Being aware of the major agile business analyst certifications is becoming increasing relevant to business analysts as they adapt and seek to improve their awareness on projects that involve the agile ways of working. This is a skill area that is increasing in demand and is definitely needed should you require to expand the types of projects that you work on and become an agile business analyst
.
A common question that business analyst asks us at Business Analyst Mentor is, which agile business analyst certifications are available? and which is the best agile certification for business analyst?
The following institutions provide agile business analyst certifications:
- International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) provide a competency based agile analysis certification;
- British Computer Society (BCS) provide a professional certification in agile business analysis;
- International Software Quality Institute provide the iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA);
- APMG International provide the AgileBA Foundation and AgileBA Practitioner certification.
You may be surprised at the number of agile business analyst certifications that are available in the business analyst profession to learn about agile and hence will be faced with the question, which agile certification is best for business analyst?
More and more organisations are adopting agile ways of working so having business analysts that are skilled in agile ways of working is a must for a lot of organisations. Of course a business analyst can attend a scrum or lean training course, however, having a course that is more suited for business analysis in an agile context is more beneficial and of value to the business analyst.
Table of Contents
What are the major Agile Business Analyst Certifications?
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
- IIBA Agile Analysis Certification (IIBA-AAC).
- IIBA Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (IIBA-CPOA).
British Computer Society (BCS)
- BCS Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis.
International Software Quality Institute
- iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA).
APMG International
- AgileBA Foundation Certification.
- AgileBA Practitioner certification.
What can I expect to learn for each of the Agile Business Analyst Certifications?
IIBA Agile Analysis (IIBA-AAC) Certification
With the IIBA®-AAC certification you will learn how agile intersects and interacts with business analysis and gain a focus on applying an agile perspective within a business analysis framework. The course is suited to business analysts that are working in agile environments to build upon their skill set and expertise and staying up to date on best practice and industry trends.
The agile analysis certification exam, formulated from the agile extension to the BABOK® Guide, consists of 85 multiple choice, scenario-based questions, and must be completed within 2 hours.
It is a live, online-delivered exam that requires a computer, webcam, microphone, and access to the Internet.
IIBA Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (IIBA-CPOA)
With the IIBA-CPOA, Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis a business analyst has the opportunity to develop themselves and demonstrate knowledge within the product owner analysis framework.
Anyone working in the business analysis or product ownership field can benefit from this program and acquire the skills needed to meet the challenges of creating a successful product. The IIBA CPOA certification serves as an excellent foundation for business analyst-to-product owner training; it also aids in the transition from a business analyst to a product owner.
British Computer Society (BCS) Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis
This agile business analysis certification from the British Computer Society (BCS) will allow you to gain a broad understanding of business analysis, including:
- How to describe a range of agile methods (process, roles, principles);
- The role of business analysis in an agile team;
- The use of agile analysis, modelling and documentation techniques;
- How to analyse business goals and their decomposition;
- How to evaluate whether an agile method is appropriate for a given situation;
- Understanding how to apply user story techniques;
- How to explain the techniques used to plan and manage an iteration.
The format of the exam:
- Pass mark is 65%;
- 90 minutes, ‘closed book’ exam with two sections. Section A comprises 20 multiple choice questions worth 2 marks each. Section B uses scenarios and asks candidates to answer multiple choice questions and to construct short answer responses to questions.
How long will it take?
- Classroom courses normally last 3 days.
Where can I study?
- At an approved provider near you;
- At your computer via e-learning or web conference learning.
International Software Quality Institute -iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA)
With the internationally recognised iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA) certification you can show that you have the necessary knowledge to conduct business analysis and can utilise this in agile development.
To be certified you must pass the iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA) exam.
You can prepare for the exam by attending an accredited training course for iSQI’s® Certified Agile Business Analysis; participants will have relevant content and topics clearly explained and taught to them. The course will also provide practices and tools for agile business analysts working in any of the emergent flavours of Agile.
The syllabus covers:
- What is Business Analysis?
- What is agile?
- Common agile approaches;
- BA techniques in agile projects;
- See the whole;
- Think as a customer;
- Determine what’s of value;
- Get real with examples;
- Understand what’s doable;
- Stimulate collaboration and continuous improvement;
- Avoid waste;
- Review and close.
The exam is available on Pearson Vue for anyone wishing to self-study.
APMG International – AgileBA Foundation Certification
The foundation is level is for:
- Practising business analysts;
- Agile team members who wish to become agile business analysts;
- Individuals wishing to understand business analysis – such as product owners and managers;
- Individuals pursuing the AgileBA Practitioner certificate.
What will you learn:
- The underpinning philosophy and principles of agile;
- The processes within an agile project;
- The practices used in an agile project plus their benefits and limitations;
- The roles and responsibilities within an agile project.
Exam format:
- Multiple choice;
- 50 questions per paper;
- 25 marks required to pass (out of 50 available) – 50%;
- 40-minute duration;
- Closed book.
APMG International – AgileBA Practitioner Certification
The practitioner level is for:
- This is a more advance course and you will need to obtain the AgileBA foundation certificate;
- Practicing and aspiring business analysts;
- AgileBA foundation certified individuals;
- Business Analysts looking to cement their position as expert agile business Analysts.
What will you learn:
- How to apply the underpinning philosophy and principles of the DSDM agile project framework;
- How to apply a variety of agile practices in a project, e.g. facilitated workshops, MoSCoW prioritisation, iterative development and modelling;
- How to test, estimate and evaluate benefits delivery in an agile project;
- The mechanisms for facilitation and support within an agile project;
- The agile approach too managing and prioritising requirements.
Exam format:
- Complex multiple choice;
- 4 questions per paper with 20 marks available per questions;
- 40 marks required to pass (out of 80 available) – 50%;
- 2.5-hour duration;
- Open book (AgileBA Handbook only).
Choosing your Agile Business Analysis Certification
There are a number of agile business analysis certifications, perhaps more than you would have thought before you start searching around. An agile business analyst certification will build upon a core business analysis certification.
Obtaining an agile business analysis certification will provide you the knowledge and confidence when you come to apply for your skills in an agile working environment. An agile business analysis certification will also help to advance your business analyst career and allow you to adapt to different types of projects.
How do I Become an Agile Business Analyst?
A business analyst can become an agile business analyst or a product owner by becoming familiar with agile ways of working (such as scrum) and developing an agile mindset.
With an agile mindset an agile business analyst can develop and understand the set of attitudes and beliefs that drives the thinking and actions of a business analyst and supports the agile context so the resulting value of the project can be maximised with minimal output.
There is no single career path for a business to become an agile business analyst – some business analyst may find themselves on a project which is applying agile ways of working and will quickly need to involve what is required to adapt to the project needs compared to traditional business analysis tools and techniques. An agile business analyst can utilise and learn a full spectrum of agile techniques to support their projects using agile ways working.
A business analyst wanting to become a business analyst may:
- Explore formal agile business analyst certifications detailed in this article.
- Explore formal agile certifications
to specialise on a particular agile approach such as scrum. - Work alongside a product owner and help the product owner with the product backlog.
- Seek out projects which have an agile way of working.
- Start developing an agile mindset.
- Start learning and improving on writing user stories.
- Learn to become customer centric.
- Learn to focus on value and business outcomes.
Are Business Analysts Needed in Agile?
Yes – business analysts can be members of a scrum team and there is an opportunity for business analysts to an effective member of an agile team but the business analyst needs to have an agile mindset and be flexible on their approach and will need to work alongside and support the product owner.
Links to Agile Business Analysis Certifications
The following are links to agile BA certifications for those seeking the best agile certification for business analyst.
- IIBA Agile Analysis (IIBA-AAC) Certification
- IIBA Certificate in Product Ownership Analysis (IIBA-CPOA)
- BCS Professional Certificate in Agile Business Analysis
- iSQI® Certified Agile Business Analysis (CABA)
- APMG International – AgileBA Foundation Certification
- APMG International AgileBA Practitioner certification
