Business Analysis Blueprint

Dulce Oliveira

What compels someone to spend decades championing an entire profession? To explore that question, we turned to Dulce Oliveira, IIBA Montreal Chapter President and one of business analysis’s most enduring voices. 
 
In our latest instalment of Business Analysis Blueprint, Dulce shares her remarkable journey—a story that helped lay the foundation for business analysis worldwide. From a historic night in Toronto that sparked the birth of IIBA to her ongoing work as a teacher, leader, and mentor, her career shows what’s possible when vision and persistence meet. 
 
Her influence has touched classrooms, corporate boardrooms, and community chapters, always with the same purpose: to advance business analysis and the people who practise it. Over the past two decades, she has helped build foundational standards, such as A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK Guide), steered IIBA’s growth into a global force, and inspired students and colleagues alike with her humility and enthusiasm. 
 
Dulce has always believed in the power of recognition, making it a point to celebrate the achievements of others. Today, we take a moment to recognize hers. 

You’ve been part of the business analysis profession for over two decades and were a founding member of IIBA. What inspired you to help create an organization like IIBA, and what was that experience like in the early days?

The idea to create an organization dedicated to business analysis professionals came from seeing how other professions earned recognition in the industry. I saw firsthand the recognition project managers received, but business analysis professionals didn’t get the same acknowledgment. As I saw it, project managers worked on the container (the project), while business analysis professionals filled it with things like requirements and process maps. Without us, projects would contain estimates, schedules, and financials, missing the actual content! Where was the recognition for the value we brought to the table? 

Then came October 29, 2003, in Toronto, Canada. At that first inaugural meeting, 28 founding members (including me) from 21 different organizations created IIBA. And what a feeling it was. We knew we had started something significant and necessary for the benefit of business analysis professionals globally.

In those early days, it was exciting to see business analysis professionals in action: from choosing a name to electing a board of directors to forming committees, the journey had started!

You played a key role in developing version 1.6 of the BABOK Guide, particularly the Requirements Planning and Management knowledge area. What was the most rewarding or challenging part of shaping such an important resource?

Having a project management background, I recognized the importance of planning. So I was quite happy to take on a critical aspect of business analysis, one that wasn’t well understood: the idea that business analysis professionals need to plan their own work.

As volunteers living in different cities, we all had our own professional and personal responsibilities. The challenge was finding time to meet and work together—we didn’t have the same collaboration tools we have today! We decided to divide and conquer, each of us taking on an aspect of requirements planning and management. Then we would meet via conference calls to provide input on each other’s work until we had a final product.

Seeing the BABOK Guide v.1.6 published, including the Requirements Planning and Management section, was one of the highlights of my career. It gave me a sense of satisfaction and pride in what we had accomplished.

As someone who’s been with IIBA since the very beginning, how have you seen the organization and the business analysis profession evolve over the years?

It’s been a roller coaster. Sometimes it seems to move very slowly—even today, we’re fighting some of the same battles. “Business analyst” still isn’t instantly recognized the way I hoped it would be back in 2003, largely because the role itself is often misunderstood. That’s why I favour the term “business analysis professional,” as it emphasizes the professional aspect of the role instead of the individual.

But the past 20 years have also seen incredible momentum: a rich library of resources on IIBA's website, certification expanding from the original Certified Business Analysis Professional (CBAP) in 2006 to seven today, 120 chapters in over 40 countries, 30,000 members, and nearly 50,000 IIBA certifications worldwide. Wow!

There’s still plenty of work to do in making IIBA truly international, especially through translations. Some of our current and past IIBA Montreal board members have been instrumental in this area—including Georges Bryson, Yves Nicole, and Patrice Bourgeois. Thanks to their leadership, Canadian French versions now exist for the BABOK Guide (versions 2 and 3), the Entry Certificate in Business Analysis (ECBA) exam and supporting materials, The Business Analysis Standard, Being Nimble, and even the IIBA Montreal website. 

That momentum continues: I’m excited to see IIBA introduce AI-powered simultaneous translation at the upcoming 24-hour Global Business Analysis Day event on November 14. It’s a fantastic step toward greater global accessibility!

You’ve been teaching business analysis, leadership, and project management at McGill University for nearly two decades. What do you enjoy most about teaching, and how do you make these concepts accessible and engaging for your students?

Interacting with students who are only just discovering business analysis is a tremendous driving force for me. It’s also rewarding to see them discover the various ways of looking at a problem and learning much more than they had expected!

In my classes, I always include examples of my failures. Students appreciate the candour and openness, and they realize that mistakes are part of the journey; failures provide the best learning experiences.

You’ve earned the CBAP certification and have been recognized with IIBA’s Volunteer of the Year Award. How have these milestones shaped your career, and what do they mean to you personally?

Receiving the CBAP certification was proof that business analysis professionals were finally being recognized for their expertise. It gave me a sense of accomplishment and pride, something I felt my work had truly earned.

After helping create IIBA, IIBA Montreal, and the BABOK Guide v.1.6, being named Volunteer of the Year was the cherry on top. It was both rewarding and deeply aligned with one of my strongest beliefs: the value of recognition. I know the tremendous impact it can have, which is why I strive to pay it forward. I’m always looking for opportunities to celebrate my fellow practitioners and others for a job well done.

You’re currently the president of the IIBA Montreal Chapter and have been involved in leadership roles for years. What’s been the most fulfilling part of leading and supporting a local chapter?

Working with other like-minded individuals who are passionate about the value business analysis professionals bring—and willing to devote thousands of hours to the cause—is what keeps me engaged with the Montreal chapter. I may be biased, but I truly believe we have some of the most collaborative and recognition-minded practitioners in the profession!

With your expertise in leadership development and coaching, what advice would you give to business analysis professionals looking to grow into leadership roles?

Don’t be afraid to take on a role you don’t feel totally prepared for. Lean on mentors, ask questions without fear, and never stop learning! A mix of self-esteem and humility will serve you well, regardless of what role you take on. People appreciate someone who can admit their mistakes, seek feedback, and offer constructive guidance.

Remember that everyone moves at their own pace in leadership development. Respect each person’s journey, stay mindful of yourself and others, and cultivate emotional intelligence.

You’ve worked in corporate roles, taught at a university, and volunteered extensively. How have these different experiences shaped your perspective on business analysis and its impact?

In the corporate world, I’ve held many different roles: from being a new business analyst to managing the work of several business analysis teams, to creating business analysis processes, templates, and courses tailored to our organization. I saw firsthand how aligning process, training, and communication was essential to the success of all project team members.  

Sharing my business analysis knowledge and experience through teaching has been one of my most rewarding activities in the last few years. Helping someone realize that business analysis fits their personal and career goals is so uplifting, especially when I get to witness their progress throughout the course.

Volunteering feels like coming full circle. It’s my way of paying it forward, using the experiences and opportunities I’ve been fortunate to have throughout my career to support those just starting out. Contributing to the evolution of the profession and being part of the IIBA family make it all worthwhile.

When you’re not busy teaching, volunteering, or leading, how do you spend your free time?

I enjoy spending time with young children. They have a way of putting everything into perspective and simplifying even the most complex situations. They ask lots of questions (like any good analyst), and they know it’s okay not to have all the answers.

I also find joy in the arts, whether it's going to a rock concert, being moved by the opera, or sitting in awe of the talented actors who perform at the theatre. Travelling is another passion of mine. The magic of the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Tuscany in Italy, Australia’s Blue Mountains, New Zealand’s black sand beaches, and historical sites throughout Europe are all favourites! Disney World also gets a special mention.

Every new experience makes me grateful for the journey. It’s been a blast!

In 2025, we’re spotlighting the versatility, value, and far-reaching impact of talented business analysis professionals like Dulce through Analysis Everywhere. If you need some inspiration for sharing your own story, visit our website for more information.

Know someone who's making an impact as a business analysis professional? Reach out to brand@iiba.org to have them featured in our next Business Analysis Blueprint.

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