Getting Certified with Professional Development
As the practice of Business Analysis evolves to meet the demands of a more agile and digitized workplace, certification provides a vital outlet to validate career experience and access the most current data and trends that are impacting the industry today.
Verifying your proficiency as a certified business analyst doesn’t happen overnight, however. Certification assessment criteria can be rigorous, requiring you to bring all your expertise to the table.
Enrolling in a professional development program ensures that you’ll not only be prepared for your certification assessment, you’ll also gain the topical knowledge and skills that can help transform you into a more effective business analyst - delivering value and creating better business outcomes at every turn.
Read on to learn more about professional development and how it can enhance your Business Analysis certification experience!
Why professional development?
Professional development is not always a prerequisite to becoming certified, but there are several advantages to participating in an accredited course or program before your examination.
The first consideration is that the knowledge and experience you have gained during your career may vary from the knowledge required to pass the certification exam. A professional development program will equip you with the relevant learning resources and cover in comprehensive detail the key foundational and applied Business Analysis concepts you’ll need to know in order to pass your certification exam.
Your trainer will work to ensure that you enter any evaluation prepared to attain certification on the first attempt, covering anything you may have missed in your self-study and refreshing your understanding of the global standards outlined in IIBA’s Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®).
Another thing to consider is that many professional development institutions offer an insurance policy, reimbursing the cost of your course or exam fee if you don’t pass. This is a good indication of how confident they are that they can support you in achieving certification.
Expert-led classroom training
Classroom training is one of the most popular formats of BA education available. Instructor-led training occurs in the classroom or seminar setting, with an expert trainer on hand to present course materials and advise attendees.
Instructor-led classroom training often proves to be a highly effective method of learning, especially for complex concepts that require a more practical or group-based approach. According to the 2019 U.S L&D Report from findcourses.com, employees who are highly engaged are 94% more likely to have received classroom training.
One of the biggest assets of instructor-led classroom training is that trainers can respond to questions and direct learners to relevant resources. Highly skilled instructors can also tailor training to suit the ability level and learning style of participants.
Many classroom courses on offer take a hands-on approach to the learning process and can be highly interactive, using relevant techniques and resources to engage participants and ensure that the program content will be utilized in the workplace and any eventual certification exam.
Go digital!
Alongside the wealth of Business Analysis resources, you can access digitally today, the web also provides plenty of opportunity to get certified as well. In fact, many accredited BA training providers have begun offering their services online.
As disruptive technologies change the face of the business world, companies and individuals must also incorporate them into their personal development strategies. Findings in the L&D report indicate that 63% of organizations are already using e-learning methods, with 23% opting for virtual classroom training.
Online certifications can be more affordable than their offline counterparts. You don’t have to travel – which is a saving on its own – and the training institution doesn’t have to deal with high overhead costs. The result is more affordable programs for everyone!
There is another advantage of opting for online certification: flexibility. You can study at your own pace and take the test when you are ready. You can complete assessments and access coursework from the comfort of your home or office too.
Connect and collaborate
Professional development courses and webinars are not just a way to solidify your core knowledge and prepare for examination. They also offer the unique chance to network and gain insight from fellow BA practitioners.
Simply communicating with other attendees about their career experience could lead to new understandings of the industry, potential partnerships, collaboration opportunities or even job offers.
Not only this, attending professional development in an open format, e.g. classroom-based training, seminars or conferences is a great way to stay updated on the latest developments as they happen as well as demonstrate your commitment to the profession to any potential future employer. You can also earn CDUs to help maintain your IIBA certification.
Find an Endorsed Education Provider in IIBA’s online directory of endorsed training courses or view a list of upcoming exam prep courses [within the next three months) that support the ongoing professional development of the business analysis (BA) professional from their entry into the field and throughout their career. IIBA also partners with academic institutions offering a co-branded Business Analysis Certificate and/or Diploma.
About the Author
Oli Garner is a writer and digital content editor at professional training search engine findcourses.com and findcourses.co.uk. Currently based in Stockholm after graduating from the University of Kent in 2015, Oli is dedicated to creating engaging learning and development focused content that aids companies and individuals in choosing the correct training option for their needs.