Business analysis is crucial for organizations to make informed decisions and manage changes effectively. The role of a business analyst includes investigating business situations, evaluating improvement options, and defining requirements for information systems. Various certification levels, including foundation and practitioner, are available through BCS, focusing on diverse topics such as business change, commercial awareness, and data management.

2. Business Analysis
“To thrive in an ever-changing world you need
to make the right decisions. This is only
achievable if you have the right information.
“Business Analysis is vital in helping the
organisation obtain this detail and effectively
manage business change.”
BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT

3. What is a business analyst?
The business analyst is an advisory role that
has responsibility for:
• Investigating and analysing business situations.
• Identifying and evaluating options for improving business
systems.
• Elaborating and defining requirements.
• Ensuring the effective implementation and use of
information systems in line with the needs of the business.

4. Core responsibilities of a BA
Although there are different role definitions,
depending on the organisation there is an
area of common ground where most
business analysts work.
Core responsibilities include:
• Investigate business systems taking a holistic view of the
situation; this may include examining elements of the
organisation structures and staff development issues as
well as current processes and IT systems.

5. Core responsibilities of a BA
• Evaluate actions to improve the operation of a business
system. Again, this may require an examination of
organisational structure and staff development needs, to
ensure that they are in line with any proposed process
redesign and IT system development.
• Document the business requirements for the IT system
support using appropriate documentation standards.
• Elaborate requirements, in support of the business users,
during evolutionary system development.

6. What can we do for you?
Business Analysis

7. Professional Certification
bcs.org/businessanalysis

8. BCS Business Analysis Certification
Scheme

9. Foundation level
•Business Change
–Incorporate the techniques, frameworks and models used
in business change activities.
•Business Analysis
–Covers the range of concepts, approaches and techniques
for business analysis.
•Commercial Awareness
–Structured around business finance and organisation
behaviour for business analysis work.
bcs.org/businessanalysis

10. Practitioner level
•Benefits Management & Business Acceptance
–Delivery of successful software solutions.
•Business Analysis Practice
–The development of effective business solutions.
•Data Management Essentials
–Procedures for managing corporate data resource.
•Modelling Business Practice
–Leading to the improvement of business processes.
•Requirements Engineering
–A systematic approach from analysis to management.
bcs.org/businessanalysis

11. Practitioner level
bcs.org/businessanalysis
Note:
The practitioner level modules can be taken
individually or as a learning pathway to the
BCS International Diploma in Business
Analysis.

12. BCS International Diploma
Four modules and an oral examination
Core modules Knowledge specialism Practitioner specialism
Business Analysis
Practice
Foundation Certificate in
Commercial Awareness
Benefits Management &
Business Acceptance
Requirements
Engineering
Foundation Certificate in
Business Analysis
Modelling Business
Processes
Foundation Certificate in
Business Change
System Modelling
Techniques
Foundation Certificate in
IS Project Management
Systems Development
Essentials
Data Management
Essentials
Two of the above One of the above One of the above
bcs.org/businessanalysis

13. Professional level
•Agile Business Analysis
–Adopt an agile approach to business analysis.
•Business Architecture
–Ensure the effectiveness of business change
programmes.
•Data Analysis
–Understand a range of data analysis and modelling
techniques.
•Benefits Planning and Realisation
–Manage the change lifecycle to realise business benefits.
bcs.org/businessanalysis

14. International Advanced Diploma
bcs.org/businessanalysis
•Designed for senior business analysts who:
–Hold the BCS International Diploma in Business Analysis
–Have a minimum of five years’ experience in business
analysis
–Hold a range of BCS professional certifications
–Plus, interested applicants should be able to demonstrate
ongoing personal development in the profession and
active contributions within business analysis communities.

15. The Expert BA Award
•Established by the BA Manager Forum
•Joint awarding bodies are:
– BCS for their experience in the professional development
of business analysts
– CMI (Chartered Management Institute) for their expertise
and heritage in leadership and consultancy
•Developed to recognise the Business Analyst
working at consultant level
•A career development path for senior BAs
bamanagerforum.org

16. The Expert BA Award
bamanagerforum.org

17. Publishing
bcs.org/babooks

18. Books and ebooks
bcs.org/babooks

19. Ebook series
bcs.org/ebooks