The number of business analysts in the industry is getting bigger. More and more business graduates are showing interest in this line of career for good reasons such as better wages and more opportunities for growth. If you are a new business analyst, it’s common to hear questions about who regulates this profession in the UK.
Just like any other career, business analysts are being regulated by a body called the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA) and business analysts can take the IIBA certification courses.
You will learn more about this organisation in the latter part of this article as well as the UK arm of it.
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Who is the Governing Body for Business Analysts?
The governing body for business analysts is the International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA). It is considered as an independent entity and a non-profit association composing of professionals who are in the field of business analysis.
IIBA was founded as a Canadian Corporation in 2003 until it became the leader for business analysis in the whole world. What IIBA offers to new professionals who are working in areas such as business analysis, process improvement, systems analysis, consulting, requirement management and analysis, and systems analysis, is the improvement of professional life. IIBA can help business analysts do a better job in their fields of expertise.
IIBA is the governing body in general. Business analysts in the UK are under IIBA UK
, the arm of IIBA. What IIBA Uk does is to help the business analyst community in the region expand and open more opportunities to new business analysts for them to start sharing and connecting with each other, develop their chosen careers, and improve their professional life. IIBA UK thinks that to be able to do it, business analysts need to share their knowledge through business analyst networking events.
What is the Role of IIBA in the Industry?
IIBA has solid roles to play in the business analysis industry. There are 3 major areas where it can assist business analysts in order to improve their professional life. The first role of IIBA is to define the standards for business analysis by making a guide book called “A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge.” This is where all the knowledge and information regarding the business analysis profession are written. All the acceptable and best practices are mentioned here as well.
Next, IIBA is in charge of identifying the skills needed to be an effective professional in the business analysis industry. Through its IIBA Business Analysis Competency Model, Online Assessment Tool, and Self-Assessment Tool, new business analysts will find out if they have what it takes to be a part of the organisation.
Finally, one of the major roles of IIBA is to recognise business analysts by giving them the Certification of Competency in Business Analysis (CCBA) and Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP). It is tasked to identify those individuals who are capable of performing in the business analysis sector and awarding them the proper certifications that will allow them to be more flexible with their BA jobs.
What is the Role of IIBA UK?
Being the arm of IIBA, IIBA UK has the same roles but on top of that, business analysts can also enjoy the assistance of this organisation in terms of creating business analyst networking events to expand their connections and build BA Communities of Practice or Centres of Excellence. IIBA UK can also be a hub for business analysts to collaborate with other professionals in the same industry and communicate within the community of IIBA UK. Its website and social media platforms can be relied upon if business analysts want to get in touch.
As part of the organisation’s role to help business analysts in all possible ways, volunteers run this non-profit organisation. It is composed of business analysts who work on a daily basis, which is why they encourage others to contribute networking ideas too.
Why is IIBA UK Important to the Industry?
The core purpose of IIBA is to unite the business analysis community to help generate better professional results. Without this organisation, it won’t be possible for business analysts in the industry to connect. The likelihood of losing the track of business analysis is high if there is no organisation that will help professionals find their way.
IIBA’s vision is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge in the industry. This is an important role because, without this body, no one will lead the crowd of business analysts. No one will start sharing ideas and information that are needed to improve their professional lives. Business analysts will solely rely on their independent experiences, which can cause conflicts in the future, especially if no one will gather all the best practices. IIBA is the ultimate leader and it helps a lot in connecting business analysts not only in the UK but in the whole world.
IIBA also gives certifications as additional evidence that business analysts are competent. If there will be no regulation in this industry, no one will give proof of competence and professionalism. They will rely merely on the degree undertaken by the analyst, which leads to certain limitations in their practice.
Should You be a Member of IIBA?
Being a member of IIBA is optional. If you become a member, IIBA will help you advance your career by strengthening your skillset, developing your leadership skills, and expanding your network. To strengthen your skillset, IIBA will give you access to its guide book and other assessment tools that will help you discover your areas of improvement. To develop your leadership skills, IIBA will encourage you to engage in the business analyst networking events, it facilitates locally and internationally. Lastly, to expand your network, you will be able to join chapter events that are exclusive for IIBA members.
If you want to achieve all of those things mentioned, you should be a member of IIBA. Just keep in mind that there are terms and conditions you have to meet. The annual membership fee to become a member of this organisation is £25 and an additional joining fee of £5 during the initial year. If you can afford it, you can enjoy more offers and privileges.
You can check to see whether any discounts are available for joining or IIBA endorsed course providers.
What are IIBA Chapters ?
In addition to the IIBA UK, there are number of IIBA chapters around the world that bring together business analysts in their regions to help connect and learn as a local community.
There are 120 plus local chapters around the world that promote and support IIBA’s professional standards and practices.
The IIBA chapters around the world includes:
- Australia IIBA;
- Bluegrass IIBA;
- Brussels IIBA;
- Chennai IIBA;
- Hyderabad IIBA;
- Minneapolis-St. Paul IIBA;
- Montreal IIBA;
- Ottawa Outaouais IIBA;
- Romania IIBA;
- South Africa IIBA;
- Vancouver IIBA.
The IIBA provide guidance that a minimum of three IIBA Members are required to coordinate start-up activities, and at least 20 IIBA members are required to form the membership of a new chapter.
You can find the full list of the IIBA chapters on the IIBA website and seek the opportunity to attend business analyst networking events.
Business Analysis Examination Bodies?
Whilst the IIBA is a major governing body of business analysis – there are other professional examination bodies that provide business analysis certifications.
These business analysis certification bodies which also provide membership include:
- British Computer Society (BCS);
- Project Management Institute (PMI);
- International Qualification Board for Business Analysis (IQBBA);
- International Requirements Engineering Board (IREB).
So you may wish to consider the IIBA plus the other business analysis certification bodies when seeking to do an exam. A more detailed guidance to the different types of business analysis certifications is provided in this article.