ISEB Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis – 3 Days
Business analysts need an extensive set of tools, competencies and techniques to identify the best solutions for the needs and improvement of the business. This skill-set includes real-world problem solving skills, requirements analysis, interviewing and modelling techniques, and critical thinking skills.
This foundation level course and qualification covers the broad range of principles and techniques within the sphere of Business Analysis.
Who is it for?
The training is appropriate for anyone requiring an understanding of Business Analysis including business analysts, system developers, business managers and their staff, business change managers and project managers.
It provides a foundation for the range of specialist ISEB modular certificates in the areas of Business Analysis, IS Consultancy and Business Change, plus the higher level ISEB Diploma in Business Analysis.
There are no pre-requisites for studying this course or qualification.
What will I get out of it?
This course will enable delegates to:
• Identify the role, responsibilities and competencies of a professional business analyst
• Understand what strategy is and why strategic analysis is important
• Identify the external and internal influences which affect a business.
• Take account of the perspectives of different stakeholders
• Practice a range of business and system investigation, analysis and modelling techniques
• Identify the benefits and disadvantages of different requirements elicitation techniques
• Learn the required stages for effective management of business change
• Understand the components of and evaluate improvements by means of a business case
• Prepare and sit the ISEB Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis
The Syllabus
The syllabus is based on the BCS publication “Business Analysis” and this text is recommended for those preparing to take this examination.
Introduction to Business Analysis
The origins, development, scope, role and responsibilities of a business analyst
The competencies of a Business Analyst
Behavioural skills and personal qualities, Business knowledge, Techniques, Developing competencies and
The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)
Strategy Analysis
The context, definition and development of strategy, External environment analysis, Internal environment analysis, SWOT analysis
The business analysis process model
A Problem-solving approach, The process model, Investigating the situation, Considering the perspectives
Defining requirements, Analysing needs and Evaluating options
Investigation techniques
Interviews, Workshops, Observation, Scenarios, Prototyping and Quantitative approaches
Stakeholder analysis and management
Stakeholder categories, identification and analysis, Stakeholder management strategies
Modelling the business system
Soft systems methodology, Documenting business situations, events and activities, Business perspectives, Critical success factors and key performance indicators, Use of the business activity model in gap analysis
Business process modelling
Definition and importance of business process modelling, The business process modelling technique,
Planning the business process improvement initiative and Improving business processes
Requirements engineering
Problems with requirements, Requirements engineering, Requirements elicitation, Requirements analysis,
Documenting and validating requirements, Managing changes to requirements
Modelling the IT system
Modelling system functions, Modelling system data
Managing the information resource
Managing data resources, Supporting business activities and the systems development lifecycle, Valuing and classifying data, Data administration and modelling, Technology for capturing and storing data,
Security, governance and related issues
Making a business and financial case
The business case in the project lifecycle,
Identifying options & Assessing project feasibility
Structure and presentation of a business case
Investment appraisal and Benefits realisation
Managing business change
Introducing a new system, Emotions and the change process, The need for a change management process
ISEB Foundation Certificate in Business
Analysis Exam (One Hour Multiple Choice)
Course Information:
Pre-requisites None, but experience within a business analysis or IT service environment is desirable
Pre-Course Study “Business Analysis” (British Computer Society) textbook – supplied in advance of course
On-Going Support 90 days post support via email or telephone
Duration 3 days, plus 1 hour’s homework per night