Certified Business Analysis Professional (BABOK Guide 2.0-aligned) Exam

 

Introduction to Business Analysis and Essential Competencies

 

Overview/Description

Often, and usually with the best intentions, organizations hastily overhaul processes or implement new systems in an effort to quickly fix or address a problem, only to discover that it wasn't the right solution after all the time and money wasted, and the problem continues. Business analysis aims to not only properly diagnose an issue, but determine the best solution to fix it permanently. Business analysts, who undertake this work, require a unique combination of skills and knowledge to be successful in this function.

This course provides an overview of what business analysis is, including fundamental concepts and knowledge areas as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). This course also covers the essential competencies required for effective business analysis, including behavioral characteristics, business and software knowledge, and communication and interaction skills.

This course provides a foundational knowledge base of business analysis information so learners can effectively put principles to work at their own organizations. This course will assist in preparing the learner for the IIBA®'s Certified Business Analysis Professional™ (CBAP®) certification exam.

IIBA®, the IIBA® logo, BABOK®, and Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® are registered trademarks owned by International Institute of Business Analysis.

 

Target Audience

All levels of employees wishing to develop and refine their business analysis skills or intending to write IIBA®'s Certified Business Analysis Professional™ (CBAP®) certification exam.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Course Overview

 

Defining Business Analysis

• define business analysis
• recognize the fundamental responsibilities of the business analyst

 

Business Analysis Concepts and Knowledge Areas

• match the requirement type to their examples
• match the knowledge areas of business analysis with examples of their associated activities

 

Business Analysis Tasks and Techniques

• identify business analysis tasks
• identify business analysis techniques

 

Analytical Thinking and Problem Solving

• match the business analysis competency requirement to the example

 

Behavioral Characteristics

• recognize the behavioral characteristics required for effective business analysis

 

Business Knowledge and Software

• recognize the business knowledge required for effective business analysis
• recognize the software knowledge skills required for effective business analysis

 

Communication and Interaction Skills

• recognize the communication skills required for effective business analysis
• recognize the interaction skills required for effective business analysis

 

Skills and Competencies of a Business Analyst

 

Introduction to Business Analysis Planning

Overview/Description

In business analysis, there is no prescribed route to take. Each project, task, or process initiative is different, and every environment you work in is different. Therefore, it's essential you map out your business analysis approach based on the elements concerning your particular project, environment, and organization. It's equally important to clearly determine who your stakeholders are, who is responsible for what, and how much effort will be required for project deliverables.

This course provides an overview of planning a business analysis approach, using techniques like the decision analysis approach, process modeling and structured walkthroughs as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). This course also provides an overview of conducting a stakeholder analysis, including techniques such as RACI matrices and stakeholder maps. Finally, techniques for planning business analysis activities such as estimating required efforts are introduced.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Elements of Planning a Business Analysis Approach

• identify business analysis approaches
• identify the inputs of planning a business analysis approach
• recognize the elements for planning a business analysis approach

 

Techniques of a Business Analysis Approach

• recognize the techniques that can be used in planning a business analysis approach

 

Planning an Approach

 

Stakeholder Analysis Inputs and Elements

• recognize the inputs and elements of conducting a stakeholder analysis
• recognize the role of stakeholder in a stakeholder analysis

 

Stakeholder Analysis Techniques

• identify the process modeling technique
• recognize how to use the RACI matrix technique
• recognize how to use stakeholder map technique

 

Performing a Stakeholder Analysis

 

Introduction to Planning Business Analysis Activities

• identify what is involved in planning business analysis activities
• identify the inputs to planning business analysis activities

 

Elements of Business Analysis Activities

• recognize the elements of planning business analysis activities

 

Plan Business Analysis Activities Techniques

• recognize the techniques that can be used for planning business analysis activities

 

Business Analysis Plan

• identify the stakeholders' role in planning business analysis activities
• recognize the features of the business analysis plan

 

Planning Activities

 

Planning Business Analysis Communication and Monitoring

 

Overview/Description

Most business analyst professionals recognize the importance of identifying and performing business analysis activities in order to successfully deliver requirements and meet project goals. But what about planning and managing how these business analysis activities are actually performed? A proposed structure and schedule for communications, a requirements management plan, and a clear plan to ensure business analysis activities are executed as efficiently as possible are all key elements of successful business analysis.

This course provides an overview of planning business analysis communication using techniques like the structured walkthrough as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). This course also provides an overview of the plan requirements management process, including techniques like problem tracking and decision analysis to create the requirements management plan. Finally, techniques for managing business analysis performance such as lessons learned workshops and utilizing metrics and key performance indicators are introduced.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Communication Plan Inputs and Elements

• recognize the inputs of planning a business analysis communication
• recognize the elements of planning a business analysis communication

 

The Structured Walkthrough

• recognize the elements of a structured walkthrough

 

The Business Analysis Communication Plan

• recognize the relationship of the stakeholders to the business analysis communication plan
• recognize the main output of planning business analysis communication

 

Planning Business Analysis Communication

 

Requirements Management Process Inputs and Elements

• recognize the inputs of the plan requirements management process
• recognize the elements of the plan requirements management process

 

Requirements Management Planning Techniques

• recognize the techniques used in requirements management
• recognize how to use problem tracking

 

The Requirements Management Plan

• match stakeholders of the plan requirements management process with corresponding responsibilities
• recognize the features of the requirements management plan

 

Planning the Requirements Management Process

 

Inputs and Elements to Manage Performance

• recognize the inputs of managing business analysis performance
• recognize the elements of managing business analysis performance

 

Techniques for Managing Business Analysis Performance

• identify the techniques used in managing business analysis performance
• recognize the features of the lessons learned technique
• recognize the stakeholders' responsibilities in managing business analysis performance

 

Managing Business Analysis Performance

 

Business Analysis Requirements Elicitation

 

Overview/Description

The first step in creating any solution is to review stakeholder needs and analyze what tools are available to address those needs. Without understanding stakeholder requirements, you may find a solution to the wrong problem. And without understanding the tools and technologies involved, you may aim for impossible goals. It's equally important to ensure you document and confirm requirements so you have a solid plan to address stakeholder needs.

This course provides an overview of requirements elicitation as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course introduces the importance of activities like brainstorming to prepare for requirements elicitation. Techniques for conducting requirements elicitation like document and interface analyses are also covered. Finally, this course details how to document elicitation results through techniques like prototyping, and how to conduct interviews in order to confirm elicitation results.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Inputs and Elements to Prepare for Elicitation

• identify the purpose of requirements elicitation
• identify the inputs to prepare for elicitation

 

Techniques for Elicitation Preparation

• identify the techniques that can be used to prepare for requirements elicitation
• recognize the features of the brainstorming technique

 

Preparing for Requirements Elicitation

 

Inputs and Elements of Conducting Requirements Elicitation

• identify the inputs to conduct elicitation activity
• identify the elements of conducting elicitation activity

 

Techniques for Conducting Requirements Elicitation

• identify the techniques for conducting requirements elicitation
• recognize how to use the document analysis technique
• recognize how to use the interface analysis technique

 

Conducting a Requirements Elicitation

 

Document Elicitation Results

• identify the features of documenting elicitation results
• recognize how to use the prototyping technique

 

Confirm Elicitation Results

• recognize the techniques to confirm elicitation results

 

Working with Elicitation Results

 

Business Analysis Requirements Management and Communication

 

Overview/Description

Projects rarely go according to plan, and any deviations need to be strictly controlled. Requirements management does this through vigilant tracking techniques, and through consistent and planned communications with stakeholders.

This course provides an overview of managing solution scope and requirements using techniques like baselining and problem tracking as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). This course also covers maintaining and preparing requirements with a requirements package, and communicating requirements through requirements workshops and structured walkthroughs.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Manage Solution Scope and Requirements Inputs and Elements

• identify the features of Requirements Management and Communication knowledge area
• identify the features of managing solution scope and requirements

 

Techniques for Managing Solution Scope and Requirements

• identify the techniques for managing solution scope and requirements

 

Manage Requirements Traceability

• identify the purpose of managing requirements traceability
• identify the elements of managing requirements traceability

 

Managing Requirements

 

Maintain Requirements for Reuse

• identify the features of maintaining requirements for reuse

 

Prepare Requirements Package Inputs and Elements

• recognize how to prepare a requirements package
• recognize the elements of preparing a requirements package

 

Prepare Requirements Package Techniques

• recognize the techniques for preparing a requirements package

 

Preparing a Requirements Package

 

Communicate Requirements Inputs Elements and Techniques

• identify the inputs to communicating requirements
• identify the elements of communicating requirements
• recognize the techniques for communicating requirements

 

Communicating Requirements

 

Business Analysis: Enterprise Analysis

 

Overview/Description

Solutions to business problems are implemented every day, in every size and type of company and industry. But way before solutions are implemented, a business need must be identified, a plausible solution must be defined, and the investment required for the solution must be justifiable before implementing it.

This course provides an overview of enterprise analysis as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course details defining business needs and gaps, assessing capability gaps, and determining a solution approach. This course also provides an overview of defining solution scope and defining a business case for gathering data and being persuasive in arguments for a proposed solution.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Define Business Need Inputs and Elements

• recognize the function of enterprise analysis
• recognize the elements of defining a business need

 

Define Business Need Techniques and Stakeholders

• identify the techniques that can be used to define business needs
• recognize the elements of root cause analysis

 

Assess Capability Gaps

• identify the elements of assessing capability gaps
• recognize the elements of SWOT analysis

 

Defining Needs and Assessing Gaps

 

Inputs and Elements to Determine Solution Approach

• identify the inputs of determining a solution approach
• identify the elements of determining solution approach

 

Techniques for Determining Solution Approach

• recognize how to conduct a feasibility analysis
• identify the techniques that can be used for determining a solution approach

 

Determining a Solution Approach

 

Define Solution Scope

• identify the elements of defining solution scope
• recognize the techniques that can be used to define scope

 

Define Business Case

• identify the elements of defining the business case
• identify the techniques that can be used to define a business case

 

Defining Solution Scope and Business Case

 

Enterprise Analysis

 

Business Analysis: Enterprise Analysis

 

Overview/Description

Solutions to business problems are implemented every day, in every size and type of company and industry. But way before solutions are implemented, a business need must be identified, a plausible solution must be defined, and the investment required for the solution must be justifiable before implementing it.

This course provides an overview of enterprise analysis as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course details defining business needs and gaps, assessing capability gaps, and determining a solution approach. This course also provides an overview of defining solution scope and defining a business case for gathering data and being persuasive in arguments for a proposed solution.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Define Business Need Inputs and Elements

• recognize the function of enterprise analysis
• recognize the elements of defining a business need

 

Define Business Need Techniques and Stakeholders

• identify the techniques that can be used to define business needs
• recognize the elements of root cause analysis

 

Assess Capability Gaps

• identify the elements of assessing capability gaps
• recognize the elements of SWOT analysis

 

Defining Needs and Assessing Gaps

 

Inputs and Elements to Determine Solution Approach

• identify the inputs of determining a solution approach
• identify the elements of determining solution approach

 

Techniques for Determining Solution Approach

• recognize how to conduct a feasibility analysis
• identify the techniques that can be used for determining a solution approach

 

Determining a Solution Approach

 

Define Solution Scope

• identify the elements of defining solution scope
• recognize the techniques that can be used to define scope

 

Define Business Case

• identify the elements of defining the business case
• identify the techniques that can be used to define a business case

 

Defining Solution Scope and Business Case

 

Enterprise Analysis

 

Business Analysis: Introduction to Requirements Analysis

 

Overview/Description

When you have a set of dependent tasks to complete, it's not feasible to just randomly pick and choose which tasks to perform and in which order. The same is true for requirements in business analysis. Requirements must be analyzed appropriately to ensure they are prioritized and organized in the most appropriate way to ensure the success of a project or initiative. And mapping out what a process or system will look like with requirements in place provides a detailed view for the team to work towards.

This course provides an introduction to requirements analysis as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course covers methods for prioritizing requirements such as a MoSCoW analysis, and introduces the use of techniques like data flow diagrams to organize requirements. The course also explains using techniques like non-functional requirements analysis and state diagrams for specifying and modeling requirements.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Inputs and Elements to Prioritize Requirements

• identify the inputs for prioritizing requirements
• identify the elements of prioritizing requirements

 

Techniques for Prioritizing Requirements

• recognize the techniques used to prioritize requirements

 

Prioritizing Requirements

 

Inputs and Elements to Organize Requirements

• identify the inputs for organizing requirements
• identify the elements of organizing requirements

 

Techniques for Organizing Requirements

• identify the techniques that can be used for organizing requirements
• recognize how data flow diagrams can be used to organize requirements

 

Organizing Requirements

 

Inputs and Elements to Specify and Model Requirements

• identify the inputs for specifying and modeling requirements
• identify the elements of specifying and modeling requirements

 

Techniques to Specify and Model Requirements

• identify the techniques that can be used to specify and model requirements
• recognize the features of non-functional requirements analysis

 

Specifying and Modeling Requirements

 

Introduction to Requirements Analysis

 

Business Analysis: Verify and Validate Requirements

 

Overview/Description

 

If you want to build a boat, you need to know what is required. You need to check and make sure you have what you require in order to do the job properly. Instructions on how to build an airplane won't help you build your boat, but knowing that you need a welding torch will. When working on any project, you also need as much information as possible about anything that may influence it. This might include how much money you have to work with, how long before the project needs to be completed, and who can work on the project.

This course provides an overview of requirements analysis activities as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course covers the purpose and techniques for defining assumptions and constraints. This course also provides a description and techniques for verifying and validating requirements for a given initiative or project, such as checklists and prototyping.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Elements and Techniques to Define Assumptions and Constraints

• recognize the elements of defining assumptions and constraints
• recognize how risk analysis can be used to define assumptions and constraints

 

Defining Assumptions and Constraints

 

Elements and Techniques to Verify Requirements

• recognize the elements to verify requirements
• identify the techniques that can be used to verify requirements

 

Elements and Techniques to Validate Requirements

• recognize the elements to validate requirements
• identify the techniques to validate requirements

 

Verifying and Validating Requirements

 

Verify and Validate Requirements

 

Business Analysis: Solution Assessment and Validation

 

Overview/Description

A business analyst doesn't just come up with a viable solution to address a business need. A business analyst is also responsible for studying the viability of the proposed solution within the organization, identifying what is required within the organization to make the solution work, and validating and evaluating the solution performance.

This course provides an overview of solution assessment and validation as prescribed in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide) - Version 2.0 by the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA®). Specifically, this course introduces the elements and techniques for assessing a proposed solution, allocating requirements, and assessing organizational readiness. This course also provides an overview of defining transition requirements, and covers the techniques for validating and evaluating solutions and their performance.

 

Lesson Objectives

 

Assess Proposed Solution

• identify the features of solution assessment
• recognize the techniques for assessing a proposed solution

 

Allocate Requirements

• identify the elements of allocating requirements
• recognize the techniques for allocating requirements

 

Assess Organizational Readiness

• identify the features of organizational readiness
• recognize the techniques to assess organizational readiness
• recognize how organizational modeling can be used to assess organizational readiness

 

Assessing Solution and Organizational Readiness

 

Elements and Techniques to Define Transition Requirements

• recognize the elements of defining transition requirements
• recognize the techniques that can be used to define transition requirements

 

Defining Transition Requirements

 

Validate Solutions

• recognize the elements of validating solutions
• recognize the techniques for validating solutions

 

Evaluate Solution Performance

• recognize the elements of evaluating solution performance
• recognize the techniques for evaluating solution performance

 

Validating and Evaluating Solutions

 

Assessing and Validating Solutions