Understanding the CCBA Designation Helping Business Do Business Better Michael Gladstone, CBAP
IIBA Career Roadmap Advanced Beginner General understanding, some on-the-job experience Study BABOK Guide, gain experience Starting New/Novice Enroll in IIBA Certificate or Diploma Program* Competent At least 2½ -3 years practical BA experience Apply for CCBA professional certification Proficient At least 5 years of practical BA experience Apply for CBAP professional certification Expert Extensive BA knowledge and experience Apply for CBAE certification* * Under development 2
What is Professional Certification? A designation earned by an individual identifying that they have demonstrated a standard level of skills, experience, and expertise within their field. Earned from a professional society Granted based education, experience, and knowledge, rather than solely by passing an exam Developing, administering, and maintaining the certification is done to international standards. Many professional certifications are used as "postnominal letters", meaning that they are included after one's name 3
IIBA Certification Program Designations Certification of Competency in Business (CCBA ) Certified Business Professional (CBAP ) Program Recognizes individuals with demonstrated knowledge & experience performing business analysis Designed around global standards (ISO 17024) 4
CCBA & CBAP Recipients CCBA The industry standard designation - recognizes established BA practitioners Full-Time BAs with ~3 years BA experience Hybrid BAs Seasoned professionals with BA experience CBAP An elite designation - recognizes the most experienced BA practitioners Full-time BAs with at least 5 years of BA experience Trainers, Managers, etc. with the req dba experience
Potential CCBA Candidates 3750 hours of business analysis experience required Full-time BAs Majority of time spent doing BA May continue on to CBAP certification Hybrid BAs Support multiple roles (e.g., project manager, tester, etc) May require 5-7 years to accumulate 3750 hours Experienced professionals new to the role Have performed business analysis under another job title 6
Benefits of IIBA Certification For the Individual Recognizes individuals who have invested in their BA careers and encourages them to continue. Provides individuals with personal satisfaction of accomplishing a milestone in their BA careers. Ensures BAs continually improve and refine their capabilities.
Benefits of IIBA Certification For the Organization Provides recognition and potential advancement opportunities for staff. Demonstrates to customers, competitors, suppliers, staff and investors the use of industry-standard practices. Improves staff responsibility, commitment and motivation.
Certification Process 1. Candidate submits an online application for certification. The online application includes: Application form and application fee References Code of Conduct form 2. Application is reviewed in accordance with the IIBA Certification Body guidelines to determine if the candidate meets all the requirements 3. If approved, the candidate pays the examination fee and registers to take the exam 4. Candidate takes the exam and is notified of the result
CCBA Designation Req ts Minimum 3,750 hours of practical BA work, aligned with the BABOK Guide, in the last 7 years. These hours must include one of the following (the Knowledge Areas requirement) : 900 hours in at least 2 of the 6 BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas 500 hours in at least 4 of the 6BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas Minimum 21 hours of Professional Development in the last 4 years Minimum high school diploma or equivalent Two professional references Signed Code of Conduct Successful completion of the CCBA Exam
Work Experience Business activities must be aligned with the BABOK Guide.These include: Hands-on business analysis activities Coaching or mentoring of business analysts with respect to business analysis activities Development of business analysis methodology and/or best practices Development of business analysis courses
Work Experience Activities that are not part of the BABOK Guide definition of business analysis do not apply. These include (but are not limited to): Supervisory management of business analysis activities e.g. resource management, status reporting, performance management Teaching business analysis training courses Selling requirements tools/software Project management Testing Programming
Professional Development Must be personal professional development, not time developing others (e.g., taking a course qualifies, teaching a course does not) Content must be aligned with the BABOK Guide Knowledge Areas or Underlying Competencies Leadership and communication qualifies Testing, Project Management and Programming courses DO NOT Measurable learning objectives directly applicable to the role of the Business Analyst (i.e. in terms of either changing behavior, or improving skills)
Professional Development Criteria for inclusion: Moderated session with a facilitator/instructor who leads the individual/group through the material Students should be able to interact (i.e., be able to ask questions) AND practice the task or objective being presented All courses endorsed under the IIBA Endorsed Education Provider program qualify towards the Professional Development requirement Conference workshops qualify; track sessions, keynotes do not
References Must be provided by a: Career Manager Internal or External Client Certified Business Professional (CBAP )
CCBA Exam The CCBA and CBAP exams are different! CCBA: primarily recall questions with some application questions (CBAP: much higher number of application questions) 150 questions, 3½ hours Exam preparation materials found at www.: CCBA Handbook Exam Blueprint FAQs
Certification Fees Initial fees $125 USD application fee that is nonrefundable $325 USD exam fee for IIBA members $450 USD exam fee for non-members Rewrite fees $250 USD for IIBA members $375 USD for nonmembers Candidate must wait 3 months before rewriting the exam
Recertification Recertification is required every 3 years 60 Continuing Development Units (CDUs) are required: Formal Academic Education Academic course related to business analysis Professional Development EEP Vendors; Other training providers; Chapter Meetings; Conferences Professional Activities Author article/book; Speaker/Instructor @ Conference/Chapter Self Directed Learning Informal discussions/coaching; study of books; archived webinars Volunteer Service IIBA/Chapter Board or Committee member; BA work for not-for-profit Professional Experience
CCBA or CBAP: Which is right for me? Where am I today? How much BA experience do I have? What am I doing in my role? Full-time BA? Hybrid BA? Where am I going? Will I stay in business analysis? Will I move in to something different? What opportunities will I continue to have to develop as a BA? How important is professional certification to me today? 19
Questions and Answers
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