The International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) has introduced a new "Business Standard" to provide a simplified view of business analysis. The Business Analysis Standard, which replaces the Global Business Analysis Core Standard, has been created using a multi-stakeholder process and reflects the latest thinking and best practices in the field, and is designed to help business analysts, managers, project teams, and executives understand the benefits of this discipline and the essential concepts and practices involved in it.
The International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is a non-profit professional association dedicated to supporting business analysis professionals to deliver better business outcomes. IIBA connects almost 30,000 Members, over 100 Chapters, and more than 500 training, academic and corporate partners around the world.
In this blog post, we will discuss the various aspects of the Business Standard that make it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their business analysis skills and how his standard can be leveraged by learners to enhance their understanding of the concepts and practices involved in business analysis.
How was it compiled?
A multi-stakeholder process was utilized to develop this standard that included globally sourced volunteers from various industries and levels of expertise within the global community. The goal being to articulate in one document what all business analysts do, no matter their industry or role.
Why was there a need for Global Standards?
To provide the industry with a list of techniques that may be used by business analysts to perform their work as well as key considerations for using these techniques successfully in support of industry best practices when undertaking business analysis activities.
“The Business Analysis Standard was created as a response to a need from our global community and is the heart of the foundation for good business analysis. It not only emphasises the importance of mindset for good business analysis but is a pathway for anyone wanting to implement these globally accepted foundational standards into their own work. As we did with the Core Standard, IIBA will make this valuable resource available to everyone.” - Delvin Fletcher, President and CEO, of IIBA.
What is the Business Analysis Standard?
The Business Analysis Standard (BAS) - A Guide to the Practice of Business Analysis can be used in multiple ways such as; to define what business analysis is and what it isn’t, to serve as a basis for organizational or individual maturity assessments, as a guide for new business analysis professionals and those who wish to get into the field, as an educational resource for universities, colleges and other post-secondary institutions to develop their programs that are relevant to today’s marketplace. It includes information about the mindset required to focus on value creation and provides an integration of agile business analysis to address hybrid approaches.
What are the Benefits?
The Business Standard provides a summarized view of business analysis, covering the foundational information necessary for success.
The standard also includes key competencies and techniques that are critical for effective analysis. This includes "design" with requirement tasks and activities, managing the delivery of business analysis, and the requirements classification. The addition of these key elements ensures that business analysts have an understanding of the skills and knowledge necessary to perform good analysis.
It also incorporates the Business Analysis Core Concept Model™ (BACCM™) to support the work to be done and other knowledge products that help describe business analysis work. This makes it an all-in-one resource for business analysts, providing them with everything they need to know about the discipline in one place.
The Business Standard provides a summarized view of business analysis, covering the foundational information necessary for success.
Quality content: The Business Analysis Standard provides high-quality content that is comprehensive, accessible, and aligned with the needs of business analysts. Whether you are just starting out in the field or are an experienced professional, the standard is designed to provide valuable insights and support for your work.
Broad business analyst perspective: The standard covers a broad range of topics related to business analysis, including agile, cybersecurity, and more. This makes it a valuable resource for anyone looking to improve their understanding of the discipline and its various applications.
BACCM Complimentary Summary - IIBA
One of the key features of the Business Standard is the removal of numbering so there isn’t an implied sequence for tasks. This allows business analysts to approach their work in a flexible manner, adapting to the specific needs of each project and situation. The emphasis on value creation and the integration of agile approaches ensure that business analysts can deliver results in an ever-changing business environment.
The Business Analysis Standard (page 18) - IIBA
How can it be used during Exam Preparation?
When preparing for your IIBA exams, in combination with Agora Insights' IIBA Certification preparation courses, the Business Analysis Standard can help learners gain an understanding of the subject matter and be better prepared for the exams. It provides a summarized view of the foundational concepts and key competencies of business analysis primarily based on the BABOK® Guide, making it easier for learners to grasp the concepts. The standard also serves as a starting point for deeper learning for those new to business analysis. Incorporating the standard into the learning process can help learners understand the subject matter better and prepare for certification exams.
Impact on IIBA Certification Exams & Course Material
The IIBA certification exams and course materials will not be affected by the current situation. This means that professionals who have already invested time and effort in studying and taking their certification exams can continue on their path to success without any disruptions or delays. Additionally, those who are still in the process of preparing for their tests do not need to worry since they can rely on the same material and guidance they had before. The IIBA remains committed to helping professionals acquire the knowledge and experience needed to excel in business analysis, regardless of any external factors.
Our Final Thoughts
- This 50+ page booklet is significantly shorter than the 500+ page BABOK guide. The BABOK guide is also used for certification and requires detail, the Standard offers a good visual overview of the key learning aspects of the Business Analyst role.
- One of the standout features of the new Standard is its use of color coding and numbering, which makes it easier for learners to understand and follow the content. This is particularly helpful for individuals who are new to business analysis and may be overwhelmed by the complex concepts and practices.
- Another benefit of the updated Standard is its integration with other certifications like the Agile extension. This reflects the increasing importance of agile methodologies in the business analysis world and ensures that the Standard remains relevant and up-to-date.
- While the Business Analysis Standard is great for business analysts, some of the references to business architecture are not well aligned. This may limit its usefulness for some users who need a more integrated perspective on business analysis and its relationship to other business disciplines. The integration with business architecture could have been better, it seems to lack the understanding of the vital role of business architecture in strategy to execution that is often lacking in organisations. In chapter 6 of the BABOK guide, the Business Analyst focuses mostly on analysing strategy, but what if there isn't one to begin with?
Conclusion
In conclusion, the updated Business Analysis Standard is a significant development in the field of business analysis, reflecting the latest thinking and best practices in a simple format. Its color coding and numbering make it an accessible and easy-to-use resource for learners, and its integration with other certifications ensures its relevance in today's business world. While there is room for improvement in its integration with business architecture, the Standard remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in effective business analysis.
I would advise that all those learning and preparing for the ECBA, CCBA or CBAP exams using this as a study guide to remind them of the important aspects presented in your BABOK. You absolutely need to learn BABOK when preparing for your exam but here is something to help you with that.
Reference
The Business Analysis Standard - IIBA
The Business Analysis Core Concept Model (BACCM) - IIBA
BACCM Checklist - IIBA
BACCM Summary - IIBA
Agora Insights IIBA Certification Prep Courses
