CBAP and BABOKPresented to the Albany Capital District Chapter of the IIBAFebruary 3, 2009

Mission: To develop and maintain standards for the practice of business analysis and for the certification of its practitionersThe IIBA is an international non-profit professional association for business analysis professionals

March 2004 37 members2 countries (Canada & US)December 20087,791 members81 chapters68 countries462 CBAPs (Certified Business Analysis Professional)

Business AnalysisBusiness Analysis is the set of tasks, knowledge and techniques required to identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems.

Solutions often include a systems development component, but may also consist of process improvement or organizational change.International Institute of Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK)

A Business Analyst works as a liaison among stakeholders in order to elicit, analyze, communicate, and validate requirements for changes to business processes, policies, and information systems.

Business Analysis Body of KnowledgeThe BABOK is the collection of knowledge within the profession of Business Analysis and reflects generally accepted practiceDescribes business analysis areas of knowledge, their associated activities and tasks and the skills necessary to be effective in their executionProvides the basis for the CBAP certification

CBAP CertificationQualified practitioners will receive the designation Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)This certification is designed for individuals with an advanced level of knowledge and experienceThe IIBA is considering a secondary certification to meet the needs of less senior Business AnalystsMembership in the IIBA is not required to take the certification examination

CBAPA recognized expert in identifying the business needs of an organization in order to determine business solutionsCBAPs are acknowledged as competent individuals performing a role which is increasingly recognized as a vital component of any successful project

Benefits of CBAP CertificationValidation of skills and capabilities by a recognized external authorityRecognition by peers and management as qualified and experienced to practice business analysisConfirmation of competence in the principles and practices of business analysisAdvanced career potential by creating a separate and distinct career path within the information technology industry and business community

Certification Requirements5 years (7,500 hours) of business analysis work in the last 10 yearsDemonstrated experience and expertise in at least 4 of the 6 BABOK Knowledge AreasMinimum high school diploma or equivalent21 hours of BA professional development in the last 4 years2 professional references

Work ExperienceAcceptable activities include:Hands-on business analysis activities (as per BABOK)Coaching or mentoring Business Analysts with respect to business analysis activitiesDevelopment of an organizations business analysis methodology and/or best practicesDevelopment of business analysis training courses

Work ExperienceActivities that will not apply include:Non-supervisory management of business analysis activities (e.g., resource management, status reporting, performance management, etc.)Teaching business analysis training coursesSelling requirements tools/softwareProject ManagementTestingProgramming

Knowledge AreasEnterprise AnalysisRequirements Planning and ManagementRequirements ElicitationRequirements Analysis and DocumentationRequirements Communication Solution Assessment and Validation

Professional DevelopmentDirectly related to business analysis or its underlying fundamentalsIIBA endorsed education provider courses qualify note if EEP courseIIBA will review course outline to determine if other courses qualifyProject management, programming, or testing courses will not qualify

ReferencesMust be provided by a:Career Manager (person who is responsible for your annual performance review)Internal or external clientCertified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)

The Certification ProcessSubmit application including:Application form and application feeReferencesCode of Conduct formExamination fee (due at least 60 days prior to exam date)IIBA reviews to determine if requirements are met notifies via e-mail within 30 days

Register for ExamApproved applicant has one year to successfully pass the examWithin a month of approval, e-mail from Castle Worldwide with user ID and password to register online for a test center and test dateIf exam is passed granted CBAP certificationIf exam is not passed may retake the exam once after three month wait if still within one year eligibility

Current CBAP Exam Blueprint

Certification FeesInitial fees$125 application fee that is non-refundable$325 exam fee for IIBA members$450 exam fee for non-membersRewrite fees$250 for IIBA members$375 for non-members

RecertificationRecertification is required every 3 yearsRequire 60 Continuing Development Units (CDUs) to recertifyRenewal fee - $85 for IIBA members and $120 for non-members

Latest DevelopmentsIIBA is piloting an online application process which includes payment of the application fee - plans are to launch the process in MarchBABOK v2 expected to be released in MarchPlans are to begin working on the next version of the CBAP exam in March or April 2009New Career Center on IIBA website for job seekers and employers

BABOK v2 Knowledge Areas

BABOKIdentifies currently accepted practicesRecognizes business analysis is not synonymous with software requirementsDefined and enhanced by the professionals who apply itCaptures the sum of the knowledge required for the practice of business analysis as a profession

What the BABOK is NOTIt is NOT a methodology nor does it prescribe or favor a methodology

It is NOT a how to business analysis instruction manual

TasksApplicable to all business analysis effortsNecessary components of business analysisMay be executed as often as necessaryConsistently defined inputs and outputs

TechniquesCover different methodologies or approachesBPM (business process management), Agile, Iterative, waterfall, etc.Usage depends on the purposeUnderstand when techniques are appropriate

Example Task & TechniquesTask: Conduct Elicitation Activity

Techniques:BrainstormingRequirements WorkshopInterviewPrototypingEtc.

Future PlansPublication of BABOK v2Release of electronic copy in late March 2009Free for IIBA members, nonmembers will be chargedIIBA is investigating print options

Future editions expected every five years

Knowledge SharingSuman Akula has successfully completed his application to sit for the CBAP exam and is willing to answer questions about his experienceIs there anyone else here who has completed or is in the process of applying to take the exam?

21 hours of professional development in the last four years.All references must have known you for at least 6 monthsOne reference must be currentRefer to handout for the purpose and value of each of the knowledge areas