CBAP Certification—Taking the BA Profession to the Next Level

Presented byKris Ashton, CBAP

Meet Your Presenter

• Many, many years in the IT business

• Co-founder of The Center for Requirements Excellence

• Requirements Evangelist• Did someone say “wine”?

Kris chillin’ on the island of Delos in Greece

What We’ll Cover Today

• A brief history of the business analysis (BA) profession• The business case for the Certified Business Analysis

Professional (CBAP™) certification• What the CBAP designation means• Requirements for CBAP certification• How to apply for the CBAP exam• How to prepare for the CBAP exam• Tips for passing the CBAP exam• A few of your questions/comments

What We Won’t Do Today

• Cover the BA Body of Knowledge (BABOK™)• Teach you business analysis• Discuss the full requirements for the CBAP, such as

what experience/education combinations will or won’t fulfill the requirements

• Fully prepare you for either the application or the examination

• Discuss all of your questions/comments

What is Business Analysis?

• The tasks, techniques, skills and abilities required to clearly define a problem faced by the business and then to determine the scope of a solution to that problem– BABOK 1.6, page 8

• Solutions may include:– Process improvement– Organizational change – Technology components

What Constitutes a Profession?

An occupation that also…• Requires systematic proficiency• Has a complex body of knowledge• Has defined standards and a

licensing procedure• Serves the public• Inspires public confidence through

adherence to a code of ethics

Evolution of the BA Profession

• Up to 70% of projects failed or were “challenged”• The largest contributing factor: lack of a systematic

requirements practices• The International Institute of Business

Analysis (IIBA™) was formed in response• IIBA has created and maintains…

– The Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK™)– A certified designation—the Certified Business Analysis

Professional (CBAP™), including an examination– A code of ethics that emphasizes the public good

Why the CBAP Designation?

• Creates public awareness of role of BA• Recognizes qualified practitioners• Enhances the profession• Signifies a standard of knowledge has been met• Supports IIBA mission

Benefits of CBAP Designation

• Organizational• Individual• Societal

The CBAP Designation . . .

• Satisfies ISO 17024– Certifying body– Objective organization structure– Development and maintenance– Surveillance and recertification

• Signifies the certificant met and continues to meet all requirements– High level of knowledge and competence– Demonstrated advanced experience– Adherence to standards of conduct

Requirements for CBAP Certification

• Five years (7,500 hours) of business analysis work in the prior 10 years of experience

• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in 4 of the6 BABOK™ Knowledge Areas

• 21 hours of BA professional development in the last4 years

• Minimum high school diploma or equivalent

• Two professional references • Signed Code of Conduct

How to Apply for the CBAP

• Have at least 7,500 hours of BA experience and document it

• Complete the application– Your identifying information– Your experience– Education and professional development– Two reference letters– Signed Code of Conduct

• Send it with the applicable fee in time for the application deadline in Canada

How to Prepare for the CBAP Exam

• Read the BABOK• Read key reference material

– Karl Wiegers– Ellen Gottesdiener – John R. Adams

• Join the IIBA and check the site often• Join or form a local chapter• Join or form a study group• Teach and mentor others

A Few CBAP Exam Specifics

• 150 multiple-choice questions• Each has 4 possible answers• Duration is 3.5 hours• Paper-based in proctored setting• Scoring may take 30 days• Computer-based exams expected in late 2008

Current CBAP Exam Blueprint

Knowledge Area Percent of Questions

Enterprise Analysis 22.0%

Requirements Planning and Management

22.7%

Requirement Elicitation 18.7%

Requirements Analysis and Documentation

20.7%

Requirements Communication 10.7%

Solution Assessment and Validation 5.2%

Tips for Passing the CBAP Exam

• Study the BABOK• Prepare according to your learning style• Read the question and choices thoroughly• Always guess something; there are no penalties• Flag questions you’re not sure of and move on• After answering those you know, go back to the flagged

questions• Eliminate incorrect answers to improve your chances• If you finish before the deadline, review and double-

check• Rest up, relax and remember to breathe!

Summary

• Qualifying for CBAP certification isn’t meant to be easy• Once you have the experience, expect to spend some

time on your application• Study all along if you can• Use group learning—study group, Boot Camp, etc.—to

improve your chances of passing the exam• Above all, use your knowledge for good!

Conclusion

• What questions do you have?• Want more information?

– info@tcfre.com– www.aspetech.com– www.theiiba.org