The CBAP®

The CBAP® (Certified Business Analysis Professional) is a professional certification from the IIBA® (International Institute of Business Analysis). At the time of writing there are approximately 623 CBAP® qualified people world wide with approximately 31 of these in Australia. To qualify for the CBAP® you must:

• Pay a fee of USD450 for IIBA member and USD575 for non members.
• Have five years (7,500 hours) business analysis work in the last ten years engaged in tasks specifically related to the knowledge areas as defined within the BABOK®.
• Demonstrate experience and expertise in at least four of the six knowledge areas in the BABOK®.
• Have a minimum of a high school education.
• Have 21 hours of professional development in the last four years directly related to business analysis or the underlying fundamentals.
• Provide two references.

Sit and pass the CBAP exam.

As can be seen from the stringent requirements you need to have a fair amount of experience as a business analyst to be able to sit for and gain the CBAP®. As such the letters CBAP® can be considered a précis of your experience.

But why do business analysts need a qualification? As the CBAP® qualification is examined and maintained by an independent third party it holds kudos in demonstrating that the holder meets a certain standard and therefore reduces the risk to the consumer (employer or client) of these services. The benefits to the individual from acquiring and maintaining CBAP® certification may include:

• Demonstrated knowledge of the skills necessary to be an effective Business Analyst.
• A proven level of competence in the principles and practices of business analysis.
• Participation in a recognized professional group.
• Recognition of professional competence by professional peers and management.

Advanced career potential due to recognition as a professional Business Analysis practitioner.

In my next blog I shall start concentrating on some of the individual knowledge areas required by a business analyst.