A Comprehensive Overview of all Business Analysis Certifications

Business analysis is a crucial function in organizations of all sizes and industries. It involves identifying and analyzing business needs and problems and then defining solutions to improve business processes and achieve business objectives. A business analyst (BA) is responsible for performing this role, and to be successful in this role, it is important for BAs to have the right knowledge, skills, and tools.

Obtaining a business analysis certification can be a great way to demonstrate your expertise and credibility as a BA. There are several business analysis certifications available, each with its own focus and requirements. In this article, we will provide an overview of all the different business analysis certifications (organised by the issuing body), to help you decide which one is the best fit for you.

1. International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) Certifications:

IIBA is a non-profit professional association that represents the business analysis profession. It offers the following certifications which are based on the BABOK (Business Analysis Body of Knowledge) - a guide that outlines the knowledge and skills required for business analysis;

• Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP):

  • This is the highest level of certification offered by IIBA. It is geared towards experienced BAs who have a minimum of 7,500 hours of business analysis work experience. To obtain this certification, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam and submit a business analysis project.

• Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA):

  • This certification is geared towards BAs who have a minimum of 3,750 hours of business analysis work experience. It is designed to recognize the knowledge and skills of intermediate-level BAs. To obtain this certification, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam and submit a business analysis project.

• Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA):

  • This is the entry-level certification offered by IIBA. It is designed for BAs who have less than 3,750 hours of business analysis work experience. To obtain this certification, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam.

2. Project Management Institute (PMI) Certifications

PMI is a global professional association for project management. It offers the following business analysis certification:

• PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA):

  • This certification is geared towards BAs who have a minimum of 2,000 hours of business analysis work experience. To obtain this certification, candidates must pass a multiple-choice exam and meet the required education and professional experience requirements.

3. British Computer Society (BCS) or The Chartered Institute of IT Certifications

The British Computer Society (BCS)or the Chartered Institute for IT is a professional body for IT professionals in the UK. It offers a range of certification programs to help IT professionals develop their skills and knowledge in various areas of business analysis. Some of the business analysis certificates offered by the BCS are:

• BCS Business Analysis Practice Certificate:

  • This certificate aims to provide a foundation in business analysis practices. It covers topics such as the role of a business analyst, stakeholder analysis, requirements gathering, and business process modelling.

• BCS Business Analysis Foundation Certificate:

  • This certificate focuses on the principles and techniques of business analysis. It covers topics such as the business analysis process, stakeholder analysis, and requirements elicitation and management.

• BCS Business Analysis Diploma:

  • This advanced-level certificate is designed for experienced business analysts who want to deepen their understanding of business analysis techniques and practices. It covers topics such as project management, business process modelling, and enterprise analysis.

• BCS Business Analysis Certificate in Agile Practice:

  • This certificate is designed for business analysts who want to learn how to apply agile practices in their work. It covers topics such as agile methodologies, user stories, and agile modelling techniques.

• BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis:

  • The BCS Advanced International Diploma in Business Analysis is a high-level certification offered by the British Computer Society (BCS). It is designed for experienced business analysts who want to deepen their understanding of business analysis techniques and practices. The diploma covers topics such as project management, business process modelling, and enterprise analysis.

• BCS Expert BA Award:

  • The BCS Expert BA Award is a prestigious certification offered by the BCS to recognize professionals who have demonstrated a high level of expertise in business analysis practices and principles. To be eligible for the award, candidates must have already achieved the BCS Business Analysis Diploma and have a minimum of three years of business analysis experience. The award is based on a submission of a business analysis project and an oral examination, in which candidates are tested on their knowledge and skills in business analysis.

In addition to these business analysis certificates, the BCS also offers other certifications in related areas such as project management, data analysis, and software development.

4. International Quality Federation for Business Analysis (IQBBA).

The International Quality Federation for Business Analysis (IQBBA) is a professional organization that promotes best practices in business analysis. It was founded in 2006 with the aim of establishing business analysis as a recognized profession and supporting the development of business analysts around the world.

• IQBBA Certified Foundation Level Business Analyst (CFLBA):

  • The CFLBA certification is offered by the International Quality Federation for Business Analysis (IQBBA). It is designed for professionals who want to develop a foundation in business analysis practices and principles. It covers topics such as business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and collaboration, and traceability and testing.

• Certified Advanced Level Business Analyst (CALBA):

  • The CALBA certification is also offered by the IQBBA. It is designed for experienced business analysts who want to deepen their understanding of business analysis techniques and practices. It covers advanced topics such as business process modelling, enterprise analysis, and project management.

 5. International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB)

The International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB) is a professional body for requirements engineering, which is the process of eliciting, analyzing, and documenting the requirements for a system or product. The IREB is based in Germany and was founded in 2005 with the aim of establishing requirements engineering as a recognized profession and promoting best practices in the field. Their Business Analysis Certifications are as follows;

• IREB Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering (CPRE):

  • The CPRE certification is offered by the International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB). It is designed for professionals who want to develop their skills in requirements engineering, which is the process of eliciting, analyzing, and documenting the requirements for a system or product. The CPRE certification covers topics such as requirements engineering principles, requirements elicitation, and requirements modelling.

• Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering Advanced Level (CPRE-AL):

  • The CPRE-AL certification is also offered by the IREB. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to deepen their understanding of requirements engineering principles and practices. It covers advanced topics such as requirements management, stakeholder analysis, and project management.

• Certified Professional for Requirements Engineering Expert Level:

  • The expert-level certification in requirements engineering is also offered by the IREB. It is designed for experienced professionals who want to demonstrate a high level of expertise in requirements engineering practices and principles. It covers topics such as advanced requirements modelling techniques, stakeholder analysis, and project management.

In conclusion, obtaining a business analysis certification can be a valuable investment in your career. It can help you develop your skills and knowledge in the field, and it can also increase your credibility and attractiveness to potential employers. With the wide range of business analysis certifications available, it's important to do your research and choose the one that best aligns with your career goals and interests. We hope that our overview of all business analysis certifications has provided you with a helpful starting point in your journey to becoming a certified business analyst.