Business Analysis Standards
A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide) is the standard for the practice of business analysis and is for professionals who perform business analysis tasks.
Recognized globally as the standard of business analysis, it guides business professionals within the six core knowledge areas, describing the skills, deliverables, and techniques that business analysis professionals require to achieve better business outcomes.
The Standard of Business Analysis
The Global Standard.
IIBA® is dedicated to establishing and maintaining the highest standards, regulations and best practices for the practice of business analysis and our business analysis certifications.
The global standards of practice are defined by the A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide), the Business Analysis Competency Model, and the core certifications. The Competency Model and certifications are based on the current version of BABOK® Guide.
What is Business Analysis?
Business Analysis is the practice of enabling change in an organizational context, by defining needs and recommending solutions that deliver value to stakeholders. The set of tasks and techniques that are used to perform business analysis are defined in A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK® Guide).
Learn More About Business Analysis
Globally Recognized Standards of the Business Analysis Profession
IIBA’s KnowledgeHub
IIBA’s KnowledgeHub is a brand-new online destination with actionable business analysis content. The KnowledgeHub provides instant online access to the BABOK® Guide, plus community-driven content, such as relevant “how do I” scenarios, videos, tips, tools, and templates that can be applied to everyday business analysis practices.
Body of Knowledge
A Guide to the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge (BABOK® Guide) is aligned to the Canadian Standards Association and Standards Council of Canada standards development processes.
BABOK® Guide is developed through a rigorous consensus-driven standards development process and incorporates the collective wisdom and experience of experts in the field from around the world. It defines the skills and knowledge required by business analysis professionals.
BABOK® Guide
- Contains a description of generally accepted practices in the field of business analysis.
- Is community driven and consensus based.
- Has gone through multiple iterations beginning in 2005.
- Includes the highly valued Business Analysis Core Concept Model™ (BACCM™).
- Techniques are applicable in most contexts where business analysis is performed, most of the time.
- They can also be modified to apply to any business analysis context or domain.
Business Analysis Competency Model
The Business Analysis Competency Model® describes the knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics required for a person to perform effectively as a business analysis professional. Derived from the BABOK® Guide it is a skills assessment tool and a professional development guide.
- Identifies 53 Business Analysis performance competencies with behavioural indicators and techniques associated with each level of business analysis.
- Supports the levels of IIBA's multi-level competency-based certification program by highlighting the key competency components associated with each business analysis task.
- Evaluates current levels against standard levels of performance to understand proficiency levels.
Certification Standards
IIBA's certification standards are aligned to ISO 17024 for our certification program, policies, procedures and include the following:
- Expertise-based breadth: Developed and reviewed by a team of Subject Matter Experts(SMEs), ideally with geography and industry diversity.
- IIBA’s certification structure is clearly defined including required competence, abilities, and prerequisites.
- We include a clear definition of continuing competence (e.g. re-certification cadence with CDU requirements).
- Our certification is based on a non-commercial body of knowledge as developed by objective third-party entities (i.e. external SMEs).
- A Job practice analysis is conducted or able to be conducted.
- The exam question development is rigorous, including the use of blind expert-based processes to create tight controls around question visibility.
- IIBA’s process for the cut score establishment and ongoing management are rigorous.
- The assessment process for the certification application and recertification is impartial.
- Certification processes ensure no candidate has an unfair advantage over another.
- The exam content is secure and is proctored either virtually or in-person in a test centre.
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About IIBA
The International Institute of Business Analysis™ (IIBA®) is a non-profit professional association serving the growing field of business analysis.
Become a Member
Join the community of Business Analysis Professionals. Explore 3 simple steps to individual membership.
How Do I Become Certified?
Business analysis is a rapidly growing field, and many professionals wonder ‘how do I become certified’? Find out how in the 4 steps to certification.