There are numerous business analyst qualifications one can obtain to demonstrate professional credibility. Most business analysts have a technical background and generally have a bachelor's degree in computer science or engineering. In addition to a formal education, many business analysts also have extensive project management experience. Although a formal education is not required in order to become a business analyst, it is rare to find someone in the analyst community without this qualification.
Business analyst qualifications will vary depending upon the specialty of the analyst. There are four tiers of business analysis which include strategic planning, business model analysis, process definition and design, and technical business analysis. Business analyst qualifications in technical business analysis may vary significantly from those earned in the area of strategic planning. This is because technical business analysis focuses on the analysis and integration of technical systems within a company, while strategic planning focuses more on the managerial aspect of making a company operate more efficiently.
Regardless of the tier in which a business analysis specializes, certifications are another form of business analyst qualifications that play an important role within the industry. The International Institute of Business Analysis® (IIBA®) administers the Certified Business Analyst Professional® (CBAP®) certification program, which is considered to be one of the most prestigious business analyst qualifications in the industry. The IIBA® also provides a reference guide called the Business Analysis Body of Knowledge® (BABOK®), which catalogs the best practices of business analysis and provides a framework for the skills and tasks required in this field. The resources provided by the IIBA® have been instrumental in educating business analysts and providing them with the skills they need to critically analyze business problems and provide effective solutions that meet the goals and objectives of company leaders.
Business analysts are required to have extensive experience in analyzing business systems, constructing flow charts and process maps in order to better visualize business processes. In addition to the analysis of a business system, analysts will need to have excellent interpersonal skills as they will be responsible for communicating their findings to the managerial staff in order to effectively optimize existing processes and eliminate obsolete processes. A business analyst is an important member of any business organization and it is critical that he or she continue to learn and obtain qualifications in order to be serve the needs of the company.
