Course Description

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice is for candidates who want to develop or further their skills in the understanding and application of the skills required in pre-project work. The learning in this certificate is shaped to place emphasis on valuable business analysis skills and tools, rather than the Business Analyst role. Focusing on these skills should ensure alignment with business objectives, strategic business analysis, and a fit-for-purpose solution.

During this three-day course, you’ll receive all the training you need to prepare for the BCS Business Analysis Practice certificate examination. A pass means you’re another step closer to achieving your BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis—the de facto certification for practicing business analysts.

The BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice is a core module for the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis.

Pre-requisites

While there are no mandatory prerequisites, candidates are recommended to have knowledge equivalent to the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis and possess good written English skills.

This syllabus covers personal qualities, business knowledge, and professional techniques for successful business analysis. Inexperienced candidates or those without the Foundation Certificate should thoroughly understand chapters 1 and 2 of Business Analysis 4th Edition before further study.

Target audience

This qualification benefits professionals in various roles, including:

• Business analyst
• Business architect
• Data analyst
• Project manager
• Systems analyst
• Product manager/owner

It provides value for entry-level, associate, and management positions.

Course Materials

We'll send a printed copy of the latest comprehensive course manual to your home address well before your course begins. Additionally, you'll receive an email with a link to access a digital version of the same manual, ensuring you have both physical and electronic references for your convenience and future use.

Exam

The course prepares delegates for the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice examination. If this course is part of your BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis programme you have a choice of further modules which include the other Core BA Diploma module, Requirements Engineering.

The exam is accessible only at the registered date and time. Candidates with disabilities or special considerations, including English as a second language, may request adjustments or additional time in line with BCS reasonable adjustments policy.

Learning Objectives

Upon achievement of the certificate, candidates will be able to demonstrate a practical understanding of:

1. The strategic context for business analysis.
2. How and when to select and apply a range of techniques and tools to analyse the current state of a
   business.
3. How to establish the target state of a business.
4. The value of ongoing stakeholder engagement and analysis.
5. The purpose and content of the business case.

Course Content

Business analysis rationale

• The scope of business analysis.
• Definition of business analysis services.
• The use of Design Thinking in business analysis.

Strategic context for business analysis

• External analysis – PESTLE, Five Forces Analysis.
• Internal analysis – Resource Audit, VMOST.

Business performance measurement

• Critical success factors and key performance indicators.
• Measuring performance – the Balanced Business Scorecard.

A project approach to business analysis

• Initiating a business analysis study.
• Defining terms of reference.

Understanding the business situation

• Investigation techniques.
• Documenting the business situation:
  • Customer journey maps.
  • Empathy maps.
  • Rich pictures.
  • Mind maps.

Stakeholder engagement and business perspectives

• Identifying stakeholders.
• Analysing stakeholders – Power/Interest Grid, RACI.
• Stakeholder management strategies.
• Defining business perspectives – CATWOE.

Analysing and modelling the business activities

• Types of business activity.
• Building a conceptual business activity model.
• Consolidating perspectives and building consensus.

Establish the target state

• Gap analysis.
• Business event analysis.
• Target Operating Model (POPIT™)

Making the business case

• The lifecycle for a business case.
• Contents of a business case.
• Feasibility assessment.
• Options.
• Costs and benefits.
• Investment appraisal.
• Impacts and risks.