Iseb Business Analysis Training

By Author: Steve Twine
Total Articles: 4
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ISEB Business Analysis Training

The most widely recognised Business Analysis training and qualifications are accredited by ISEB - the examination arm of the British Computer Society. This guide explains the ISEB courses which are available and how the ISEB Business Analysis Diploma operates.

Contents

1. Why Business Analysis?
2. Why ISEB?
3. ISEB Business Analysis Diploma Explained
4. Training, Exams and Resources
5. FAQs

1. Why Business Analysis?

Successful organisations today understand how to integrate their IT systems and broader business processes to deliver differentiated products and services to their customers. At one level it may simply be about incremental quality improvement and cost savings; it may also involve more profound business re-engineering to support a step change in business model.

The skills to achieve this are complex and multidisciplinary. Twenty years ago the "systems analyst" documented existing paper based processes and then automated these through computerised systems. Today's "business analysts" can be vital
agents for ...
... change. They help identify change needs; capture and communicate requirements; evaluate and optimise business processes in line with organisational objectives; ensure defined requirements are delivered by IT; and they support the implementation process across different functional departments through to final business acceptance.

2. Becoming a Business Analyst

The Business Analyst needs to build practical experience and formal training which spans the above areas:
- Business objectives and processes including sales, operations and finance
- Information Systems analysis, design and deployment
- Communications

Whilst most Business Analysts will have an IT background this is not strictly necessary. Change managers, project managers and those with more general business skills may well be positioned to enhance their understanding of the more
technical systems development and modelling skills. Moreover, it is increasingly common for Business Analysts to be positioned outside of the IT department -reflecting the pervasive and integral role of IT within today's organisations.

There is also a strong and growing use of Business Analysts in consultancy and interim management roles.
Few Business Analysts have started their career in this role. Most will have a foundation in areas such as systems development, technical analysis, operational research, quality improvement, or financial analysis. The usual requirement is for individuals to extend best practice skills into a range of areas where they are less proficient. This calls for practical and modular training rather than highly academic input.

The range of courses developed by the ISEB meets this need - and the associated exams provide independent validation of your capabilities.

3. Why ISEB?

The ISEB is the examination board of the British Computer Society and it specialises in training and exams for IT professionals. ISEB exams cover 8 major IS areas - and over 250,000 exams have been delivered globally.

Business Analysis and IS Consultancy is one of the most popular ISEB categories. There are a series of short courses with exams which can be selected according to training requirement:

- Foundation in IT Enabled Business Change
- Business Analysis Essentials
- Requirements Engineering
- Modelling Business Processes
- Business & Management Skills
- Organisational Context
- IS Consultancy Essentials
- Benefits Management & Acceptance

Courses involve 2 to 4 days of training and an exam can be taken - either as part of the course or at a separate session later. The benefit of this modular approach is:

- Flexibility to concentrate on the topics you require
- Training inputs run alongside your work based experience
- Each module provides a well regarded certification

Those pursuing a career as a Business Analyst are likely to seek the ISEB Business Analysis Diploma. This requires completion of 3 core modules from the courses above - along with one specialist module. Candidates will then sit an oral exam with the ISEB which tests their ability to communicate effectively and to apply knowledge to their own work environment.

4. Training, Exams and Resources

Training is delivered by specialist providers who have been accredited by the ISEB.

The courses are delivered in a conventional instructor led classroom environment.

Both public scheduled and company specific on-site training is available. Focus offers ISEB Business Analysis training from most of the UK's accredited trainers, enabling you to find and book the course most convenient for you.

Sections 6 and 7 of this paper provide an overview of each of the Business Analysis modular courses.

There is a one hour open book exam associated with each course. The exams are based on a business scenario and 15 minutes reading time is allowed. The pass mark for these written exams is 50%.

The oral exam for the Diploma is arranged directly with the ISEB. It comprises a 50 minute session, conducted by 2 examiners.

The courses do not use a definitive manual but you will receive copies of the accredited course materials. In addition, the ISEB has a recommended reading list for each course which is available on their website. The following book provides a
useful introductory guide providing workable skills and techniques, underpinned with academic theory.
Business Analysis - Editors: D. Paul and D. Yeates - Publication Date: April 2006 - Publisher: BCS - ISBN: 978-1-902505-70-1

5. FAQs

Do I need to pass multiple exams to obtain my Certificate?

No. Each module provides its own ISEB certification. It is only if you want the ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis that you need to pass four modules and sit the oral exam.

Which order should I take the modules?

It is not essential to take the modules in a given order. Most people prefer to take Business Analysis Essentials or Requirements Engineering first since they deliver very practical skills and help provide a framework for broader understanding of Business Analysis.

Are there fast track routes to obtaining the ISEB Diploma?

Yes. Focus offers a 10 day residential course which covers all 4 modules and the price also includes the oral exam fee. We also have a 5 day course which covers the requirements and exams for both Business Analysis Essentials and Requirements Engineering.

Why does the course duration differ for the same modular course?

The ISEB recommends a minimum number of hours training for a given syllabus but it is up to training providers to set the course length according to the needs of delegates. This means that course durations vary; the course content will be
consistent and we recommend that if you have a choice, you select according to your confidence level in the subject matter.

When is the exam taken?

The exam is often taken on the final day of the course. There are however some trainers who prefer to arrange the exam as a separate event a few weeks after the classroom training. Check the course details on the Focus website.

Is the exam fee included in the price of a course?

Take care. Trainers will often present the exam as an optional extra. Because we find that nearly all our delegates wish to sit the exam Focus prices include the exam fee (except where the exam is arranged as a separate event).

Are there any pre-requisites?

There are no absolute pre-requisites for the Business Analysis courses but the Focus website will indicate the target audience for which the training is most suited. To obtain the Diploma it is necessary to attend the ISEB oral exam within 12 months of completing the 4 required modules.

Do previous version ISEB Certificates count towards the Diploma?

They may do. The ISEB publishes an equivalence chart on its website. For example, "Business Organisation" will serve as an alternative to the current "Organisational Context" module.
Steve Twine is founder and Managing Director of Focus on Training . Focus is a fast growing training organisation that specialises in project management. It works in association with most of the leading accredited providers of ITIL, PRINCE2, APM and MSP training.