Top Certification Programs for Business Analysis Professionals
Business analysis is a crucial role within any organization, acting as the bridge between business stakeholders and the IT department. Given its importance, the demand for business analysis professionals is increasing. However, with so many professionals in the field, how can you differentiate yourself? One way is by obtaining a certification in business analysis. This article provides an overview and comparison of the top certification programs for business analysis professionals.
Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP)
The Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) certification is offered by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). The IIBA is a non-profit professional membership association that supports the business analysis community. CBAP is a level 3 certification, which means it requires at least five years of hands-on experience in business analysis before you can be eligible to take the exam.
The CBAP exam is 3.5 hours long and consists of 120 multiple-choice questions. The exam tests your knowledge in six areas, including business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and collaboration, requirements life cycle management, strategy analysis, requirements analysis and design definition, and solution evaluation.
Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA)
The Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) certification is also offered by the IIBA. It is a level 2 certification, which means it requires at least 3,750 hours of hands-on business analysis experience within the last seven years. In addition, it requires 21 hours of professional development in the last four years.
The CCBA exam is 3 hours long and consists of 130 multiple-choice questions. The exam tests your knowledge in four areas, including business analysis planning and monitoring, elicitation and collaboration, requirements life cycle management, and strategy analysis.
PMI Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA)
The Project Management Institute (PMI) offers the Professional in Business Analysis (PMI-PBA) certification. PMI is a non-profit professional membership association that promotes project management excellence. PMI-PBA is a level 3 certification, which requires a minimum of 3 years of hands-on business analysis experience.
The PMI-PBA exam is 4 hours long and consists of 200 multiple-choice questions. The exam tests your knowledge in five domains, including needs assessment, planning, analysis, traceability and monitoring, and evaluation.
Conclusion
Obtaining a certification in business analysis can be an excellent move for professionals in the field. Certification enables professionals to stand out to potential employers, clients, and colleagues.
CBAP, CCBA, and PMI-PBA are three of the top certification programs for business analysis professionals. Each of these certifications builds and tests knowledge in different areas of business analysis. While there are other certification programs available, these three certifications are widely recognized and respected in the industry.
In conclusion, professionals embarking on the journey of obtaining a certification in business analysis should research the different programs available to determine which certification best aligns with their career goals.
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