. I know you feel the need to be nice and appreciate the effort, but please, if you need something related to the course, feel free to ask. I’ll be here to respond at the end of the course. A review would be very much appreciated. You are not required, of course, but it helps me improve the course and it helps other potential students to make a choice. For technical issues I might help. If not, there is Demy technical support. Whatever is not working, please write me or Udemy. This is it for now. Happy learning and see you in the course.

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Introduction to Business Analysis (IIBA - ECBA)

1. Section Overview

In this Introduction to Business Analysis course, were going to talk about some of the foundational concepts related to business analysis. First we are going to look at business analysis and what it is, what a business analyst does and some of the core concepts related to working in this field. Then we'll look at some of the key terms such as stakeholder requirements and design. So this is the structure. First the first section business analysis and overview. Here we will discuss about business analytics, definition and context, the business analyst role, the value of business analysis and we will have some exercises. The second section of this course will cover business analysis terms and concepts and here we will discuss business analysis, knowledge areas, business Analysis key terms, business Analysis core concepts and of course again we will have some exercises. The third section will be about business analysis, stakeholders requirements and Designs here we will discuss about stakeholders within a project team, stakeholders external to the project team requirements, classification, schema, requirements and designs and the requirements and design cycle. And again we will have some exercise. I am Selene and I will be your trainer and you can use this course to improve your business analyzing knowledge and abilities and to obtain the certification provided by the International Institute of Business Analysis. This course is part of the Business Analysis Certification Program, which includes 14 courses on Introduction to business Analysis, business Analysis, Planning and Monitoring, business Analysis, Elicitation and Collaboration, business Analysis and Requirements lifecycle Management Business Analysis and Strategy Analysis business Analysis and Requirements definition requirements Analyzes and Design definition, business Analysis and Solution Evaluation analytical Techniques used for Business Analyzes activities and Tools used for business Analysis documentation and Criteria used for business Analysis business Analyzes Competencies, Personal Skills and Business Analysis Competencies, Professional Effectiveness and lastly, business Analysis Perspectives Next, an overview of the Business Analyzer’s certification program.

2. Business Analysis - Definition and Context

Business Analysis definition and Context after completing this topic, you should be able to identify the definition of business analysis. Business analysis is a set of practices that are used to analyze an organization, business unit or business process in order to take advantage of opportunities or solve business problems. The practice encompasses people, processes and technology. For example, a fire service needs to better utilize their resources. An audit revealed the need to automate or change the existing manual process of scheduling stuff and other resources. Clearly, this is high risk area. What if a mistake was made leaving a platoon short of firefighters? A Business analyst will conduct stakeholder analysis, analyses data related to scheduling errors, and document the existing process. He or she will interview stakeholders at all levels to determine the goals, objectives and rules and to understand the real problem. Many stakeholders stated a need for automation the solution needed to automate the rules related to overtime, time off vacation and sick days in order to remove the manual errors related to those rules. Due to the nature of the work being done, scheduling is a high risk area. The Business Analyst must ensure that the documented business rules and workflow are correct and well understood byte stakeholders, revealing the resulting requirements. A prototype of screen flows and decision matrices helped achieve this. Finally, the Business Analyst will document the impacts of the change to the stakeholders to determine the training needed by them to be successful. So what is business analysis? Business analysis can be defined as the practice of enabling change in an enterprise by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. A Business Analyst may work on strategic initiatives that could include the launch of a new product line or improvement of business operations. The Business Analyst would analyze the current environment, processes and technology to determine the optimal changes. The Business Analyst would write a business case providing the options for change, including cost benefit analyzes, impact to stakeholders, and new processes. In technology, tactical work often manifests itself as a minor change to the existing state, such as software enhancement. Operational changes may come about because of new business rule, policies, or external drivers such as regulatory changes. Projects are a process that enables change. It has a start and an end date. The project starts once a business case is approved. The Business Analyst will then provide more detail of the business needs in the form of requirements so that the change reflects the business need and are clear enough for the project team to implement the change. For example, a monthly report on cycle time for processing insurance claims indicate that it is taking longer than the departmental objectives. The Business Analyst would analyze the process, observe the claim staff at work, and make recommendations for change or not. The Business Analyst may discover that there is an anomaly in the data and that no changes are needed. So what is the context for application of business. Analyzing business analyzes within an organization can be used on enterprise initiatives such as strategic, tactical and operational initiatives, projects and continuous improvement efforts. Agile projects consist of constant changes requiring the business analysts to be flexible and modify how they approach the Business analyst task changes are implemented in small iterations, requiring the Business Analyst to either act as the product owner requesting the change or to liaise with a sponsor or product owner to deliver limited functionality over a short period of time. Business Intelligence utilizes data from multiple sources to provide information enabling evidence based, decisions, reporting needs or changes to data integration system. This Business Analyst requires skills such as data modeling, decision modeling and knowledge of information dashboards. The It Business Analyst perspective focuses on changes to information technology. The scope, of course, varies from enhancement to the implementation of large systems. This Business Analyst is a liaison between the business and information technology. The Business Architect provides the blueprints of the business and manages or identifies changes to business capabilities, processes and they drive the need fora business case and a project. They do not typically participate at the operational level. So what are the project perspectives? The project perspectives focus areas are agile business intelligence, information technology and business architecture. Business Process Management as the name suggests, this Business Analyst is all about improving the business processes. Unlike the Business architect, the Business Analyst does most of the work at the operational level. He or she will create an a sis process model and after understanding the business goals, objectives and key performance indicators, will make and produce the two bid process. It’s quite possible for all business analysts perspective to work on one initiative.

3. The Business Analyst's Role

The business analyst role. After completing this topic, you should be able to recognise activities that a business analyst may perform within an organization. A person may not have the title of business analyst. It is the practices, tasks, and activities that make someone a business analyst. For example, if someone works with a business to understand their needs for changes to processes, or how data is collected, or how technology needs to work in order to get the job done, then you are conducting elicitation task. The information that you receive from the business is analyzed against the desired state outcome, or goal. If the need doesn't contribute positively to the goal, then the business analyst will document it, but advise the stakeholder that the requirement is out of scope. Once the business analyst analyses the information, he or she will look for solutions. For example, a large bank wanted to provide online training to their branch staff. This would save money in the long run. When I analyzed their current technology infrastructure and specifications for transmitting their training to each of the branches, it turned out that 50% of the branches did not have adequate bandwidth or a computer within an area within an area where the tailors could learn. The proposed changes were provided to the senior manager who requested the change, and she decided to hold off until another project that would increase bandwidth was completed. Before starting this one, business analysts need to think critically, look at the big picture and drill down into details, and also create strategies to address business issues. Business analysts are facilitators of change. What then? Business analyst. A business analyst performs business analysis tasks and can be anyone within an organization who drills in information by discovering, synthesizing, and analyzing it, as well as developing solutions to meet the needs. Ensuring collaboration with stakeholders is one of our primary tasks. Without stakeholders, we have no requirements. For example, I was at some point asked to analyses the customer onboarding process for a large software company. After researching the current process, I met with the stakeholders to validate that I had documented the current state and identify any issues within the project. These people were busy, so I asked if they would consider a launch meeting. They accepted, and during the workshop I discovered each person—one manager and two people—who used the process. They had completely different approaches and expectations for the outcome of the process. I worked with them to define the value the customer expected out of the process and identify key business rules and steps that had to take place for the customer to realise the value of the process. Once I defined the new process, I worked with the stakeholders to prioritise the changes to the information technology system and, once those were implemented, I trained the offshore staff to ensure a smooth transition to the new state. So what are the business analyst's activities? Well, business analysts might be involved in activities such as analyzing needs, analyzing solutions, developing strategies, facilitating change, and ensuring collaboration. A systems analyst focuses on changes to technology. He or she will write functional requirements describing how the system must behave to reach an outcome. For example, a functional requirement might be The system shall calculate the age of a customer by subtracting the first year from the current year. The requirements must be written clearly and in enough detail that a project team, a designer, a program, and a software quality assurance person understand them so that the changes can be made to the system. A product manager is responsible for the development of new products for a company. How is this business analyzed, you ask? Well, a product manager needs to understand how a customer perceives the value of the product. The value of my cell phone, for example, isn't the price but rather the fact that I can take a call just about anywhere. New products drive change. A friend of mine, for example, works for a postal service. She determined that the virtual stamp without a price provided value to the customer. He or she doesn't have to fool around getting one- or two-cent stamps. When the price of postage goes up, the postal service reduces costs in production. This is how analysis helps. So, what are the job titles for business analysts? Business analyst job titles include system analyst, data analyst, enterprise analyst, management consultant, process analyst, business architect, and product manager. Management consultants work for consulting firms that advise companies on the best ways to manage and operate their business. The firm will take advice on concepts like their business strategy, operational effectiveness, and techniques. Management consultants tend to have specialties in niche markets, for example in insurance or oil and gas. This type of business analyst will conduct benchmark studies, share best practices, and enable change. I worked as a management consultant for a large insurance company. The IT department was implementing new IT processes. We mapped the process to the best practice framework from the Software Engineering Institute. This is just another example, and this is something that a management consultant and someone with a business analyst job title might do.

4. The Value of Business Analysis

The value of business Analysis after completing this topic, you should be able to recognize how business analysis adds value to an organization. When a business analyst helps to find solutions at the beginning of a project, it ensures that the expectations of the stakeholders are properly set in reality and manage throughout the project lifecycle. There are no surprises or disappointments at the other end. Business analyzes achieves early buy in formal stakeholders about the solution scope so that the scope of the project doesn’t expand the management of requirements changes also helps to minimize cost and schedule overall. One of the key qualities of business analysts is that they understand the organization’s problems and its goals and strategic objectives. This ensures that as the project progresses, the business analyst can tell when the goal of the project does not align with the business goals and could actually cancel the project if necessary. Business analyzes techniques for defining exactly what needs to be accomplished allow the team to develop good cost and time estimates for solutions. Transitioning from the old to the new state is difficult for users of the solution, so don't underestimate this. A good business analyst knows how to prepare organization for the change through training and communication. It’s important for users to adopt a new way of doing things as soon as possible so that the organization reaps the benefits of the new system. What is then improved project Management project management can be improved when expectations are defined. Project scope is managed, project goals aligned with business goals and estimates are dependable. One of the main roles of business analyst is to keep everyone communicating and cooperating and also to facilitate understanding. It starts with eliciting needs, clearly communicating them and translating them into requirements, then getting stakeholders to collaborate on the design and clearly communicating the solution to the end users. A business architect advising a program office would ensure that there are no duplicate projects. A good business analyst can elicit and identify true needs and design the best solution to meet those needs so that there is no trial and error approach to problem solving, saving time and money. The business analyze process is iterative. As you gain more knowledge, more questions arise. Having detailed rules, processes and instructions for how-to roll out and use the solution decreases the likelihood of user mistakes and assist in identifying any defects or errors in the software or service prior to the rollout. So next we will have to see what improved cooperation, improved cooperation means and what this can achieve. Improved cooperation is achieved when the transition to production facilitated and communication and collaboration is improved.

5. Exercise - Understanding Business Analysis

Time to check our knowledge. Exercise Understanding Business Analysis after completing this topic, you should be able to demonstrate your understanding of the basics of business analysis. In this exercise, you are required to demonstrate your understanding of the basics of business analysis. Understanding the basics of business analysis involves several tasks identifying the definition of business analysis, recognizing activities that a business analyst may perform within an organization and recognizing how business analyzes adds value to an organization. First question which statement best defines business analysis? Here you have the options the practice of defining needs and recommending solutions that provide value for the stakeholders in order to bring about change in an organization the automation of business processes through computer systems and lastly, the task that an organization implements to achieve its needs, goals and objectives. And here you have the answers. Option One this is a correct option. Business analysis is comprised of tasks, techniques and technologies used to understand how a specific business area functions and to provide solutions that will enable the business area to achieve its goals and objectives in order to provide value to stakeholders. Option Two this option is obviously incorrect. The automation of processes is often performed by a system analyst. This was an early form of business analysis which has since developed beyond the realm of It. Today, business analysis is described as defining the needs of an organization in order to determine solutions that will enable Ditto provide value for the stakeholders. Option three is again incorrect. Business analysis involves bringing about change inane organization and providing value to stakeholders through defining needs and identifying solutions. It includes identifying tasks that an organization must perform, but not actually implementing this task on the organization's behalf. That’s clear. Now let's try another question how do business analysts work with stakeholders? Here you have the options they gather requests from stakeholders to determine requirements. They analyze the stakeholders express desires to determine requirements and they ensure that stakeholders are not impacted during or after the initiative. Take your time, think about the answer and let’s get back to review them together. So this is the correct answer. Option One this is the correct option business analysts gather, analyze and compile stakeholders requests. They use them to determine organization requirements. Option Two this option is incorrect. Business analysts gather stakeholders request and determine which are actual needs and which are simply desires. Needs are used to determine requirements. Option three is again incorrect. Stakeholders, by definition, are individuals who are impacted by the result of an initiative. This is also simple and clear. Now let's try a new question business analyst practitioners help identify the solution that will enable organizations to reach their goals. Identify the key activities of a business analyst. Here you have the options eliciting the actual needs of stakeholders aligning the needs of organizational units with information technology capabilities identifying problems and opportunities in a specific area of business in the organization managing project resources and ensuring that project is completing on time and within budget, or lastly, implementing the solutions suggested by project managers. And here you have the answers. Option One this option is correct business analysts gather and analyze the request of stakeholders in order to determine the stakeholders actual needs. Option Two this option is also correct business analysts facilitate communication between the different organizational units of an organization. They often need to align the needs of organizational units within available information technology capabilities. Option Three this is also correct business analysts identify problems and opportunities. They elicit, analyze and validate requirements for change, document requirements, and recommend solutions. Option Four this one is incorrect. Project managers manage project resources and ensure that projects are completed on time and within budget. Business analysts are responsible for ensuring appropriate solutions are identified. Option Five and the last one is also incorrect. Business analysts are responsible for determining and recommending solutions, but not for implementing them. Let’s try then a new question what are the benefits of business analysis? And here you have the options determining realistic expectations at the start of a project, facilitating the transition to the new systems and improving collaboration among stakeholders. Identifying duplicate processes and providing the best solution to meet the stakeholders needs determining whether a project's goals align with organizational goals allocating and managing project resources efficiently. And lastly, building a positive and inclusive organizational culture. Here you have the answer. Option One this option is correct. By helping to define solutions at the beginning of a project, a business analyst ensures that the expectations of the stakeholders are realistic to avoid surprises later on in the process. Option Two this option is correct business analysts are able to prepare organizations for change so that users are willing to adopt new ways of working. In addition, business analysts can improve communication and cooperation among stakeholders by facilitating understanding. Option Three this option is correct effective business analyst can eliminate redundant projects that are being used to solve the same problems in the organization. In addition, business analysts can reduce time and money wastage by designing the best solution to meet business needs from the outset rather than adopting a trial and error approach. Option Four this option is correct business analysts understand the organization's problems, goals and strategic objectives. Therefore, as the project progresses, the business analyst can determine whether the project goals align with the business goals and make recommendations about how to bring the project into alignment with the organization's goals. Option Five this option is incorrect. A project manager adds value to an organization through managing project resources efficiently, whereas a business analyst helps to identify problems within a project, such as redundancy and misalignment with organization goals and provide solutions for overcoming this. Option Six and the last One this option is incorrect. Other members of senior management help to build an inclusive and favorable work environment, whereas business analyst helps to align project goals to organizational goals. Reduce duplication of efforts in processes, determine realistic expectations of stakeholders, facilitate transitions to changes in work processes and improve communication and collaboration.

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