Why Should I Become a CBAP®?
Last Updated on February 22, 2023 by Andrew
A Certified Business Analysis Professional is someone who has earned the CBAP designation from the prestigious IIBA (International Institute of Business Analysis) bypassing the CBAP® exam. CBAP holders have years of business analysis experience and are experts in identifying an organization’s business needs. They advise businesses on the best business solutions to maximise profitability. The most common and well-suited candidates for the CBAP course certification programme are business analysts and systems analysts.
Business Analysis is one of the fastest-growing occupations, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a 14 per cent increase expected between 2016 and 2026. Business analysis is both a very demanding and extremely rewarding occupation. A business analyst is unquestionably one of the organization’s most valuable assets.
A business analyst must comprehend their organization’s goals, determine their business needs, and offer appropriate solutions to meet those needs. A business analyst acts as a liaison between business stakeholders and technical architects. They collect data, document processes, and confirm final documents with users.
A qualified business analyst should be skilled in areas such as business analysis planning and monitoring, enterprise analysis, requirements management, communication, solution assessment, and validation. These abilities enable them to carry out their duties efficiently and with little to no downtime.
Certification and training enable BAs to stand out in the business analysis sector by assisting them in mastering the numerous skills and tools required in their domain and providing them with proof of proficiency. Market studies and polls have frequently proven that qualified business analysts make significantly more than non-certified business analysts.
Benefits of CBAP certification
The following are the benefits of the CBAP Certification-
- A globally recognised certification from the IIBA
- Member of a reputable professional organisation
- Understanding of business analysis principles and processes
- Clearly defined career path requiring specific knowledge of the technology industry
- Organizational job roles that are more fulfilling
Companies have hired more CBAP grads in recent years due to their skill sets and competence in business research. A CBAP certificate holder also earns more than a non-credential business analyst. As a result, having a CBAP credential provides you with more career opportunities, higher pay, and global recognition.
To become a Certified Business Analysis Professional, you must pass the IIBA-required CBAP test. The exam lasts three and a half hours and consists of 150 questions based on the BABOK Guide (A Guide to Business Analysis Body of Knowledge). The CBAP test is available in both written and electronic formats. However, before taking the CBAP exam, you must meet the eligibility criteria established by the IIBA.
The certification has the following advantages-
- Certification improves a person’s overall performance.
- They reduce uncertainty while expanding market prospects.
- A qualified business analyst has a broader understanding of BA methodologies and approaches, as well as superior competencies in theory and practice.
- Employers gain confidence when hiring a certified business analyst since it demonstrates commitment, as preparing for these certifications and passing the exam is a difficult effort.
The IIBA Business Analysis certifications are the most prominent business analysis credentials in the world. For more than a decade, the IIBA has been promoting the business analysis profession and certification.
The IIBA has dominated the BA certification industry with its core certifications, namely,
- ECBA – Entry Certificate in Business Analysis- Basic level, best suited for beginners and newcomers
- CCBA – Certification of Competency in Business Analysis- Intermediate level, excellent for professionals with 2-3 years of BA work experience.
- CBAP Certified Business Analysis Professional-Advanced level, best suited for professionals with at least 5 years of BA work experience.
In today’s competitive workplace, a senior business analyst is a driving force behind the successful completion of a project. Due to its rapid growth, the business analysis area has a number of obstacles, including inconsistent language across firms, a lack of standards, and difficulty identifying risks. CBAP assists business analysts in improving their skills and effectively addressing these deficiencies.
Being CBAP certified shows that the professional has years of experience in business analysis, is a specialist in understanding the organization’s business needs, and recommends the best solutions for the organisation to maximise benefits. Pursuing CBAP® exposes you to a bigger realm of BA than you have previously been exposed to.
- Higher Compensation
According to the 2020 IIBA wage study, BAs with the CBAP certification earn 59 percent more than their non-certified peers. Because of their talents and competence in business analysis, top-tier firms all over the world choose to hire CBAP personnel. As a result, obtaining CBAP certification can lead to additional work prospects, higher pay, and global reputation.
- Enhanced Performance
The CBAP test requires a thorough understanding of BABoK ideas as well as their application to diverse business analysis settings. As a result, a BA who gets CBAP certified understands the business analysis concepts, processes, and procedures specified in BABOK v3.0 rather well. They gain proficiency in efficiently executing these in order to deliver reliable and consistent results. They also earn expertise in the BABoK’s six knowledge domains, namely-
- BA planning and oversight
- Collaboration and elicitation
- Management of the requirements life cycle
- Analysis of strategy
- Analyzing requirements and developing designs
- Evaluation of the solution
- Advanced Career Potential
Companies all throughout the world are always on the lookout for highly knowledgeable and skilled BAs. Companies want to hire BA professionals with industry-recognized qualifications such as CBAP. BA practitioners all over the world have stated that certification not only results in the much-desired wage rises, but also in increased opportunities for promotions and new employment prospects. It aids in remaining one step ahead of the competition. In summary, it assists individuals in advancing their career potential by carving out a distinct path within the IT industry and business community.
- Professional Peers and Management Appreciation
CBAP certified individuals are viewed favourably by the organisation, future employers, and professional peers as people who are well-qualified and take their jobs seriously. They are regarded as capable professionals who contribute significantly to the success of a project. Simply put, certifications serve as a “mark of quality.”
- Satisfaction with a Personal Milestone
Because of the structure of the certification exam, becoming CBAP certified signifies that a BA professional is an expert in their industry. It is something that will assist them in climbing the success ladder and achieving their objectives and dreams. It assists them in being an efficient and trustworthy BA. Becoming CBAP certified is unquestionably a watershed moment that significantly boosts one’s self-esteem.
- Becoming a Member of a Prestigious Professional Group
CBAP certification promotes a senior BA to the ranks of an elite group of professionals who are considered the best in their fields/domains. There are around 10K+ CBAP certified professionals worldwide, and being one of them is no small effort. Being a CBAP is like being a member of an exclusive club for BA professionals. The BA community looks to CBAP certified experts to share and discuss business analysis concepts. Interaction with such an elite group of experts contributes to the continual improvement of BA skills and knowledge, as well as to the addition of more value and purpose to the BA profession.
- Continuous Improvement
Achieving and sustaining certification requires a consistent effort to improve and refine your abilities in business analysis processes and activities. This means that you can constantly discover new learning needs depending on your professional requirements and take the necessary steps to address them.
- Junior BAs Should be Mentored
The job of a senior business analyst is both interesting and hard. A CBAP frequently leads a team of BAs and mentors them. CBAP provides a senior BA professional with skill sets and knowledge that are helpful in fulfilling the ongoing demands of leadership and expertise, as well as mentoring junior BAs.
What Is the Process for Becoming a CBAP?
Preparing for the CBAP test might be difficult. It entails-
- Being a candidate for certification
- Completing and submitting the CBAP application.
- Getting ready for and passing the CBAP exam
The CBAP test is a 3.5-hour exam with 120 questions from the BABOK handbook. Remote online proctoring for the CBAP exam is now accessible. This new option allows you to take the exam from anywhere in the world, though the test centre option is still available. However, before taking the exam, make sure you meet the IIBA’s eligibility requirements.
Adaptive US is a top IIBA EEP. Through IIBA certification courses, they assist businesses and participants in unlocking and enhancing their talents and brilliance. It is the only training organisation that offers 100% success or a full refund.
So, do you want to become an IIBA-certified CBAP professional?
