Business analysis is one of the professions that can offer you entry into tech without the need to have a technical, or coding, background. It also does not require a degree in business or tech, although either can help. Many people get into the business analysis career by enrolling into some short training ranging from a few days into a few weeks and then learning more on the job. In this post, we will examine how you can become a business analyst following the BCS pathway.
The British Computer Society (or BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT) is one of the UK’s leading learned societies and awarding bodies, operating under a Royal Charter, which is a UK government backed document that officially sets out distinguished societies in the UK. BCS specifically focuses on the tech industry and performs a number of activities towards its goal of making IT good for society. One of such is the creation of certification courses such as the suite on business analysis. This article focuses on the current BCS business analysis offerings and how you can ascend the ladder.
For a comparison of BCS and IIBA business analysis certifications, click here.
Stage 1: Foundation
The first BCS certification in the business analysis suite is known as the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis. It is awarded after scoring at least 26 out of 40 on a one-hour, multiple choice exam that tests your understanding of the essential components of business analysis. While this may be the simplest of the business analysis exams, it also has the widest curriculum and examines a wide range of competences. While the exam officially costs 192 GBP, you may be able to obtain discounted pricing by registering with a partner centre such as businessanalysiscoach.com (Twim Institute).
Stage 2: Practitioner
At the practitioner stage, there are a number of certifications you can choose from. The popular options include the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Modelling Business Processes, the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Requirements Engineering, and the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice. For the different practitioner courses, a deeper level of understanding is required to pass, and some level of experience in the profession may be helpful although not actually required. While the pass mark remains at 26 out of 40 and the time allotted is also one hour, the questions are more in-depth than the foundation certificate questions and may include scenarios requiring quick and deep thinking.
Stage 3: International Diploma
One of the unique offerings of the British Computer Society, BCS, is the international diploma. Gaining the diploma is a sign of proficiency in a number of business analysis domains and definitely sets you apart as a business analyst. To earn the diploma, you are required to pass the foundation certificate exam, and 3 practitioner exams. The most popular combinations for the international diploma are the BCS Foundation Certificate in Business Analysis, BCS Practitioner Certificate in Business Analysis Practice, BCS Practitioner Certificate in Modelling Business Processes and the BCS Practitioner Certificate in Requirements Engineering. After passing these 4 exams, candidates are required to take an oral interview with BCS examiners. The oral interview is conducted over slightly lower than one hour, and tests candidates’ knowledge across the different certifications selected. This helps ensure that diploma holders are competent, and not people who passed exams through some fraudulent method.
Holders of the IIBA CBAP exam, and the IREB Requirement Engineering exam are eligible for exemptions from one or two of the papers required to take the interview and earn the diploma.
Stage 4: Professional Certifications
The international diploma is considered to be a very good level of certification in the business analysis industry. However, if you would like to go even higher, or would like to gain (or test) your knowledge in specific areas, BCS offers a number of professional certifications which are higher- and more difficult- than the practitioner exams. They are meant for candidates with significant levels of experience and knowledge in the specific areas. They are also individually more expensive than the practitioner exams.
Stage 5: Advanced International Diploma
What if you would like to consolidate all your learning into an even higher diploma? Well, BCS has an offering for you. You become eligible for the BCS Advanced International Diploma after passing 4 professional exams (and hold, of course, the international diploma).
And at that level, all I can say is… congratulations, you are an expert!
PS: Twim Institute is a BCS accredited training centre and offers classes online, which are assessable from any part of the world. Our self-paced and live classes can be accessed through businessanalysiscoach.com. To find out more about our offerings, kindly click on courses.
